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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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rse | @rse | Mar 24, 2021
In reply to @riflemanz64 "I was getting acid reflux at night from eating whatever i wanted to. I was drinking..." + (show)
Profile picture for riflemanz64 @riflemanz64

I was getting acid reflux at night from eating whatever i wanted to. I was drinking 5-7 cups of coffee a day, 5 sodas and eating a high fat spicy diet.
I thought I was having a heart attack one day and ended up in the emergency room with a hemaglobin of 7. I had burned a hole in my small intestine and had internal bleeding from Motrin. They did and upper endoscopy (EGD) and cauterized it closed. They then told me I had Barretts esophagus from the acid reflux. They told me low acid diet from now on. So I cut out out all Soda, I switched to 2 cups of low acid coffee only in the morning. No booze,no smoking, no vinegar based products, no citrus, No OJ, No fried foods,No spicy foods, No more fast food. No more processed meats or foods. I bought the book the Acid watcher diet which told me a lot about reflux. No eating 3-4 hrs before bed. No spices on your food. No pepper ever. Chicken breast is good to eat. Cut your red meat intake. Baked fish too. Steamed green vegetables are good.I cut out almost all salt and sugar. I drink unsweetened almond milk with my cheerios in the morning. I drink lots of bottled water during the day. Stay away from mint and chocolate. I walk 5-7 miles a day. My last EGD there was no sign of Barretts esophagus. So the diet does work. I lost 25# and no longer have reflux. I might be overboard and strict but this works for me. Good luck and buy that book I told you about.

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Thank you for that informative post. I have read some books, but perhaps not that one so I will check it out. I have made most of the diet changes (I forgot about pepper and have been using it!) . It is impressive how much change you made to your habits and your health. Kudos to you! Inspiring.

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rse | @rse | Mar 24, 2021
In reply to @fde11 "Hello Bonnie, I was on omeprazole, I have the same problem as you, I was taking..." + (show)
Profile picture for fde11 @fde11

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.

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Thank you. I didn't know there was a prescription 40 mg famotidine. Interesting.

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dandl48 Dave | @dandl48 | Mar 24, 2021
In reply to @riflemanz64 "Do not take lemon water or cider vinegar for acid reflux. It’s acidic and will inflame..." + (show)
Profile picture for riflemanz64 @riflemanz64

Do not take lemon water or cider vinegar for acid reflux. It’s acidic and will inflame the throat tissue and esophagus lining on the way down. I take a PPI for my reflux and Barrett’s esophagus which they didn’t see on my last scope so it must work along with diet. I guess I’ll take dementia over esophageal cancer.

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riflemanz64 @riflemanz64 Thanks for this post, it's amazing the # of people who try the lemon water or cider vinegar for Barretts without checking with their gastroenterologist

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mjzd | @mjzd | Mar 24, 2021
In reply to @riflemanz64 "Did they do a upper endoscopy? (EGD)" + (show)
Profile picture for riflemanz64 @riflemanz64

Did they do a upper endoscopy? (EGD)

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The ENT looked down my throat (through my nose) and it was all irritated secondary to post nasal drip. Then I started omeprazole which worked but after approx a year causes the microscopic colitis.

I am now reintroducing foods into my diet, so far so good. I’ve discovered that small amounts of dairy are ok. I will try uncooked greens soon!

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mjzd | @mjzd | Mar 24, 2021
In reply to @rse "Thank you. I didn't know there was a prescription 40 mg famotidine. Interesting." + (show)
Profile picture for rse @rse

Thank you. I didn't know there was a prescription 40 mg famotidine. Interesting.

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Yes, I’m taking am and pm with good effect.

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JK | @contentandwell | Mar 24, 2021
In reply to @rse "Interesting! Thank you for posting. I am concerned about connection between PPI's (proton pump inhibitors like..." + (show)
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Interesting! Thank you for posting. I am concerned about connection between PPI's (proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole) and mental decline/ dementia.

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@rse I agree, dementia is a huge worry for me. Unlike @riflemanz64 I think I would prefer esophageal cancer! None of these drugs have zero side-effects but the dementia connection had me sufficiently worried that I was able to switch to famotidine. It has side-effects of course but I have not seen dementia mentioned.
JK

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sjn1975 | @sjn1975 | Mar 25, 2021
In reply to @nightngale1998 "Hi there: Has anyone had success in weaning off of Omeprazole? I take it for GERD...." + (show)
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 question is how likely are you to develop dementia? What can you do to prevent it?

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JK | @contentandwell | Mar 25, 2021
In reply to @sjn1975 "The question is how likely are you to develop dementia? What can you do to prevent..." + (show)
Profile picture for sjn1975 @sjn1975

The question is how likely are you to develop dementia? What can you do to prevent it?

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@sjn1975 Great question and one I have not seen answered.
JK

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beckymel | @beckymel | Mar 25, 2021
In reply to @nightngale1998 "Hi there: Has anyone had success in weaning off of Omeprazole? I take it for GERD...." + (show)
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 am getting a lot of good information from this thread - thanks!!! Is anyone else on both omeprazole and synthroid/levoxyl??? I have been on thyroid hormone since childhood and get frequent bone scans since osteopenia/bone loss is a common side effect. Since this is also a side effect of long-term use of Omeprazole too I am quite concerned about taking both.....

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JVS | @lacy2 | Mar 25, 2021
In reply to @beckymel "I am getting a lot of good information from this thread - thanks!!! Is anyone else..." + (show)
Profile picture for beckymel @beckymel

I am getting a lot of good information from this thread - thanks!!! Is anyone else on both omeprazole and synthroid/levoxyl??? I have been on thyroid hormone since childhood and get frequent bone scans since osteopenia/bone loss is a common side effect. Since this is also a side effect of long-term use of Omeprazole too I am quite concerned about taking both.....

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hi @becymel .... i must be in a bad mood today, lol but I am getting quite concerned about taking ANY meds these days! I realize medicine's benefits but so many side effects, short term effects, long term effects... and then some side effects are treated by doctors (not critisizing them) ...the doctors treat some side effects as another illness and another prescription and it seems to snowball from there. I have never taken as many pills (still not a lot compared to my spouse and others) but I have never ever worried as much taking medications ever before. The Internet has been a valuable source of information, could not do without it, but of course conflicting information on various sites its mind-bobbling. Even here in Canada re the vaccine for Covid, news bulletin issues and can go to sleep at night assured that your decision is based on fact; wake up to conflicting information - from reliable source like Health Canada, and opposite and then have to rethink it all. I just retyped my spouses daily list of am and pm meds (15) although he is ambulatory (heart surgery Nov) and I cringe. They had the stone age; industrial revolution, etc. etc. what are we going to be known as... the medical mystery marvelous madening miracle misery mixed up generation? Anyone here scared to even start reading the ingredients on things any more .... even food items? Where's the nearest rabbit hole??????

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