Back in college, when I would drink 6 out of the 7 days a week, every morning after I’d wake up or before I ate for the day, I needed to take a Zantac. I really didn’t think much of it, I was young, stupid and hungover. I wanted something to kill the painful burning so I could continue with my day (and night!). After college, when I got a real job and got a tad wiser, I found Prilosec. I started taking that every morning and there would be no heart burn all day. It was awesome. I could eat and drink whatever I pleased with out feeling the dreaded agita. Again, I was young and stupid!
I got a little older – thanks to the gray hairs – a bit more wiser and started to research the long term affects of taking an over the counter pill, like Prilosec, could have on my body after so many years. It actually scared me to see some of things that were being said and I knew from that moment on I needed to make a change. After dealing with heart burn for over 10 years and on Prilosec for almost 7, I quit Prilosec cold turkey. It was one of the hardest things but something I know I needed.
While doing my research on heart burn/acid reflux and Prilosec, I read that Prilosec suppresses the acid in our stomach, ideally the main reason we feel heart burn, but essentially we need some acid to help ourselves digest. After years and years of taking it and killing all the acid in our stomaches, it actually can hurt us, rather than help. We need some acid to help us digest healthy. Now, I’m no doctor, nor have I gone to see one about this (I know, I know, I really need to!) but it was a scary wake up call that needed to happen. I want to keep as much as I can out of my body and only take medicines and pills when I need to; not because I make stupid choices regarding food and drink.
I have some tips to help anyone quit the over the counter antacid’s and get your health back! It will take some time, and it won’t be easy. Hell, my husband started with me and couldn’t take it after about 2 weeks. Here are a few tips to help you quit Prilosec cold turkey!
1. You must be ready!
Your head must be completely in it to achieve this goal. If you aren’t 100%, then you will quickly fail.
2. Aloe Juice.
It may sound gross, but Aloe Juice was my best friend. Think of it like you use aloe to help with your sun burns, well it essentially does the same thing. When you feel heart burn symptoms, just take a few sips of the aloe juice. We drank Alo that I got at Whole Foods. I bought a whole bunch and kept them chilled. Not only did they help keep the symptoms at bay, but it is so refreshing! I recommend original and pomegranate cranberry.
3. An apple a day, keeps the heart burn away.
Apples are your other BFF. I ate half an apple every night before I went to bed. That was when my symptoms were at their worse. This helped throughout the night when normally I would wake up from the burning.
4. Prop yourself up when you sleep.
Don’t sleep completely flat, this along with the apple will help relieve some of the symptoms you feel at night time.
5. All about your diet!
In the beginning, I suggest staying away from spicy and acidic foods like citrus fruit, tomatoes and alcohol. I know, I am the one telling you to cool it on the binge drinking but I had to do it to control the acid reflux. Having a designated drinking day until you get the acid reflux under control is totally doable. If I could do it, you can! After about a month, I would slowly start introducing some of those acidic and spicy foods back into your diet. Moderation is the key!
There are so many natural ways to cure ailments, such as acid reflux and heartburn, and by popping Tums or living on a Prilosec prayer isn’t the way to do it. I highly recommend you try to get off those pills as quickly as you can. It will be a rough road, but one well worth taking. Look at me being all adult and responsible! But like I said before, if I can do this, you can and I will be your #1 cheerleader. Let me know if you will be taking the plunge and ditching the little Pink Pill. I got my pom poms all ready!
– Amanda
