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How I Manage Acid Reflux and Heartburn Naturally

One of my all-time most popular posts is How I Got Off Nexium. Not a week goes by that I don’t get new comments on this post or a personal email asking for advice or sharing a success story.

A lot of people want to know how I did it, and how long it took to start feeling better, and how I’m doing now, so I thought I’d write a follow-up post.

First, for those of you who may be wondering what’s the big deal, you should know that Nexium can create the exact problems it is supposed to prevent (namely, GERD — heartburn/reflux) along with a host of other possible side effects. It also prevents your body from absorbing important nutrients, leading to increased risk of osteoporosis and broken bones among other undesirable situations. You can read my first post for more information.

Furthermore, these types of medications are not intended for use more than 4-6 weeks, but doctors are prescribing them longterm. I had several different doctors tell me that Nexium is harmless and I would probably have to take it for life. Something about that just didn’t sit well with me, so I started doing some internet research (gotta love The Google!)

When I discovered the truth, I set out to get myself off this medication. I’m not saying it’s easy, but if you’re willing to put in the work, it’s doable. Our digestive systems were designed to work a certain way, but with our standard American diet and our stressful lifestyles, we are sabotaging ourselves. If you really want to understand the digestive system, I highly recommend reading the book Practical Paleo. She takes you through every part of the digestive system and explains how it should work, what goes wrong and why, and how to remedy the situation. Plus, the second half of the book is a fabulous cookbook with nutritious real food recipes that are delicious and easy to prepare. It’s a worthwhile investment.

So as for my update.

It is very hard to say when my symptoms started to disappear; I honestly don’t remember. It’s been so long that the details are getting fuzzy. In the summer of 2009, I discovered the real food movement and started drastically changing my eating habits. Soon after that I went off the Nexium. I know that it only took me a few weeks to wean off the medicine, and it wasn’t too horribly painful. You can read my original post to see how I did it. And if you want even more advice, I highly recommend reading through the comments on my original Nexium post. There is a wealth of information in there.

Of course, I must make the obligatory disclaimer and state for the record that we are not health professionals; we are just people sharing what has worked for us. Untreated GERD can result in Barrett’s Esophagus (a form of cancer) so please consult a doctor or naturopath and get help if you are trying to go off these meds — especially if you’ve been on them for a long time.

In the fall of 2010, I went gluten free, and it was like the final piece of the puzzle fell into place. The benefits of gluten free living are subtle (for me — others notice immediately if they ingest gluten) but when I get lazy and let some gluten creep in, I start to experience strange symptoms like nausea, dizziness and stomach aches. So gluten is definitely a no-no for me.

Even with all my diet changes, I am definitely not in 100% perfect digestive health. Maybe I make it sound that way sometimes, but that is misleading. I would put myself at about 90%.

I still have some reflux at times (usually when I overeat, but then some other times that I really can’t determine a trigger.) I manage these by drinking raw, organic apple cider vinegar (1 TBSP in 8 oz water — I actually have a little system whereby I mix the ACV with water in a 1:1 ratio and drink it in one gulp. Then I have a second glass of plain water in my other hand, which I chug immediately, to dilute the ACV that’s was previously ingested and to get the bad taste out of my mouth.) I have also heard that the tablets work just as well, so I might buy those next. The ACV will immediately relieve my reflux symptoms, and it’s really all I need to keep my system in check. I’d probably be better off taking it daily as a preventative, but I usually just take it when I’m having symptoms. Those nights (it usually seems to happen in the evening, after a big meal), I will go to bed in a sitting-up position so that my digestive system doesn’t get backed up.

And I do still get an occasional gastritis stomach ache, but these are rare. (Those are also what caused me to start taking Nexium in the first place; the reflux issues started when I tried to go off Nexium the first time. Ironic, yes?) The stomach aches tend to come in pairs. I will be fine for months, and then I’ll get a few bad stomach aches in a week. Often I don’t even know what causes them, but I assume that my digestive system is compromised from getting lax in my eating habits, causing me to be more sensitive than normal. This is my wake-up call to get back on track. I usually can’t pin-piont a trigger, but there are some things that definitely set me off.

I am pretty sure that artificial dyes bother my stomach because I’ve experience debilitating stomach aches after drinking certain colorful alcoholic drinks (the ones with red dye). So now I stick to wine, with an occasional homemade Mojito or Cosmo (forgive the shameless self promotion!)

Sometimes nuts upset my stomach; but sometimes they don’t.

Mexican food, and avocados will often do me in, but not every time I eat them. So of course, sometimes I take a chance because they taste so very good. I’m usually sorry I did.

A cup of milk (and nowadays, even a Starbucks latte) will immediately send my stomach into fits that last for a few hours. That is the one thing that is absolutely dependable, and I know to stay away.

I definitely should eat more vegetables. I’m sure I’d feel better overall if I incorporated more veggies into my diet. I don’t like raw vegetables except for salads, so that eliminates a lot of opportunities to get them in. It’s hard to get cooked veggies into your diet several times a day, but I try to incorporate them into my eggs at breakfast time and then of course into our dinners.

I know that I shouldn’t eat processed foods, even when they’re organic and gluten-free. They don’t offer any nutritional value or digestive help, but sometimes I like a treat. Since they don’t seem to directly upset my stomach, I justify the indulgence every once in a while.

I should be more consistent about taking digestive enzymes, bitters and probiotics.

I am not a very disciplined person, and I tend to not take care of myself until I start to feel poorly.

At the end of the day, I have a weak digestive system that will probably always need some coddling. Whether it is hereditary or due to the horrible eating habits I had for my early adult life or a combination of the two, I don’t know, but evidently this is my cross to bear. If I’m consistent with eating primarily real whole foods, keeping the starches and sugars to a minimum (and no gluten), taking my digestive enzymes and probiotics, and refraining from overeating, I feel great. But I when I get lax with any of that, the digestive issues creep back in. I just try to look at it as a wake-up call, a reminder to get back on track.

There is a diet called GAPS that is supposed to heal the gut. I know I should try it, but it is so restrictive that I have decided that I can live with things as they are now. If you’ve done everything you know to do and you’re still not feeling as good as you want to feel, definitely look into the GAPS Diet. At the very least, it can’t hurt.

So that’s where I am and how I got here!

I once felt hopeless and trapped, afraid that I’d be on medication forever and that my quality of life would always be subpar. If you are feeling that way today, I want you to know that there is a way out. Your mainstream primary care doctor may not tell you that there are other options to medication, so I continue to tell my story. I hope it helps or encourages someone today.

Join The Conversation

94 Responses

  1. I love any post that encourages people to stop eating processed food. I can be a little (a lot) over-zealous about it… so it’s nice when someone else does it without alienating anyone.

    p.s.- I don’t have gluten or digestive issues… just toxic-substance paranoia.

      1. I know I’m coming into this post very late but I’m dealing with digestive issues/gastritis as well.

        I went to a natural doctor (never tried the PPI) and have been on herbal/diet treatment since the middle of June. Though it is getting better I still can’t have any vinegar, spicy food, alcohol, etc.

        My question to you is, when did you start feeling well enough to try the foods you had before? I personally know that gluten is horrible but to think that I have to go my whole life with this restrictive diet is depressing. I’m only in my 20’s and I just want to go back to normal! 🙁

        Any feedback you can give would be helpful.

        1. Kristina, I’m still off gluten but I do have wine and spicy foods at times. I don’t remember how long till I went back to some of those foods, but it wasn’t a terribly long time. I do still have to be careful, but I can eat pretty much everything.

      2. Hi Jo-Lynne – I have read your story about going off of Nexium and would like a little clarification of your method. I have been on Nexium for a long time, about 8 years, and have tried a few times to go off with no success. I am now ready. I have completely changed my diet and for two days, did not take Nexium. On the third day, I took one because I felt pretty sick, for the next three days, was off the pill, but by day 4, I felt pretty bad. I think I am not reducing the Nexium correctly. I am currently working overseas temporarily and will be leaving to go back to the states in 7 days. I probably should have waited until I got home when I was not having to go to work. When I leave for the states next week, my plane flight will be about 26 hours and I do not want to be sick while flying.

        What I would like to know if how you reduced your dose of Nexium. I am on 20mgs a day. Should I go one day on and one day off for awhile and then start one day on two days off, etc?

        Thanks for all your encouragement. Joyce

        1. Hi Joyce. I’m sorry you’re suffering like this. It’s miserable. Please keep in mind, I am not a medical professional and cannot give medical advice. I can only share my experience. I know I weaned off verrry slowly. I think I was on 40 mg and I switched to 20 for a week or two, then started taking it every other day for a week or so, and then every 3rd day. I also think I might have switched to an OTC Prilosec or something before going off meds completely.

          I cut back on coffee and wine. I cut back on carbs, I tried to eat fermented foods, lots of apples, and I drank the organic raw apple cider vinegar in water when I felt heartburn coming on. Small meals are best – over-eating almost always brings on heartburn, as do acidic foods. I carried a natural version of Tums and I still do. Nowadays I go weeks without needing them, and then sometimes I need them once or twice a day when things are acting up.

          I need to say again for the record, I am not a medical professional and I highly recommend consulting a physician who can help you wean off safely and monitor you so you don’t do any internal damage – untreated heartburn can be damaging.

          Good luck!

  2. Good update! Isn’t it fascinating (and almost unbelievable) that simple vinegar can have such a wonderful effect! Amazing. I’ve been able to get my go-to-bed reflux under control by: not eating much at night except popcorn. NO sweets, sugar, soda or heavy carbs like bread; getting rid of some of my stress; sleeping mostly on my left side. But it’s good to know that the vinegar is there if I need it. SO glad you got off that medication. You should count up the money you’ve saved already 🙂

    1. I want to thank you Jo-Lynne for putting up this site….I feel better already knowing there are others out there
      that are not fooled by the AMA about Nexium and all that jazz. I have learned a LOT here and I intend to start
      TODAY doing these things. Im also going to a Naturopathic physician as soon as I can get an appointment.

      I wanted to ask Mary Kathryn what popcorn she eats in the evenings as a snack…Im assuming plain
      cooked at home and without butter or salt? Ive been trying to figure out a snack I can eat in the evening
      although I know that night time eating isnt a really good idea. I have acid reflux that developed
      from overeating and going to bed when my Mom was passing. The food was the only thing that
      helped me sleep. Wish I could rewind THAT one!!

      Anyway thanks again Im going to be dropping by to read regularly!

      Judith

        1. Hi Jo- Lynne,

          Thank you for your article. Actually I am sailing on the same boat since January, 2015. It all started with sudden severe bloating and shortness in breathe. Went to an emergency room. Cat scan and blood test came normal. They gave me probiotics,gasx etc. With no relief I took an appointment with a GI. The they I went to see her I was having little heart burn too. She prescribed Nexium 40mg. Initial 1 month was horrible. I kept calling my GI about my symptoms and told her that I am not getting any relief. Infact now heartburn is everyday and 24 hours. She said it takes 4-6 weeks to see significant results. Then 2nd month onwards I say started having heart burn even in the nights. Stomach burn was so bad. She increased my dose to 80mg and I felt horrible after taking this for 2 days.stomach ache an all. Without telling her I stopped taking Nexium. But today is the 4th week I am off Nexium. Initial 2 weeks were horrible. I never felt this bad. But I still have heart burn every then and there. I do ‘t knows what to do. Also i don’t mind having rebound if I know that I will be fine after couple of weeks or months. Would appreciate if you can please share if you had same symptoms of rebound when you stopped taking nexium ?

          1. By the way forgot to mention that I had an endoscopy done after a month of taking Nexium. And it came back normal. But she had written on my result paper take Nexium for GERD. So I dunno how she came to know that it’s GERD when nowhere it was mentioned that there was a is in my stomach.

  3. I healed my esophagitis by taking a ton of aloe vera juice and HCL after every meal. The reason people get GERD is from food rotting in the digestive tract causing lactic acid to burn the stomach and esophagus. We all lose our stomach acid as we age so it is imperative to take some HCL after every meal to make sure your food is digesting well. The aloe heals the stomach and esophagus. It took me about 2 months but it slowly healed. I tried those drugs for a long time but I KNEW we need stomach acid!

          1. Your story inspires me more than you know. I’ve been with different PPIs for more than two years, the latest is Nexium, of which I’ve been taking for more than a year now.
            I just wish the doctors were more truthful and more helpful to us instead of thinking how to make more money. One of my doctors didn’t even say anything about what food to avoid! I think your blog is heaven-sent. 🙂 Thank you and God bless.

    1. Hi Lori, a while ago I took nexium for four months and I was fine for 7 years but I started feeling gastritis simpthoms for the last 2 months and I want to cure myself naturally, do you make your own aloe juice? Do you take after each meal mixed with something else? And for how long? Please I would love to hear from you. Thank you

  4. That is a great update. I wish all of my patients were as insightful and in tune to their bodies and their health. I spend my days educating people about the hazards of long term use of those products..but lots are not willing to make the lifestyle changes in order to see if they can come off of the Rx.

    1. It’s not easy. I do get that. But it is SO worth it. I guess it’s all what you’re used to. People who never cook would find it daunting, but if you’ve grown up making meals from scratch, it’s really just a matter of making time for it and getting used to that.

  5. Hello! Can you tell me exactly how you weaned off the Nexium, meaning did you take one every other day, a lower dosage, etc? I really need to do this too.

    1. I think I did one every other day for a week or so and then I went to an OTC like Prilosec for a week and then every other day… something like that. I have heard others say they open the capsule and dump half out and then take half daily for a week or two and then go every other day.

  6. My problem with Nexium is the diarrhea! I’ve lost 25 pounds without trying – I’m 5’5″ & now weight 117#. I was 125# when I started on Nexium!!

    The pain when I’ve tried to get off it are worse than the pain of getting off it!!

    Linda

  7. Thank you so much! I have decided in the last week that I wish to begin getting off all my RX medications and one of them is Nexium. I stopped taking it cold turkey thinking how bad can it be and I last night I started having bad symptoms. I assumed it was just necessary for me to take this medicine always until I read your post. Very comforting to know that it is possible to get off it, if I do it like I have done or am doing my others. Thank you, Thank you!!!

  8. What if you already have been diagnosed with berrets esophagus with no dysplasia. My gi doc told Me I would prob have to take nexim rest of my life but this isn’t something I want to do. I would like to get off this medicine. For good

  9. This just freaks me out! My son, now 19, has been taking Nexium for about 2 years now. He just left for college and I worry that now that he is out of the house, getting him off the medication will be near impossible. I had no idea it had so many negative side effects, ie the lack of vitamin absorption. Of my three kids he does seem to be the least healthy, he gets colds quite often, suffers from headaches, stomach aches and diarrea but every time he tried to stop taking the Nexium he would only last 1 week or so and then could not stand the heartburn. His pediatrician has always said he can take it long term, no problem…..

    1. Yes. That is what they say. It’s very concerning, but untreated heartburn is also dangerous, and if he is 19 and at college, it would be hard for him to have the proper diet to manage his symptoms without meds so he might be better off sticking with them unless or until he can make that kind of commitment. I AM NO DOCTOR, of course. This is not medical advice. Just my thoughts. I sympathize with his (and your) situation.

  10. I am so happy to find this site, and to read about your experience. I started taking omeprazole (Prilosec) about 2-1/2 years ago because I was having esophagus spasms occasionally. My stress level and my diet were pretty bad during that time, and I was probably drinking too much. I decided to quit taking it about a year ago, and found out that it wasn’t that easy. I never had acid reflux before, but I sure did then! I wanted to get off it because I noticed that my stomach always felt empty shortly after eating, and I started gaining weight. I was getting frequent headaches as well as joint pain. I’ve had osteopenia for years, and don’t supplement with calcium like I should. I did research and realized that it wasn’t going to be so easy to stop. Well, I’m on day 4 now. I have changed my diet recently – reduced processed foods, less carbs, organic produce, less coffee, and I am taking ranitidine twice a day. The burning stomach is pretty bad sometimes, but I probably shouldn’t have gone “cold turkey” as my doctor suggested. Good luck to everyone who feels the need to stop taking this drug. I wish I could warn everyone that just because it’s an OTC drug, that doesn’t mean there are no consequences.

  11. Hi! Jo-Lynne, thank you so much for your advice I am so happy I finally found a site where everything is so understandable and not confusing! You have given me hope! I have always not liked RX meds, this is the only one I have ever been put on, 40 mg, by my MD 2 & 1/2 years ago for heartburn. I also thought I could stop, tried many times and failed because of the sour stomach and heartburn. I actually started to have a side effect now, hair loss. It all makes sense now. Lac of nutrients !!!!
    I like the idea to dump half out of the capsule how long do I take 20 mg before I start on 10. I am for sure getting off the “the little purple pill” asap. I have been in a low card diet for 3 weeks now and losing weight but I don’t know if, while weaning of nexiun, I can still be on this diet. I am concerned with the saturated fat like butter and coconut oil? Please help! I also need to start on enzymes, HCL and all the good stuff.

    1. Hi Maria. You can definitely stay on a low carb diet while weaning off Nexium. Don’t worry about the fats and long as they are GOOD fats – grassfed butter and organic coconut oil! 🙂 Good luck!

  12. Hello Jo-Lynne, I am desperately seeking help with solving the myriad of GI problems I am facing and I feel that Nexium made things worse for me this time. I have been on Nexium on and off over the past 4 years. Recently (end of July) I had to take 2x 40 mg per day as advised by the specialist for GERD type symptoms (Ph was never tested..) and now I am down to one a day again. My MD always tells me “Don’t stop the Nexium”, but I did for a few days and it resulted in awful pain in my stomach and burning sensation that would not go away . I had to take it again. I feel absolutely helpless. I am so glad I found your blog and I hope I can do the same.

    1. HI! Nicole I guess we are in the same boat, remember to start by eating whole foods make changes in your diet first. In your case take 1 X 40 per day for about four weeks after that 1 X 20 per day for another four weeks til you get to 1 X 10 per day. You can do this by opening the capsule, I throw away half of it and take the remaining half. I am now down to 1 X 20 a day when I get to 1 X 10, after that I plan to use zantac or tums but of course with organic vinegarand a tsp of raw manuka honey and all the other good stuff like HCL with Pepsin and DGL tablets. You can do it!. It! is not impossible, I get scared too because not knowing how I will feel as you take less, but this pill is more scarey knowing all the bad things it can cause you! who needs cancer! Good luck. I’ll let you know how it goes for me.

  13. Hi Ms. Shane,

    I stumbled upon your blog post as I was looking for information about getting off nexium. I have been on the drug for six years and slowly but surely have weaned myself off by cutting out processed food, dairy, refined sugar, caffeine, and gluten. In its place I started to try and eat as much fresh fruits and vegetables as possible most I which I juice. This has been a slow process but worth it. I will still allow myself the occasional Greek yogurt (Fage seems to be the only brand that sits well with me) and meat on occasion but I have found that getting fresh juice in my body has helped wean me off of this crazy medication. I’m not 100% cured but getting there. Regardless, after reading the above epilogue I thought I would pass along the idea of juicing. It’s not as horrible or time consuming as it sounds. Hope this helps and thanks for your posts

  14. Hi
    I am from India please forgive my bad english but please read this and give me some suggestion that I am filling so helpless.
    I am 32 years old a happy go may be not so lucky person. 2 years ago, one night I have a panic attack (may be for

    some sex medicine I took that night). My doctor said I had uric acid problem. Before this I have fill heart burn or acid. but

    very little when I took too much oily food or somthing. My doc who is a Specialist in Medicine put me on Escitalopram

    (Nexito) & Omaprazol magnesium (Omez ff ) with a Vitamin cap. He gradually higher doses for me as -5 mg, 10 mg , 12,5

    mg then he gradually decreased doses. On that time I fill like I am totally healed and I quit visit my Doc . I stop at Nexito10

    & Omaz ff 20. But after 3 pr 4 days I started to fill massive acid reflux . I started Omaz ff 20 again. I regulerly take them

    before or some time after Breakfast. After 2 to 3 month I started to take tham breaking in half. I thought gradually I will quit

    this medicine and all these 2 years I have no problem and I was as normal and alive.
    1 month ago one night after having some street oily food, I gave serious gastric problem with a panic attack that

    may be I will die. I vomit with my finger and saw that food did’t digested. After that sleepless night I went to the same doc

    whome I visit 2 years ago. Now he give me Esoz D40 mg[esomeprazole (EC) 40 mg, domperidone (SR) 30 mg] + Ativan 5

    mg[(lorazepam 1/2 bf lanch & 1 bf dinner ) ] telling me that taking half of Omez ff 20 mg gave me no effect but it dameged

    my stomac.
    I startd that medicine. After 2 week I visit a GI specialiest and told him full history –He tole me that he

    did’nt find any wrong with me but he think that I have lac of confidence. OK he prescribed me Escitalopram 12.5 at once ! +

    Razo (Rabeprazole Sodium) – 20mg . But I continued with my last Doc because I thought that he will gradually decreased my

    doses to nill. But after 1 month he gave me esomeprazole (EC) 40 mg, domperidone (SR) 30 mg (with another name) + –

    Typlin 10 mg (Amitriptyline). I dont think I can trust this doc because he is in kind of love me that he never going to leave

    me.

    Please some one tell me what should I do
    1st I cant stop PPI at once,
    2ndly If I gradually quit How or which medicine should I take ( hereI need a specialist’s suggestion )
    I am totally messed up please help me ASAP.

    Thanks in advance

    Biswajit Chakraborty

  15. Hi Jo-Lynne thank u for this article. I’ve been on nexus so many years I’m 62 and now have osteoporosis. I want to try to get off it but the thought of vinegar scares me. I’m trying to do every other day but have gum surgery and a bone graph coming up. Can u walk me through the best way to start this?

    1. Hi Linda, honestly, I think the best thing to do is search for a local doctor or naturopath who will help you wean off safely. I don’t dare give advice, as I’m not qualified. I can only say what I did, and that is to wean off gradually, then down to an OTC med and finally off, while keeping meals small, avoiding spicy foods, wine, coffee, and anything that seems to aggravate my GERD, and eating TONS of apples, lol. Probiotics are always a good idea. There is lots of great advice in this thread. But the best thing to do is to find a qualified medical professional to oversee the process and make sure you’re not doing yourself any more harm. Good luck!

  16. My GERD too, eased up tremendously within three weeks of going gluten free. I stayed at my dose for six months then cut it in half for six months before going off. My question , if I might ask one is if anyone else who went off Nexeum (and before that Prilosec, Zantac or tums since I was 16) is if they noticed a dramatic change in appetite when no longer on a PPI. I almost feel like the acid being turned off out me in a false state of hunger…I was constantly feeling empty which I believe now was because my body wasn’t absorbing the nutrients it was taking in.
    Thank you for sharing your story, your success story!

    1. Oop, guess I should had added that since going off! my appetite is 1/4 of what it was, but while on it for all those years I put on over 50 lbs..

    2. Yes! I put off trying to get off it until some things settle down, but one of the reasons I hate taking omeprazole is because my stomach always feels empty! I need to eat about every 2 hours. For the few days that I tried to get off it, I noticed I was not as hungry and I lost 4 pounds. I never had to eat every two hours before I stated taking it. My hair has thinned, and I have had all my bloodwork checked, except for vitamins, and I’m fine. I am pretty sure it’s an absorption problem. My osteopenia is probably much worse since I have been on this for two years. I’m afraid to find out.

  17. I am so glad that I found this website today. I was looking for an alternative to Nexium. I have been so sick with diarrhea and intestinal cramps for the last few days. I have been on Nexium for years and my side effects are getting worse. The acid reflux coming up like a ball of fire always drives me back to the Nexium. I have had a colonoscopy and I am all clear so I know it has to be this nexium. Thank you for giving me hope and I will be weaning myself off. I will try the Apple Cider Vinegar since that is no problem for me and change my eating habits.
    Thank you so much!!

  18. Hi! It has been less than 2 months since my last comment and I finally weaned off the crazy pill (Nexium)! It has not been easy. Don’t try to do this cold turkey the best way is to do it slowly it took me 5 months but It was worth it, considering I took it for Almost 3 years. As I started to cut down on the mgs I did not see or felt any different which I’ve asked myself why my Dr. prescribed me 40 mgs makes me wonder if I even needed such high dose. When I got to 10 mgs I think I might have felt a little burning sensation in my stomach a couple of times but then it went away. I no longer have hair problems mostly thinning. I think the Key factor in all this is to eat small frequent meals and avoid greasy foods!

      1. Thank you so much for your post about Nexium. My doctor just gave me the “take it for the rest of your life” speech and I was devastated, as I am only 55 and felt just fine until about 6 months ago. After a particularly stressful time in my life, I developed an esphageal ulcer, and the dr. prescribed Nexium. I took it for 4 months, and when the prescription ran out I felt awful and begged for more. Now that I’m aware of all the side effects and risks, I can’t wait to stop taking it. Your blog has given me hope that I will be able to eventually get by without it. I’ve marked it as a favorite.

  19. I’ve discovered two interesting things so far. First, my gastroenterologist’s assistant didn’t even know that Nexium came in the 20 mg size. I guess he has never prescribed that low of a dose. Still, while reiterating that the dr. considered Nexium to be a very safe drug, they wrote me a prescription for the 20mg size so I could try alternating with 40 mg. Second, when I went to the pharmacy to pick up the 20 mg, I found out that the co-pay ($30-reduced to $18 with a coupon) is exactly the same even for half as much medication. Not much incentive to try and reduce your intake. The prescription wasn’t ready because the pharmacy doesn’t stock the lower dose and had to order it. I will let you know how it goes when I try the alternating dosages.

  20. i got off of nexium earlier this summer after learning about ACV and other natural remedies. Mine reflux is from a hiatal hernia and have been on nexium for approx. 6 years. I started using apple cider vinegar when i first got off of them and had good days and bad. Then, i quit taking the ACV and switched back to nexium. Now, im back off of nexium and its staying that way. Problem is, I didnt ween myself off, just stopped. Would i have to take the pills again to build it up then ween off, or if i can deal with it, just give it some time and ill be back on track ?

  21. Hi Jo Lynne…thanks for posting your insightful post regarding your GERD experience. I’m a 52 year old type A male. I too have been a GERD sufferer for 8+ years and following an official diagnosis was prescribed Nexium 40mg daily. I was uncomfortable with the doctors insistence that I would need to be on meds for the rest of my life because I have a weak Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). Nevertheless I find my self 8 years down the road with breakthrough symptoms and no support from my original doctor. I’m now seeing a new GI doctor and he scoped (upper endoscopy) me and found that I was in good shape. No ulcers, no polyps, no hiatal hernia, very little lining irritation, etc. I do have excessive burping and this darn bubble in my throat though (the breakthrough symptom that I referred to earlier). He thinks that is Globus and that it will resolve itself in time if I try not to swallow air (didn’t know I was swallowing air but he told me some ways that was happening — drinking while I eat, etc.) . He also advised me to stop taking Nexium (or and PPI’s). The strange thing is that he want me to take a second dose of Nexium for two months and then stop it altogether (he hasn’t explained his plan to withdrawal yet). He told me wife these things as I was waking from the Endoscopy so I did not get to ask questions. Have you are any of your readers ever been ask to double there PPI’s for a short time before stopping them? I just seems logical to me that I would have an even harder time withdrawing from them a a high dose. I can’t call me old doctor to get confirmation because he insist that I stay on them indefinitely. Not sure where to turn. Thank again!!

    1. Mark, that is… interesting. I have never heard that, but truthfully, I’m not a medical professional and haven’t really been reading much on this topic lately as mine is fairly well managed. I would want a second opinion. Can you change primary care docs? Ask around for someone who takes a more holistic approach to health care? That is what I would do. Good luck!

  22. Hi, I am on my 15th day of Nexium withdrawl. I’ve had 2 endoscopic exams and a colonoscopy during these days. I have been prescribed Nexium for Over 10 years, probibly since it came on the market. I have a hileatal hernia, with my stomache opening at 6cm,(almost 3in) and I’m having surgery a.s.a.p. to close with that surgury kinda like “lap band”. I can’t eat or drink or eat, when I do it comes “up”. I’ve lost 14 pounds. I appreciate all your info. Sincerely, Susan

  23. I am so glad that I found your blog today – I think you may have just saved my life (and I am not at all joking). My story is very similiar to your own. After my first pregnancy, I developed a gluten intolerance, which I discovered when my newborn had rashes, and I went to see a dietician that specialised in infants. I stopped eating a whole range of things, my child’s rash cleared up, and the first time I ate gluten again, I threw up. Such has been my life since that first pregnancy. Then after my second pregnancy, I started to get all kinds of terrible stomach bloating and cramps, and this progressed over a couple of years to frequent dizzy spells and needing to pass out; having severe gastic episodes to the point where I have been hospitalised five times and thought I was going to die; episodes where I can’t breathe and my throat feels as though it is closing up; elevated anxiety and generally feeling really rundown and terrible. During the worst episodes I get tinging in my hands, feet, knees and throat. Like you, I have had so many procedures, and each one of them has been fine. After my first hospitalisation (about two and a half years ago), I was put onto the Nexium, and I have been on it practically ever since. I prefer a wholistic approach, and I didn’t like being on medication. But every time I tried to stop the Nexium, even spacing 20mg out over every second day, my symptoms became excruciating and I went back onto it. I am now starting a paleo diet, and I now realise that I have been lacking all this time in essential vitamins and nutrients. I have been seeing a GP about my symptoms, and he simply told me that I am an ‘anxious’ person, and he tried to put me onto antidepressants (note: I actually refused, because I am not at my core a depressed person. Needless to say, the GP was not very happy about my refusal). I lost my career due to my terrible symptoms because I couldn’t function in a high level, high-client demand workplace (lawyer). Seeing your blog today gave me hope, and now I’m going to get off that awful Nexium. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

    1. Kristen, your symptoms sound so much like mine. I’m still trying to get off the Nexium, right now the best I can do is 3 days at 40 mg and then one day at 20mg. I alternate calcium supplements, a vitamin B supplement and a mult-vitamin to help prevent deficienciesm and I keep plenty of Tums handy for the days when I need something extra. The two things I’ve found to be most helpful are exercise and bananas. Regardless of how bad I might feel on a given day, I always feel better during and after a brisk walk-even 15 minutes helps. I read that bananas are a reflux “super food,” and they do seem to help me. I eat one a day. Good luck to you, I feel like I know exactly what you’re going through, even down to the anxiety caused by it.

      1. Thanks Kerry and Jo-Lynne for your kind words. I am going to try the bananas, and when my stomach is feeling better, the apple cider vinegar that has been mentioned. One way or another, I am going to get through this.

  24. I haven’t read an updates since January so I might be too late to get some advice. I am feeling trapped by Nexium. I have tried to get off it without success as yet. I feel terrible without it. can you shed some light on what sort of probiotics to use and when to use them. I read that Hci tablets after a meal and vitamins and calcium should be taken but how to get them all in. I really want to get off nexium I have been on 40mg for many years. How do you get the 20mg or less I have always had 40mg and I have plenty of them for sure. Looking back on my experience I really don’t think that I have needed to take them all these years but never had any encouragement to get off them. I could eat almost anything but the last month I have not been feeling so well with nausea and bloating. My GP had actually said that ‘nexium can mirror the symptoms it is trying to cure’. Mmmmm I think I need to get off this but I am very nervous about doing so. Thanks for any input you can give. Lily

  25. I am so glad that I found this site. I have been on nexium for way too many years always trying to get off them with no luck. I will now try again by weening off slowly n eating apples n a banana a day. Thank you all for your input this was the most informative post I have come accross so glad I found it. Angela

  26. How did you wean off? Reducing capsules per week or opening capsules? I’m on the 3rd week of taking Nexium every two days (my doc said 3weeks per step) and my stomach aches started this past week. This is crazy.

    1. I think I went every other day for a while, then every 3rd day. Finally I think I might have used some Prilosec or another OTC drug during the weaning off period. I agree with your doc – go verrrry slowwwwly. 🙂

  27. I stopped taking nexium 4 days ago and it has been a battle. I took it for acid reflux and had been taking it for 2 years. I really believe it was causing my muscle spasms and joint pain. I am trying the apple cider vinegar and i am going today to get probiotics . I am determined to not take nexium again. thank you for your story, it lets me know that i can do this.

  28. hi jO LYNN SHANNE THNX for sharing how you cure your self this GERD i just wana ask did you try aloe vera in your problem? if yes what kind of aloe vera you use the one on the bottle that you buy on store? or the one aloe vera plant? after taking out nexium pill in your life you said your only 90% heal did you still have some pleghm in your throat that does not go away? after you eat? do you have also the feeling after you eat that somebody is pulling your throat? I got question regarding wean off the nexium lets say im taking 80mg of nexium to wean off i have to take 80mg for a week then the 2nd week will be 40mg then 3rd week will be 20mg then the 4th week will be 10 mg then I stop or i have do the 5th week 5mg????

  29. I just wana share this one guy ask” Is it true that drinking aloe vera juice will treat and eventually cure chronic gastritis/IBS/acid reflux, etc?”one guy from india hes name in rajiv answer to this question heres hes answer:

    The medical community has no idea what is IBS, what causes IBS. My friends daughter’s diagnosis was IBS. After my friend spent Rs. 50K on various tests, he was told by doctors that she has problem in her mind and he should take his daughter to psychiatric.

    Let me try to define the problem and give a solution.

    People feel sleepy after they eat in excess or take too much of alcohol or sweets.

    What is the reason for feeling sleepy? Again medical community is silent on this as well. But they give medicines for this as well? Should we really allow the doctors to give medicines when they do not know the basic underlying reason????

    When a person eats something, it needs to be digested. The digestion process is know to be very energy intensive. When the body falls short of resources to digest the food, it tires out and sleeps. This shuts down the operations of the body except heart, kidney and other essential functions / organs.

    When a person indulges into eating, drinking sessions which does not create enough energy resources, he becomes weak. After this whatever he eats is simply passed out immediately.

    Over past 5-6 years I carried out various hit and trial experiments on IBS. I got success when I tried the following on a 19 year old boy.

    This boy weighed 43kg, 5ft 8 inches height, total body water was 68%, muscles less then 5%.

    I asked him to drink one glass of water 1 hour before each meal. Next day he told me that he got complete relief. But after 3 days he said his condition has gone back to old status.

    Now I asked him to give up water and all liquids for 48 hours. The results shocked me. He was completely cured of the following –

    IBS and mouth ulcers in 48 hours. Pain in legs after 6-8 months. I followed up with this person for next 15 months. There were 3 instances of IBS lasting 1-2 days on 3 occassions. The solution was change in water drinking habits. When he was on low water intake, he was advised to drink more water for 2-3 days. When he was on higher water intake he was advised to cut down on water intake.

    It gave him complete relief.

    I applied the same solution on 2 more person of 18-20 years of age. It worked simply by cutting down on water intake.

    Now if you decided to try it the next problem is that one who is used to drinking water or other liquids and feel thirsty quite often.

    First thing in the morning drink tea (on empty stomach). One should not take anything with tea. Tea on empty stomach leaves a bitter taste in mouth. Resist drinking water or any other liquid for next 3-4 hours. After this the bitter taste will be gone. AFter this there will be no thirst signals. For the next 48 hours there will be enough fluid in your mouth and food pipe. You can eat your normal meals minus any liquids for next 24 hours.

    After having gone thru the above process go without water and liquids again after 2-3 days without taking tea first thing in the morning.

    If the above does not give complete relief. Add salt to the water the next day after going without water. 3 grams of salt with 1 glass of water. 4-5 times in a day. Salt is a purifier and it will resolve the problems better. You will have to continue drinking water 1 hour before meal.

  30. Hello, so happy to read that I am not the only one, that thinks being on a PPI for life is bad. I did try to go off of it and had a whole host of systems I never had prior, frustrating. I will wean off now and hope for the best. There is one issue I had with the update, Barrett’s esophagus is not a form of cancer, but rather a change in the esophagus lining due to stomach acid. It is sometimes a precursor to cancer. Not sure I explained the all right, but love your information and I now have the steam to go ahead and stop taking the Nexium. Thank you Jo-Lynne

  31. i want to share this info maybe GERD is same as GAStritis symptoms
    When I got diagnosed with mild gastritis (but no H. Pylori) and esophagitis, I looked all over the internet to find what to do. I did not find many accounts of people who have cured themselves successfully and how they did it. So I thought I would write my story once I am cured. Here it is. If you have cured yourself from gastritis too, please share your experience below as well.

    Many people ask how long it takes to be cured. At first I started on dexilant for a month but I did not see any improvement. After a month I kept taking dexilant and I started the low acid diet in parallel. I got much better in 2-3 days. After two months on dexilant and one month on the diet, I felt completely good. Then I stopped the dexilant cold turkey and got a lot of pain and acidity back in my stomach. Now I regret I did not take the dexilant a little longer as my stomach was obviously not healed and not strong enough to go through the rebound effect of stopping dexilant. I regret also that I did not stop dexilant slowly taking it every other day for a week, then every three days for a week, …. I felt anxious about taking a medication that has so many side effects taken long term and I wanted to stop immediately, which was not reasonable.

    Anyway there I was back at the beginning with stomach pain and acidity day and night. I felt pain related to the esophagitis as well which really scared me. I hesitated to take dexilant again but I decided to try to cure myself the natural way. Below I describe what I did. I got cured in approximately two months, getting slowly better week by week. After two months of natural cures I had no stomach pain anymore and no excess acid, I was able to sleep again, felt like a new healthy (and lighter — I lost a few pounds) person. However after those two months, I felt that I needed to follow the diet another month for my stomach to get strong and be able to handle a less strict diet.

    THE CURE

    Books

    Most of what I did is summarized in two books which I found very useful:

    The first book is “Dropping acid: the reflux diet cookbook & cure” by Jamie Koufman. This is the book I based my diet on. The only disagreements I have with the author regard dairy products that I stopped taking as they make the stomach produce more acid (very clear for me), and the use of ginger, manukka honey and aloe vera which I find too irritating and/or acidic (and I don’t feel that they help). Also she does not talk about salt which is known to be irritating for the stomach lining in excess, I felt an improvement when I lowered my intake in salt. I will explain the diet more in details below.

    The other book is “Ulcer free! Nature’s safe & effective remedy for ulcers” by G. Halpern. I know you may have gastritis and no ulcers but the two conditions are related and what cures one usually cures the other too. I used some of the natural supplements recommended in this book. In particular slippery elm (this one is actually not mentioned in the book) and DGL licorice for stomach pain (coat the interior of the stomach lining), Pepzin GI (reduce inflammation and protects stomach lining – I felt a great improvement after starting to take it especially with acid production at night), and cabbage juice (finished my recovery with this one, after two days I had no stomach pain anymore at night). I describe the supplements more below.

    What did not work for me

    Mastic gum hurts my stomach. It is supposedly helpful against H. Pylori which I knew I did not have (I had been tested).

    Prelief removes the acid in food and stomach very efficiently but causes constipation.

    Tums works well for 45 minutes but then there is a rebound effect with the stomach producing more acid.

    Manukka honey hurts my stomach (Too acidic, Ph level 4, but maybe also because of the tea tree essential oil in it). It is supposedly helpful against H. Pylori.

    Aloe Vera is too acidic (around Ph level 4), and I don’t feel it is doing anything positive.

    Ginger is irritating and I don’t feel it is doing anything positive.

    Probiotics helps with digestion but not really for the stomach.

    Zantac works very well at removing the acidity but makes me feel dizzy and incredibly tired.

    PPI worked very well at removing the acidity and pain in my stomach while I was taking it while doing the diet, but I had a bad rebound effect when I stopped (one must stop slowly by taking it every other day for a while). Also having too low acid in the stomach because of PPI might cause problems in the long term (problems with Calcium and B12 absorption, bacterial infection more likely).

    What works: the diet

    I eat only foods with Ph level above 5, more details below.

    Fruits: only melons, watermelons and bananas, sometimes a pear (at the limit – Ph level 5.3).

    All vegetables except Bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, garlic and onions that are too irritating.

    Lean proteins like chicken breast, lean white fish like cod, shrimps, seafood, tofu, tempeh, beans, chickpeas, lentils.

    All cereals (I mean by cereals the pure grain, not the breakfast cereals with sugar and additives): oat and oatmeal, rice, corn, bread (artisan fresh bread with no additives), quinoa, buckwheat, millet, wheat (I don’t eat wheat for other reason –IBS– but for the stomach it is supposedly ok), … Potatoes and sweet potatoes are very good too.

    oil and nuts in moderation because of their fat content. Fat is inflammatory for the stomach lining. I eat either 1 Tbsp of nuts per meal or 1tsp of oil.

    Drinks: the only safe hot drink is chamomile. Evamor water Ph 8.8 feels good (not easy to find, I order it on amazon), fresh raw coconut water, fresh vegetable or fruit juices with allowed fruits and vegetables (I use a carrot base and add fennel/celery/beets/spinach). I find pureed soups with butternut squash, potatoes, cauliflowers, and/or carrots, … very soothing.

    Food to avoid particularly because either irritating or known triggers for gerd: coffee, mint, tea, chocolate, sparkling water, citrus fruits, fat, vinegar, all spices, herbs (not sure which ones are ok or not, for safety I just avoided all of them), salt (reduce as much as possible), alcohol, no herbal teas except chamomile, dairy (stimulates acid production by the stomach).

    I made sure I control the volume of what I eat too to not fill my stomach too much: I keep it under 3 cups (usually 1 cup of vegetables, one cup of rice/potatoes/pasta, and the size of a cellphone of meat/fish/tempeh).

    I don’t eat anything 3 hours before bed, and don’t drink anything 2 hours before bed. Also I sleep on a wedge.

    Helpful supplements

    DGL licorice, 1 tab 20-30 minutes before each meal, 3 times a day. It coats the interior of the stomach lining. Sometimes I ate one during the night if my stomach hurts but slippery elm works better.

    Slippery Elm: 2 tabs between meals with a big glass of water. Sometimes I took 2 tabs in the middle of the night with a big glass of water if I had stomach pain. It coats the stomach lining too, works better than DGL licorice.

    Pepzin GI: the most mysterious of the supplements, supposedly reduce inflammation and protects stomach lining. I felt a great improvement after taking it (they say it takes 2 weeks for it to work completely). I take one caps 35 mg with breakfast and one at dinner.

    Cabbage juice. There are some studies of ulcer patients cured after taking 1 cup of cabbage juice 4-5 times a day for 7 to 10 days. I had the courage to do one day 3 x 1 cup, and two days 2 x 1 cups, and my stomach pain disappeared completely with it (I was already doing better before I started). It is very unpleasant and one feels overall bad with it, moreover it causes gas, bad breath, slight headache. It interferes with the thyroid as well. But it works very well for the stomach. I mix the cabbage juice with carrot juice to make it more tasty, sometimes with celery, spinach and fennel as well.

    Evamore water Ph 8.8. Supposedly helps deactivate the pepsin in throat and esophagus, and helps recover from sore throat and esophagitis. It feels good to drink it between meals.

    heres the link https://www.patient.co.uk/forums/discuss/how-i-cured-my-gastritis-185914

  32. This sounds so similar to me. I’m currently taking Zantac 150 and it’s improved my syptoms about 50% (burning stomach pain, reflux, heartburn, burning under ribs). GI prescribed me Nexium but I haven’t started it and now I definitely won’t. I have an appt with a homeopathic doc but couldn’t get in for two months. I guess I will try cutting out carbs, sugar, etc for now and see if things improve………..so HARD!

  33. It’s 3 a.m. Eastern time and I’m crying over this post! Only awake because I woke with stomach cramps a few moments ago. Been experiencing more and more food allergies in last 2 years and things have gotten even worse. I’ll spare the gory details. .. but I believe the root of my problems is Leaky-gut-syndrome because of being on
    Nexium for years. Two months ago at my checkup with my GP I expressed an interest in getting off it and she gave me the same speech. I’ve been to a naturopath. She diagnosed the leaky-gut as well as my gluten ,dairy, egg allergies. She expressed concern about nexium but I was reluctant to get off it due to severity of my heartburn when I’m not on it. The out of pocket expenses to see her were enormous- $200 to$300 each visit. Astronomical considering we are a family of 4 on only my husband’s police salary. I couldn’t keep going and wasn’t seeing what else she could do. Now it seems clear I might need to seek out a new naturopath or holistic MD (who knew they existed?)
    Thank you thank you for being willing to share your story online! It gives me hope.

  34. My gallbladder was removed about 10 years ago and I’ve been on Nexium ever since. Last November I developed constant stomach pain and had a series of tests. The doctor said I have polyps in my stomach and esophagus because of the Nexium, but to stay on it. My dose was increased to 80 mg/day. Over the last few months I’ve noticed a huge increase in hair loss and see that Nexium can cause this. My doctor said stop the evening dose of Nexium and substitute ranitidine. I’ve been able to tolerate the change, but see that ranitidine can cause hair loss as well. I stopped the evening dose of ranitidine two days ago and started probiotics. I’m going to do my best adjusting my diet and will start eating more apples. The apple cider vinegar is too rough for me so I can’t go that route. Did you notice hair thinning/loss when on Nexium? If yes, have you seen a regrowth after stopping Nexium? Being in good health is much more important, but a girl wants her hair too!!

    Thanks for your posts/blog. It is very helpful and much appreciated.

    1. Good luck, Nancy. Just be sure that your doctor knows you’re weaning off the meds and monitors you. Untreated GERD can damage the esophagus. Best of luck to you!

      Also, re: hair loss, I did have hair loss, and I thought it was the Synthroid I was on. I never thought about the Nexium. I will have to go back and look at pictures and the dates I was on Nexium and see if there is a correlation.

  35. I am at the beginning stages of trying to come off nexium. Can you spend a minute detailing what worked for you re: probiotics and digestive enzymes.

  36. Jo Lynne – Your story is very similar to mine. For years, I have struggled with stomach problems. In my 30’s, I started having indigestion or terrible stomach aches when I ate certain foods (broccoli, honey, avocados). I took Tagamet and Zantac for years. I have had all the tests (food allergies, colonoscopy, endoscopy, etc.) They have ruled out H. pylori, gall bladder, Barrett’s esophagus. I have tried every diet – candida, low-carb, gluten free – I’ve avoided wheat, dairy, you-name-it. I have spent money on countless probiotics and supplements. I eat very healthy foods – quality protein, fruits and vegetables. Still, I seemed to have indigestion and chronic gastritis (usually worse the healthier I ate). I was diagnosed with GERD and prescribed Nexium. At first, I thought it was helping. Lately, I have come to the realization that it is not making any difference, so I have stopped taking it. Recently, I had an AHA moment when a friend who also has stomach issues mentioned she was trying the FODMAP diet. Many people have fructose malabsorption or intolerance. When I looked at the items on the FODMAP avoid list, it suddenly struck me that I have probably been fructose intolerant for the past 30 years! I had another AHA moment when I read a study on GMOs that showed pigs fed GMO corn had significantly more stomach inflammation than pigs fed non-GMO corn. I would suggest that you do your own research, but these are two areas that definitely need to be considered when people try to resolve stomach issues. Medical doctors, sadly, do not seem to be of much help.

    1. Ann,

      If you think it is FODMAP’s then read this article.

      https://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/articles/2016-03-24/do-you-have-a-gluten-intolerance-or-not-try-the-spelt-litmus-test

      Spelt might bee for you.

      Sourdoughs well seasoned might help too. Here is a good summary link from the guardian that discusses this topic well.

      https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/mar/23/sourdough-bread-gluten-intolerance-food-health-celiac-disease

      For the same reason sprouted Ezekiel bread might work the same way by reducing the strength of the gluten and or fructose bonds making it easier to digest by humans.

      I hope this is helpful.

      Celiac Posterboy by the Grace of God,

      2 Timothy 2:7 “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things”

      Joe “Rock” Pen Name

  37. Imagine my surprise when I was checking goggle for home remedies for reflux and found one of my favorite fashion bloggers! This has just started to plague me in the past few months. For me the reflux at night was causing me to cough terribly. I knew I didn’t want to go on any medication. I’m thinking this is my body’s way of forcing me to eat better! Thanks for sharing your experience with this and sparing us the pain you had to endure!

    God bless!

      1. Hi Jo-Lynne,

        I’ve noticed that you’ve often posted “untreated heartburn can cause serious issues”. I started having LPR (silent reflux symptoms) a few months ago, took Nexium for 8 days, and took myself off it (the doc wanted me to take it for a month) because of all the side-effects I’ve been reading about it. I have been implementing diet and lifestyle changes and seem to be getting better, but I am wondering if I should take the PPI for at least a month (it did seem to help somewhat, and I’ve read that it can help heal tissue damage), or just continue with my more holistic approach. Am I risking some “serious issues” here, or am I okay with never really starting the PPI’s in the first place if it seems I might be getting better without them? I mean, is anybody ever cured by taking these PPI’s short term? What’s the point of taking them?

        I HATE taking allopathic medicine doctor’s meds, unless it is something acute and there is no alternative. Last summer I trusted a doctor when he told me I should take Tosufloxacin ( an antibiotic which can cause serious side-effects) for a month and a half, and started having debilitating health problems (I was “floxed”, as it’s been called) that I am only now recovering from through the help of a naturopath. On top of that it seems the doctor misdiagnosed me.

        1. Hi Kerry. I am not really qualified to give advice. All I can do is share my story. If I were in your situation, and I wasn’t having extreme symptoms, I’d probably continue with the diet and lifestyle changes and wait it out, but I don’t know your whole situation. The best case is to seek the care of a naturopath or a doctor who is friendly to helping you treat your condition naturally. I am under the care of an MD who takes a holistic approach, and I see her yearly and we keep on top of my digestive issues. Good luck!

  38. Fear & Doctors – what a lethal combination. I have had acid reflux for about 2 years. It began very minor – I actually had very limited symptoms; inflammation in 1 part of my mouth (from sleeping on my right hand side straight after eating) & sore throat after coffee. That’s because i was stressed, overworked and living off Coffee. I had all tests, MRI, endoscopy, catscan, blood tests not know what was wrong. Finally i tusted the Dr and took the nexium. My symptoms went away & I weaned my way off the nexium after a slight diet changed. It worked….. until I got stuck back into sugar, carbs & everything after 2 weeks of getting off Nexium. WOW!! My mouth was scalded, acid flaring right up in my mouth, shredding the skin – i was extremely stressed due to my upcoming wedding. So i was prescribed 40mg nexium. (Yuk!) I took it for approx 2 – 3 months, the symptoms were still there (acid reflix) just not the acid burn, obviously being an acid blocker. Ive been to a new naturopath who did the hair strand test and the results came back as wheat, yeast and legume allergies / intolerance, build up of toxins & CANDIDIAS. So i was put on a number of supplements including vitamic C, olive leaf extract, pribiotic, antifungal, aloe vera, slipperu elm and a calming supplement. I am now on the candida diet; no carbs, sugars, yeasts, gluten, dairy or fruit. I know – so limited. Ive been on it for 2 weeks and I do feel a little better. I’ve reduced my nexium back to 20mg (I felt fantastic the first 2 days) now I’m getting acid back in my mouth and a lot of burping. The burping makes the acid come up. I have been having warm water with fresh squeezed lemon 30 minutes before breakfast. Sometimes breakfast can be troublesome in the morning but I find that if I shuck everything into the blender (all my supplements and diet foods) I get through the morning easily. Then by lunch time im hungry. Im eating so much Coconut related products that its taking over – i even cook in coconut oil, its very good for you. Since changing my diet I feel better but these last few days ive had acid coming into my mouth. Is it possible to be part of the rebound effects? What would you recommend to help? I have been daring enough to cut my 20mg tabs in half after being on 20mg for just over 7 days. Could these symptoms be related to not having enough acid in my stomach due to the acid blockers? Or too much acid? Not sure what it would most likely be. Should I start taking HCL tablets? I should also mention to other readers that my hair has significantly thinned since taking nexium and I already had thin fine hair. This blog has reinspired me to kick this nexium shit to the
    curb. Excuse the language, but this is taking over my life! Bec. Acid Refluxer. FML.

    1. Hi Bec, I am so sorry you’re struggling like this. It sounds horrid. Honestly, I am not a medical expert, and I think I was lucky to get off Nexium so easily. If you are under the care of a reputable naturopath, they can offer better advice than I can. I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful. I wish you the best of luck!!! If you do find relief, please come back and let us know how you did it.

    2. This is for Bec, and anyone esle who is suffering from Nexium Rebound,

      I write extensively about these things — GI problems and getting off of Acid Reducers for good!

      Disclaimer(s) first **** This is not medical advice and should not be considered such. Results may vary. Always consult your doctor before making any changes to your medical regimen.

      Having said that check out my blog post https://celiacposterboy.wordpress.com/2014/10/15/way-back-from-nexium/

      This will work I just helped a friend who had been on Acid Reducers for 10 years in as little as 6 months time and he has now been off of them for over a year now.

      Celiac Posterboy by the Grace of God,

      Joe “Rock” Pen Name

      2 Timothy 2: 7 “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things” this included.

    3. *******update!!!!!

      I’ve been reflux free for 4 days and stopped Nexium after weening down over 3 week. What are my results?

      We are all being lied to and acid blockers are useless! Completely!!

      I started taking apple cidar vinegar (braggs brand) and have noticed a HUGE HUGE difference. I was down to cutting my 20ml nexium in half, now I dont even take it. I’ve also been following a strict candida diet for the last 3 weeks which has no doubt contributed to this result.

      I feel normal. I feel like me again. But the most important thing is – not going back to old habits!!

      Yay me!

      1. I’m so glad you’re having success! The candida diet is awesome, but it takes great discipline. Good for you! And thanks for the update.

  39. Hello! I was diagnosed with gastritis a week ago. My Dr prescribed Nexium 40mg. I do not want to be on this long term. Will a month be okay to help my stomach heal and then wean myself off? I sure hope it isn’t too difficult because I never want to go through this again! I have cut all sugar and I’m eating very healthy now. Thank you!

    1. Hi Kendra, I am not a doctor and cannot give medical advice. I’m sorry. My best advice is to get a second opinion and see if there is a way to treat it with more natural methods. Best of luck to you!

    2. Kendra,

      I am no doctor either but have studied extensively nutrition and you should get off Nexium as quick as possible (if you haven’t already) but see Dr. Chris Kresser’s series of articles about this topic. I think you will be enlightened. https://chriskresser.com/what-everybody-ought-to-know-but-doesnt-about-heartburn-gerd/

      See this CBS news article about the long term overuse of this medicine originally meant only to be taken for a month or less to help recover from ulcers and not as a long term solution as it often used today https://www.cbsnews.com/news/heartburn-drugs-ppi-prilosec-nexium-prevacid-risk-of-dementia/

      On the other hand functional medicine doctors’ have found the true cause of heartburn in the first place but nobody today believes a Vitamin can help them see this link https://www.yourhealthbase.com/database/a124b.htm about how Niacin(amide) the non-flushing amide form of Niacin treats digestive problems or very few anyway since doctor’s are always’ saying you don’t need to take Vitamins if you’re the average person. Well the average person doesn’t have heartburn, IBS ie. constipation or diarrhea (more or less than once a day for more than two weeks) etc. The average person BURPS or should anyway. And goes most days once a day and his or her stool sinks. A sign of completed digestion.

      Think about it — a healthy child burps at 6 months usually as a sign they can digest whole foods . . . well it is true for healthy adults too! Otherwise the child is Colically and you have to burp them to help with the buildup of pressure in their hurting little tummy’s.

      Take the https://celiacposterboy.wordpress.com/2014/12/03/the-niacin-niacinamide-challenge/ and see for yourself.

      You too can begin BURPING again for the first time in years if ever.

      Note: As Dr. Kresser points out in his excellent series about the true cause of GERD “The fermentation of carbohydrates that haven’t been digested properly produces gas. The resulting gas increases intra-abdominal pressure, which is the driving force behind acid reflux and GERD.” So going Low CARB will help with your transition off of Nexium/Prilosec where I emphasize that fact in my Way Back from Nexium post in my reply to Bec above.

      DO NOT stop the Niacinamide until you are BURPING!

      The Niacinamide is working when you begin burping.

      It is the natural order of things – the God given burp!

      ***** Remember this is not medical advice and should not be considered such. Results may vary. Always consult your doctor before making any changes to your medical regimen. But my doctor has taken the Niacinamide Challenge for himself and is better.

      If you want to read more about the Celiac Posterboy and how he beat heartburn, IBS, Constipation, Diarrhea and his gluten allergy search for Celiac Posterboy or Fight GERD Win and you should find my Celiac Posterboy blog where I have written a 100+ pages about this topic.

      Good luck on your journey!

      The Celiac Posterboy by the Grace of God,

      Joe “Rock” Pen Name

      2 Timothy 2: 7 “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things” this included.

  40. Hi Jo-Lynne, I’m now taking Zantac 300 mg twice a day in place of 40 mg of Nexium in the morning and 300 mg of Zantac at night. I started this on my own, since the GI doctor suggested I go completely off of Nexium by the end of the year. About 4 or 5 days into this, I started getting a lot of gurgling and bloating at night starting several hours after eating, and just plain discomfort that keeps me up at night. I’m now wondering if I should have transitioned differently? Have you heard if people get these discomforts by switching medications ? Thank you so much for this site!

    1. Adding to clarify my previous post. The GI Doctor prescribed the replacement of Zantac 2x a day instead of the Nexium and Zantac combination. (It wasn’t something that I just prescribed for myself).