1. Community
  2. Gut, bowel and stomach
  3. Hernia

Who else has had bad side effects from PPI's?

Posted , 7 users are following.

Glennie68
Glennie68

Hi!

I've been officially diagnosed with a hiatus hernia since August this year - after a few years of symptoms - and 2 years of PPI's of various strengths. I found as the drug gets into my system I get terrible cramps, sore legs, horrific tiredness and loss of taste - now on ranitidine - which is not as good - but still not ideal. I am hoping to get an operation - as I can't go on this way! I did have a stage of having domperidone too - but I ended up with constant regurgitation! Sick of being pumped full of drugs! I have given up everything I like - so that I don't have constant pain. Does anyone else feel like the drugs make more problems?

0 likes, 35 replies

35 Replies

Next
  • nezra
    nezra Glennie68

    Posted

    I was started on omeprazole which I had a side effect of constant itching it drove me insane so they swapped it to lansoprazole which for me has been a godsend, but the longer Iv been on it the less effective it has become so I'm on 60mg a day now plus ranitidine twice a day which I find pointless it doesn't improve anything for me. The domperidone I actually found effective but after taking it I started to have restless legs at night time which affected my sleep massively so I was told to stop them! It is a known side effect of it. So I find lansoprazole my only lifeline with copious amounts of gaviscon too. I'm waiting for my surgery date which although I'm not 100% about being only 37 I don't want to be on this medication for the rest of my life so surgery is the only option! Hope you get a date soon and it is successful for you 
    • Glennie68
      Glennie68 nezra

      Posted

      Hi Nezra,

      I was on Lansoprazole - that was the meds that gave me aching legs! I have a date for a chat with a surgeon - I am 45 and have looked at the pro's and con's. If I have a chance of being symptom free and medication free - then I will give it a go! I am hearing that PPI's were never meant as a long term treatment anyway - and to be constantly taking higher and higher doses of meds can't be good! I have found that the acid supression stops the chronic cough I used to have - but has completely sent the rest of my digestion into a nose dive. I bloat up like a balloon these days after eating anything!

    • nezra
      nezra Glennie68

      Posted

      I never had suffered with the bloating luckily, the cough I do still have some nights are worse than others. I have had conflicting info on the continual use of the ppi's one consultant said it will not harm if I continue taking it for the rest of my life yet Iv heard information to say otherwise. I certainly don't want to be reliant on medication for the rest of my life especially if there is surgery as an alternative. Can only keep our fingers crossed the surgery is successful! 
    • nezra
      nezra Glennie68

      Posted

      I never had suffered with the bloating luckily, the cough I do still have some nights are worse than others. I have had conflicting info on the continual use of the ppi's one consultant said it will not harm if I continue taking it for the rest of my life yet Iv heard information to say otherwise. I certainly don't want to be reliant on medication for the rest of my life especially if there is surgery as an alternative. Can only keep our fingers crossed the surgery is successful! 
    • nezra
      nezra Glennie68

      Posted

      I never had suffered with the bloating luckily, the cough I do still have some nights are worse than others. I have had conflicting info on the continual use of the ppi's one consultant said it will not harm if I continue taking it for the rest of my life yet Iv heard information to say otherwise. I certainly don't want to be reliant on medication for the rest of my life especially if there is surgery as an alternative. Can only keep our fingers crossed the surgery is successful! 
    • wanda39848
      wanda39848 Glennie68

      Posted

      I too have constant bloating. It is driving me crazy. i have been told by GP. (Who has had his hiatal hgernia operated on) that ops are not always successful.I have had mine since I wasa child and am now 76 and still suffering.Life is unbearable most of the time. Can't eat fruit, red meat not s lot of vegs or eggs. Was told to go of all dairy and use rice milk. No breakfast cereals nbo breead. Doesn't leave much. Have lost 30 Kg and am now just 46 Kg. IfI have even been on anxiety med because of the intensity of the pain. If you find an answer please let me know.
  • Oregon
    Oregon Glennie68

    Posted

    The worst side effect is that omeprazole leches calcium from your bones! How exiciting is that. Plus is the drug became less effective. I had the hernia correction in June - they also took out my gall bladder. I've had a difficult time adjusting to a "new normal" for my food intake. High fats, sugars is a big no no. I miss ice cream the most. Success in that I no longer have heart burn and belching. My bowel movements are crazy - two sides of a coin sort of speak. Everything appears to be regulating but its now October - My stomach continues to gurggle

    and gass is always an issue - not pretty. This has been a struggle but liveable and I can now, hopefully, get my bone density back.

    • Glennie68
      Glennie68 Oregon

      Posted

      Hi Oregon,

      Sorry to hear you have been having problems! Your worries about calcium is something I had read about too. I have been on HRT since I was 28 due to a previous operation - put on this to lower the risk of osteoperosis. I do wonder if being on HRT and drugs for my hernia clash sometimes, I have asked, but had no answers! As my diet is right now - I've cut out so much I'll give anything a go. I hope things get better for you. If not - go back and see what they can do for you!

  • bianca75058
    bianca75058 Glennie68

    Posted

    Hi Glennie, I am currently on my third medication for my hernia, which I was diagnosed with end of July. And I'm sorry to say that none of the medication really works for me. I have a 2cm hernia and I have been on Nexium, Histak and am now on Nexmezol (I am South African). The meds offer temporary relief but being on drugs for the rest of my life for this is also not an option I really want to take. To make matters worse, the muscles beneath my ribs that hold my stomach in place are taking strain as my stomach is trying to move through the hernia into my chest. My doctor isn't concerned. Never mind the fact that I have to live with this discomfort. If you can go for the operation and you can survive on the liquid diet for 8 weeks, go for it.
    • Glennie68
      Glennie68 bianca75058

      Posted

      Hi Bianca, I sometimes wonder if some Doctors are so fixated with the revenue the drugs companies offer them - that they would give you a stack of tablets before they would look at another option! I would see another Doctor for a second opinion!
    • bianca75058
      bianca75058 Glennie68

      Posted

      It is strange because doctors make more money doing the surgeries... but I suppose giving endless options of drugs makes it more profitable for the long haul. I will see another doctor next year when my medical aid has renewed, and I hope to get this hernia fixed because now, in addition to all the symptoms I already have, I have constant and recurring chest pains as well as heart palpitations.
    • Glennie68
      Glennie68 bianca75058

      Posted

      I'm guessing you're not in the UK Bianca. I'm not sure how much Doctors get paid here per patient to be honest - but they do get leaned on to use medicines. If you think - I would have to be on drugs for say the next 30 odd years or more (I don't know how long I will live!!) I'm sure they would make more money out of me - than an operation - in the long run - if you are younger - it's bound to be cheaper!
    • bianca75058
      bianca75058 Glennie68

      Posted

      I'm in South Africa, and if I can use an example, SA is one of the countries with the highest c-section birth rate in the world... because doctors make more money that way. They will recommend a c-section if you just fart too long in the last weeks of pregnancy smile

      Anyway, it makes sense that doctors would make more by prescribing meds in the long run but heck... living with this condition every day and the discomfort it brings for the rest of your life and just not getting it fixed is a bit of a bitter pill to swallow... no pun intended. Over here most surgeons will cut you open if you bribe them with a Coke... I seem to have gotten a surgeon who is hell-bent on exploring any and all options before even going that route.

    • Glennie68
      Glennie68 bianca75058

      Posted

      You know what I am hell bent on getting this fixed now. Not being able to live my life the way I choose is not an option. If the healthcare system won't help me I will go private end of. These pills make me feel almost as crap as the acid stomach they are supposed to prevent. Trying to tell some doctors that is literally like talking to a brick wall!

       

    • bianca75058
      bianca75058 Glennie68

      Posted

      And the thing is that they work with this stuff every day. It's such a common condition but I bet you my liver that if a doctor or a surgeon started having this problem of constant bloating, reflux, heartburn, sore throat, painful diaphragm, hiccups and pain, he'd want to get it fixed when he realizes the pills don't work. I do not understand why a doctor would think 'ah geez, this person just wants to be in the hospital to get off work' or whatever the hell it is they think when we tell them oi, the meds aren't working!! Why would anyone volunteer to be cut open, have air blown into them and live off liquid afterwards for 6-8 weeks?? No one! but it's the only option, and it is effective if you take care of yourself afterwards...

      Doctors eh...

    • karen65408
      karen65408 bianca75058

      Posted

      Hi Bianca

      I had the op 3 years ago (also had my appendix out at the same time), but don't remember having air blown into me, & dfinitely wasn't on a liquid diet afterwards.  Perhaps it's different here in NZ. I have medical insurance, so had it done privately - no waiting.  The reflux never really went away, but the horrible sensation of food getting stuck did.  Unfortunately, it's come back but I hate surgery & won't repeat the op.  I think the slippery elm is working almost as well as omeprazole ever did, without the side effects so will keep taking it.

       

    • bianca75058
      bianca75058 karen65408

      Posted

      Hi Karen, they blow air into the incisions to make it easier to see, I suppose. At least, they did when I had an endometriosis removal. Hopefully they won't do it with the hernia op. Good on you for not having to be on a liquid diet, though. I hear that it is horrible.
    • Glennie68
      Glennie68 bianca75058

      Posted

      Hi Bianca,

      I have had an op before - so that doesn't scare me so much -although that was after lying in a hospital bed in horrendous pain for 3 days! They removed a dead ovary and fallopian tube as well as my appendix - as it was on my right side. I didn't eat for a week. I kinda think this won't be as bad! The sad thing that happened at the end was I went through the menopause at 28 - and have been on HRT ever since. I do wonder if the HRT doesn't help the situation either!

Back to top
Next

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.