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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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Profile picture for t98
t98 | @t98 | May 13, 2023
In reply to @candidough47 "I have only been on PPI for 6 weeks and curious what long term means. Do..." + (show)
Profile picture for candidough47 @candidough47

I have only been on PPI for 6 weeks and curious what long term means. Do I have to wean off if only used for this period of time. Doctor has me on for 90 days right now but uneasy about medication. Any feedback appreciated

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You should discuss with the doctor. The question is why you were put on the PPI. If you're feeling better now after taking the PPI I think it pays to already ask if you can either reduce the dose (if you're taking 40 mg, to take only 20 mg) or try to wean off it.
On the other hand, if you need the medication to prevent esophageal irritation, then taking the medication is important, but you can see if an H2 blocker works for you, and then that's preferable.

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candidough47 | @candidough47 | May 14, 2023
In reply to @gigi4 "Not sure what long term means. I was prescribed and hesitate but my doctor at the..." + (show)
Profile picture for gigi4 @gigi4

Not sure what long term means. I was prescribed and hesitate but my doctor at the time said “we don’t worry about use until the one year mark.” I was I going to do it beyond a year. At 6 months, not feeling a lot better, I went back to my doctor. She had retired and the new doctor listened to me and contacted GI. Within two days I was scheduled for an endoscopy. Afterwards, the GI came in and told me to never take a PPI again. My digestive cells had become hypertrophic (enlarged). That was the point where I had had it with prescription drugs treating only my symptoms for a number of years. I turned to Functional Medicine, where the goal is to find the cause or causes of symptoms. I found an exceptional doctor and finally feel I’m healing.

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That’s awesome! Doctors seem to just throw out PPI instead of trying options. I asked before starting on PPI the side effects and he just said Bloating. Well I am now finding out how terrible it is. Wish I could find a doctor like yours. Continued healing!!

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gigi4 | @gigi4 | May 14, 2023
In reply to @candidough47 "That’s awesome! Doctors seem to just throw out PPI instead of trying options. I asked before..." + (show)
Profile picture for candidough47 @candidough47

That’s awesome! Doctors seem to just throw out PPI instead of trying options. I asked before starting on PPI the side effects and he just said Bloating. Well I am now finding out how terrible it is. Wish I could find a doctor like yours. Continued healing!!

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If you want to find a functional medicine doctor, here is the website: ifm.org. It’s broken down by city and state. Each doc has a bio and lists areas of expertise. It’s more costly but so worth it. But also know, it took me three tries with functional medicine doctors to find the right one. We have all out doctors on a pedestal as if they know what to do. But not all doctors were the A+ students. Ask lots of questions.
Best of luck to you.

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suetex | @suetex | May 14, 2023
In reply to @candidough47 "I have only been on PPI for 6 weeks and curious what long term means. Do..." + (show)
Profile picture for candidough47 @candidough47

I have only been on PPI for 6 weeks and curious what long term means. Do I have to wean off if only used for this period of time. Doctor has me on for 90 days right now but uneasy about medication. Any feedback appreciated

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My own (nonmedical ) feeling about PPIs is quite negative. They seemed to be as hard to get off of as opiates. The Peoples Pharmacy has a good "tea" you can make to help the rebound effect and the heartburn. H2 blockers are milder and much preferred. I think doctors are much too quick to perscribe them. That being said, they do have their place. I had to cure a horse with gastritis and it did the trick. But with him, I could dictate the taper. People are not so compliant.

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candidough47 | @candidough47 | May 14, 2023
In reply to @suetex "My own (nonmedical ) feeling about PPIs is quite negative. They seemed to be as hard..." + (show)
Profile picture for suetex @suetex

My own (nonmedical ) feeling about PPIs is quite negative. They seemed to be as hard to get off of as opiates. The Peoples Pharmacy has a good "tea" you can make to help the rebound effect and the heartburn. H2 blockers are milder and much preferred. I think doctors are much too quick to perscribe them. That being said, they do have their place. I had to cure a horse with gastritis and it did the trick. But with him, I could dictate the taper. People are not so compliant.

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Thanks! I appreciate your reply. Will call and discuss maybe going on H2. What is this tea?????

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suetex | @suetex | May 14, 2023
In reply to @fatherofstickyrice "10 years ago or so, I had severe symptoms of having food stuck in my esophagus..." + (show)
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10 years ago or so, I had severe symptoms of having food stuck in my esophagus and not being able to swallow or bring food back up. This put me in the hospital a few times until an endoscopy diagnosed me with a schatzki ring. My gastroenterologist nipped it in one or two places and prescribed omeprazole 20 mg once per day. This worked fine for years. My current primary care physician wants me to come off of this proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and use an H2 blocker instead. I agree. I tried about a 10-day transition alternating between the two medications and then went to the H2 blocker (Famotidine) for 3 months with no omeprazole. I had swallowing difficulty symptoms almost every meal. They were mild to severe ( inability to swallow or bring food back up for 20 minutes with a production of fluid [saliva?] which required spitting and some small amounts of food coming up). So, I went back on Omeprazole about a month ago. Now I have obtained a prescription both. I would like to try to wean myself off of the PPI and onto an H2 blocker again. Here is my plan:● Alternate omeprazole 20 mg /day early am with famotidine 20 mg before breakfast and dinner for 14 days. Then alternate with PPI every 3rd day for 14 days. Then alternate with PPI every 4th day for 14 days.Does anyone have any experience with this transition? Any suggestions.

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You can get the recipe from the People Pharmacy webcite. It requires fresh ginger, cinnimon sticks and dried persimmons. (I got those from the "Chock Full o Nuts company".) It is quite tasty and helps with hyper acidity. Their webcite is a wealth of DIY health aides, all medically proven.

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linso1000 | @linso1000 | May 27, 2023
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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Hi
I’ve been on 40mg omeprazole for Gerd and acid reflux for over 12 years.
Recently (last 3 months) it stopped working and acid was out of control. Doc booked me in for a gastroscopy, which meant no meds for 5 days prior.
Obviously the acid was really bad, but other things happened too. I started sleeping through the night. Reflux & aspiration stopped. I felt less fatigued, had a clearer head, felt like for the first time in ages I had some energy.
I’ve already suffered a crumbling hip joint and had a replacement, have put on 5 stone in the last 8 years and sometimes felt so tired and washed out that all I wanted to do was stay in bed (not possible as I still have to get up and work).
Omeprazole was my crutch and I never realised how bad it was for me - I am now trying different things to address the acid and although it initially got worse, it’s now not too bad (nearly 2 weeks off it).
I’m not going back on it. Currently changing diet to alkaline with digestive enzymes. I have a hiatus hernia. Gastroscopy found lesions and polyps which are currently being biopsied, but until I’ve tried absolutely everything else I’m not going back on meds.

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candidough47 | @candidough47 | May 28, 2023
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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Good luck!! I also stopped PPI and taking Famodidine only 1 daily. Try Organic Throat Coat tea seems to help. I will pick up book suggested. Also Aloe Gel is good.

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maxine50 | @maxine50 | May 29, 2023
In reply to @candidough47 "Good luck!! I also stopped PPI and taking Famodidine only 1 daily. Try Organic Throat Coat..." + (show)
Profile picture for candidough47 @candidough47

Good luck!! I also stopped PPI and taking Famodidine only 1 daily. Try Organic Throat Coat tea seems to help. I will pick up book suggested. Also Aloe Gel is good.

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I just stopped taking it because I now have to put all my cooked foods in a blender and drink it as a soup due to diverticulitis. No affects whatsoever. Of course, I'm not eating. Just drinking.

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candidough47 | @candidough47 | May 29, 2023
In reply to @maxine50 "I just stopped taking it because I now have to put all my cooked foods in..." + (show)
Profile picture for maxine50 @maxine50

I just stopped taking it because I now have to put all my cooked foods in a blender and drink it as a soup due to diverticulitis. No affects whatsoever. Of course, I'm not eating. Just drinking.

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Have you been tested for Achalasia? I have and had Poem procedure so can eat but still have to be cautious. I’m so sorry you are going through this I know it’s depressing when you can’t join family and friends in eating.

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