Long term use of Omeprazole

How long did it take for your stomach to settle?

How old are you?

How long did you have the lump in your throat as I have that feeling now?

And are you gonna be able to reverse the results of your Dexa scan by not taking this medication?

And how are you doing now with it?

I have been on PPI's for about 12 years now, I am 34 male and have tried to ween myself off of them but its absolutely Horrible.  (I feel sorry for my wife and 2 kids because it changes my whole outlook on life and attitude when you feel like this and nobody understands unless they have been through the extreme like I have and sounds like you have to.)   I don't drink milk or anything lactose related. I try to eat very healthy along with food combining as well.  I prop myself up at night and do not eat less than 3 hours before bedtime.  I have even considered the procedure where they tie the upper part of your stomach to the lower part of your esouphagus to play the role of the LES.   

Hope you get this.  

Thanks in advance for your reply

Hi Samuel, apologies for the delay.

It took a few weeks to settle my issues with the excess acid, great pain and even greater determination. I totally understand your situation, its absolutely horrendous. I found that it was dictating my life, my moods and the only respite from it was taking another Omeprazole! The determination has to be paramount here.

I certainly hope that I can reverse the Dexa scan results though there are no definite promises. I do however feel most strongly that there is NO quick fix to this. I was offered a 6 month injection to build bone density but I refused it, (anything that stays in your system for 6 months sounds scary to me..no reversing that! Also, a very rare fracture of the femur was listed in the small print on the net as a side effect...but it would build up bone density incredibly fast. The two put together spelled instability and brittle bone to me. Now, two years or so later of looking at this drug, the incidence of this fracture is incredibly, frighteningly high) 

I believe that bone needs to be built slowly and with the correct nutirents and no other way. So, I await to have another scan.

Through diet and 'thoughtful' living, I feel so healthy and havent had one chest infection or even a cold since in over two years which is incredible seeing I was getting chest infections every fortnight, regular antibiotics etc etc.

How long did I have the lump feeling in my throat? It was also for a while, possibly a month or so (sorry I dont recall as its a time ago)the 'lump' feeling is I think due to erosion/imflammation of the oesophageal lining, so until youre able to reduce the reflux, it will continue to be irritated.

Recently I have had some excess stress in my life which led to me eating later, I could feel the 'lump' returning and I was horrified... so, I have returned now to eating no later than 6pm and having little to drink until I get up in the morning.

I do not eat any animal products, I eat as much organic food as possible, I have found that eating almonds most definitely quashes the acid, which is interesting... I eat masses of fruit (I couldnt eat any before unless I took the dreaded tablets) I drink lemon and water, sometimes apple cider vinegar (first press) and avoid actual sugar. I only eat spelt flour. I cant eat foods with chemicals in them, processed foods or high fat foods.

It has changed my whole life and also I have lost weight that wouldnt shift before, v slowly but with no adverse effects. Its a pain in some ways being so picky about foods but sincerely, you are what you eat.

In short, its an horrendous start, the pain with drive you insane esp at night ...but if you can be incredibly strong, chew on the almonds and maybe introduce foods one at a time (try the Paleo diet, its amazing..more about foods,recipes rather than calorie counting), you will feel so much better eventually Im sure.

As you said, unless you go through it yourself, there is no way of understanding how horrible this is to go through.

I saw my way through by drinking gallons of Gaviscon which unfortunately contains parabens, I only looked this up a few months ago stupidly... you will need something like this to keep your sanity, the almonds will help and that was a recent discovery too...

I honesly feel your pain, the thought of going through it again is terrible!! Thinking back, even water gave me pain Good luck and if I can help, message me)

Hi, I was on omezrepole for 10+ years and nexium before that. My brother also suffers from gerd. After trying to stop it I had a severe reflux attack that lasted over 6 hours. He told me about natural ways to help it and he is cured! I slowly weaned off the meds and started taking apple cider vinegar... It works! I take a shot of it in a medicine cup and flush it down with a glass of water. I do this a couple times a day and now mostly just do it when know I will be drinking wine... This was my worst offender! The acids are now balanced. In my stomach so even if I don't do the shot I am OK. It tastes horrible but Better than gerd! It works instantly on attacks too. I was drinking a lot of alcohol and stated feeling heart burn and literally 5 min after a shot of braags apple cider vinegar and a water chase it was calmed. Good luck. That med is making you dependent on it... But it actually hurting you.

I have read your account with great interest. As an omeprazole user I have also been struggling with iron deficiency and desperately wondering why my iron levels have not gone up. I have had an iron infusion and levels went up. But it is only after some reading that I discover that omeprazole inhibits iron absorption. I am trying to stop the omeprazole but it is incredibly difficult. I am trying all the things which others have recommended on here. Not an easy thing to do. I just hope there is light at the end of the tunnel and I can no longer feel burning in my throat!

 

I also been on that for over 10 years and I've been having alot of vertigo and muscle ache and back hurts alot and just recently found out I have osteoporosis, do u think I should take to my doctor about it? I tried to not take it for a day and was up all night with acid reflux bad !!!

Hi Emma2467. I dont know if you eat large amounts in one go, but if so..cut the amounts right down, maybe eat more frequent meals, dont eat after 6, (eat a good while before lying down to sleep) raise the head of your bed around 9 inches and then ensure that for the time youre trying to leave off the Omeprazole, that the foods are non acidic fairly bland.

There is no easy fix to going through this, sadly when the proton pumps start to work again, they seem to have a party and flood the stomach with acid BUT, find out what works best for you in terms of possibly: 1/4 teaspoon bicarbonate soda in some water, Cider apple vinegar in water works for some, I personally find that if I feel the acid coming back now, I chew organic almonds... I think you will most likely need some sort of antacid like Gaviscon to get through these first few days.

Its a lot of experimentation with foods, finding out what does and doesnt suit you. Ive already said that I now eat no dairy or animal proteins/fats.

Ive never been so well.

It might be worth noting also when looking at what youre consuming, some research points to Fluoride added in tap water combines with calcium to a form that the body cant absorb.

Good luck, sincerely its so worth the effort, I havent even had a cold in 3 years since sorting myself out!

Hi Sharon07754

Yes, there are many nutrients that are not absorbed with the absence of acid...nutrients that are vital to good health, not only bones but also the whole body!

Magnesium is essential for muscles... athletes use a lot of magnesium, any extra exertion uses up more, as does stress in your life (some great books out there written by Drs purely about Magnesium..well worth investing in, youll be surprised what insufficiency does to your body)

I think everyone should report their experiences to their GP definitely.. if you dont tell him, he cant be informed, he will get all his information from Pharmacueticals who produce these drugs and feedback is essential.

In the end though, you must do your own research on the net, read books and educate yourself sincerely... no one has as much interest in your health as you!

There are many products on the market as supplements and theyre necessary if you have Osteoporosis or Osteopenia. Try getting a Calcium/Magnesium bone mix with Boron,vitamin D and Vitamin K and other trace elements.

Try drinking water free from Fluoride also...

A good diet with nuts, leafy green veggies and fruit also.. Best of luck with getting yourself off this drug, be strong and determined, it does take a while

Hello . Thanks so much for the reply and useful recommendations. I have had no omeprazole for almost two weeks. It is tough and I have had one day where I did not take gaviscon. I have eliminated dairy and a lot of fats and drinking lemon and water. I have two friends my age who take Omeprazole and also I discovered both my neighbours take it too. It seems quite a lot of people are prescribed it. From November to December last year I had a very painful wrist and thumb and this was whilst I was taking two lots of 20mg omeprazole. When I suggested to the doctor that ' could it be a side effect of the omeprazole?' he didn't seem to think so but I was not convinced.

I Just wanted to ask how it was before you felt no burning?It is a nasty thing. Thanks for the inspiration.

Hi Emma, I feel your pain..literally!

It was a few weeks if Im totally honest with you, the soreness from the acid when it flowed back was then difficult, it felt as if I had a lump in my throat for a while, it was only at this point that I discovered that a major part of my problem was dairy.. I discovered a blog from a Swedish man, I was mirroring his experience and he had been to numerous specialists when he eventually found out what his issue was (not forgetting the Hiatus hernia, which I had from birth) 

Im sure its different for every person but I do believe that nutrition is half our problem as humans, since this time I have studyied nutrition in depth.

I find that many doctors dismiss the facts out of hand, indoctrinated by the big Pharmas who feed the industry but the tide is changing, there are many lawsuits going on around the world against this drug and winning. I have many colleagues who think I have lost the plot

Its your duty to yourself to keep on top of research and developments, just as it is to make the decision to swallow the pill in the first place.

You must be patient with yourself, the acid will come back at times, but when you examine what you have eaten/consumed, you will find your way through and know what aggravates your stomach. I find that I cant drink wine now, I thought it was a problem and it definitely is.. for me its like drinking acid!

Im about 3 years on from being off this medication and although it might seem like a long time, it was well worth it..never been so healthy and rarely get any acid issues ..

Hi Emma, I'm in the same situation. I was diagnosed with acute iron deficiency anaemia  in March last year. My doctor had me jumping through hoops with internalcamera examinations and then decided they would check my bone marrow levels. Imagine my shock when I discovered the link between Omeprazole and iron absorption. Why didn't my doctor know this , I wonder, instead of frightening the life out of me with fears of bowel cancer. I'm going to have a word with my pharmacist about a alternative to Omeprazole as I really have no faith in my doctor! 

Hi Lettie, yes it is a shock to find out that Omeprazole inhibits absorption of of iron as well as other minerals. I have struggled with iron deficiency for eight years and I have been taking omeprazole for eight years but no GP has told me to stop taking the  omeprazole even when I have struggled to tolerate iron tablets and not been able to take them. I was wondering why the ferritin levels never went up after each blood test.

I have had no omeprazole for three weeks and will go for a blood test in a few weeks. Another side effect of taking the omeprazole I think was aching in back and wrist, dry skin, difficulty sleeping, more anxiety than usual. Will keep posting here. Good luck with the iron. Are you taking iron tablets?

This is all great advice and similar to the kind of diet I've been following myself with good results.  I've had all the PPI's with side effects and after researching them discovered how bad they are long term.  Plus they seem to soak up the natural acid in your stomach which causes further discomfort.  Its not easy sticking to a totally healthy diet especially if you like to eat out and I've now lost too much weight which is causing me further concern.  I've found that a bitter herb called centaurium works really well to stop the reflux - taken 5 minutes before eating, as does aloe vera, probiotics, magnesium and omega 3.  Although omega 3 can also cause flare ups in some people.  There's lots of info on the web around trigger foods - just a case of finding your own, I find chocolate, coffee, sparkling wine (in fact anything fizzy) and fried foods are the worst offenders

Hi. I'm new to this site, but your symptoms really struck a chord with me! Have you ever been tested for COELIAC disease? I was only diagnosed at 54yrs of age, after my daughter was diagnosed. The iron def. is a classic symptom, and my mother was diagnosed at 79 after I made a fuss. It was too late for her. It is a simple blood test and is more common than is realised. If you have it, persuade your family to get tested too as it runs in families. Good luck!

 

Thank you. I will do that as am still occasionally taking the meds and would like a solution.

I just wanted to say I am hugely grateful for the post here that you wrote. It helped me so much and gave me inspiration where there was no hop. I do not take omeprazole any longer. I control the acid reflux by diet. I should never have accepted the omeprazole. I was on it for eight years. Coming off it was a nightmare absolutely but I cut out all the things recommended. I have lactose free milk and cheese now and that does seem to help. No alcohol. Many thanks. Good luck to anyone else who wants to stop it too.

I was interested in your post. I've only been on omeprazole for 1.5 yrs. I was diagnosed with a grade be hiatus hernia via a scope. At first everything was fine, but then I started to get side effects. I didn't realize they were that until I did some research and actually reach the PIB.  After speaking with my physician it turns out I do suffer from clostridium difficile , tremors and difficulty breathing. These are listed in the PIB, but we know the mind can suggest things which is why I spoke to a professional first.

Because of my reactions, my physician is asking I take myself off the med. He does not want me back on a PPI. He suggested I see a nutritionist.  I decided to look at homeopathic remedies.  I am weaning myself off of the medication and going back to a very old remedy, which has worked well so far: charcoal dissolved in water (a good amount of water). It used to be available as a powder available in most chemists, but I have now found it in pill form. I still recommend the dissolving in water. I can't "stomach" the apple cider remedy.

Any other suggestions/thoughts are very welcome and appreciated. 

Hi Samantha, it's very difficult to manage in many ways!

years on I find that food dictates much of how I feel.. however over time I've spent so many hours researching and reading about nutrition.

my thoughts have changed recently due to the fact that I think evidence stacks up against calcium supplements and of course all the remedies for acid control contain calcium. 

I know thatcider apple vinegar sounds horrible but if you make up maybe a tablespoon of the vinegar in two tablespoons of warm water (maybe add a splash of maple syrup to quash the taste (I realise this is sugar but the remedy still works) and take a good sip of this before you eat anything. This works for me, most of the time, not all unfortunately.

im not a fan of drinking bicarbonate of soda because I believe that the real issue for most people ironically is low stomach acid.

Getting your diet on track has to be the answer, you'll get to know what you can or can't eat.

i just cannot eat cake with margarine in it... it's too painful after the event, processed foods with additives also cause pain. Maybe we are the lucky ones in that our bodies are rejecting things that are bad for us? 

Those who can eat everything although free from pain, are possibly doing untold damage to themselves ... I like to look on the bright side!