Famitodine and omeprazole together.

Thanks Jaxjacky. We're so lucky. We still get same day appointments.
My son has BA and it's not nice.

Prompt service nadateturbe glad you’ve been reassured, yes, Famotidine does cause constipation, but it’s manageable.

So, GP rang back (almost immediately!).
I told him I was taking only one famotidine plus usual omeprazole. And symptoms had almost disappeared. Although I was constipated from just one. (Glad I didn't take the 4 I was told to take).
I asked should I continue like this, or what would he recommend. Also could it be masking something.
He said if that's working, stick with it. And if it was masking anything the symptoms would not have eased so quickly. Highly unlikely to be masking anything. But I will of course watch for any other symptoms.
Regarding long term use, it's not ideal, but it has to be balanced with the benefits and effects of not taking it. And risks of having Barretts Aesophagus.
He was very good at explaining. Nice doctor.
And yes, have my little glass of red!
I would love to try a natural remedy, I'm not brave enough...yet

MerylStreep I've read of the benefits of cider vinegar, but I thought it would be acidic and irritate the stomach. Am I wrong?

Thanks for comments ladies.

MerylStreep

Casdon
There lies the problem: accepting that a drug prescribed to cure a problem causes pain.
That’s just out and out wrong on every level.

One of the side effects of Fybogel is abdominal discomfort though MerylStreep. No one medication suits everybody, so most people would go back to their GP to try another until they find something that suits them.

"Baking Powder in warm water" .......I thought it should be baking soda.

Casdon
There lies the problem: accepting that a drug prescribed to cure a problem causes pain.
That’s just out and out wrong on every level.

For the past couple of weeks I’ve been doing my own little experiment.
Fibre is very good in controlling acid. I’ve been taking 2 Fybrogel a day and the results are amazing.

JaxJacky
I know about Barretts Oesophagus, I have a hiatus hernia.
My acid can be so bad it affects my breathing.
Knowing what I’ve read over the years relating to these drugs I went down the natural route.
Baking powder in warm water.
Fat free milk.
Cider vinegar.
Sugar free gum after a meal.
It’s a multi billion pound industry.
I believe that in the not too distant future we will see the damage these drugs are creating.

MerylStreep

Stomach pain is mentioned in this article about the side affects of Famitodine.

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/famotidine-oral-tablet

Stomach pain is a potential side effect of all medication which reduces stomach acid MerylStreep, which stands to reason when you think about it.
My sister is on long term omeprazole, and she was told by her consultant that she must take daily vitamin B12, D and C to offset some of the impacts.

I trust my GP MerylStreep who discussed with me any possible such issues and I emphasise possible.
Without treatment I’d risk Barrett’s Oesophagus, which as well as being uncomfortable has its own risks.
All drugs carry a risk, it’s understanding them and weighing them up for yourself that’s important, plus check ups if required.

Stomach pain is mentioned in this article about the side affects of Famitodine.

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/famotidine-oral-tablet

Are people aware of side affects of taking Omeprazole long term. Long term is longer than 3 months.

www.nhs.uk/medicines/omeprazole/side-effects-of-omeprazole/#:~:text=Long%2Dterm%20side%20effects&text=Taking%20omeprazole%20for%20more%20than,ulcers%20and%20pins%20and%20needles

Thanks, Farmor very good of you to post. that sounds very like me. I can't ring GP until tomorrow, forgot I had an opticians appointment this morning.

Interestingly a friend of mine has problems similar to yours - she had stomach/chest pain a while ago and ended up in hosp overnight as her GP thought it might be her heart. It wasn't but they put her on Nexium (esomeprazole). She doesn't feel any acid reflux but like you has a lot of upper gastric wind. She's still experiencing pain sometimes and had an ultrasound to check for gallstones - nothing found!

There are obviously some stomach issues not easy to solve, but persist with your GP for now, nadateturbe .

I had one in January 2020 which showed "mild gastritis". I've been on omeprazole for many years, but this awful wind has increased in last few months.. Oddly enough since I've been taking one famitodine it has lessened.
I'm definitely going to ring GP. Why do we not ask all the right questions when we are in the surgery?
I will let you know what he says.

Have you had a gastroscopy nadateturbe? If so, that would have shown if you had an ulcer or other condition causing the problems. High doses of these meds are mostly used to heal an ulcer. If you haven't had a gastroscopy, you might ask your GP about it.

Thanks Farmor15. Yes, he meant me to take 4 Famitodine and 2 omeprazole. I'm going to ring GP tomorrow morning. I avoid ringing on Mondays.

I'm just wondering did your doc mean you to take famotidine instead of omeprazole? Your symptoms, wind and stomach pain could be side effects of omeprazole. www.nhs.uk/medicines/omeprazole/side-effects-of-omeprazole/
It seems fairly unusual to take both of these together - I Googled and occasionally they are combined www.drugs.com/medical-answers/omeprazole-morning-famotidine-night-3568692/
I was prescribed Lanzoprazole (similar med to omeprazole) - it worked well at first but then I started getting gradually worsening gassy diarrhea, which stopped when I stopped the medication.

Farmor15 yes, that's my thought. I'm sure I've read that blocking too much acid is bad. Maybe it was a strong dose to heal whatever is causing the reflux. (which he says must be happening even though I don't feel it. Because of all the wind.).
Think I'll go back to GP.. 6 pills seems a lot, but maybe I need to trust the GP more.
I dn't want to ignore it.
Thanks again.

I had the impression that one 40mg dose of omeprazole or Nexium (esomeprazole), was the norm, rather than the 2 doses you are taking. That type of medication has a longer lasting action than famotidine. I've taken both in the past but never together. I did take both once, when I had a bad attack of acid reflux, but a few hours later I got sick! I had the feeling that blocking too much acid production in my stomach didn't allow the food to be digested.

Best to talk to pharmacist who often knows more about drug interactions than doc!

Thanks Jaxjacky. Perhaps that's another option - switch pills.
4 a day with 2 omeprazole seems an awful lot for your body to cope with. Perhaps I'll ring the doctor and check.
thanks.

I take Famotidine 20mg daily as I can’t take Omeprazole regularly, but have a low dose of it I can take with the Famotidine very occasionally if required. They are two different drugs and work different ways.
I would check with your pharmacist if you’re unsure, personally I would take them as prescribed, it’s only a short course.

Thank you Paddyann54. I take Fage yogurt every day, maybe two tbs. What else would you recommend? I do wish GPs had more time.

My OH had a variety of medication for the same problem you describe.He now takes pre and pro biotics every morning and has no problem with acid indigestion or wind anymore