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20 years on omeprazole...need help coming off!!

Posted , 56 users are following.

mark_34879
mark_34879

Hi, 

I'm 47 and have been taking omeprazole for the best part of 20 years. I recently discovered that the recommendation (by those wonderful/caring people at the pharmaceuticals!) is 14 days so yep, really need to come off em!!

Originally diagnosed with reflux oesophogatis (probably didn't spell that correctly!) and was told the valve that stops acid rising was damaged (too much smoking, drinking, and spicy food in my 20s) I have already reduced to 10mg quite some time ago and would really like any tips on coming off them for good.

I have a constant irritation in my stomach probably due to not digesting food properly, ringing in my ears, bloating/distension, depression/constant suicidal thoughts, and I also get acne/roscea etc- all of which I believe are connected to the imbalances caused by omeprazole.

Its also worth mentioning that I have NO FAITH WHATSOEVER in doctors whom I firmly consider to be glorified drug pushers for the pharmaceutical mafia. Yes that may well be a sweeping generalisation but I have yet to meet one who does not fit that description so I make no apologies for that whatsoever. Having said that I did once have a lovely doctor who, the day before he retired after 40 years, told me he was completely  disillusioned and ashamed of his profession and that I should always look into natural 'alternatives' before taking the "rubbish that we give you" (bless him!)

I am also on a very low budget having lost a lot of work lately so need affordable suggestions if at all possible.

Thanks in advance :-)

4 likes, 105 replies

105 Replies

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  • carla82209
    carla82209 mark_34879

    Posted

    I am trying to wean off of Omeprozole as well. Been on it for 15 years. I have noticed that when I go more than two days off of it I get severe heart palpitations. I'm really hoping that it's because I've been trying to go cold turkey. I thankful for all of these ideas to help. I want off of these SO BAD. My Dr Kris telling me the benefits of staying on it outweigh the risks but I'm not buying it. She's never even tried anything else. And they don't seem to believe the heart palpitations are related. I know 100% that its related somehow. I am also bloated all the time and my right ear has been semi blocked for three years with no answers. Now I'm reading here about hearing issues. Very interesting.

    Thank you all for sharing your stories. I'm praying these things will be key in helping me get rid of this pill.

    • tpaula
      tpaula carla82209

      Posted

      I've tried to talk with several doctors about the possiblity of Omeprazole being the cause of my anemia, palpitations and bloating and they don't seriously consider it. It's so frustrating!

  • fran80186
    fran80186 mark_34879

    Posted

    I have also been on acid suppression meds for 20 years. I have tried to get of them 4 times but each time it came back wit a Vengence. I would drink viniger and it didn't help then i would take antacids that didn't help. Also i would drink baking soda when i felt the heartburn. Well this time i think i finally kicked it. I fill up a glass of water abot 10 onves and put a teaspoon of baking soda in it. I takes sips of this all day. Then i put another glas by my bed and if i wake or goto bathroom i take sips during the night. When i want regular water i put lemon slicesin it. It has been two weeks and no gerd at all. I have not changed diet or anything else. I am going to keep taking it because it makes ypur system alkaline. And many other benefits.

    • Guest
      Guest fran80186

      Posted

      Would it be a problem for you to say how long were you exactly on PPIs and if there were any noticeable side effects from them? Also which dosage were you on and was it daily?

      Eugene.

    • susant59053
      susant59053 fran80186

      Posted

      did you succeded this time pls tell me i am trying to come off them desperately . even after taking ppi i get stomach burn and others symptoms and if i don't take it for a single day avid burst up sour water comes to mouth . like 100 lemon juices . need help pls

  • Dmandrsn
    Dmandrsn mark_34879

    Posted

    Hi,

    I have been on omep 25-30 yrs.   I'm transitioning to Ranitidine in hopes of weaning off ranitidine.  I figure this could take months. Two weeks ago I alternated omep and ran, now two days ran and one day omep.  Next week may drop omep or one every 3 days. I had a terrible reflux bout with lump in throat. After researching omep....it's time to wean off. I drink aloe juice, carry Gaviscon, eat Manuka honey as needed.  I have drank ACV or baking soda w water. The ranitidine Walmart brand was inexpensive. Walmart probiotics seem to help. One per day. I'm dry coughing all the time. Don't know if it's related to reflux. 

    I hope you can kick it.  I hope I can kick it!!  

    • Guest
      Guest Dmandrsn

      Posted

      Can you please tell me how long have you been on omeprazole exactly? Any side effects from it and what dosage have you ben on? How old are you?
    • Dmandrsn
      Dmandrsn Guest

      Posted

      I have been on omep at least 25 yrs. I am 69 yrs old.   Relatively healthy. Take many supplements. My physician claims I could live another 20 yrs. Omep dosage is 20mg. 
    • Guest
      Guest Dmandrsn

      Posted

      Wow. That's incredible! Have you had any major side effects that you could contribute to this drug (omeprazole)?

    • Dmandrsn
      Dmandrsn Guest

      Posted

      No major side effects. Thinning hair but could be age related. Concerns are later in life dementia.  
    • tpaula
      tpaula Dmandrsn

      Posted

      I hope you are able to totally kick omeprazole, I still have not been able to give it up. I am 62 and have been on 40mg a day for about 19 years. I have weaned myself to 20mg and stayed off a few days at a time before I get heartburn so bad I end up taking it again. The vinegar tastes bad and I have trouble drinking it 3 times a day, other reflux drugs have not helped. The side effects that are most troublesome to me are iron deficiency anemia and hair loss. The anemia is because I am a vegetarian and your body needs acid to absorb iron from non-meat sources. I have been having iron infusions to overcome this, but would rather get off omeprazole. I wish the caplets were breakable, but the bottle says "do not chew or crush." My doctor doesn't see the problem with staying on it, it's very frustrating.

    • Dmandrsn
      Dmandrsn tpaula

      Posted

      Oh no!   Im doing ok so far.  Fingers crossed. Generic Zantac not working out.  Diarrhea.  I'm down to one generic Zantac at night. Every third day full omep.  My Omep is capsules, I can dump some out.  I have other pills I cut in half (statin). You may want to try it. Cardio and internist have no prob with 1/2. I'm not mentioning weaning off omep.  Gaviscon helps if needed (like tums).  Manuka honey good but pricey. I choked down baking soda and water in desperation once. Keep fighting the fight!!!! 

  • deb59141
    deb59141 mark_34879

    Posted

    Hi Mark,

    Wanted to know if you were able to get off the Omeprazole, and if so, how you did it. I too have been on Omeprazole for 20 years due to erosive esophagitis. I have tried to get off it multiple times but am having a tough time. Any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. 

  • suzanne46387
    suzanne46387 mark_34879

    Posted

    I have been taking Prilosec for over 20 years. I tried to get off it a year ago.  My doctor suggested replacing it with Pepcid. That did not work.  I went back on it. I was taking it for GERD and a hiatal hernia.  I was having racing heart, weight gain, and tiredness that I thought might be related to my long term usage.  My GI doctor insisted it was safe and to increase my dosage to twice a day. I stayed on my one pill a day.  I began researching the internet for alternatives since I was determined to quit the Prilosec. I quit the Prilosec cold turkey and began taking Mastic gum and DGL.  I would be lying if I told you it was easy.  I had 2 weeks of blowback, but it was tolerable and I just continued with the Mastic gum.  Just last week, I began to feel better and was amazed that after 20+ years, I was no longer taking Prilosec and my acid reflux is gone!  I highly recommend this treatment!  Stick with it and you will get relief. Maybe it would have been easier tapering off the Prilosec, but I so wanted to quit it.  I am still taking Mastic gum (until the bottle is gone) and hopefully my results will remain the same.

     

    • suzanne46387
      suzanne46387

      Posted

      I am still Prilosec free. I took Mastic gum in pill form. I occasionally take it which controls my heartburn. I believe taking Mastic gum is far better for me than PPI’s. Stay committed and know it gets worse before it gets better. I have had occasional heartburn, but absolutely no reflux at all.  I was puking 3 times a week before the Prilosec took care of it. Now Mastic gum has been a life saver.  Try it.  I hope it works for you.
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