Day 14 of pantoprazole and I cant tell if Im in an IBS flare or if its the medication

24F, recently diagnosed with LPR via endoscopy. I got the endoscopy colonoscopy for continued IBS symptoms and because my calprotectin was high and we needed to rule out IBD. No crohns, no IBD, but just mild inflammation in duodenem and esophagus that was evidence of LPR.

Doctor prescribed me to 8 weeks of pantoprazole and told me to go dairy and soy free. I have been following the protocol faithfully for 2 weeks now, and I have only gotten worse. Here are my symptoms-

- Mucus buildup everytime I wake up ​even when sleeping on incline

-alternating constipation and diarrhea less predictable than my regular IBS habits

- frequent urination and increased thirst

-paler stools than I am used to with more foods being undigested

- nausea

- dry patches of skin

- Increased gas/bloating

I messaged my doctor and he said we can try another PPI, but he doesnt think these are from the PPI and is instead my IBS. I messaged back saying we had previously discussed the possibility of SIBO and I still think it is possible and asked if I could try OTC Famotidine instead.

What do you guys think? Would it be worth it to stop pantoprazole and try Famotidine? I didnt even have reflux symltoms to my knowledge and now it seems it is much worse. I am belching more, having more post nasal drip, and literally scared to eat because everything makes me crampy and nauseous.​

Posted Aug 3, 2026, 10:42 AM UTC

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