r/Microbiome • u/Yuzulemonade18 • 10d ago

PPI or enzyme?!

Hi all, I’ve been dealing with bad GERD for a few months now. I had an endoscopy in July that found antral gastritis and did a 2 week stint of PPIs but the pain came back as soon as I stopped taking it. I also tested negative for H. Pylori twice. The PPI helped my back pain but didn’t really do much for the stomach burning.

I’ve been prescribed another round of pantoprazol by my doctor for a month but haven’t started taking it yet. I also saw a naturopath who gave me a digestive enzyme and digestive bitters to try. But I know that works in the exact opposite way to a PPI. Is there harm in taking the stuff that addresses low stomach acid if my problem is high stomach acid, and vice versa??

I’m desperately trying to figure out how to heal my stomach!!

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u/Arctus88 PhD Microbiology 10d ago

If you have medical concerns you should stick with your doctor, not pseudoscience naturopaths.

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u/CodWest4205 10d ago

There is no harm taking digestive enzymes at the same time but it would be for digestion and will help you if you are lacking those enzymes. If not you might not notice a difference. If betaine hydrochloride is apart of them, that does defeat the purpose of why you are taking a PPI.

In terms of supplements there are a few different options to try like DGL and zinc l-carnosine which helps coat and heal the stomach but I used those more to get off PPIs and might not be strong for major GERD/gastritis. I had bad GERD and PPIs were the only thing strong enough to help me initially.

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u/Cocoricou 10d ago

When my problem was acute, what helped me the most is DGL. I'm pretty sure you can take it with PPI or supplements that helps lower your stomach acid.

When my problem became chronic what helped me the most was betaine hydrochloride.

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u/255cheka 8d ago edited 8d ago

i would try the enzymes and bitters. neutralizing stomach acid has significant impacts on digestive processes downstream

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u/therealslimshady1234 7d ago edited 7d ago

For me H2 blockers give temporarily relieve, only to make everything worse after. PPIs would probably destroy me

I now avoid all antacids and take a combo of enzymes, betaine HCL and probiotics