Gransnet forums

Health

Question for those taking omeprazole

(42 Posts)
ninathenana Tue 29-Apr-14 19:18:33

I read an article today about a woman who went for years with undiagnosed silent reflux. She was eventually prescribed omeprazole. The article states that 1% of patients have the side effect of vertigo.
Our 2yr old DGS was prescribed this about 1 yr ago. He has periods when as DD says 'he is seeing fairies and unicorns.' I'm wondering if he is experiencing vertigo.
Has anyone experienced this ?

annodomini Fri 02-May-14 09:32:31

I was originally prescribed Diclofenac for a 'squash' elbow, when it was a new 'wonder' remedy. Continued with it after the elbow was painless because shoulder, hip, wrist conditions caught up with me. I attribute subsequent reflux problems to my consumption of Diclofenac. Wish I had known then what I know now.

rosequartz Fri 02-May-14 09:16:46

I was prescribed diclofenac for a shoulder injury but also took it if my knees were painful and I was doing a lot of walking. Now our GP practice is taking everyone off it unless absolutely necessary; if we have an appointment for any reason at all, the GP does a review of medication and diclofenac is one they are trying to stop prescribing so widely.
Reading the list of contraindications made me wonder why I was ever prescribed it.
Omeprazole was fine according to the GP.

ninathenana Thu 01-May-14 23:17:47

From reading that there can't be many people for whom it is safe.

ElliMary Thu 01-May-14 21:50:19

Read that link. Well there's noone left is there?

Diclofenac and Omep. have seen me through some very painful long month bouts of backache, and knee problems. I feel relaxed and cheerful with Diclofenac.

I don't take it at the moment, and it has not ruined my general health.
What are people in pain supposed to take?

AAAHappyMan Thu 01-May-14 19:50:48

Omeprazole Give the inventor a Nobel prize at once
Diclofenac
Have you read the content of this page on OUR=NHS's most helpful site?

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Back-pain/Pages/MedicineOverview.aspx?condition=Pain&medicine=diclofenac%20sodium

rosequartz Thu 01-May-14 12:23:37

I don't think I know enough about this little child and the reasons why he is on this medication to start surmising what these episodes are.
The GP is the best person and if she/he is not helpful then your DD can ask for a second opinion, ninathenana. It is best to be sure anyway.
Certainly I have noticed something with my DC and DGD at the age of about 2 and none of them have displayed similar episodes after potty training.

Stansgran Thu 01-May-14 12:13:43

I got to the stage where I was recommended omeprozole. Then I went to Vietnam for a few weeks. Very distinctively different diet and the only time I needed to take one was when I'd eaten a European evening meal. There food is lightly and quickly cooked with lots of fresh herbs or is steamed and spices are used with a light hand. Meat is served in small amounts.

granjura Thu 01-May-14 11:44:23

Why jingle- I asked 2 doctors who happen to be here today, and they both immediately came up with temporal lobe epilepsy as the most likely explanation- so I'd say really worth investigating properly imho.

jinglbellsfrocks Thu 01-May-14 11:03:07

My eye rolling emoticon was in response to the epilepsy suggestions. Not to the Joan of Arc post.

Elegran Thu 01-May-14 10:56:42

Anno I have seen that explaining Joan of Arc's visions - also a tumour in that region.

jinglbellsfrocks Thu 01-May-14 09:57:00

hmm

annodomini Thu 01-May-14 09:35:43

Doesn't that explain some visionaries including Joan of Arc?

granjura Thu 01-May-14 09:26:51

This is only from Wikipedia, but does explain why temporal lobe was mentioned:

Seizures centered on the temporal lobes are known to produce mystical or ecstatic experiences in some people, they are also known as ecstatic seizures.

granjura Thu 01-May-14 09:24:12

Do wish it was possible to edit post...

personally, if GP dismissed the idea of some form of epilepsy linked, I'd ask again re temporal lobe epilepsy, and if 'dismissed'- confirm politely that you (DD) is very concerned and would like to see a specialist to put your mind at rest. Bonne chance.

granjura Thu 01-May-14 09:18:38

Temporal lobe epilepsy is the most likely- but I am NO doctor and only reporting a conversation with one. Very important that this is discussed with his GP soon and perhaps a specialist. It is very rare for such a young child to be prescribed Omeprazole.

ninathenana Thu 01-May-14 00:19:34

DD has mentioned the "episodes" to the GP. As our first thought was petit mal. He dismissed the idea.
Thanks everyone.

rosequartz Wed 30-Apr-14 23:19:58

I think it would be worth a visit to the GP (as mentioned in my previous post) as this did not seem like a side effect of omeprazole.
Petit mal could be a consideration, or it could just be concentration on weeing.

annsixty Wed 30-Apr-14 19:37:27

Petit mal would have been my first thought.My DD's friend's son, an older child than we are talking about here would stop and stare even when ,perhaps, crossing a road and was diagnosed with epilepsy which is reasonably controlled with medication.

Soutra Wed 30-Apr-14 18:19:27

Is it being alarmist to suggest investigating these"absences" in case they are "petit mal" episodes? Incontinence not infrequently follows such episodes.

HollyDaze Wed 30-Apr-14 16:45:40

I have also been taking Omeprazole for around 12 years (40mg but that dose can be doubled) after my GP (at that time) failed to recognise symptoms I was giving him and, consequently, didn't take me off the anti-inflammoties; that led to damage to the lining of my stomach so, I have to take Omeprazole for the rest of my life. I have never once experienced any side effects at all - not one.

Lynb1954 Wed 30-Apr-14 14:43:19

I've been taking them for just over a year now,I've cut my dose down to 1 a day,I was put on them because I was given diclofenic for my arthritis but what I wasn't told was that diclofenic can give u stomach ulcers and they did! I would say to anyone never ever take them,they made me so I'll! But I've never seen fairies or unicorns...but it would be nice to grin

annodomini Wed 30-Apr-14 14:36:32

I've had 40 mg of Omeprazole every day for a good many years now and it has, literally, saved my voice. I had constant laryngitis until the ENT consultant diagnosed laryngo-pharyngeal reflux - ie stomach acid affecting the vocal chords and prescribed Omeprazole, plus Ranitidine and Gaviscon advance. I seldom get hoarse now although I cannot sing - not that I was ever much good at it. Anyway, Omeprazole has done me nothing but good.

lucyinthesky Wed 30-Apr-14 13:26:21

I take them but not every day, only when the pain is very bad. I am concerned about long term effect of taking them :-(

I would think it would be an idea to see if your DGS is doing a wee when he is staring into space as it sounds a strange side effect to experience vertigo with them, but of course he is very young still and seeing things is normal at that age, surely (have forgotten with my DDs and DGS is only 108 months and far too busy rushing around ding stuff to stare into space. Sometimes wish he would slow down, just a little lol

Hope is OK soon flowers

ninathenana Wed 30-Apr-14 12:30:15

grin jings enjoy your 'trip'

jinglbellsfrocks Wed 30-Apr-14 10:52:21

Nina I took two by mistake this morning. I look forward to a fun day......... smile

Will report any sightings.