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 carnet @carnet

Hi i am new here started having heartburn and some acid reflux took a few tums seem to go away only to start up when i would go to bed like i was on fire.Took more tums helped some so talked to my GP and she put me on protonic @40mg which i took for 3 days it was making me sick and making things worse.She then put me on omeprazole @40mg to start then said to go to 40 twice a day I would not do 80mg a day i have been getting nauseous and a few pains in stomach pains.Also been having that feeling like i have phlegm in throat and some burping.I can't stand these side effects i have been taking it for a week only and i am stopping Someone was telling me that my doctor should have had me take Pepcid AC instead to begin with and then gone to something stronger.I have changed my diet eating smaller meals raised my head at night.I still feel a slight burn in middle of chest.I am a small frame woman at normal weight and i am very active 67years old my doctor said this is common has we get older i take no meds only a few vitamins gave up fish oil and vit c.What i would like to know does licorice really work and does it raise blood pressure?has anyone used slippery elm bark say its good for the throat also.I have always had a hard time getting used to something new if i have to take a med.At this point i don't know what to do i have a check up with doctor and i feel she going to think its all in my head.Any info will be helpful
Thank you

Jump to this post

On you tube Dr Jonathan Aviv from ENT and Allergy does a brilliant job of making you understand where reflux comes from and how to treat it without medication. Forty percent of the population has reflux many of them have the silent type (ie no heartburn) with things like throat clearing,sore throats or sinus issues. One of the fastest growing cancers in America is esophageal. I only had to modify a few things in my diet and the symptoms went away. I wish you well!
BTW if you don't take the meds properly you get MORE acid!!!

REPLY
Profile picture for carnet @carnet

Hi i am new here started having heartburn and some acid reflux took a few tums seem to go away only to start up when i would go to bed like i was on fire.Took more tums helped some so talked to my GP and she put me on protonic @40mg which i took for 3 days it was making me sick and making things worse.She then put me on omeprazole @40mg to start then said to go to 40 twice a day I would not do 80mg a day i have been getting nauseous and a few pains in stomach pains.Also been having that feeling like i have phlegm in throat and some burping.I can't stand these side effects i have been taking it for a week only and i am stopping Someone was telling me that my doctor should have had me take Pepcid AC instead to begin with and then gone to something stronger.I have changed my diet eating smaller meals raised my head at night.I still feel a slight burn in middle of chest.I am a small frame woman at normal weight and i am very active 67years old my doctor said this is common has we get older i take no meds only a few vitamins gave up fish oil and vit c.What i would like to know does licorice really work and does it raise blood pressure?has anyone used slippery elm bark say its good for the throat also.I have always had a hard time getting used to something new if i have to take a med.At this point i don't know what to do i have a check up with doctor and i feel she going to think its all in my head.Any info will be helpful
Thank you

Jump to this post

You should see another doctor—a competent gastroenterologist. A dosage of 80 mg of a PPI is very high. Did the 40 mg not help you? You should see a good GI doc before you experiment with “natural” remedies your own. Just because they are “natural” doesn’t mean they have no side effects.

REPLY
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!

Jump to this post

Hello Bonnie, I was on omeprazole, I have the same problem as you, I was taking 2- 20mg a day. for six months, the gastro give me another prescription Famotidine 40 mg twice a day, I was ok for a while, I still have them, now I am back on Omeprazole 1 a day 20mg. sometimes a take two and I really watch what I eat, I am back taking probiotic, I feel a little better, but I also have IBS, I really don't know what to do anymore, all the best to you.

REPLY
Profile picture for jackiem95 @jackiem95

You should see another doctor—a competent gastroenterologist. A dosage of 80 mg of a PPI is very high. Did the 40 mg not help you? You should see a good GI doc before you experiment with “natural” remedies your own. Just because they are “natural” doesn’t mean they have no side effects.

Jump to this post

@jackie95 @carnet Agree with Jackie95 for the most part. Yes to new Gastro MD,80 MG of PPI, I've been on for a few years, nothing to report re side effects of dose. Agree whole heartily re "Natural" remedies.

REPLY
Profile picture for jackiem95 @jackiem95

You should see another doctor—a competent gastroenterologist. A dosage of 80 mg of a PPI is very high. Did the 40 mg not help you? You should see a good GI doc before you experiment with “natural” remedies your own. Just because they are “natural” doesn’t mean they have no side effects.

Jump to this post

@carnet I have to agree with @jackiem95, that is a very high dose. I went to a doctor who is a specialist in Barrett's Esophagus when I first had mine and he gave me two omeprazole a day, each 20 mg. He said my PCP would probably be alarmed at such a high dose but he wanted me to start on that for two or three months, I forget exactly how long because it was quite a while ago, and then I was reduced to once a day.

That gastroenterologist was the best in my opinion. He unfortunately moved from Mass General to Columbia Presybitarian in NYC. I am seriously considering going to NYC for my next appointment. My daughter lives there so I could stay with her.
JK

REPLY
Profile picture for lpolaka @lpolaka

On you tube Dr Jonathan Aviv from ENT and Allergy does a brilliant job of making you understand where reflux comes from and how to treat it without medication. Forty percent of the population has reflux many of them have the silent type (ie no heartburn) with things like throat clearing,sore throats or sinus issues. One of the fastest growing cancers in America is esophageal. I only had to modify a few things in my diet and the symptoms went away. I wish you well!
BTW if you don't take the meds properly you get MORE acid!!!

Jump to this post

Thankyou I looked him up I am already doing a lot of what he says

REPLY
Profile picture for JK @contentandwell

@carnet I have to agree with @jackiem95, that is a very high dose. I went to a doctor who is a specialist in Barrett's Esophagus when I first had mine and he gave me two omeprazole a day, each 20 mg. He said my PCP would probably be alarmed at such a high dose but he wanted me to start on that for two or three months, I forget exactly how long because it was quite a while ago, and then I was reduced to once a day.

That gastroenterologist was the best in my opinion. He unfortunately moved from Mass General to Columbia Presybitarian in NYC. I am seriously considering going to NYC for my next appointment. My daughter lives there so I could stay with her.
JK

Jump to this post

Hi I was doing 20 mg twice a day but dr felt it would be better to double dose I told him I have a problem with taking thing but he said I needed to get it under control.This only started in April thought it was nerves.Thankyou

REPLY
Profile picture for jackiem95 @jackiem95

You should see another doctor—a competent gastroenterologist. A dosage of 80 mg of a PPI is very high. Did the 40 mg not help you? You should see a good GI doc before you experiment with “natural” remedies your own. Just because they are “natural” doesn’t mean they have no side effects.

Jump to this post

Hi I think because I had to take the 40 mg in one dose it made me sick to my stomach I have gotten some 20mg over the counter and will start with them I have to go though my GP to get a referral to go to GI doctor yes I do need to see what’s the problem.I have an appointment with GP for a checkup and I am going to insist that she refer me this has been going on since April.Thankyou

REPLY
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!

Jump to this post

@carnet I had similar reaction like u when taking meds. Can I suggest you remove red meat from ur meal? . I stop eat before full. And doing lot's of meditation. I'm off meds now 😁

REPLY
Profile picture for sylviapat @sylviapat

@carnet I had similar reaction like u when taking meds. Can I suggest you remove red meat from ur meal? . I stop eat before full. And doing lot's of meditation. I'm off meds now 😁

Jump to this post

Hi I am now back to 20mg of Omerprozole in the morning and will add 20mg back at night before dinner.I have always had a hard time getting used to any Med.Since taking the feeling of something in throat is getting better.I have changed so many things.When you say lots of meds how much were you taking?I do have red meat once in a while but you cut out.
Thank you

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.