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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?
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Oh my gosh. I so understand you and found myself nodding in sync with your comments. I live in the Seattle area and have been through thr circuit of G.I. docs, all of whom do not wish to listen and solve my puzzle. It is medicine 2024 and I hate it. It's also medicine post-COVID. I have a dining room table with a large Amazon box on top. Inside the box are 50 or so past Rx's and various other OTC meds. I have an "open house" and invite my friends to take anything. Of course the early birds caught the "best" worms: the opiod based meds, none of which I can tolerate and won't due to my constipation.
I do believe, unfortunately, you are suffering from some degree of Rx overload. It makes sense to me. Have you tried getting into the Mayo Clinic. I personally am waiting to hear from them. Nobody can solve my issue and have severe constipation and bloat. I am 67 and for 65.5 years have been extremely healthy. It sucks!
Best to you.
Beth
I have taken omeprazole on and off for over 20 years. I was treated for helicobacter pylori infection and prescribed omeprazole from then on.
As time has gone on, my GERD symptoms have become progressively worse. Right now, I am in pain almost constantly. I don’t really feel acid coming up in my throat much, but the chest pains and pain in my side are almost unbearable. It affects my life tremendously.
My doctor basically seems to think it’s largely in my head, and he does nothing but prescribe increasing amounts of omeprazole. My current dosage is 40 mg 2x per day. And it does absolutely nothing.
I had been reading about acv and reflux, so I figured why not. I stopped the omeprazole and started 1 tbsp acv in water before each meal. Miraculously, it seemed to work! For a whole week I had the best week in 20 years…then the pain started to return.
I am thinking of dropping the acv…I’ve been on it for 2 weeks now, and also staying off the omeprazole…because it was also not helping. I am at a loss as to what to do though, since I’m in so much pain I don’t even feel like living anymore.
If anyone has suggestions, I’m listening.
I found a study that shows amla (indian gooseberry) powder is as good as famotidine in handling reflux so I tried this natural solution and haven't taken medication since and its been years.
Thanks, but famotodine does absolutely nothing for me either.
Have you had an endoscopy at all during all of this? I was on a PPI and after my 3rd endoscopy, my GI said to never take it again as my digestive tract cells were hypertrophic. If you have had GERD for a long time, have you been tested for SIBO (small intestinal bacteria), a fungal infection, a yeast infection or parasites? All of these can be culprits and need to be treated. A PPI only treats to the symptoms, not the cause of your symptoms. The cause(s) need to be eliminated. Your gut biome can be very unhealthy and needs building back up to deal with any of these infections, in addition using prebiotics and probiotics. This has been my journey and it takes time and the right doctor to test you and knows how to test and treat. Your vitamin and mineral levels also need testing to see what you are deficient in - a poor gut biome is not allowing your digestive tract to take in what is needed for health if your gut cannot digest food you are eating.
Best to you in finding answers.
Have had several endoscopies, liver scan, gall bladder scan, and no problems with gut biome.
It really IS a mystery.
People with too much acid shouldn't take amla (indian gooseberry)
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/people-who-should-not-have-amla-gooseberry/photostory/88122756.cms
Dr's say improve microbiom with no real details how?
I have fistula down entire esophagus with levels od Barretts so eating healthy does not really work.
There’s an excellent book - Super Gut by Dr. William Davis you can get on Amazon. It’s very helpful.
And eating healthy isn’t an option. Eating healthy is a must to avoid all kinds of health issues.
Get educated about the food in our country and all the additives, preservatives, sugar, chemicals etc that make US food the most unhealthy.
Read ingredients on everything you look at at the grocery store. Know what you’re putting in your body.
As a general rule, avoid sugar, gluten and processed dairy items (go for 100% sheep or goat milk products, grass fed butter, Greek yogurt.)
My personal experience is not good either. I’ve been in omeprazole for probably at least 10 years. My Gastrointestinal doc just took me off when it was discovered I have stage 3A kidney disease. So, for me, the question is…did it cause the decline in my kidneys?? I can’t tell you what to do in your situation, but I hope you can get off. I started eating more plant based and that has helped a lot. I still have some bouts of reflux but when I stay strict with eating properly, I’m much better! Best of luck!