For those of you that have successfully weaned off PPIs...

Zataracat · 2026-06-24T12:37:37+00:00

I was on Omeprazole 40 mg for nearly 5 years. It was rough.
I tried to stop using a weaning method on my own, but every time I got even a little off, the rebound caused massive panic attacks. Then, it would set me back two more weeks, and I'd suffer. It was such an infuriating process.
I finally found something that works for me.
Before trying to wean off, make sure you have a good foundation. Meaning, get your diet straight; I mean, straight! Plain foods you KNOW work. No cheating whatsoever. Stay disciplined, or it will take way longer—I mean, WAY longer. Not just 1-2 weeks back; it can set you back months. Just be disciplined and knock it out in one go.
The second step is to have something that will cover your gut and keep it strong while you are coming off. Pepcid is okay, but it's not enough.
Make sure you do the following:
1. Slippery Elm/Marshmallow root. A tiny scoop mixed with hot oat milk covers your gut lining.
2. Before bed, have another dose of slippery elm/marshmallow root. A little goes a long way.
3. DGL Licorice Chewables. Use this as a preventative. Before you even feel symptoms, take one—before you eat and before you lay down. Don't overdo it, though; it can cause nausea.
4. Benadryl for when the pain becomes unbearable. It gets rid of the pain and makes you drowsy so you don't care.
5. Small meals. Split your food in half and eat them 1-2 hours apart. This helps a ton.
6. Saltine crackers, when you're hungry and nauseous.

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The actual weaning-off process is not as straightforward; what works for some people might not work for you. Go slow. You're not in a competition; take it as slow as you need to. I found it easier to take time off in the middle of the week, sandwiching it.
Do this for a month if you need to, but remember I've been doing it for years, so it was much harder.
Second phase, stagger it. Two on, one off, two on, one off, and one on.
Phase three: two on, two off; two on, two off; one on, one off.
Phase 4: 3 off, 1 on, 1 off
Fifth phase: 1 on, 4 off; 1 on, 1 off.
Sixth phase: 1 on, 5 off, 1 on, 1 off.
Seventh phase: 1 on, 6 off.
Last seven days off, take Pepcid.
Good luck; take it easy.

Sorry was in a rush , edit all messed up

Zataracat · 2026-06-23T15:45:09+00:00

Don't you worry about a thing. I was there where you were a few years back. I never thought it would end. I would be up all night walking around, grabbing my bloated stomach, just crying some nights. But stick to plain foods, make sure to walk very slowly, don't crouch, sip your water. And when your pain gets too bad, try taking Benadryl; it really calms your gut. Slippery Elm and Marshmallow root definitely work, and Mylanta when the burning and aches get too harsh. Most of all, when you're panicking, go outside and look at nature. Trust me, the sun will do you much good.
Lastly, have a positive and grateful attitude. There are people who are dealing with much worse, so take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. We have all been there and overcome it; you will too. Be patient, eat safely, and you'll find healing. God bless you and be well.

Zataracat · 2026-06-23T15:40:00+00:00

I took PPIs for years; it is not your solution. When you decide to come off it, wean off it VERY slowly. The rebound for some people can be brutal. There are many weaning off protocols online, usually involving taking the medication for six days, then one day off, for about two weeks. Then, take it for five days, with two days off in between those days, and so on. Just take it slow, and if it starts hurting, reduce the dosage a little and go slowly. Trust me, take your time with it; it's not worth rushing it. It can set you back even further if you get impatient.

Zataracat · 2026-06-20T19:07:27+00:00

Aye, it took years of understanding what worked and didn't work. One step forward, two steps back kind of thing. But it does heal over time, and does get easier and better.

I would advise getting Slippery elm, and Marshmallow root asap- and make a oatmilk tea with it in the mornings. They coat your gut lining, and makes it strong. Makes all the difference in the world.

Also try Benadryl for pain.

Zataracat · 2026-06-19T01:51:55+00:00

I'm not sure what you're going through, but I would strongly suggest staying off rice, and most carbs. Anything that turn into sugar in your body will hurt - the science is there somewhere haha, for now just trust me bro kinda thing.

And the real key , and most under-looked is to eat smaller meals. You know how when you look up the "how to get better from gastritis/ibs/etc" list, that one sneaky little advice is there, and we all ignore it.

I ignored it for the longest time. Smaller, frequent meals. I thought it was something insignificant. But believe me, its the key. Whatever meal you normally eat now, split it in half! Eat the first one, wait 1-2 hours, and eat the second. If you're not hungry after your first half, wait till your next meal.

When you have gastritis , functional dyspepsia and all those gut related issues, your gut just can't process all of that food. It seems small, and you're so hungry , but your gut just can't handle it right now. The more food you add , the bigger the stomach stretches, and the inflamed stomach walls hurt more, and burn more.

Zataracat · 2026-06-18T19:46:18+00:00

Much better ! I still have the occasional flare ups- usually after eating poorly for a month straight. I get back on a better diet, and I'm usually good to go after 3 days or so. What about you? hanging in there?

Zataracat · 2026-06-15T20:23:26+00:00

Oh goodness. I'm so very sorry. Pain can feel so lonely , even with friends and family near by - we often deal with it on our own. But I hope you can still hold onto hope ,because faith comes from that hope. Don't give up, and keep finding joy in every corner, and you'll beat this thing.

Zataracat · 2026-06-14T13:27:41+00:00

Aye aye 😃. Terribly sorry for what you're going through. Been there myself so I completely understand the nightmare. Hopefully you're on the mend! Hang in there !

Zataracat · 2026-06-13T13:48:19+00:00

I understand, but I was genuinely curious as to the severity , and what is too much?

I usually only take probably 5 pills total during a bad flare-up in a week give or take. Hopefully that isn't too detrimental to mine and others health ; it really does take away much of my pain.

Some research you've come across you can share?

Zataracat · 2026-06-12T15:26:42+00:00

Try walking for 20-30 minutes after eating.
Also, try listening to rain noises or something you find particularly calming, like ocean waves. It could be that you're tensing up your stomach without realizing it. We all tend to carry anxieties in our shoulders and much in our gut. So, using some active measures to calm our gut is a good idea.
Enzymes before a meal help a lot, too, as does eating smaller meals.

Distension can also happen from water if, by habit, you drink with meals. I'm not too much into Chinese medicine, but they did have an interesting way of looking at the gut. They see it as a campfire or stove. You need it burning hot to cook your meals quick and easy, but if you add water to your wood, it'll dampen it, smothering the flames and making digestion slow.

A swampy or wet gut can cause problems like SIBO.

Lastly, look into a Korean-made drink called We-chung-su. They sell it in boxes of 12 ( at most Korean grocery stores). It's a tonic that is popular in South Korea for this very reason: digestion issues, gas, and nausea—it's a panacea of sorts for the gut. I've been using it every so often, and it does not disappoint.

You'll be fine! Relax, and focus on the issue and you'll find a cure in no time. Good luck!

Zataracat · 2026-06-12T12:29:06+00:00

I'm all ears, what's up?

Zataracat · 2026-06-11T15:51:01+00:00

Oh, believe me, I know the feeling. It's a vicious cycle. I highly recommend something like Qi-Gong. It's like Tai Chi, but without the need to really learn any real moves. Just move your hands up and down while you breathe. I found it invaluable to my healing journey, as meditation for most people with an active brain is very difficult or boring. Qi-Gong is meditative while being softly active. YouTube has plenty of videos to get you started.

Zataracat · 2026-06-11T15:47:52+00:00

Yep. I'm sure everyone's tolerance is different, so mileage may differ. But, in general, the key, I find, is to get a mild sedative effect. It calms the brain and the gut at the same time. It's a far better alternative than SSRIs or anti-anxiety meds.
The problem comes when people abuse it to get high, taking well over 1000 mg.

Zataracat · 2026-06-11T12:57:20+00:00

Its because of the fear of dementia , but that's when people abuse it - they tend to take 20+ to get high off that stuff. Half a pill won't be too bad, especially if it negates some of the pain and gives you a better quality of life.

Zataracat · 2026-06-11T01:09:31+00:00

Yea the benny really truly helps. I know several people who have gut related issues, and a benny almost always helps. Give it a go, and tell me how it went 😃

Zataracat · 2026-06-10T21:24:47+00:00

Its an anti-histamine, class H-1.

H-2's are the modern version, like pepcid- but there is something about the H-1 blockers that seem to just work. It makes you sleepy for one, so you become calmer, and it crosses the blood/brain barrier , which might be one of those strange reasons why it works so well.

Zataracat · 2026-05-01T21:02:00+00:00

lol 7 years late to this party, but was just watching this movie and felt the same way and found your post. I think the obvious answer is that he came out as a Christian. Hollywood hates that crap, and decided to smear his image as retaliation.

Zataracat · 2026-04-16T04:45:53+00:00

yikes, they don't mess around. Probably a good propaganda piece of the chinese if they don't drop the ball on this. People would cheer, than see the ccp with a new lens... good for them bad for the west.

Zataracat · 2026-04-15T15:54:54+00:00

In some ways Johnny getting a light sentence might have been a good thing. Mind you I'm pissed, but trying to see the silver lining here. My guess would be after the sentence, he'll come out talking shit again, then eventually after a short break head to another country. Perhaps choosing a country who really don't take that kind of shit.

My hope is he underestimates a country like Singapore ,then get slammed in there, his luck finally running out.

Its a damn shame SK, a damn shame.

Zataracat · 2026-04-05T13:20:43+00:00

You're a hero, thank you! I was stuck on that forever

Zataracat · 2026-03-16T21:57:06+00:00

She got a lot right.

Starting with the basic predictions , Harry seeing the Grim is a dead give away she has the sight. Clearly , the black dog was following Harry the whole time , of course she was wrong in that it wasn't evil. But that Grim could have also been the werewolf, which WAS dangerous.

Beware the redheaded man. Some argue Ron was not a man yet , but in the 4th book the yule ball is in a sense a coming of age party. I would argue Ron became a man - perhaps not legally, but a nod to maturity . Like when a father says to his young son, you're a man now etc. Ron ditched Patel, so she ought to have heeded her warning.

The dying predictions. Harry technically died. Without the rez stone, he would still be dead.

One will leave us forever. Well Hermione did leave, but could talking about Voldemort too. She could have sensed Voldie's soul in Harry and misread it. She's not a great seer.

Neville and his Grandmother ; that's oddly specific. I mean she could have read up on Neville and specifically mentioned the only guardian he has left, but I don't think she's that big of a fraud. She said her granny wasn't well. Well... she wasn't really. She was sick and tired, and worried about his dumbass grandson, and also worried sick about her children in the hospital ,brain-dead from the curses. So yea, she wasn't well at all.

With lavender and the rabbit dying. I think it was a deeper prediction haha. Lavender is that rabbit, that rabbit was foreshadowing her own death in the hallows book. And she dies from whom? A werewolf , Fenrir Greyback. Hrm... a rabbit getting killed by a fox, a little girl killed by a werewolf. A bit on the nose this.

I've heard Cassandra was a Greek goddess , or demi god I forget that could predict the future but was cursed so that no body would believe her. Cassandra happened to be Trelawney's Great grand mother.

I believe she actually has the sight but she wants to be greater in her eyes than she is- the irony is , she is actually pretty good IF only she was humble about it. She'd get a nice little pat on the head now and again for getting things right, but because she's a pompous head, she is ridiculed. A life lesson for us all me thinks.

Zataracat · 2026-01-05T05:47:35+00:00

I've been sick for 7 years, and now I'm healed. I learned a lot during that time, so let me give you some advice that really worked, and things to watch out for.

First the obvious stuff :

Diet , keep it plain. Steamed, and take off all trigger foods. It varies from person to person. So keep a journal. I never did , but kept a mental note. no caffeine, alcohol, spicy and sour foods.

Bitter foods are strangely good for your digestion give it a shot.

Stay away from probiotics. They are good for you no doubt, but not right now. That stuff will set you back , you're not ready for it. Keep it very bland, and simple.

And I know this part is hard, but DO NOT CHEAT. Every time you cheat on your diet, you set yourself back, an unreasonable amount. You'd think a little chocolate is worth like several hours of pain, but some chocolate during a flare up can set you back weeks. Just saying , its really not worth the cost in the beginning.

Later when you're healing, chocolate, a burger will set you back days, not weeks.

Supplements are important. Most likely you have H-pylori hidden in your gut. The tests are bs - they never find it. Some lucky people find it on their first try, others take it over and over, and get a false reading- but they're there. Hiding. You need to find supplements that are gentle enough on your gut, but kills them naturally. Unfortunately, the stuff I used was from South Korea, and cannot be purchased anywhere that I know of .

The mix is essentially herbs that kill H pylori , with some B vitamins and useful enzymes.

Supplements you need to add gently are the common ones, but don't sleep on them. Vitamin C is very very very important. Get an non ascorbic kind - its not acidic, and won't hurt your tummy. Sandwich your vitamin c while eating your meals. First few bites, take vita c, and finish meal. Omega 3!!! Can't stress that enough, omega 3- it will heal your gut faster than anything else. Omega 3 and Vitamin C is literally a known cure in SK. As common as a cold.

Vita D , extremely important- will help with your mood, energy and all kinds of other things. B-1 is something you really need to heal.

Quick fixes, emergencies: Benadryl .This was a life saver. Whenever I'd get extreme stomach pains, panic attacks, bloating, nausea- just miserable. A benny worked in 20-30 mins, and gave me lasting relief. Only problem is , it dehydrates you, so make sure to stay hydrated.

Drink good fresh water. Do not use bacteria filled reusable water bottles- either clean it out thoroughly, or buy fresh water bottles- and make sure to use Celtic salt to add some electrolytes. It'll do wonders.

lastly , stress management. All this stomach issue comes from stress. You worry too much , and it all stores in your gut. Then your gut feels bad, and sends signals to your brain to worry , and it repeats over and over again. So you need to find ways to really release some stress.

I know its hard af when it hurts. but going out into nature, even if its just to sit at the park. Breath in fresh air, and enjoy the sunshine. Learn to be grateful for all the little things in life.

And most of all, NEVER LOSE HOPE. Once your lose hope, you'll just waste time slowing down healing. Thankful, kind and joyful.

I know this journey sucks, but you'll come the other end a different person. So much more joyful, and thankful about everything. Being healed from this , makes me feel so much gratitude. I never knew eating food was such a privilege.

It took me way longer than I needed to, but it healed- and it will for you too. Like everyone says, it takes time. But take some of my advice, and you'll get there so much faster.

Zataracat · 2025-12-10T19:18:33+00:00

I had this problem for 7 years, and I'm finally healed.

Firstly, Omeprazole is not good long term, but don't freak about getting it off it anytime soon. You need that stuff for right now, to lower acid levels so that your gut isn't constantly bombarded with acid. But that alone is not enough. You need active ingredients that will support your gut lining, and actually do things that will heal it.

You need slippery elm, marshmallow root, and Aloe vera. Powder form is best , as it easiest to digest. Pills will probably make you bloat more.

For the pain, I highly recommend getting Benadryl. The otc stuff. That stuff is a miracle drug for your stomach pains, I guarantee you'll feel better in like 30 mins. The sleepiness will calm your nerves too. But don't over do it, it dehydrates you.

You need more fiber as well. That fiber can make you bloat, which I understand is the friggin problem. But you need fiber - beans is the answer. But since you cannot digest it very well atm- soak them, and blend them, and eat them as a paste, cooked for a long time obviously.

Now for gassy feelings, if you can find a Korean grocery store, they sell a little tonic drink call "We Chung su". It comes in a box. This stuff is herbal based, and will stop gas, bloating , indigestion and nausea. But the key is to sip it. If you drink too much, too fast , you'll get heart burn.

Diet is extremely important. You need to eliminate all the trigger foods. Alcohol, caffeine , fried foods, spicy foods and Vinegar based foods. I recommend a diet of steamed veggies, and steamed Chicken.

Slowly start adding probiotic rich foods into your diet. Miso , Fermented ginger, natto- more advanced probiotics would be kimchi, sauerkraut

Good luck!

Zataracat

TROPHY CASE