Side effects with omeprazole/Prilosec use

OK - not easy to explain all this unless you have had a good statistics class. But, universities draw conclusions by association with old data sets used for other studies instead of developing correct groups of patients and then running a controlled test over time (years). In a nutshell, it doesn't work - full of potential errors. As for unsafe, this was a recent personal experience I had in trying to switch from 20 mg daily Prilosec to Zantac. I tapered down to 10 mg daily Prilosec then did the switch. I was fine for 2 days then had a wild reaction including kidney pain, chills, light-headedness. Somewhat scary. So I gave up and went back to 10 mg Prilosec daily and recovered - may just stay there if I can (10 mg is probably not sufficient to control GERD/esophagitis - an experiment). I could also just go back to 20 mg Prilosec daily and let it go at that. Experiment of one! But, that's the point we are all a little different, "one test is worth 1000 expert opinions." If you have a good doc you should ask him about the stats activity above and he can clarify further. But, in any case, I suspect Prilosec is not as bad as we have been hearing in the journalistic press. Talk to your doc - they took the courses! Not to mention all their experience.

Hi
I am on omperzole for the past 25 years. It works wonders. If your experiencing anything more double up. I take 20 mg in the morning half hour before I eat. Talk to your dr.

Greetings robini. Actually it was my doc who suggested I try the Zantac! But, as I note in my post above, the Prilosec may be best for me after all. A lot of "trash talk" re Prilosec and bone health / kidney disease in the press but, as I say above, the stats appear less than sterling to me. Actually, I'm doing surprising well on 10mg Prilosec (minimum dose) but will do exactly as you suggest if things don't pan out. I was on same dose as you - 20 mg daily - for 9 years but had some side effects I'd like to eliminate. Thanks for the moral support.

Has anyone with GERD tried the either of the OTC supplements called Prelief or CalciBlend which I believe is the same as Coffee Tamer? Just wondering if they really help with making acidic foods and coffee more palatable with GERD.

I was diagnosed with this years ago but suddenly told I didn't have it. I would love to know what you find out.

@jackiem95 Hi Jackie. I have never heard of either of these supplements. I am curious about them now. I take 20 mg omeprazole a day for Barrett's esophagus. I hate taking it with all of the talk about negative effects and sometimes wonder if I really do need it. My Barrett's is pretty minor so far, apparently.
JK

I got off Aciphex (sp) ten years ago and had to suffer through horrible acid rebound for two months. I weaned myself off with Zantac. I now take nothing. Control the reflux by eliminating coffee, carbonated drinks and too many carbs. I take an occasional Zantac and avoid trigger foods. Doctors don’t tell you that you will experience rebound when you try to get off the PPI. It is not the disease but the rebound that keeps us hooked on the PPI. Modern medicine is designed to hand us pills for everything and masking symptoms rather than eliminating the underlying cause. I have accepted that I cannot eat or drink in my sixties what I could in my twenties. I realize not everyone can get off these medicines due to other or more serious underlying medical conditions, but worth some looking into.

Just a note that my doctor has always warned me about the reflux returning if I stop taking the medication.

I also got off of PPIs by taking Zantac and Tums combined. However, I did have a hiatal hernia repaired and a LINX Augmentation Procedure in September 2018 and now take nothing, no meds of any kind. No heartburn, no nausea, no pain. It was a godsend for me.

I am glad to hear that. I have had the misfortune of doctors not informing me about side effects of medications on many occasions with catastrophic results at times. Let the consumer beware. I now do my own research about any medication I put in my mouth, over the counter or prescription. Acid rebound from PPIs is horrible and one of the reasons many people can’t get off these medicines that I am not sure we’re designed for long term use in the first place.