They still need to look at the causes of those deaths. This study did not do that. The risk for neuroendocrine tumors (seen by animal studies before the drug was released) I believe is real and since being OTC the doseage and prolonged therapy has only added to that risk. How many of these did Steve Jobs take???
On 1/13/11, the NYT published an article inAsk Well:Remedies: Chewing Gum for Heartburn. I have GERD, and I decided to try it. I haven't had to take any prescription medication since.
I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one in the NYT, but it's worth a shot. I told my PCP about this, and sent her the article. She has recommended gum ever since, as a TEST you understand.
I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one in the NYT, but it's worth a shot. I told my PCP about this, and sent her the article. She has recommended gum ever since, as a TEST you understand.
After years of taking proton pump inhibitors, I failed in going cold turkey to start H2 blockers as my physician had recommended. A gasterenterologist suggested instead that I make the change very gradually. What worked was starting H2 blockers while continuing to take my daily PPI for about a week. Then skipping the PPI on alternate days for a week, then reducing it to every third day for a while, and then every fourth day, and finally dropping them completely with no return of symptoms, which are now fully controlled by the H2 blockers. I'm very relieved to be using the safer drug.
People might not die from PPIs but from the underlying untreated conditions - mostly food allergies and food intolerances. High on the list are dairy, tomatoes (and other nightshades), nuts, unfermented soy, artificial colors, preservatives - and anything one is allergic to.
Alexa Fleckenstein M.D., physician, author.
Alexa Fleckenstein M.D., physician, author.
I understand that GERD can actually be caused by too LITTLE stomach acid in some instances, especially in seniors. After taking P.P.I. for years I now take small sip of apple cider vinegar when stomach burns and calms down immediately. No reflux. Thoughts?
3
A doctor recommended that I try HCL pills, and that works for me. I agree. Too little stomach acid is the problem. I don't take them all the time. Just usually at holiday dinners. I took Nexium for one week and I felt like my digestive track just seized up. That was enough for me. I like to digest, and digest quickly.
HCL = Hydryochloric Acid
I was the only one at Thanksgiving not groaning.
HCL = Hydryochloric Acid
I was the only one at Thanksgiving not groaning.
Has anyone tried to kick PPI's? I did and it was horrible. I lasted 11 days without prilosec. Withdrawal was way more painful than my hiatal hernia.
Any tips on how to get off PPI's????
Any tips on how to get off PPI's????
2
After years attempting and failing to go off PPIs, I had to go cold turkey when I was pregnant. I had no choice and suffered through months of awful heartburn. After a year off them, my symptoms went away and have stayed at bay; I take Tums pretty often for garden variety heartburn and it works fine and is benign. I think that given enough time, some people's systems will gradually return to normal. PPIs change your gut chemistry and you depend on them to regulate your acid, but my case shows that if you hang in there, you might be able to wean off for good.
thanks. I am taking my Prilosec every other day. You have given me hope
1
I was a resident in some New York Hospital and we used to put everybody on P.P.I's for stress ulcer prophylactic; After more than 10 years in practice I saw all the harms this medication causes including Stomach and esophageal cancer....!!!!
If my patients don't need them, I educate them and took them off.....
Dr Tirgari
If my patients don't need them, I educate them and took them off.....
Dr Tirgari
I have been dumfounded by the people who have told me that they would take PPI's so they could eat pizza and other stomach irritants. (Remember the tomato was considered poisonous by even the Italians.) Years ago I attended CE programs to enlighten me on the miracle of PPI's and the learned MD explained that these drugs were among the safest he had ever used. This was a widely held opinion and led to the OTC approval.
We have to remember that all drugs have side effects and now these PPI's can shorten our lifespan. Change your diet folks and quit relying on pills.
We have to remember that all drugs have side effects and now these PPI's can shorten our lifespan. Change your diet folks and quit relying on pills.
3
The cause of acid reflux - generally speaking - is one thing, and one thing only: eating too late in the day (eating at night). And the op-ed writer for the NY Times covers it beautifully right here: https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/26/opinion/sunday/the-dangers-of-eating-...
It's not *what* you eat. It is *when* you eat.
No article on this subject should be without a reference to the above op-ed piece.
It's not *what* you eat. It is *when* you eat.
No article on this subject should be without a reference to the above op-ed piece.
2
I was on a daily ppi for 7 years prescribed by my PCP. After approx 5yrs I began to have periodic attacks that were similar to very short term TIA. My pulse rate was down to 40 and erratic, then in Feb 2016 I read an article in the NYT about ppi's and the possible side effects; absorption of vital nutrients particularly vit B 12 which is important for neural functions. I stopped the ppi's cold , bought some B 12 and within 3 days was feeling much better, pulse rate was back up to 60 to 70 and no more of the attacks. It took a while to get over the gerd attacks but baking soda or tums worked well.
My advice: don't use ppi's EVER!
My advice: don't use ppi's EVER!
1
Proton pump inhibitors reduce the production of stomach acid, which, in turn, can reduce the absorption of needed substances like iron, calcium and vitamin B12, with possible resultant disease. Appropriate supplementation with those substances might counter that effect. (That’s what I did when I took Prilosec.)
1
I hope people taking prescription PPIs for a serious condition talk to their gastroenterologist before discontinuing their meds. In my case, for example, I would almost certainly be dead within scant years if I discontinued. I was unbelievably lucky to survive my first (arterial!) GI bleed. Quite frankly, I won't be that lucky again.
One last thought: I begged my foer doctor for a PPI for two years before my GI bleed. A simple prescription could have saved me unexplainable suffering, countless doctor visits, 5 ER visits, 3 hospitalizations, 2 major surgeries, 13 units of blood, and a near death experience, not to mention $344,000 in hospital bills! My former doctor didn't think the prescription was worth the risk. I beg to differ.
Sometimes, these drugs are lifesaving. If you're reading this and considering discontinuing a PPI, please do yourself a favor and talk to a specialist or two and do a real cost-benefit analysis. You may be perfectly fine with an H2 antagonist instead. You may be perfectly fine with lifestyle changes instead. You may not. Whatever your situation, a specialist can help you make a better, safer, more educated decison between these options.
Take care of yourselves, folks!
One last thought: I begged my foer doctor for a PPI for two years before my GI bleed. A simple prescription could have saved me unexplainable suffering, countless doctor visits, 5 ER visits, 3 hospitalizations, 2 major surgeries, 13 units of blood, and a near death experience, not to mention $344,000 in hospital bills! My former doctor didn't think the prescription was worth the risk. I beg to differ.
Sometimes, these drugs are lifesaving. If you're reading this and considering discontinuing a PPI, please do yourself a favor and talk to a specialist or two and do a real cost-benefit analysis. You may be perfectly fine with an H2 antagonist instead. You may be perfectly fine with lifestyle changes instead. You may not. Whatever your situation, a specialist can help you make a better, safer, more educated decison between these options.
Take care of yourselves, folks!
3
There ought to be more evaluation of the effects of PPIs to understand what else is happening beyond controlling GERD. They affect the digestive process, and quite possibly decrease nutrient absorption, and impact other unevaluated gut processes.
There are observational studies which have found an association between PPI us and osteoporosis and related fractures; kidney disease, dementia, and c. difficile infection.
There are enough associations to suggest prudence. I.e., avoid it if you can.
Serious GERD is not benign, nor, for many, is it easily controlled by simple changes. There are clearly times when a PPI is a good alternative. But many people - as with NSAIDs -- use them thinking they utterly "safe" - and they use them daily for a long time -- and there may be serious downsides to this. Death is only the last possible "side effect" on the list.
There are observational studies which have found an association between PPI us and osteoporosis and related fractures; kidney disease, dementia, and c. difficile infection.
There are enough associations to suggest prudence. I.e., avoid it if you can.
Serious GERD is not benign, nor, for many, is it easily controlled by simple changes. There are clearly times when a PPI is a good alternative. But many people - as with NSAIDs -- use them thinking they utterly "safe" - and they use them daily for a long time -- and there may be serious downsides to this. Death is only the last possible "side effect" on the list.
4
Wow more data to try to get off my proton pump inhibitor-- the 50% increase in Alzheimer's Disease and now mortality is bad. The problem is that my life time of severe GERD had destroyed my cartilage in my trachea and bronchi and high doses of Zantac and head of bed elevation does not stop nighttime heartburn. Frustrating.
3
These drugs are super dangerous, my wife had a severe reaction one night after having taken Nexium a few times. She became very ill, profuse vomiting and her body was so drenched in sweat that her core temperature dropped to 93 degrees. That is in the range of hypothermia people - it was really scary.
Do not take these drugs if it can be avoided.
Do not take these drugs if it can be avoided.
3
My mother died of Stomach cancer because of this P.PI's
1
I thought it was well-known that PPIs, after long-term use, can cause liver and kidney damage.
After suffering through esophageal spasms, which are more painful than cardiac arrests (and I've had both), I had an endoscopy. That confirmed GERD and acid reflux.
I was put on a prescription PPI which caused some ghastly side effects. I looked up the chemical properties and discovered that it was similar to Prevacid, so I switched to generic prevacid.
Then I thought, this is ridiculous -- stop eating after 7pm, don't east spicy foods, drink more water!
Acid reflect/GERD symptoms are nearly gone. On the rare occasions I do have a flareup, two TUMS does the trick!
After suffering through esophageal spasms, which are more painful than cardiac arrests (and I've had both), I had an endoscopy. That confirmed GERD and acid reflux.
I was put on a prescription PPI which caused some ghastly side effects. I looked up the chemical properties and discovered that it was similar to Prevacid, so I switched to generic prevacid.
Then I thought, this is ridiculous -- stop eating after 7pm, don't east spicy foods, drink more water!
Acid reflect/GERD symptoms are nearly gone. On the rare occasions I do have a flareup, two TUMS does the trick!
4
Baking soda and water helps me when in a pinch, less ingredients than TUMS too.
1
A follow up on how to stop taking these drugs would be appreciated. It seems tapering over a period of time is necessary but difficult.
9
From the study -- the link is in the story -- 'Strengths and limitations of this study
National large-scale data from a network of integrated health systems.
Employed a new user design and developed a number of analytical approaches where we consistently found a significant association between PPI exposure and risk of death.
Cohort included mostly older white male US veterans, which may limit the generalisability.
Did not include information on the cause of death.'
National large-scale data from a network of integrated health systems.
Employed a new user design and developed a number of analytical approaches where we consistently found a significant association between PPI exposure and risk of death.
Cohort included mostly older white male US veterans, which may limit the generalisability.
Did not include information on the cause of death.'
2
This brief piece does not reach the standard (or perhaps former standard) of NY Times journalism.
In this piece you tell Times readers something scary and then have the lead investigator of the study cited as the source of the scary information tell readers it's not scary.
Further, while you do offer a link to the study itself, you do not provide any accurate reflection of the study's statistical probabilities in the piece.
Oveall, the piece -- one could not call it an article -- has the feel of something used to fill column inches or maybe some otherwise empty space next to advertising.
My college newspaper editor would have lambasted me for submitting something like this.
I'm sure reading "work" like this puts me at risk of premature death because of the agita that's provoked, which leads to injestion of proton pump inhibitors.
Try again?
In this piece you tell Times readers something scary and then have the lead investigator of the study cited as the source of the scary information tell readers it's not scary.
Further, while you do offer a link to the study itself, you do not provide any accurate reflection of the study's statistical probabilities in the piece.
Oveall, the piece -- one could not call it an article -- has the feel of something used to fill column inches or maybe some otherwise empty space next to advertising.
My college newspaper editor would have lambasted me for submitting something like this.
I'm sure reading "work" like this puts me at risk of premature death because of the agita that's provoked, which leads to injestion of proton pump inhibitors.
Try again?
22
I totally believe this article. Took a heartburn medication for three days and developed chest pains. A change of diet, drinking more water and the occasional chewable antacid lozenge is sufficient at this time.
4
Heartburn is often your body is telling you not to eat late at night as you get older so you will survive longer. If you ignore this, when you go horizontal you will leak out acidic stomach contents into your esophagus which is not built to handle these fluids. You erroneously might think you are developing an ulcer because of stress or something, stop eating at night and it will usually go away.
There is only one way to combat this. Only eat before bed very lightly and rarely
once you age to the point where you start getting heartburn. Those nights of hitting the diner at 2AM to avoid hangovers has passed, accept it.
As a stopgap measure keep some liquid antiacid in the bedroom and take a chug
in the middle of the night if heartburn hits. Blocking your proton pumps to allow you to eat at night is insane.
There is only one way to combat this. Only eat before bed very lightly and rarely
once you age to the point where you start getting heartburn. Those nights of hitting the diner at 2AM to avoid hangovers has passed, accept it.
As a stopgap measure keep some liquid antiacid in the bedroom and take a chug
in the middle of the night if heartburn hits. Blocking your proton pumps to allow you to eat at night is insane.
8
I generally agree, except that I would add that you don't need to be older for late-night eating to cause the issues you point to. I would say, never eat before bed, no matter your age.
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/26/opinion/sunday/the-dangers-of-eating-...
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/26/opinion/sunday/the-dangers-of-eating-...
1
The "increased risk" is not just small, it is nearly invisible.
Studies that search for associations with "death from any cause" are not medically, scientifically sound -- no one thinks that Nexium causes death by misadventure or death by drowning at the beach or death from influenza or nearly all the other thousands of causes of death in the ICD-10 code system.
This is at best Silly Science.
Studies that search for associations with "death from any cause" are not medically, scientifically sound -- no one thinks that Nexium causes death by misadventure or death by drowning at the beach or death from influenza or nearly all the other thousands of causes of death in the ICD-10 code system.
This is at best Silly Science.
6
"Death from any cause" refers to unspecified causes, so patients on PPI's die younger than cohorts. In addition, PPI's increase the incidence of dementias at earlier ages.
1
Is nothing safe? Even breathing is dangerous. Studies show that everyone who breathes will die....
11
This piece is not thorough enough. Please describe the study in more eetail. The risks of taking PPIs are known - what is new in this study?
8
Association is not causation. Many people prescribed PPIs are overweight and have other risk factors.
11
As someone who reminds her students on a daily basis that correlation does not equal causation, I appreciate the sentiment.
2
The study did not account for two major factors - smoking and obesity - that are linked to acid reflux symptoms, PPI use, and increased risks of death. For years studies have demonstrated that people who use PPIs, when viewed as a group, are simply sicker than people who do not use PPIs. PPI use is an excellent marker for a sicker population, and the results of the current study are not surprising. However, it is wrong to conclude from this study that using PPIs increases the risk of dying.
10
Association is not the same as causation. It Is quite possible that PPIs are a marker for behaviors that are unhealthy. Examples would include, but are not limited to, heartburn related to obesity or excessive food and alcohol consumption. People using the drugs may be dying from the behaviors that cause people to use the drugs, not the drugs themselves. Nonetheless, the side effects are real, important, and not emphasized by the people making money off this pharmaceutical bonanza.
10
How do they know whether the effect is caused by the drug vs the underlying condition that leads one to take it?
3
because scientists are capable of designing experiments that eliminate these variables.
5
Of course they do, I just want to know the details - which are not given in this article
7