I never thought Acupuncture would be the answer for me

September 17, 2013

Dear Dr Lau:
I would like to thank you for helping me end my 5-year dependency on Omeprazole (Prilosec) taken for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). I was first diagnosed with GERD in 2008. The presenting symptoms in my case were somewhat unusual and mainly included a sensation of lump in the back of the throat, constantly needing to clear my voice and morning dry cough. I never had typical burning regurgitation. I responded very well to Prilosec and my symptoms completely resolved after one week of taking the Prilosec. However, as time went on it became more and more difficult to wean myself off Prilosec. I would experience severe rebound acid secretion and recurring symptoms upon stopping the medication. I later learned that the “rebound” phenomenon was very common and the reason behind widespread use of Prilosec in society. I almost succumbed to the idea of having to take Prilosec for the rest of life and face its potential adverse side effects.
I never thought Acupuncture would be the answer for me. As a medical doctor, I had known about the indisputable role for Acupuncture in alleviating common medical ailments. In fact, I convinced my wife (also medical doctor) to seek your expertise for chronic relapsing Migraine headaches—she is doing wonderfully and off all her migraine medications. I suppose my skepticism about my response to acupuncture was because I had been diagnosed with hiatal hernia, which is an anatomic defect predisposing one to GERD.
After few treatment sessions I was able to wean myself off Prilosec and transition to Ranitidine (Zantac). And, now I am tapering Zantac as well. I could not be more pleased with my response to Acupuncture. I will continue to educate my colleagues of the benefits of Chinese Medicine in treating many common medical ailments.
Regards,

Ali Ghomi, MD, FACOG
Director of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic & Robotic Surgery
Sisters of Charity Hospital
Buffalo, New York

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