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Cutting out Omeprazole

(67 Posts)
mumofmadboys Wed 17-Apr-19 22:48:38

The reason you are asked to stop them is that taking omeprazole indefinitely can mask something new developing such as stomach cancer.

Anja Wed 17-Apr-19 22:44:10

Aglassofroseplease well done on your dietary changes and feeling better as a result.

I’ve posted this before but hey ho! I’ll say it again.....following a pulled muscle in my back and too many painkillers I started suffering from heartburn/reflux call it what you will. So I started taking a probiotic (Bio-Kult) and it went away. Gone! Vanished!

just saying

NanTheWiser Wed 17-Apr-19 22:29:00

lemongrove carbs most certainly DO give you reflux, I write from experience.

NanTheWiser Wed 17-Apr-19 22:27:10

First, congratulations on changing your diet, and resolving your inflammation, good result! You are wise to be wary of staying on Omeprazole for longer than necessary, as it reduces stomach acid to very low levels. In turn, you stop absorbing nutrients and vitamins from your food, which can result in unpleasant side effects. This is why GPs usually prefer to prescribe short courses of the drug.
Coming off it can also be a problem for some people as they get rebound acid, worse than the original reflux problems, and it becomes a vicious circle, where they have to continue taking it. So, tapering the dose gradually is advised, and you could also take ranitidine (which works in a different way), and can be bought OTC as Zantac, or supermarkets' generic product.

Bridgeit Wed 17-Apr-19 22:26:07

Couldn’t do without them, I will take them forever.

tanith Wed 17-Apr-19 22:21:54

I take it daily as I also take an anti-inflammatory and need the Omeprazole as a stomach protecter.

lemongrove Wed 17-Apr-19 22:17:10

I take one every day ( since I had an endoscopy two years ago) and they have transformed my life.I wouldn’t stop them, why do you want to?
I can eat and drink just about anything, I would hate to give up carbs ( unlikely that carbs would cause reflux.)

Aglassofroseplease Wed 17-Apr-19 22:05:41

Thanks all of you I think I might ask my doctor to give me a prescription for some pills that I can have as a safety net.

Farmor15 Wed 17-Apr-19 21:34:20

I have hiatus hernia but the ppi (lanzoprazole - similar to omeprazole) gave me bad diarrhea so I had to stop. I took ranitidine (Zantac) instead - not as long lasting but works. Now I take omeprazole now and then, but never 2 days in a row. One tablet seems to have an effect lasting for a few days. I also watch my diet - for me bread and pastry is worst culprit.

Septimia Wed 17-Apr-19 20:49:00

I haven't seen a doctor about it, but I'm pretty sure I had/have a hiatus hernia and was certainly getting pain and a lot of acid reflux.
Having searched symptoms and possible remedies, I gave up all citrus fruit and juices, and tomatoes or things in tomato sauce (like baked beans), also alcohol. My symptoms settled down and I now find that I can cope with a small helping of beans or a small glass of orange juice or wine, but not too much at one time.
Feeling so much better, I didn't feel the need to go to the doctor, although I would if the situtation deteriorated.

Bathsheba Wed 17-Apr-19 20:14:18

I have a hiatus hernia and have been on 20mg for some time. About 18 months ago I reduced this by taking one 20mg tablet on alternate days only, with no ill effects. Why not try that for a while? Personally I would be a bit scared of stopping it altogether, because without it I choke on food and drink.

Sparklefizz Wed 17-Apr-19 20:01:38

Aglass There is a homeopathic remedy that works equally as well as Omeprazole but without the side effects (Omeprazole is not a good drug to take for long periods.)

I had an inflamed oesophagus, heartburn, reflux and a hiatus hernia, and did not want to take Omeprazole because I already have SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth) and a drug to get rid of stomach acid (which our bodies are meant to have in normal amounts to keep down the bad bugs) would have made the SIBO much worse.

I took Natrum Phos 6x (available on Am and from homeopathic suppliers), it worked brilliantly, you can take it as often as you need (which turned out not to be very often because it did its job quickly.) I am a great fan of homeopathy. It's excellent.

Gonegirl Wed 17-Apr-19 20:00:40

NICE guidelines say use ppi's for as short a time as possible. But they are probably possibly trying to save the NHS money. Most doctors realise that long term use is necessary.

Gonegirl Wed 17-Apr-19 19:56:17

Advice? Stay on the omeprazole. If you have a hernia your symptoms will most likely return. I think the 40 mgs have cleared up the inflammation rather than anything you did diet wise.

Day6 Wed 17-Apr-19 19:45:50

Ah - sorry. Your Doc says you don't need them any longer.

See how it goes? You can always go back if you feel there is a problem. I hope life minus the tablets remains good!

I think you can now buy something like Omeprazole at the chemist and in supermarkets. It's there on the open shelves with other indigestion remedies.

Day6 Wed 17-Apr-19 19:43:11

Why do you want to be off them? Do they affect you badly in some way? (I know they have been a bit of a lifesaver to OH who used to get indigestion from almost everything, even when he swallowed water!)

I am pleased you feel better, and well done for making lifestyles changes to make it happen. If Omeprazole provides safeguards why not continue with them? Surely your GP won't let you decide if you need them any longer or not. S/he'll know and you'll be advised - or am I missing something?

Aglassofroseplease Wed 17-Apr-19 19:32:45

Hi remember me? I was about to have an endoscopy as I was struggling with swallowing and reflux etc. It was an inflamed oesophagus and an ulcer plus a hiatus hernia. I was put on 40mg Omeprazole daily and I changed my diet cutting out carbs and processed foods. I went for a endoscopy last week and it’s cleared up!! My oesophagus was a healthy pink. Ive just got a HH and I was discharged from the hospital. The consultant thought whatever I’d been doing (diet, etc) had helped clear it all up.
I went to my GP today to get advice on my HH and keeping GORD etc at bay. He told me to keep doing what I’ve been doing and cut out Omeprazole- I’ve 4 20mg pills left, I’ll take 1 for 4 days - I asked about a return of symptoms if I stop the pills and he replied we’ll put you on them again.
I’m a bit scared of dropping the Omeprazole just like that having been feeling so well. Has anyone else done it like this? Should I ask for a prescription for use as a stand-by. A friend who’s been prescribed Omeprazole only takes them as and when - l want to be off them and I thought it might have been a phased reduction
Has anyone got any advice? Or reassurance?