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?

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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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Thanks for sharing your story Ken, I just had to go back on omeprazole, after a week without it i was waking up with a headache every morning, eating tums all day, dr's ar no help.

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Profile picture for Amanda Burnett @amandaa

Hi @karjack. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am so sorry your are having headaches daily! I know your pain. As you will see I moved your comment to an ongoing discussion about getting off of Omeprazole so that you could connect with others who are going through the same process.
Besides heartburn and headache, have you had any other symptoms? Have you consulted with your doctor about tapering off of this medication?

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I have talked to my GP about getting off and she said, why? if it works then take it, really, I just think if it's so hard to get off of there has to be a reason for this. After all it's been in my system for over 40 years .

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Profile picture for Iseeincolors @karjack

I have talked to my GP about getting off and she said, why? if it works then take it, really, I just think if it's so hard to get off of there has to be a reason for this. After all it's been in my system for over 40 years .

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@karjack If you are adamant about getting off of a medication, I would reiterate to your GP that you no longer want to take it and would appreciate a tapering schedule so that you don't have any unwanted symptoms from withdrawal. It may be your physician, but ultimately it's your body!

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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 would like to tell you to change Doctors.....but I won't. Please go on you tube and watch a brilliant video from Dr Jonathan Aviv that was life changing for me and hundreds of my friends. There are countless articles on the side effects of these meds. Small life style changes have me completely healed..unless I cheat Reflux disease is tied to the fastest growing cancer in America esophageal cancer. I might also suggest looking into a functional medicine Doctor.
PLEASE watch the video!!

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Profile picture for lpolaka @lpolaka

I would like to tell you to change Doctors.....but I won't. Please go on you tube and watch a brilliant video from Dr Jonathan Aviv that was life changing for me and hundreds of my friends. There are countless articles on the side effects of these meds. Small life style changes have me completely healed..unless I cheat Reflux disease is tied to the fastest growing cancer in America esophageal cancer. I might also suggest looking into a functional medicine Doctor.
PLEASE watch the video!!

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I bought his book ( The acid watcher diet) great info no one would ever tell you.

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Profile picture for riflemanz64 @riflemanz64

I bought his book ( The acid watcher diet) great info no one would ever tell you.

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I read it as well
In my opinion this is a disease that is not understood by most physicians the GI doc might get the esophagus, the ent might understand acid effects on the upper airway and most pulmonary docs are shocked to learn much of asthma is related to reflux!
Truth be told it is much easier to give them a pill
Another thought leader is Dr Jamie Kaufman who wrote "Dropping Acid"(love the title)
Best of luck

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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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Hi i finally was able to get my GP to refer me to go to GI doctor for the heartburn this from last may was on omeprazole 20mg it helped some doctor said it was gerd.When i went to GI doctor did a scope and a colonoscopy all was perfect with that the scope i had some inflammation she did a biopsy it showed no cancer and i have no hernia or ulcers.Doctor put me on pantoprazole 40mg for 2 weeks still having burning on left side of chest so she is having me take 40mg twice @ day for 10 weeks to calm the inflammation then i see her.My concern is that high dose but she said i need it at point.I changed my whole eating and life style months ago.I am very active senior i walk and and workout i am a small frame women at normal weight.Doctor said sometimes if you have stress it can cause the burn i try not to worry about things.I had given up my decaf coffee for months but still had heartburn so i added back.Ido take a probiotic ,multivitamin,calcium, baby aspirin.Any info would be helpful thank you.

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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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The baby aspirin could be causing inflammation.

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Profile picture for carnet @carnet

Hi i finally was able to get my GP to refer me to go to GI doctor for the heartburn this from last may was on omeprazole 20mg it helped some doctor said it was gerd.When i went to GI doctor did a scope and a colonoscopy all was perfect with that the scope i had some inflammation she did a biopsy it showed no cancer and i have no hernia or ulcers.Doctor put me on pantoprazole 40mg for 2 weeks still having burning on left side of chest so she is having me take 40mg twice @ day for 10 weeks to calm the inflammation then i see her.My concern is that high dose but she said i need it at point.I changed my whole eating and life style months ago.I am very active senior i walk and and workout i am a small frame women at normal weight.Doctor said sometimes if you have stress it can cause the burn i try not to worry about things.I had given up my decaf coffee for months but still had heartburn so i added back.Ido take a probiotic ,multivitamin,calcium, baby aspirin.Any info would be helpful thank you.

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@carnet
If your inflammation was severe, I can understand your doctor wanting to keep you on Omeprazole and Pantoprazole for a while. I have also taken Omeprazole for a month or so at a time to deal with inflammation.

Do you take baby aspirin, calcium, and vitamins with food? If you take those on an empty stomach, that can cause inflammation and GERD symptoms. You might also ask your doctor about trying a milder med like Pepcid to see how that would work for you.

I hope you get feeling better. Will you post again with an update as to how you are doing?

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Profile picture for cim37343 @cim37343

The baby aspirin could be causing inflammation.

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The same thought crossed my mind. Did your doctor suggest you take aspirin for a heart problem? If so, I would try taking it with food as aspirin can be harsh in the stomach, even in small doses (having said that, how did babies tolerate it? Granted they didn’t take it daily but ... just wondering ...) and see if your stomach feels better.

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