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What Are The Side Effects Of Using Proton Pump Inhibitors?

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Posted on Tue, 20 Jan 2015
Question: I have been trying to deal with the side effects for eight years of using proton pump inhibitors. I have tried everything including trying to wean myself off the drug, 1 mg per week. The side effects are devastating and I no longer have much quality of life. I've been to the Mayo Clinic but they can't help me. Is there a facility in the U.S. where I can stay to help heal myself and get off this drug? I know people who have been helped with alcohol and drug addictions at rehabs like Hazeltine, but there doesn't seem to be anywhere that can help people with PPI addiction (this is what it feels like). I am a very happy person with much to live for. However, the pain of trapped gas and reflux is so intense that there are many, many days (and especially nights) where I don't think I can go on. I am extremely careful with my diet and I have done much research and realize there are many people suffering on PPIs like I am. I came across a study "Clinical -- Alimentary Tract" which shows how the very drug they give you for reflux, causes reflux and leads to PPI dependency. I wrote one of the 4 doctors who did the study to ask if there was anything that could help me and he said that in clinical studies they have not had much success helping people get off the drug. One silver lining in all this is that I've been able to save some friends and acquaintances from a similar fate. Also, a number of infants who have been put on 2.5 mg of Nexium for colic, etc. I give their mothers the study and they've taken it to their pediatricians who then take them off the drug. If I have to die because of this drug, I'm hoping that it won't be in vain. I am currently speaking with a highly respected attorney who is interested in pursuing the drug company re PPIs. In the meantime, I do need help. Thank you. My cell # is 203.856.7841 and email is YYYY@YYYY (2 "com" with a dot in between).
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Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes it can happen

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query.
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
There have been plenty of case reports stating a dependence in PPI's and unfortunately you are one of them. There are plenty of rehabilitation centers in US but none of them cater to PPI addiction. The patients mostly continue taking PPI over a long period of time as it may not cause further any other organ side-effects.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
Wish you good health,
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Srikanth Reddy

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2770 Questions

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What Are The Side Effects Of Using Proton Pump Inhibitors?

Brief Answer: Yes it can happen Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query. I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through. There have been plenty of case reports stating a dependence in PPI's and unfortunately you are one of them. There are plenty of rehabilitation centers in US but none of them cater to PPI addiction. The patients mostly continue taking PPI over a long period of time as it may not cause further any other organ side-effects. Hope I am able to answer your concerns. If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you. If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback. In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link: bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy Wish you good health, Kind regards Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.