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Has anyone come off or cut down Omaprazole, what’s your experiences.

(138 Posts)
Itsnell Tue 30-Nov-21 19:59:24

Hello. Has anyone cut out or reduced omeprazole? Why did you come off or reduce them? How did you feel and how long did it take you? What do you take now for acid reflux.

I’ve been on 20 mg daily omaprazole for acid reflux and a hiatus hernia since mid 2019. The pandemic has meant I’ve continued to get repeat prescriptions and haven’t had a medication review with my GP during this time, however,
I’m thinking I should try to cut them down or cut out altogether as I’m getting all sorts of symptoms which could be side effects of long term use of omeprazole (PPI) use eg nausea and stomach cramps, my IBS is worse, leg cramps and restless legs twitches. I’ve read reports of the long term effects of PPIs and it’s concerning. Ok I know you need to weigh up the benefits of taking ppis against the non benefits.
Look forward to hearing your stories

polnan Sat 11-Dec-21 11:23:04

I am very like you Rosesarered... I take and have taken for some years now,, 20 mg of Om... one night and one morning, I am 85 and it is only these lockups/covid that has caused me any discernible problems,, if I do accidently miss a dose, I soon feel it, but listening to all of this, I may try to cut down

as for advice to see a doctor!!! no comment.

HazelGreen Sat 11-Dec-21 11:23:27

Sorry not read thru all replies. My mother was on that and yes side effects. She was in hospital once and dr there said not to use it but just gaviscon liquid as needed or after main meal.

Frogs Sat 11-Dec-21 11:24:15

I’ve been on Omeprozole on and off for the last 10 years. I have tried everything there is to control the symptoms without taking it. I have succeeded in being off the drug for six months or more at times. I’ve been on strict none fatty food, chocolate, cakes, carbonated or caffeine drinks etc etc, drunk gallons of Gaviscon. I am not overweight but lost so much when on these diets that people thought I was ill! Tried cider vinegar but that made it worse. Special yoghurts did nothing for me.
However despite everything I tried the symptoms have always come back and made my life a misery for months on end and I was concerned about what the acid was doing to my throat. So for the last 12 months I’ve given in and take 20m a day - I feel so much better in myself…….. hmmmm am wondering if I could maybe now try cutting down again ?. My GP considers I’m on a low dose…..I think as others have said you should take the advice from your GP.

Nanjust60 Sat 11-Dec-21 11:24:45

I have been on Omeprazole 10mg for a few years recently been getting stomach cramps thought it might be dairy or coffee but now wondering if it is the Omeprazole

ClaraB Sat 11-Dec-21 11:26:41

The only reason I take Omeprazole is because it helps protect my stomach when I'm on steroids which I've been on and off for most of this year. I tried to come off them when steroids stopped a couple of months ago and was getting awful indigestion, something I didn't have before I took them. I think I will now try to ween off slowly.

Paperbackwriter Sat 11-Dec-21 11:34:05

My daughter has a hiatus hernia and bad reflux. She says the very best thing is Gaviscon Advance.

Nanjust60 Sat 11-Dec-21 11:35:55

On the subject of acid do you have an alternative you gave that doesn’t upset your stomach ?

katy1950 Sat 11-Dec-21 11:46:55

I came off omeprazole when I change my diet very little bread may every other day changed from potatoes to sweet potatoes no eggs plenty of fruit berries and nuts it's made the world of difference to my hyitus hernia

missdeke Sat 11-Dec-21 11:47:07

I have GORD/GERD, hiatus hernia, diverticular disease, IBS, had a stomach ulcer etc etc. I've been on 40 mg omeprazole for around 40 years plus Gaviscon Advance. I take kefir daily, don't drink alcohol, avoid the onion/garlic family and highly spiced dishes. But if I try to reduce the omeprazole I start to suffer within hours.

I am also on butrans patches + paracetamol for spondyloslisthesis, spinal stenosis and osteoarthritis. Plus steroids for COPD.

I am at a loss as to what else to try, maybe I'll try the dlimonene.

Trisham Sat 11-Dec-21 11:49:01

Omeprazole reduces the acid so much that it can cause B12 deficiency which can cause cognitive issues. (Look up symptoms if B12 deficiency) Whilst its a good idea to discuss with GP when I read in the package it should be taken for 2 weeks she said her husband had been on it for 6 years! I was experiencing many side effects so gave it up. I also Reduced the number of carbs/trigger foods and very rarely suffer with acid reflux these days. I do also take ACV (with Mother) in water daily (2 tsp with water) daily. I would highly recommend researching on YT. My triggers were chocolate, bread, coffee sometimes.

Shinamae Sat 11-Dec-21 12:02:23

Famotidine…… that is what my doctor has prescribed me instead of the ”ozoles”… anybody had any experience of this medication?

SillyNanny321 Sat 11-Dec-21 12:08:07

Took Ranitidine till it was taken off the market & put on Lansoprazole for several years! Then a young doctor who I had not seen before or since decided I should leave Lansoprazole & take Omeprazole instead! A few months later I was so sick I couldnt keep just water down! Took two weeks in Hospital with many tests to find it was Omprazole causing my kidneys to fail! So had to use Gaviscon for years till another Doctor gave me Famotidine a few weeks ago! So far so good hopefully this will work without causing any problems! I think it just depends on each persons system how they adapt to medications!

Chemtrail Sat 11-Dec-21 12:08:51

It's not something you want to be on longterm, it can cause heart problems. Also you need to get on magnesium tablets daily and have Epsom salt baths etc because it stops you absorbing, hence the cramps etc. You need to replace this because it affects memory and muscles

Wigtown Sat 11-Dec-21 12:10:01

I was on omerprazole one daily for about 3 years due to acid reflux mainly at night. Didn’t notice any side effects but did help with the reflux. Started to reduce dose gradually as I had read shouldn’t be on it so long. At same time decided to lose weight on a low carb diet. Have lost nearly two stone and come off tablets completely with no I’ll effects and no return of the reflux.

Wigtown Sat 11-Dec-21 12:10:50

ill effects!!

nipsmum Sat 11-Dec-21 12:23:23

I've taken Omeprazole since 2001 with as far as I know no I'll effects. I don't suffer from dementia I used to have restless leg s but that stopped as I got type 2 diabetes under control and was able to discontinue medication for that. I have regular medical checks and blood tests. Not all drugs suit everyone . Your GP will advise.

Stella14 Sat 11-Dec-21 12:28:13

Lucca

I have a hiatus hernia and duodenitis and gastroenteritis and have started in omeprazole. About ten days now. No improvement . Have I understood correctly Shropshire lass that I should be drinking lemon juice in water ?

I found Omeprazole didn’t deal with my acid reflux at all, but Lansoprazole does. There are 3 or 4 PPIs and my Consultant told me that which one is best varies from person to person. Maybe have a chat with your GP and try a different one.

Thisismyname1953 Sat 11-Dec-21 12:34:39

I’ve never had gastric problems but when I started taking brufen regularly my doctor prescribed me omeprazole. After a long time I stopped taking brufen so also stopped the omeprazole as I no longer needed it . To be honest I don’t think I needed it anyway .

Happysexagenarian Sat 11-Dec-21 12:40:58

I've been taking Omeprazole (20mg) for about 5 years, it was prescribed to protect my stomach from the Prednisalone steroids I take for Asthma. I never really had any problems with acid reflux, only occasionally, and that could be attributed to something I'd eaten. I sometimes get mild stomach cramps but I generally blame that on my IBS-D.

I haven't had a review of any of my medication for over two years, I just get repeat prescriptions. Prior to the pandemic I was told to very gradually reduce the Prednisalone dosage from 20mg, but I can't get below 15mg (even that doesn't work so well now) without becoming a 'puffing billy'!

Netty63 Sat 11-Dec-21 12:46:31

Hello there, I was diagnosed with a hiatus hernia then prescribed Omeprazole. I didn’t like taking it, so tried a different approach. I’ve found that by raising the bed (head end) by six inches and not lying on my right side has stopped night time reflux. Hope this may help night time sufferers.

nadateturbe Sat 11-Dec-21 13:01:54

Someone mentioned taking Buscopan. I just wanted to say you can't take it if you have glaucoma. It raises eye pressure.

nj30 Sat 11-Dec-21 13:24:25

I have been on pantoprazole for over a decade. I too am concerned about long-term usage because of increased bone fractures. But I developed asthma as a result of not originally taking PPIs so went on them. I have tried cutting down the dosage very slowly over a period of time but ended up being hospitalised with atrial fibrillation (there is a link between GERD and atrial fibrillation). You will need to weigh up the pros and cons of taking a PPI based on your individual circumstances and discuss with your GP. Good luck.

Purplepixie Sat 11-Dec-21 13:29:10

I’ve been taking them the past month and now I am worried at the reports about them and dementia. I get fierce heartburn and I think at this rate I will be coming off them and eating baby food! Fed up!

Silvertwigs Sat 11-Dec-21 13:36:21

@ Itsnell, I have come off of them as I just couldn’t take the reflux any more. Sliding HH is genetic and decided to have it repaired £650 in Istanbul in May this year. I feel wonderful and the care was superb.

Kryptonite Sat 11-Dec-21 13:36:58

I came off these wonderful tablets after chemo. That was about 3 years ago or more and I haven't really had an indigestion problem since then. They were a great help to me.