Article in the Huntsville Times Tuesday May 11, 2010

Los Angeles:

The widely used family of acid-reducing drugs that includes Prilosec, Nexium and Protonix increased the risk of bone fractures by about 25 percent and can more than double the risk of contracting the troublesome bacterium Clostridium difficile, new studies released Monday confirm.

The increased risk is not thought to be caused by the drugs themselves, but by the sharply reduced levels of acid in the stomach and intestinal tract, which make the organs a more hospitable environment for infectious agents such as C. difficile and which can impair the uptake of the Calcium required for strong bones. The drugs have also been shown to increase the risk of pneumonia.

Wish they had put the author of this but I have read about this before and it is a caution for me for getting off these as soon as I can. Right now I do need them though.

I am doing quite well off my PPI. I was really kind of worried the first few days. I got an email from Dr.Aceves that told me to take prilosec every other day, but I don't think I am going to need to do that. I have taken a few sips of gavescon a few times, but the last few days, I don't need anything.

Oregondaisy... so good to hear. I really want to stop. I'm going to wait till completely healed (12 weeks I guess?) and give it a go. You had a bit of trouble at first right?

I've tried to go off of them before and gave up. The rebound acid goes on for about a week. lately, I have no heartburn all day but have a little bit at night. It's nothing compared to the way it was the first week.

I am over the rough spot. I do drink a sip of gavescon if I need to, but haven't needed to lately.

You really are supposed to stay on them for 6 months though. I am a year post op, so I decided it was time to stop.

whats gavascon..... it it otcit is the same as tums or rolaids.

Edited May 28, 201016 yr by stcyt

I am on day 3 of no PPI too. I know I am supposed to go 6 months, but I never had acid issues pre-op or for the few days before starting the PPI post op. The good news if it becomes an issue I can just start taking it again. No acid issues yet on day 3 but It can be a week or two to clear out of the system. My main reason for doing this is because I don't want to create an acid issue that I never had--in other words my body may try to overproduce acid if I go too long on a PPI.

Edited May 28, 201016 yr by Swiftflow

Because of a hital hernia and gastric reflux causing me to aspirate into my lungs, I've been taking the PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitors) for the last 6+ years - I brought the issue up 3 years ago to my gastroenterologist about the bone issue (increased risk of fractures) - he wasn't too worried - but then that didn't make me feel better - i.e., the fact that he wasn't "too worried." I think walking helps the bones and of course the calcium supplements. Acid reflux is both dangerous and makes you feel "yuk" - For right now, I'm taking my chances. I'll check with Dr. Aceves in about a year (a year after my VSG) and see what he thinks. AND I have to say - all of you Dr. Aceves patients - isn't his office staff (especially Gaby) fantastic about getting back to us?

Gavescon has a different ingredient than tums or rolaids. It comes in liquid and chewable tablets.

Dr. Aceves recommended it because he said rolaids or tums cause rebound acid.