Problems with Omeprazole? Solves one problem but causes another?
Posted , 5 users are following.
I was having gastritis symptoms (sore, corrosive feeling in stomach, but no acid reflux), I was prescribed Omeprazole (2 x 20mcg daily for 28 days). This cleared up the symptoms quite quickly. But then towards the end of the 28 day course, I suddenly started experiencing acid reflux, completely out of the blue. It was like the Omeprazole had suddenly either stopped working or was creating a new problem. I spoke to the pharmacist, who advised that I finish the 28 day course, then taper down onto 1 x 20mcg daily for a few weeks, then 1 x 10mcg daily, and wean myself off it gradually. This all made sense, as I took Omeprazole once before, for one month, and suffered quite nasty acid reflux after going cold turkey.
But gradually reducing hasn’t helped much (well maybe slightly, but not a lot), and I’ve now been off Omeprazole completely for a week, and I’m still needing Gaviscon or Peptac after every meal. I feel that Omeprazole fixed the gastritis, but created an acid reflux problem.
Has anyone else experienced this? Do I just need to be patient, keep taking the Gaviscon and wait for my stomach to settle? I’ve already read that you shouldn’t start ‘step down’ from Omeprazole til your symptoms are under control, but Omeprazole seemed to be creating symptoms, not controlling them!
I’m wary of going back to the doctors, he mentioned an endoscopy last time, and I’d never cope with that.
0 likes, 18 replies
lilian05079 rachel63659
Posted
You have classic sympttoms if HPylori..google it.
You can be tested with endoscopy, stool test, breath test, or blood test. Breath test picks up chemicals in the gut if HPylori bacteria is present. Breath test is not as invasive as endoscopy,. Stool test and blood test do not always pick up HPylori.
Go back to your doc and ask for an HPylori breath test.....best wishes..keep us posted....
Laura3333 rachel63659
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If your Dr has suggested an endoscopy, I'd go for it. It's over very quickly, and will give you a fast answer.
You're sedated for it, and won't usually know much about it.
I chose to have this- several times over the years, without sedation as I wanted to drive home.
It's not that bad.
rachel63659
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I hadn't considered h pylori, so thanks for that, I shall read up on it.
If the problem is due to loose sphincter, can they fix it?
Laura3333 rachel63659
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I was checked for H Pylori, at the time it was a new theory that it could cause ulcers.
They give you a course of antibiotics, and it's gone for good.
I didn't have it though.
rachel63659 Laura3333
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Barretts rachel63659
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If you are getting reflux, by reducing acid oemprazole will make it less dangerous.
But don't be scared of haiving an endoscopy if necessary. It's the best way of finding out what's wrong.
It's normal to be concerned about a procedure that sounds horrific but go to this thread on this forum and see what others have said about it: https://patient.info/forums/discuss/browse/upper-gastrointestinal-endoscopy-2361
I've survived dozens of endoscopies over the years and, although I won't pretend they're pleasant, they're a manageable experience, particularly if you opt for sedation, and will assure you that you are not going to develop cancer.
alison_74603 rachel63659
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rachel63659 alison_74603
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alison_74603 rachel63659
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philippa61759 rachel63659
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I react to anything invasive as well. My throat even reacts to swallowing tablets. My immune system puts up a huge fight if I have any procedure or hospital/prescribed medication.
I would ask for a throat spray if you have to have an endoscopy. It is far
less toxic than sedation. I was not asked what medication I wanted. I was given sedation automatically. I got severe depression from it and it lasted three weeks. I remembered everything about the procedure and would not ever have it again. Nothing showed up during the examination but I was told I might have a loose sphincter that was causing the acid to come out. I was told surgery could correct this but I can't tolerate general anaesthetic either so I decided to just take over the counter antacids instead.
You could always ask for a barium meal instead which is less invasive and doesn't require sedation.
rachel63659 philippa61759
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Laura3333 rachel63659
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A barium meal coats everything, and shows the outline on X ray. I had a barium meal to detect a reflux years ago, where I had to drink some, and then the table tilted to see if it came back out of the valve at the top of my stomach, it did, that's how my reflux was diagnosed.
Laura3333
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philippa61759 rachel63659
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rachel63659 philippa61759
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Barretts rachel63659
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philippa61759 rachel63659
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philippa61759 Barretts
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