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Side effects with omeprazole/Prilosec use
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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Good luck getting off emperazole. I want to try what you use at bedtime. Thanks a lot
Omprazole is the generic of Prilosec and I have been taking one every morning for 3 years or more because of the severe GERD I had. I know it's long term but I don't get the severe pain as before since taking Omprazole every morning. Also, I have changed my diet and do not eat anything that will give me pain. I only eat fish or chicken, zucchini, broccoli well cooked. No pepper or chili or any other 'hot' spice. An occasional pizza, but I do believe that the Omprazole each morning has helped me considerably. No pain, No GERD. Tried Apple Cider Vinegar once and it made me want to vomit so never again.
I am trying to do that, second time. Last August I took 2.5 weeks lowering the dose, skipping days. I think I rushed the process. Ended up with IBS symptoms, which eventually tamed with the FODMAP elimination diet. But still had GI problems, and worsening chest pains, so perhaps I got rebound GERD. Scoped a second time in February, dilated, put back on a different PPI. Took full dose for two weeks and am now trying to wean off them more slowly than the first time in conjunction with using Gaviscon Advance, alkaline water, melatonin, and Dr. Aviv's no acid diet. Some people swear by Dr. Koufman's advice, you can google her blogs (and a Reddit user detailed her answers to his $500 consult so others didn't have to pay out). Still having problems, e.g., I was doing a plank, which I have done for several months without incident, and suffered a reflux attack. Am going to add chewing sugarless gum to stimulate saliva, and again cut back on amount of food I eat per meal. I am a member of the acid watchers warrior group on Facebook, and people there say it takes at least 3 months to heal. Good luck on your journey. Don't be impatient. I would be interested in hearing success stories from others.
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1 ReactionI would like to know what foods exactly are on the FODMAP diet and what does it do for one?
It took me a year to wean myself off. My doctor recommended alternating between vitamin E with Prilosec, but never take them on the same day. I started with one day a week, vitamin E and no Prilosec. Did this two months or so. Once my acid reflux was tolerable on my off days, then I would add another day of vitamin E. It took a year and didn’t think I could do it, especially for being on it for 4+ years. I have occasional flare ups and will take Prilosec for a few days. Good luck!
My friend is trying a silver fern supplement. They have a few for digestive issues and acid reflux. They have a regime to wean you off Prilosec
Several questions. What dose of Vitamin E were you taking? Did your doctor explain why Vitamin E would help on the days you didn't take Prilosec? Eventually, were you taking Vitamin E every day when you completely got off Prilosec and do you continue taking Vitamin E daily now? Thanks.
Yikes, I didn't even realize Omeprazole was addictive!
it's not addictive but you need to reduce it slowly otherwise it causes an acid surge (in other words more acid than usual).
Thanks for telling me what the doctor should have.
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