1. Community
  2. Gut, bowel and stomach
  3. Oesophageal Achalasia and Spasm

Medication after Hellers

Posted , 4 users are following.

JudeW
JudeW

Does anybody take Omeprazole or similar. I have been taking medication since 2008 and suffered the side effects as a consequence. Has anybody come off this medication and how did you do it.

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • graeme35202
    graeme35202 JudeW

    Posted

    Hi I have taken omeprazole which eventually gave me a slight upset stomach but for the last 6-8 years I have been on pantoprazole which is very similar and now that causes some generalised skin itching, almost like very dry or Sun burned skin. I don't think any of these proton pump inhibitors come without side effects. It's well known that they can cause vitamin B12 deficiency in long term use and that will cause neurological symptoms and anaemia.
    • JudeW
      JudeW graeme35202

      Posted

      Thank you Graeme.  I used to take Lansoprazole but changed to Omeprazole due to really bad skin itching. Omeprazole seems better in that respect but my sleep pattern is disturbed and I have very heavy eyes.  Also I feel nauseous most of the time.  I am going back to see my consultant in May, maybe he will have an answer but thank you for your reply.
  • Barretts
    Barretts JudeW

    Posted

    Although I have experienced dysphagia, I haven't had achalasia nor a Heller myotomy. However I have had experience of 15 years of omeprazole increasing to very hgh dose.

    Can you say what your side effects were? Side effecs from the drugs themselves are actually quite rare and include constipation and diarrhoea. Changing to a different PPI (eg lansoprazole, pantoprazole) will often overcome that.

    What many people describe as side effects of the drug are actually a result of them doing their job too well and may be from overdosing. That is induced hypochlorhydria (insufficient stomach acid). Stomach acid is required to aid the extraction and assimilation of essential minerals from foods and the protection against harmful bacteria. Hypochlorhydria can result in bone deficiency, anaemia, hypomagnasaemia and increase susceptibility to C-diff infection.

    Induced hypochlorhydria is most frequently from taking too high a dose of the PPI for too long a period and most often noted amongst self-medicators. Discuss reduction with your doctor. You may need to be taking the drugs at the level you are for their chemo-protective effect.

    The other ecently reported correaltions showing those with heart conditions, kidney disease or dementia may also be PPI users have been exagerated by the sensationalist press and do not show causation. As one professor put it recently, more to do with the characteristics of the patient than the drug.

    If you are determined to stop using PPIs, ask your doctor about switching to H2 blockers (eg ranitidine / Zantac) instead.

    • JudeW
      JudeW Barretts

      Posted

      thank you for your reply.  I used to be on Lansolprazole but skin itching was driving me mad so I changed to Omeprazole because one doctor told me it was better.  Now I still have skin itching but milder, my sleep is disturbed and I feel more nauseous.  I must admit I was worried about the 'sensationilst' press re dementia but not now.  I will ask my consultant about reducing the dose and see what he says.  Not seeing him until May.  I am sick weekly and it's not food I bring up, it's acid and I usually vomit at least six times usually through the night. It's exhausting. Thank you for replying to me. 
    • AlanJM
      AlanJM JudeW

      Posted

      Normally I would say that I know quite a few people who have come off PPI medication like Omeprazole.   Sometimes it is a matter of just reducing the dose by a bit for a while and seeing how you cope, but you need to be sensible about it.   There may be a 'bounce' effect of the body suddenly reacting to being able to produce more acid again, and taking Gaviscon for a few days/ weeks to counteract this temporary effect might be worthwhile.   But after a myotomy it seems unlikely that you would be able to cope without a PPI of some sort.  But it seems a bit unlikely that a side effect from Omeprazole would cause such regular vomiting, but you will have your own reasons for thinking that it is a side effect.

      Try sleeping with your head propped up and taking Gaviscon at night.

      Has your swallowing ability / motility changed?   I am wondering if the fundoplication wrap may have loosened a bit?   I think it is a good thing that you are to see your specialist again - is it actually vomiting from the stomach, or regurgitation of undigested food that has not reached your stomach?   Something must be causing this vomiting and I think it should be investigated.   I think I would send a message to tell your consultant about what you are experiencing for some interim advice or getting the appointment brought forward

    • JudeW
      JudeW AlanJM

      Posted

      My consultant knows about my vomitting and that was the reason for a second myotomy but symptoms recurred.  He now scratches his head and thinks it's just me!  He has no answers and it's just awful.  It is unusual for me to vomit  food, it is usually acid from the pit of my stomach and I make a dreadful noise.  My husband says it sounds like I've had too much to drink!!! Trouble us it doesn't stop as vomitting once, it continues.  I always prop.    myself up at night. I am rarely able to Lay down but oh what a joy it is when I can.  Consultant thinks it's stress and I try so hard not too let anything stress me. My swallowing changes with how I feel.  I know when I cannot swallow and use Fortijuice. Thank heaven for Fortijuice but other times I can eat most things providing I eat small meals and chew chew chew.  Thank you fro replying 

       

  • AlanJM
    AlanJM JudeW

    Posted

    I wonder (and this is speculation) whether you have some kind of persistent bug in your system that your stomach acid would would normally have counteracted but cannot do any longer because of prolonged PPI usage?   If that is so (a big IF), then a gastroenterologist might prescribe a cycle of antibiotics (eg ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, erythromycin) and later some probiotics.   This is a specialised gastroenterology issue however, possibly like bacterial overgrowth.
    • JudeW
      JudeW AlanJM

      Posted

      Thank you for that. I will mention this when I next see him
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.