What I’ve Learned About PPIs—and Why I’m Learning to Live Without Them
My use of PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) started decades ago. Back then, it was simple: eat Taco Bell, get heartburn. Have a margarita, get heartburn. Pizza? Heartburn. Two weeks on PPIs, and I was “fixed.”
Until I wasn’t.
The heartburn returned—and this time, it brought diarrhea with it. I mentioned it to my dad, and he told me to try Prilosec. “It’ll fix it,” he said. At that point, I was desperate. I couldn’t keep going like that, so I asked my doctor for a prescription. He didn’t think it would help but agreed.
Looking back, I wish he had encouraged me to try changing my eating habits first—or at least warned me that getting off PPIs down the road wouldn’t be easy.
When the Dose Keeps Increasing
Over the years, my symptoms kept creeping back, so we just kept raising the dose. For context, the “normal” dosage is 20mg once a day—and over-the-counter use is only recommended for two weeks every six months. Eventually, my doctors wanted me at 40mg, twice a day.
That’s when I finally said, “Wait!”
Why are we just increasing the dose? Could something else be causing this? I even asked if they could run tests to rule out a tumor (since I have a rare condition that increases stomach acid). They scoped me, found nothing, and still said no—it must be my rare disease.
But here’s the thing: fewer than 5,000 people in the U.S. have the condition they were blaming. Meanwhile, up to 45 million Americans have IBS. You’re telling me it’s more likely my rare disease is the culprit than something common like IBS? I’m sorry, I’m not buying it.
The Real Risks of PPIs
So, without doctor support, I’ve started the (VERY) hard work of removing myself from PPIs. Why would I put myself through this?
Because the risks of long-term use are real. According to the NIH,
“Various observational studies, clinical trials, and meta-analyses have established the adverse effects associated with the long-term use of proton pump inhibitors including renal disorders, cardiovascular risks, fractures, infections, micronutrient deficiencies, hypergastrinemia, cancers, hepatic encephalopathy, and dementia.” (read the full article here)
Yeah. I’ll do the hard work to get off these.
What Happens When You Come Off PPIs
Here’s something nobody warned me about: stopping PPIs doesn’t just magically “reset” your digestion. In fact, it can make things worse at first.
When you’ve been suppressing stomach acid for a long time, your body often overproduces it once the medication is reduced or stopped. This is called rebound acid hypersecretion. The result? Your original symptoms often come back stronger—and that makes people think they’re “stuck” on PPIs forever.
For me, this has looked like:
Days where my reflux felt worse than ever
Three-day stretches of diarrhea that left me dehydrated
Being afraid to drive to work because I wasn’t sure I could make it 30 minutes without a bathroom
It’s discouraging, but knowing why this happens has helped me stay the course. Each round, I learn better ways to support my body so the rebound doesn’t last as long.
My FDN Approach
I realize I may never be able to fully quit PPIs if my rare condition is truly the cause. But I am committed to trying—for my long-term health.
Here’s what I’m doing:
Reducing toxic load: Switching to less toxic makeup and skincare.
Improving water quality: Investing in healthier drinking and shower water.
Supporting digestion: Eating more whole foods and fewer processed ones.
Targeted supplementation: Using gut-supporting supplements I’ve learned about through my FDN training.
At this point, I’ve cut my PPI dose in half. It hasn’t been easy. I’ve had three-day stretches where I was afraid to drive to work (a 30-minute commute without a bathroom nearby). I’ve gotten dehydrated and very sick. But each time I push through, I learn better ways to support my body, shorten the symptoms, and strengthen my gut.
It’s hard, but I believe it will be worth it.
Your Turn
Are you on PPIs but not sure where to start if you want to move away from them? You don’t have to do it alone. I’d love to help you explore how to support your body in a sustainable way. A 45-minute Metabolic Scorecard call is a great way to start. Contact me to get started.
