4 ms·

What are the side-effects for PPIs? I've been taking them for almost 2 decades for GERD without anything too specific coming up. I check my B12 levels from tim

What are the side-effects for PPIs? I've been taking them for almost 2 decades for GERD without anything too specific coming up. I check my B12 levels from time to time and they seem ok. My hemoglobin is always a bit low and iron supplements don't seem to help. What other things are common with long-term PPI use?

lg 4y ago
Lowering stomach acid can throttle calcium absorption so is linked to osteoporosis but i don’t know how common that is in practice.
- piyh 4y ago
  Can also lower iron absorption
kryz 4y ago
Higher concentrations of oral bacteria detected in the gut of people who use PPIs. That can’t be a good thing…
user1029384756 4y ago
I am not in any way shape or form a medical professional, but there do seem to be some studies that show there is evidence of an increased risk of gastric cancer with long term PPI use. Again, not a medical professional, so if it works for you and suits your personal risk tolerance, please don’t let a random internet commenter freak you out.
myshpa 4y ago
Have you tried apple cider vinegar (ACV)? Works wonders. PPIs don't really treat GERD, imho it's one of those medicines to be used perpetually (good only for shareholders). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTzxfoL82n8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTzxfoL82n8 - good explanation why/how ACV works and why PPIs don't, iirc
- unsupp0rted 4y ago
  I was told me esophageal sphincter doesn't fully close. Would apple cider vinegar help keep my acid low?
  - lr4444lr 4y ago
    It will exacerbate esophageal irritation on the way down even if it did help a weak LES (which it doesn't). Please ask your doctor before trying this. Avoiding unadulterated high acid foods is a first line treatment for gastric problems.
    - unsupp0rted 4y ago
      Yup, no coffee / dark chocolate / dairy / alcohol / citrus for me for over a decade now, among other things. I don't miss any of it, except chocolate milk. I've seen vinegar recommended for GERD online before, but was curious whether there's much medical know-how behind it (studies or at least a clear theory of why it would help me vs. PPIs). With a weak LES (lower esophageal sphincter) a lot of "just do this" GERD folk remedies don't work.
      - lr4444lr 4y ago
        The "theory" behind ACV is that stomach problems can be caused by H. Pylori overgrowth due to acid underproduction. H. Pylori and stomach acidity problems are easily testable diagnoses via upper endoscopy on a case by case basis. What is NOT controversial however is the much higher vulnerability of the esophagus to acid (on the way up or the way down), pain from which damage is the "burn" in heartburn. The esophagus needs time to heal regardless of whether ACV would or would not help the stomach, and it'd definitely be harmful to the inflamed tissue up there. As I mentioned above, sodium alginate is a remarkably effective and safe treatment for mild and moderate GERD, which is picking up interest as PPIs are coming under intense scrutiny for possible harmful side effects long term. It's not a cure to anything per se, but this isn't medical advice either - people should root cause their stomach troubles with a qualified doctor.
  - 4y ago

lg 4y ago

Lowering stomach acid can throttle calcium absorption so is linked to osteoporosis but i don’t know how common that is in practice.

piyh 4y ago
Can also lower iron absorption

kryz 4y ago

Higher concentrations of oral bacteria detected in the gut of people who use PPIs. That can’t be a good thing…

user1029384756 4y ago

I am not in any way shape or form a medical professional, but there do seem to be some studies that show there is evidence of an increased risk of gastric cancer with long term PPI use. Again, not a medical professional, so if it works for you and suits your personal risk tolerance, please don’t let a random internet commenter freak you out.

myshpa 4y ago

Have you tried apple cider vinegar (ACV)? Works wonders. PPIs don't really treat GERD, imho it's one of those medicines to be used perpetually (good only for shareholders). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTzxfoL82n8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTzxfoL82n8 - good explanation why/how ACV works and why PPIs don't, iirc

unsupp0rted 4y ago
I was told me esophageal sphincter doesn't fully close. Would apple cider vinegar help keep my acid low?
- lr4444lr 4y ago
  It will exacerbate esophageal irritation on the way down even if it did help a weak LES (which it doesn't). Please ask your doctor before trying this. Avoiding unadulterated high acid foods is a first line treatment for gastric problems.
  - unsupp0rted 4y ago
    Yup, no coffee / dark chocolate / dairy / alcohol / citrus for me for over a decade now, among other things. I don't miss any of it, except chocolate milk. I've seen vinegar recommended for GERD online before, but was curious whether there's much medical know-how behind it (studies or at least a clear theory of why it would help me vs. PPIs). With a weak LES (lower esophageal sphincter) a lot of "just do this" GERD folk remedies don't work.
    - lr4444lr 4y ago
      The "theory" behind ACV is that stomach problems can be caused by H. Pylori overgrowth due to acid underproduction. H. Pylori and stomach acidity problems are easily testable diagnoses via upper endoscopy on a case by case basis. What is NOT controversial however is the much higher vulnerability of the esophagus to acid (on the way up or the way down), pain from which damage is the "burn" in heartburn. The esophagus needs time to heal regardless of whether ACV would or would not help the stomach, and it'd definitely be harmful to the inflamed tissue up there. As I mentioned above, sodium alginate is a remarkably effective and safe treatment for mild and moderate GERD, which is picking up interest as PPIs are coming under intense scrutiny for possible harmful side effects long term. It's not a cure to anything per se, but this isn't medical advice either - people should root cause their stomach troubles with a qualified doctor.
- 4y ago