Getting Off of Omeprazole: Share your success stories please.

I was told that too and stuck with the omeprazole until I was DX' d with stage 3 chronic kidney disease. I hope your doctor is monitoring you regularly for possible side effects so you can make informed decisions as you go along. Mine didn't and I discovered the CKD only thru a series of medical mistakes. Kidney function improved after I stopped the omeprazole, making me think the drug was the cause (it's also listed as a possible side effect. As is fracture, which is how I found out about the CKD). I wish you well.

Can't take omeprazole because of blood thinner. On Pepcid and actually I think it's giving me digestive issues. Has anyone had that issue. I liked omeprazole better. Don't like taking it long term , but it is a risk reward situation.

I have taken omeprazole for over 10 years, first prescribed after an endoscopy. I have never had typical GERD symptoms but I have had trouble swallowing, excess mucus and chronic cough. I think now it's called LPR. Reflux, just at the throat level. I als have Barretts although doc says it's not always discernable. I want to stop omeprazole as my kidney function is decreasing and I have osteopenia (I am 77). I am very afraid of losing kidney function and/or of breaking bones. My GI has told me that changes in diet won't do anything and I have to stay on omeprazole. I saw a suggestion here about seeing a nutritionist and that will be my next step. I stopped omeprazole on my own 3 days ago and very little in the way of symptoms, but I am nervous about it.

I got rid of Barrett’s by changing my diet and a daily PPI. I tried going off of omeprazole and developed stomach ulcers. I went back on it and had a scope done and the ulcers were gone and no Barrett’s. Changing the diet does help. I’d ask around for a different drug seeing the kidney function is declining.

I'm surprised you got off omeprazole without doing it gradually.
If you feel some of the LPR symptoms, then you need to treat but I can suggest trying something other than omeprazole:
famotidine (an H2 blocker instead of a PPI),
or Gaviscon Advance (the one with alginate - it creates a barrier that blocks the acid from moving from your stomach to your esophagus. you can take before bedtime, or if needed also after meals), or Tums or pepto bismol.
Also, don't eat too big meals (don't drink after your meal), move around after you eat or when you feel fullness (so the food pulls your stomach down out of your esophagus), I find that taking probiotics helps, and small amounts of pomegranate juice. And don't eat 3 hours before bedtime. You can sleep on a wedge and/or raise the head of your bed. If you continue to have Barretts esophagus and can't manage with other ideas, then you might need to go back on omeprazole so as to avoid esophageal cancer. Good luck

May I suggest acupuncture. I was on Oneprazole for about a year and the side effects of that drug were awful. Acupuncture helped me and also digestive enzymes.

I have been on omeprazole for about 10 years. In February I was taken off of it immediately because I was diagnosed as stage 3 kidney disease. I was given another medication and it doesn’t really work too well. I too have Barrett’s Esophagus. I didn’t know much about kidney disease prior to this, but it a horrible disease and involves much pain and suffering! Do all you can to avoid it!

Wow! Phase off? Why?
I had no problem at all because an E.R. doctor explained that those damnable pills (which SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE MARKET) were why I was vomiting more up than I keep down--and that due to the precise direction of an INCOMPETENT gastroenterologist. But in my view, aren't they all.
OLDER PEOPLE (as in anyone over 40) likely doesn't have too much stomach acid, but too little.
How did I stop vomiting everything up? I learned to take a hydrochloric acid pill with every meal. END OF VOMITING. END OF "HEARTBURN!"

I have some research to do on Omeprazole! I've been taking it for years with none of my doctor's telling me to go off it... Until a new PCP told me that I should not be taking it everyday for this long. I haven't been able to tackle researching an alternative yet, but I am definitely encouraged to do so soon from all of your informative posts.

Please let me know what your research shows. I'm 77 yo and have been on omeprazole 20mg for over 25yrs. My renal labs are checked every year and are within normal limits. Without it, I suffer. Thx