I ran out of mine for two days the other week...one month post op. Thought I was gonna die everytime I ate anything other than shakes and cheese. I'm gonna ask to stay on mine at least for the first year. It was miserable and lasted about a week.

I was on them for 4 months solid, then 2 months every other day. After that, it's Beano meltaways only. I was doing those 3-4 per day for a few months, but now (11.5mo) I'm down to using them as needed for foods I know will cause issues.

If you need them longer, use them longer. Talk to your doc.

My surgeon has tried twice to have me quit Pantaprozole - like omeprozole but high strength but times with the same results you are describing nausea and pain, not able to eat at all. After the last episode they made the decision to keep me on the meds for at least the first year...and we will go from there, if I miss just one day I know it.

I'm learning how to post some research, bear with me please:
http://www.judyburgio.com/new-fda-warning-risk-of-infections-with-stomach-acid-blocker-drugs/

This article discusses the use of these medications, and the problems with discontinuing!

Hope this helps!

I will!

I actually began this past Monday by using the Apple cider vinegar (acv), after stopping my Protonix the day before (I hadn't read about the need to wean yet) for heartburn. On Tuesday I began having bad upper tummy pain then it worsened on Wednesday. I began my deeper research and found out about the need to wean. So, I took the Protonix, and felt better within thirty minutes. I also started a gastric enzyme supplement (called Gastrozyme) to help my stomach recover to making acid on its own again.

I have used the acv daily. I understand that 12 ounces is a lot to drink for someone closer to surgery, so the ratios to tolerance would work. It takes me about fifteen minutes to drink it.

Took another Protonix on Friday, when the pain started again, and it looks like I am going to be able to stretch it to tomorrow before I might need another. So, progress is happening, and my tummy actually feels better overall.

Im striving for discontinuation of every medication I can to achieve the healthiest me I can be! These medicines weren't made to be taken forever and people don't realize it! Will keep you informed!

Update for those interested:
I've been able to stretch the interval between meds to five days, and counting. I've also been able to go two days before needing the acv (that's very effective for heartburn btw!).
I am using the gastric enzyme supplement three times a day.

Something is working for me! It feels better than ever! I'm pushing on!

Best of luck OP!

Honestly, I hardly used mine. I think I have 2 unfilled bottles of the stuff.

I kept having problems getting off these. It turns out it is a drug you need to ween yourself off of because the body overproduces when it starts producing acid again. I was on the for almost two years then finally I bought some Tums and Tagament and took as needed. Over the period of about a month things settled down. I wish someone would have told me that my body would need time to adjust to not having the drug.

I've weaned myself down to every four days now. I expect to be completely off of them within a couple of weeks! I am taking the gastric enzyme supplement but don't expect to always need it. Once my tummy adjusts, and heals, I don't believe they will be necessary, but we'll see!

I just had my six-month checkup. I think I can go off the ursodial now, but my PA didn't mention it. Thoughts?

From the start I had horrendous heartburn. My doctor said to use Pepcid. So I did that, and when I finished the bottle I moved to Tums. Five months post-op and I take the occasional tums. Otherwise, the heartburn has backed off 95%. I'm lucky, I guess. And I am on Ursodiol. I was told 6 months. So I'm down to my last month of it. (Yay! One less pill!)

Hang in there!

This is great information. Thanks for posting!

Wow! What a process this has been! I am finally done with the Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI)!! I do still have a bit of tummy pain that's resolved with Pepcid (which is an acid blocker, not a PPI) now. I'm sticking with the gastric enzymes since I believe they are helping me greatly! and Apple cider vinegar is my friend! I'm only needing it maybe once a week for heartburn, but it works well!

Just to note that I have taken these PPI medications for 24 years! I would hope that it would be an easier process if you haven't been taking them very long!

Another thing is they latest side effect that they are seeing from PPIs is dementia! I've had trouble with memory for a long time, and I wonder if this could be the cause? I'm glad to be rid of them!

Yes, good luck @joysie1970! (Love the new profile picture btw!! Looking great!!) Patience is very important with this! I've been using digestive enzymes I got from Amazon (is there anywhere else to shop for everything anymore, lol!?), they are the Now brand, Super Enzymes. I'm sticking with them because they seem to be making the difference!

Now, onward to getting off the Pepcid too! I'm at every two to three days dosing with it, so far!

I swear this stuff has been harder to get off of than the daily opiate pain medicine I used to take! I highly recommend getting off of them though! The side effects they are now seeing are detrimental to health!!