Proton Pump causes joint pain

How long have you been on omeprazole and which dosage were you taking. Losec is omeprazole generic again, why didn't you try another type, say like: pantoprazole, lansoprazole, esomeprazole, rabeprazole or even new tech dexlansoprazole...?

Hi Esic,  I was on omeprazole for over 6 years at a dose of 20 mg. a day.  Pantoprazole regretfully is only available in New Zealand in 20 &40 mg dose.  Where as I am try to reduce all medication to the lowest value that will usefully treat me, hence losec because it is available in 10 mg.  For comparison of  four proton pump inhibitors see; https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kishore_Hotha/publication/24272210_Simultaneous_estimation_of_four_proton_pump_inhibitors_-_Lansoprazole_omeprazole_pantoprazole_and_rabeprazole_Development_of_a_novel_generic_HPLC-UV_method_and_its_application_to_clinical_pharmacokine/links/5654b4b508aefe619b1a13cf.pdf

Losec is omeprazole.  You have corrected a vitamin deficiency caused by omeprazole but you're still taking omeprazole.  Be sure you read one of my posts about how to supplement when taking  Omeprazole.  

Use the website drugs.com to check out Losec.

You were on a high dose probably, and I believe you are an older person. Stomach acids is required to liberated b12 from food and then b12 passes through your whole small instestine and before reaching the colon/large intestine it will get absorbed (depends on how much it was liberated previously in the stomach) in the ileum. Older people produce lower amounts of stomach acid (varies from person to person) and yes additionaly with PPIs, especially high doses will definetly alter your b12 amount absorption.

Lower your dose in some periods of time and take mutlivitamins and other suplementes rich in b12, aslo injection should help get the amount back.

Too high dose of PPI over a long period can induce hypochlorhydria (insufficient stomach acid) which can be responsible for malabsorption of some essential elements and vitamins. This si particulallry seen in OTC medication where self prescribers often misuse the drugs.

That is why it is important for long term users to have their medication checked by a doctor and regular blood tests as required.

(Losec is omeprazole. See attached graphic. )

 

This is my 25 day update to my original post since finding out about the problems of Omeprazole and it's side effects. 

I visited my doctor and told him about Omeprazole causing my joint pain, and that it was not arthritis as, he and two other doctors and a specialist had advised.  I told him  about taking 2mg of vitamin B12 daily and how it had reduced the pain.

He apologised for the wrong diagnoses and told me to carry on with the 2mg per day of vitamin B12 for the next 3 months and then take 1 mg per day, and he lowered my dose of Omeprazole/Losec to 10mg a day. 

It took my stomach about a week to adjust to the lower dose.  Have no acid reflux now.  Long term I would like to get off the PPI medication.

The improvements in my health over the last 25 days have been fantastic.

1 Virtually no arthritis type pain. What I have left is at pain level one

2 Lot stronger, can open things again, like jars, tops off bottles, biscuit rappers.

3 General improvement in health, fewer trips to the loo for #1 and #2 has

   returned to how it was years ago, no longer loose and little use for toilet paper.

4 Sleep better with only one getup a night.

5 More interested, in doing things.

6 Feel like I have years ahead of me at 78, instead of waking up and wondering

   will I see tomorrow.

7  Realize what it is like to feel bullet proof again and not an old doddery person

8 Starting to get the morning wood back which I lost with a massive stroke nearly

   7 years ago.

9 There has been improvements on my ability to do things  in my stroke recovery

   like pelvic floor exercises.  I lost the ability to do one particular exercise when I

   had my stroke (brain bleed due to doctor prescribed aspirin),  and I have been

   trying daily to get it back and suddenly over the last couple of days it has

   returned.

10 Also I note  that the stroke side of my body has become more responsive

     instead of feeling lifeless even though I could move it and walk.

From the above it is hard to credit that omeprazole could have had such a debilitating effect by blocking vitamin B12 getting to my joints, etc.  One does not realize the slow decline in health could be due to, medicine side effect.

Oh how I hate Pharmaceutical medication and it's side effects

Hi, Thanks for posting....I have been taking Omeprazole 20mg for 6 months but am a vegan also (30 years).  I have started getting all joint pain everywhere....ankles, knees, elbows, back, neck etc.  I had my B12 checked and although they were on the low side the levels are still within the required range.  Was you actually deficient or just on the low side?  Your help is greatly appreciated.  Thx