Connect
Side effects with omeprazole/Prilosec use
i am an 18-year user of daily OTC Prilosec. It does a perfect job of controlling my GERD but I am constantly battling side effects of nutritional deficiencies in iron, B-12, magnesium, etc. For example, my hair is extremely thin and loss of energy is a constant problem. I am looking for specific help in knowing which supplements to take for this and in what doses and formats and on what schedule. All the nutritionists I've found locally are not well-versed in Prilosec use. Is there a medical provider out there who specializes in this? And would they be willing to work with me long distance?
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.
Connect
I cut Pepcid pills, if that helps.
The generic Nexium I took were capsules and you can’t divide those.
Nexium is a PPI. Pepcid is an histamine-2 blocker. I cut Pepcid after tapering the PPI and transitioning to Pepcid, then I tapered off the Pepcid by cutting the pill in 1/2 then 1/4.
Stopping cold turkey is always a problem. The advice above regarding tapering is good (for example the VA link and others). Since your dosage was raised, I suggest you also lower the dose to 20 mg omeprazole twice a day but do it slowly. I completely got off Nexium (like omeprazole) and famotidine (pepcid) by switching the AM nexium once a week to famotidine, and then every few days and slowly lowered it to every other day and after that I was able to also stop the famotidine in the AM. I then took a probiotic in the morning instead. I was taking famotidine at night and that I stopped gradually as well, and replaced with taking melatonin before bed. (depending on your age, this may make sense for you. melatonin levels are lower as you age) If there was some acid rebound, I took Gaviscon Advance at night, and Tums as needed. Do it as slowly as you need to, realize you may have some rebound but it will straighten out in a few weeks as long as you don't make a drastic reduction all at once.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsYea that makes sense
Tapering off many medications can be challenging. I would recommend that you keep your doctor in the loop when you figure out the best way that works for YOU. It could be useful information for her/him.
Jim
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsAgree
to cpd54
Hells bells I don't know how to send this to you cpd54 who LIKED me. I'll send it to myself and see if it gets to you? Instead of integrative ideas I received a bunch of emails telling of how to cut pills in half. My goal is not to be on drugs. I have been fortunate with a healthy lifestyle and the advice of both an MD and ND's at 70 something I don't take any drugs. Our chemistry may be unbalanced but we never are deficiency in propylene glycol often in laxatives (which is also the double strength alcohol in antifreeze) unless we forget to put it in our car when temperatures are below freezing. lol PS I use the minerals in the night too to get the right osmotic gradient for a redundant colon since our motility time is longer. Good luck @farmersmith
@farmersmith integrative medicine can be useful after getting off drugs, but tapering by "cutting pills in half" is necessary first.
You are fortunate to be able to avoid drugs. Many of us need them and even endure side effects for the benefit vs risk.
I have a kid on insulin. She would have died 30 years without.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThanks @windyshores for that reminder. Not everyone takes the same path with their lifestyle, food choices and health practitioners. Even then there is no guarantee regarding many health conditions. I am sorry our medical system is not very open to the values awaiting us with Naturopathic care and am hopeful more people discover the value of its holistic, functional, integrative health care value. Thanks @farmersmith, sorry for being slow on the uptake of the pill splitting! lol Best to your daughter and her healthy life!