Long term use of Omeprazole

Have you thought to ask the doctor if your system has became immune?  I would ask the doctor to run additional test to rule out something more serious.  You have to take control of your own health because you know what you are experiencing.

I started on omeprazole 3.5 years ago. Like others, started taking 20mg a day in response to onset of severe stomach reflex. At the time I told my doctor that I didn't like to be on a medication permanently (based on seeing my mother's medical history), but he shrugged this off and told me that it was normal and part of getting older. He inferred it was due to a weakness in my valve allowing acid to find it's way up. So, had various tests including colonoscopy, endoscopy and test for ulcers, etc, etc. All came back clear. I again said I would like to stop. He suggested I take it every second day or on a needs basis. However, severe reflux occurred and I had to go back on it. Then in the past year, I committed to an extensive review of my diet and exercise regime. I lost nearly 20 kg (down from 115kg). Didn't think much of stopping the omeprazole until recently. I started to develop severe bursitis, tendonsis and aches and pains. I could hardly move my shoulder and it was suggested I might be developing frozen shoulder. Then I found I was getting pins and needs, muscle wastage, increased anxiety, etc. My doctor, chiropractor and remedial masseur decided it must be due to my new exercise regime. However, my partner died due to Motor Neurone Disease and he had very similar symptoms at the beginning. I started to panic, especially with muscle wasting and weakness. Then, one day, I decided to look up side effects of omeprazole. And low and behold, so many things on so many sites, set off warning bells. I spoke to two pharmacists and both told me to get off as quickly as possible. They told me it should only be taken short term. And their main reasoning was due to the effect on the absorption of magnesium, calcium and vitamin D. So, I weaned myself off over one week (that's all it took - I was so surprised). I took additional supplements of magnesium, calcium, collagen and vitamin E and D. And guess what, my symptoms are disappearing and it has only been 10 days. Muscle tone has begun to re-develop, energy levels returning, pins and needles stopped. aching jaw stopped, even bursitis is slowly easing and is much improved. My mood has improved and I feel more like my old self (haven't felt like this since I started this drug). I am, to say the least, very angry about what was happening to me. I have quit my doctor and chiropractor. They knew my concerns and ignored me. I will never take this drug again.