I am glad you wrote and sm happy to hear that you have been on omerpraxole for such s long time with no apparent problems. I have been on it since 2008 for ten years and was worried about the long time effects. I used to have noticeable GERD but now do not since watching my diet more carefully. I am now told to tske 40 mg twice a day (since having some changes in my esophagus) which I have done so since 2017. It has kept me from having any problems. However , since doing so well with no symptoms , I sometimes forget to tske but one pill a day. I hope that will be OK. I have an endoscopy every three months and have had four ablations to get rid of of Barrett’s Esophagus. I am waiting now to see if the Dr will cut me back to only one pilll per day. I drink one cup of regular coffee in The morning and then drink decafinated tea the rest of the day. Otherwise I eat small portions of anything I want and am doing well so far this year.

Regarding coffee, it is not so much the caffeine I avoid, it’s the acid. Even regular instant has acid. I found the acid neutralized coffee by “Kava” has worked for me and it tastes so good my visitors become converts after drinking it.

@musicflowers4u I agree with the acid versus caffeine idea. I have found that even decaf can cause symptoms. Low acid is much better.

Teresa

I have a question. Why does coffee not bother me but home made "koolaide" does? I wondered if it was because of the citric acid in the pwderdered ingredients. Or, perhaps the coffee actually does bother me, and I don't feel it until much later, after it has done its' damage. I have coffee in the morning and my asthma medicine is much reduced because of it. My doctor agrees. It concerns me a bit, because I know there can be damage to the esophagus if GERD is left untreated. Any ideas? Yours for a peaceful day, Mamacita

You are the best judge of how you feel. Personally my trade-off for any long-term problem from omeprazole is better than cancer from GERD, my choice. Best wishes.

Dear @musicflowers4u, I am wafting towards the way you plan to deal with this situation. Honestly, I have not studied this subject in much detail. Been very busy lately. But, I will say this. My Mother had GERD and it went untreated until she had to go to the Nursing Home. Unfortunately, she died from congestive heart failure and stomach/esophageal cancer. She had been a smoker all her life, and I do believe that contributed to her death. Until I have time to thoroughly research the issue, I will continue the medication. Thank you for sharing!

Blessings,
Mamacita

i'd like to know about your experience with the radio frequency ablations (RFA). what did you experience after it was done. i was told by my GI doctor that there would be swelling of the esophagus and difficult to swallow....thanks ...kozlo52

I have never had a problem with the RFA ( ablations). I go home and rest and then by the next day I am fine. Perhaps my throat feels s little tight or different but there was no pain or real discomfort. I was quite concerned before I had them but I must say that it has not been something that hurts. I would say that it just feels tight and that goes away after a while. My voice seems a little hoarse however so that is one change I have noticed also my voice seems to be a bit raspy but I guess that is a small price to pay for trying to get rid of Barretts. .

@mamacita

I have some of the same problems with powdered drink mixes. I've wondered if it has to do with the food colorings - but that is just a guess. I simply avoid all powered drink mixes now.

Teresa

Quite possibly the food coloring is an instigator. We have a friend whose child cannot have certain foods because it makes him just wild.