Side effects with omeprazole/Prilosec use

Posted by blueorca @blueorca, May 5, 2018

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?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

Profile picture for baguette @baguette

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.

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I have stage 3 kidney disease now. I quit the Prilosec. My doctor says I probably should stay on it. Why do I hit stage 4 and have to go on dialysis? I’m feeling so much better. I also had to quit the repatha injections for cholesterol. I was so tired and living in a fog I couldn’t think straight. My last shot was 3 weeks ago and I’m feeling sooooo much better.

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Profile picture for susanfalcon52 @susanfalcon52

I have been on Protonix for many years. I want to phase off of that. When I asked my gastroenterologist to take me off of it, he lowered it from 40mg to 20mg. That was a year ago.
I plan to phase myself off of that
I too discovered Gaviscon Advanced which works great- I will use that.
I have seen my gastroenterologist for 20 years and always had great faith in him. Not so much now. He’s semi-retired, seems disinterested in my condition, and I believe writes my gastro issues off as being due to anxiety.

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How annoying! Time for a new Gastro dr.

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Profile picture for dandl48 Dave @dandl48

Do you no longer suffer from GERD? If not, why do you want off of it? What does your MD say about getting off it?

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24% increase in type 2 diabetes.
Increase in dementia
Increase rate of fractures
Chronic kidney problems
Vitamin/mineral deficiencies
Increase rate of infections
Yale Med

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Profile picture for menderskeepers @menderskeepers

24% increase in type 2 diabetes.
Increase in dementia
Increase rate of fractures
Chronic kidney problems
Vitamin/mineral deficiencies
Increase rate of infections
Yale Med

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Hi, @menderskeepers, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Sounds like you have some serious concerns about taking omeprazole.

Do you have GERD? Were you previously taking omeprazole?

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Profile picture for menderskeepers @menderskeepers

24% increase in type 2 diabetes.
Increase in dementia
Increase rate of fractures
Chronic kidney problems
Vitamin/mineral deficiencies
Increase rate of infections
Yale Med

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Wow, replying to a 7 year old post. your facts may be correct but I still stand by my question that says, "What does your MD say about getting off it?" If you don't listen to your doctors why go to one?

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Profile picture for Bonnie @nightngale1998

Hi there: Has anyone had success in weaning off of Omeprazole? I take it for GERD. Thank you in advance!

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I started taking it in May for inflamed esophagus and reflux. I’m concerned because I read Prilosec can be harmful to body. You apparently have not had issues with the medicine ??may I ask your approx age ? I turned 60 but I’ve had heartburn and reflux for at least 5-6 years .. just kept putting it off unfortunately

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Profile picture for jmedj55 @jmedj55

I started taking it in May for inflamed esophagus and reflux. I’m concerned because I read Prilosec can be harmful to body. You apparently have not had issues with the medicine ??may I ask your approx age ? I turned 60 but I’ve had heartburn and reflux for at least 5-6 years .. just kept putting it off unfortunately

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Hi, @jmedj55 - I see that you've recently joined Mayo Clinic Connect, so I'd like to welcome you. Sorry to hear about all the heartburn and reflux you've had to endure.

Hoping that here you will get to meet some of the members in this discussion talking about omeprazole (Prilosec) and see if they have had any issues with this medication. Please meet @dandl48 @ksdm @archiemom @debraj63 and others. I'd also like you to meet @jlharsh.

Have you noticed any side effects from taking omeprazole thus far since May, jmedj55?

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Profile picture for Bonnie @nightngale1998

Hi there: Has anyone had success in weaning off of Omeprazole? I take it for GERD. Thank you in advance!

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Hello .. so far the only side effect has been some nausea, body aches and possibly some anxiety. I dread taking this medicine longer term. What type of effects has been noted by members ? Thank you

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Profile picture for januaryjane @januaryjane

Ok, I went to my gastro and having symptoms of nausea that got better with an antacid. So, Im put on 40mg omeprazole a day since Nov. 9th. I had an upper scope and nothing was found, no ulcer, inflammation, notta. Im still having stomach troubles, could this medicine be making things worse? Should I even be on this higher amount? I know no one can tell me what to do, just asking around for some insight.
My symptoms are, lack of appetite, on and off diarrhea, gas, cramping, severe fatigue, low grade fever on and off. And nausea if off the medicine. Been going on for at least a few months.
I have chronic constipation from slow transit disorder, so struggling with that.

I just dont want to be taking this medicine if its exacerbating my symptoms.

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Prilosec seems to have side effects for some people but yet some seem to do fine with it for long periods of time ? Strange …

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Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator @lisalucier

Hi, @jmedj55 - I see that you've recently joined Mayo Clinic Connect, so I'd like to welcome you. Sorry to hear about all the heartburn and reflux you've had to endure.

Hoping that here you will get to meet some of the members in this discussion talking about omeprazole (Prilosec) and see if they have had any issues with this medication. Please meet @dandl48 @ksdm @archiemom @debraj63 and others. I'd also like you to meet @jlharsh.

Have you noticed any side effects from taking omeprazole thus far since May, jmedj55?

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Thanks for the tag, @lisalucier and hello, @jmedj55

It has been a few years since I tried omeprazole and I’m not sure remember how long I tried it and exactly what my symptoms were. I do remember I had an upper scope that my GI doc said looked ok, and the next step was a 30 day diagnostic trial of the drug. I had been struggling with pain in my stomach, had been to the ER, spent time blending my food, etc.

I remember I tried the PPI and it worked for a few days then everything went back to how it was before I started it. I let it go for a bit and thought I should confirm by trying again. I don’t remember that it helped at all.

Where are your body aches jmedj55?

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