Omeprazole and things

Posted , 3 users are following.

Whilst we've been talking about the AA question and mixing up effects and side-effects someone asked about omeprazole (was it you MrsO?).

A speedy google came up very quickly with a list of side-effects and other info from the FDA (the US Federal Drugs Agency) who may not be perfect but are generally truthful.

Omeprazole has listed amongst its side-effects (there are others):

general feeling of being unwell

difficulty sleeping

blurred vision

sweating

confusion

muscle weakness

muscle pain / tenderness

leg cramps

water retention

There is also a warning about longterm use increasing the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures of the wrist and thigh (and somewhere else). They say it should not be used for more than 2 weeks at a time and intermittent use over more than a few months is discouraged.

The last 4 side-effects I've listed are less common and there are other PPIs where they say these side-effects rarely occur - but they can occur.

I'm not saying they shouldn't be used for us - but again, if you look at that list of side-effects - how are you supposed to know if it is the PMR, the steroids or the omeprazole. Has its use been looked at in PMR and similar diseases? And those of you who are on it - for how long have you been taking it? I'm not saying you shouldn't be taking it - I'm very interested to know though.

Whilst I've been reading this last week I did see a comment in a paper that adverse events are known to be grossly under-reported and dismissed by doctors if they are mentioned (I did suggest that). That came up in connection with the fact that my blood tests show a slightly raised cholesterol and I was doing my homework to back up my refusal to take statins! I have found papers that say that, whilst they do have an effect in men, there is no evidence that giving women statins for a slightly raised cholesterol has any effect on their 10 year risk of having a cardiac event or stroke and saying that there should be different recommendations for men and women - and the main review was published in the Lancet in 2006/7. But they are still pushing statins at us like there's no tomorrow. I shall be reading some more! :roll: :wink: One thing I do know is that it has been shown that statins can be causing muscle damage without there being any blood test evidence but if you complain of muscle pain with statins most docs will only look at the enzyme that is supposed to show if there is muscle damage and if it's normal will say no, it's not that.

But think about it - if you have PMR and are on steroids, omeprazole, statins and whatever else, how do you know where you are?!! Our poor bodies - because I'll lay odds no-one has looked at how they all interact.

More to think about - poor steroid brains!

Trying to snow here again - after a beautiful day yesterday! We get a few days of winter then a few days of spring, rinse and repeat! Confuses the PMR too! :lol:

However - further south in Italy there are horrendous floods after 8 in of rain in places,

EileenH

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Posted

    Eileen I do remember someone asking about Omeprazole but sorry can't remember who.

    I had a very bad experience with Lanaprozole 4 years ago - loose bowel day and night! GP switched me to Omeprazole and quickly developed a weird pain in my side. Rheumy then told me not to take either.

    A small pot of live yoghurt has been and still is my daily tummy liner and protector from the steroids and best of all there are no side effects only benefits.

    I am the doctor's worse nightmare when it comes to pills - I hate taking anything including the steroids....but thank Heavens for them!!! :wink: :lol:

    MrsO

  • Posted

    Eileen and Mrs O

    It was me. I was put on Omeprazole in Sep 2009 after suddenly starting constant acid reflux symptoms while in France on holiday and after having an upset tummy, for which I had (probably stupidly) taken that anti-diarrhoea pill.

    It went on and on and GP put me on Omeprazole for a few weeks but it returned when I stopped it. I had an investigation (cant remember the name - brains not working - too late at night) and I had oesophagitis but they found no cause.

    Then he put me back on Omep long term.

    When I started PMR symptoms in Dec 2009, I asked if it could be Omep as I had read it on the leaflet, but he said it was v unlikely and he didnt think I would have had the dramatic resolution with steroids if it had been Omep..

    I am still on Omep altho have had a recurrence of reflux in last few months (despite Omep)probably due to uncoated Pred, which ive now stopped - taking coated only.

    The reflux now gives me a congested chest with mucus (sorry) rather than trad symptoms.

    I still wonder and want to try to come off the Omep once I'm off the pred!!! Wishful thinking??

    Sorry about all the details - Eileen seems to have more knowledge and sense than most GPs!!

    Beev :?

  • Posted

    Beev - there are a whole range of PPIs - and omeprazole is the only one that has such a strong mention of the muscle symptoms. Why not ask to try a different one? I'd like more info about the longterm use of the stuff so I'll keep looking - it does seem a strange concept mixing steroids and a stomach protection drug that is also associated with osteoporosis problems though, doesn't it?

    Eileen

  • Posted

    Eileen

    Sure does sound strange! I will ask GP next time - avoiding him at mo as have seen him too much in last few months!

    It will be the usual \"I don't know\" response though. He admitted to me recently that with 60% of symptoms presented by patients they don't know what it is and with 30% of the rest, it's \"best guess\"! I suppose that attitude is preferable to the \"know it all\" type of GP tho?

    Thanks

    Beev

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