Question on decreasing medication

[daw]

Awhile back I discussed decreasing my GERD/LPR medications with my GI. I currently take Pepcid 20mg/am, 40mg/pm and Nexium 40mg before supper. He asked me if I ever had skipped a dose and what happened. I told him that nothing happened....I had no return of symptoms if I forgot to take a pill. He then thought it would be okay for me to decrease either the Pepcid or the Nexium to a lesser dose. It made sense to me since the Pepcid and Nexium do not last for 24 hours and I've noticed that some posters that skip a dose get symptoms or need to take a med twice a day to cover the whole 24 hours.

So I tried cutting back the dose of Pepcid first....slowly to prevent acid rebound. Everything goes okay for about a week or two and then symptoms start returning slowly. Usually a scratchy throat and/or some minor heartburn. When I return to the usual dose of Pepcid all the symptoms go away. My next experiment will be with the Nexium.

Any theories?

[The Pard]

Hi Daw,

Not all gerd is forever... especially if a physical injury, a virus, or an emotional cause was part of the equation.

How will you ever know if you are recovering if you never reduce the meds 'til symptoms begin to return?

Those on long term PPI's have a real reason to wean-off the meds, but may be afraid to do so.

Sometimes even doctors are reluctant to suggest
weaning-off, just like they are with
blood pressure or cholesterol reducing meds.

Often the sufferer makes enough changes in a diet or lifstyle to cancel the reason for reflux and until the meds are stopped the recovery will not be noticed.

It is worth a try...
The Pard