Gransnet forums

Health

Trying to come off Omeprazole.

(42 Posts)
Lovetopaint037 Tue 21-Nov-23 08:49:19

Been trying to gradually reduce Omeprazole having seen it shouldn’t been taken if you have low sodium plus other unpleasant side effects. Alternate days not too bad but two days free and it is agony. My doctor knows I am doing this as I am also gradually coming off beta blockers as they may be the cause of my heart block. So yesterday I go into our local pharmacist to ask if there is anything he could recommend to help while I gradually come off Omeprazole. He said I shouldn’t be coming off them unless the doctor has given me something to replace them. I said she had offered to do this but wasn’t keen to have something similar. I said I just wanted something to assist with the pain in my chest and back. He then says “that is your heart and if you don’t have anything else you will be going down a slippery slope”. I feel confused as the doctor knows I am coming off them and I haven’t seen anything that says you can’t do this without going on something else. I thought he would recommend some kind of antacid. The reason I was put on them originally a few years ago was because I was taking a daily 75 aspirin and it was intended to protect my stomach. Before that I took aspirin in water after a bowl of oats and yoghurt. This is the way I take aspirin and my bp medication. Anyone else in this situation who can give advice which would be gratefully received.

Fethiye53 Sun 10-Dec-23 15:03:00

I got off lansoprazole after 4 years. I only ever take the odd one if its absolutely necessary. Your gut microbiome is wrecked. You need to work on restoring this. I drank keifr for 6 months and my health and immunity has improved remarkably. Im also on edoxaban a blood thinner and have no problems out of that. Aspirin is well known for causing stomach issues. I take 1.25 mg bisoprolol and my AF has improved. I had a pacemaker inserted as my heart stopped for 8 seconds. Its far better to be on a proper blood thinner if youve had any sort of heart attack.

Sharr22 Wed 29-Nov-23 13:32:02

I take an NSAID after food to try and offset any stomach troubles. I could take omeprazole but it gives me terrible bloaty gas so not for me.
Been on NSAID for 6 months now and obviously worried about potential ulcer but need drugs due to arthritis.
Any suggestions?

Katek Mon 27-Nov-23 22:48:29

Re long term aspirin use - following a heart attack DH has been taking 75ng junior aspirin daily for the past 18 years. He also takes pantoprazole to prevent digestive issues and protect stomach lining. He has no issues whatsoever.

Caleo Mon 27-Nov-23 17:49:03

Should have said Laryngo pharynx which is a further down area.

Caleo Mon 27-Nov-23 17:46:16

Annodomini, I never knew the reflux could originate at the naso pharynx I thought it was always caused by a weak sphyncter between oesophagus and stomach.

annodomini Mon 27-Nov-23 10:31:22

I have been taking Omeprazole for years without any noticeable side effects. It was prescribed by an ENT consultant when he diagnosed laryngo-pharyngeal reflux which was inflaming my vocal chords, causing me to lose my voice and have an irritating cough. Along with Gaviscon Advance, it has prevented further deterioration of my vocal chords, so unless otherwise advised, I will stick to Omeprazole.

Warmglovesandsocks Mon 27-Nov-23 09:52:22

Lovetopaint073. I take Pantoprazole and swear by it.

MerylStreep Sun 26-Nov-23 20:30:22

I wonder how many people taking antacids don’t produce enough acid
Not producing enough acid can mirror the same symptons.
If a Dr is just going by what a patient tells them, without an examination it could well be not enough acid to digest food.

Marydoll Sun 26-Nov-23 20:27:30

My cardiologist put me on aspirin for a maximum of six weeks each time, after two heart attacks and now I take Clopidrogel. Aspirin played havoc with my stomach and a gastrospcopy showed I had inflammation in my stomach. I couldn't wait to stop it.
I was told you shouldn't be on aspirin longterm. My whole body was covered in enormous bruises.

I also changed from Omeprazole to Lansprozole for gastric reflux caused by a hiatus hernia.

Caleo Sun 26-Nov-23 20:16:33

I take my daily omeprazole any time between 9 AM and 10 PM. I take cod liver oil at the same time. I have found that not taking coffee or sugar helps my stomach to not be too acid.

If you were advised to take omeprazole in the evening , might this be because its effect is stronger initially and gradually diminishes? When you are lying down you may be more likely to get a reflux. Always lie down on your left side. This because of the anatomical position of the stomach.

DrWatson Sun 26-Nov-23 02:28:43

One extra thing - I see some differences about WHEN folk take their OMEPrazole (or other Prazoles). Doubtless some doctors have alternative opinions, but I was originally told to take mine about half an hour before evening meal.

Maybe try varying the time if you're having problems. I find I can miss one day if I should forget mine, but any more time without a pill and I'll get vicious acid reflux.

Caleo Sat 25-Nov-23 12:39:54

You could try some simple alternatives such as not bending over or even not doing strenuous work after a meal, taking an antacid e.g. Rennies when wanted, raising the head of your bed on seven inch blocks, taking smaller meals not to overload the stomach, eating easy to digest foods, not eating for three hours before bedtime.

dogsmother Sat 25-Nov-23 09:38:28

I would listen to the pharmacist as drugs are their specialty. The gp will be guided by them to a degree after diagnosing your complaint.

Katek Fri 24-Nov-23 21:35:15

PPIs are not particularly effective if taken on an 'as and when' basis as they can take 4/5 days to reach maximum effect. Perhaps you should consider the course of action your GP has recommended

JennyCee Fri 24-Nov-23 20:42:30

I have been there and stopped omeprazole and went on diet along with taking Lanzoprazole. I ended up with Barratt’s Oesophagus which can lead to a real nasty. Gutenberg mentioned the Paleo-keto diet. I tried similar. Diet much better way to go and you can do it. I take nothing now but would eat sensibly if needed.

DonnaB5859 Fri 24-Nov-23 19:43:43

I have s feeding tube and our if he blue high potassium and low odium. I now add yd the equivalent if 3:4 teaspoon for each meal I blend. Hopefully THAT will help. And here I thought I was doing great thing to eliminate salt!!!

Saggi Fri 24-Nov-23 17:31:18

I was on aspirin …result two stomach ulcers …now off the aspirin and on clopidogrel ….and lansoprazole for the ulcers …for life . No side effects and been on them 6 years!

DrWatson Fri 24-Nov-23 16:45:49

For LovetoPain -- several different Prazoles in that drugs group, I'm now on Lanso, got switched to it from another (already forgotten!). I'm also now on ATORvastatin (re cholesterol), having been switched from SIMVAstatin (the quack should know all about Statins, & Prazoles, as it seems about half the country is on one or both?!).

I ALSO take one of the little aspirins, but that isn't the cause of my acid reflux, which appeared first by several years. I take the aspirin last thing, and you can indeed get the coated ones, for exactly the 'upset' reason stated. Lay it all on your GP, but sadly not all GPs are on the same page!

Stillstanding Fri 24-Nov-23 15:36:45

I have been taking the mini dose of aspirin with my breakfast since having my first heart attack about 5 years ago. I was also prescribed Omeprazol to protect my stomach from the aspirin but after about a year I reacted with bad diarrhea. Then this was changed to Famotidine and that was fine for slightly less than a year until the diarrhea started again. Then I had Lansoprazole which I reacted to during the first week. Ten months later I am still waiting for my system to calm down.
I think I must stop taking the aspirin as I have recently started to get acid reflux. Rennies seems to calm it down bit I think me and aspirin simply do not get on.

Thank you for this thread.

Jane43 Fri 24-Nov-23 15:15:18

My husband was on Omeprazole for a long time. When he was found to be Type 2 diabetic he went on a low carb diet and the need for it disappeared. The main culprit for his digestive problem was pastry products which he gave up completely..

albertina Fri 24-Nov-23 15:01:49

I can't help much here, only to say Gaviscon was a life saver when the stress of teaching messed up my stomach.

Take a notebook into the GP and have your questions written down on one side of the pages and leave the right hand side blank for answers. Better still, take someone with you.

ExaltedWombat Fri 24-Nov-23 14:00:30

'Healthcare professionals' go by the book. It's the doctor's job to be more holistic (makes me laugh when I see that term used for a practitioner who rejects the main body of medical knowledge). Go with the doctor's advice.

icanhandthemback Fri 24-Nov-23 12:15:23

An increasing evidence indicates that GERD induces the initiation and the perpetuation of AF.

Yes, my daughter suffers from this. It makes her feel really ill and she has been rushed off in an ambulance on more than one occasion.

icanhandthemback Fri 24-Nov-23 12:10:15

Your GP may not realise you are struggling as sometimes people can come off Omeprazole with no problem as what has caused their acidity has stopped. Just speak to your GP for a solution. I feel your pain, I can't stop either without pain. I've tried cutting my dose to half but it doesn't work for me.
I realise you would like to come off these type of tablets but it is important to keep as acid free as possible. The incidence of oesophageal cancer goes up significantly if untreated, especially if you are a smoker. As to an antacid, the best I have found (although you might not be prescribed it) is Gaviscon Plus. Our GP prescribes a generic brand which is not as good.
I have to take Voltarol but can't take it by mouth because of the pain it causes. I take it in suppository form which bypasses the stomach. You can take aspirin in suppository form but you may find the dose it too high. Maybe talk to a different pharmacist who has time to do a complete medication review. They are far more knowledgeable about these things than GP's.

Dillonsgranma Fri 24-Nov-23 12:07:32

Don’t stop taking oneprazole.
Stop the aspirin. I stopped aspirin on doctors advice. Ruins your stomach