Regarding omeprazole: I have read that the body's reaction to omeprazole is to create more acid. So when you try to stop, GERD/hearburn is actually worse! It was recommended to substitute zantac or pepcid which are short acting, and then gradually do less. I did half of a zantac for a few weeks, then every other day and so on. At this point I don't eat after 6, mostly rely on Tums as needed and probably take pepcid once a month. The absorption issues with omeprazole can affect bone density. The drug site says it is to be used for two weeks but docs seem to keep people on it.
Regarding omeprazole: I have read that the body's reaction to omeprazole is to create more acid. So when you try to stop, GERD/hearburn is actually worse! It was recommended to substitute zantac or pepcid which are short acting, and then gradually do less. I did half of a zantac for a few weeks, then every other day and so on. At this point I don't eat after 6, mostly rely on Tums as needed and probably take pepcid once a month. The absorption issues with omeprazole can affect bone density. The drug site says it is to be used for two weeks but docs seem to keep people on it.
Aspirin was my best friend for many years while I had significant headaches. Luckily, the headaches are gone for whatever reason. I also took low dose aspirin for many years until my cardiologist started me on Xarelto around the time of my ablution for Afib. I have been lethargic and heavy legged ever since. His reason for not switching back to low dose aspirin was always that Xarelto is better.
Studies are now showing no difference between the two for effectiveness. Also, “low dose” aspirin is chewable, side stepping the stomach issues and getting it directly and quickly into your bloodstream. The downside is that aspirin stays in your bloodstream a lot longer, so you would need to switch to Xarelto or something similar two weeks before a planned surgery and stop it shortly before the event. Emergency surgery is always a possibility, but informing/reminding the surgical team is important then and quality of life is equally important now. I’ve decided for quality of life and am finding a clearer head, less fatigue and lighter legs as I come out of the pall of drugs, regaining a joy in life that I thought I had to stop reaching for. I was also able to get amlodipine reduced by half.
Drugs can be very helpful, but sometimes there are trade offs. Each person has to make their own decisions. It was very empowering to realize that I can respectfully say “No thank you” in a doctor’s office. Little did I know that I was welcoming a new start in life.
Pamela Hendricks
Regarding omeprazole: I have read that the body's reaction to omeprazole is to create more acid. So when you try to stop, GERD/hearburn is actually worse! It was recommended to substitute zantac or pepcid which are short acting, and then gradually do less. I did half of a zantac for a few weeks, then every other day and so on. At this point I don't eat after 6, mostly rely on Tums as needed and probably take pepcid once a month. The absorption issues with omeprazole can affect bone density. The drug site says it is to be used for two weeks but docs seem to keep people on it.
@tinker -- Just a quick note re: the anticoagulant.
Been on Eliquis, based on my CHADS score, for three years for asymptomatic afib. I've experienced absolutely no side effects or complications during this time. And the med is EZ to manage since no blood tests are needed.
As an RN, I've witnessed first-hand how a stroke can be a horrible life-changer.
I am a nurse and seen pts on blood thinners with fast HR or atrial fib because of the blood clot ,stroke risk . I’m not sure about slow hr . I think you need to trust your doctor or just get a second opinion . I am always in favor of second opinions . I’m on eliquist with absolutely no problems . But if there is any chance of strokes . Please don’t go down that road . Good luck Tara
Thank you for taking the time to reply to my question. I'm 77 years old (female) so I expect body parts to start failing. This is the first serious medical issue I've had so I think I've done pretty well. My concern with this doctor is his not addressing my high blood pressure or the arrhythmia or seeming to care about my well being. He laughed when I asked about lifestyle changes. Yes, clots are a risk factor with afib but so is high blood pressure and I can't face trying to deal with the awful side effects of anti-coagulants. I can always change my mind. Whatever I do I'm taking a risk. And I will live with that. I'm seeing a different cardiologist now. We've started to get my blood pressure down and my heart rate stable. So far so good.
@predictable my docs never talk to each other. I have a medical issue in just about every specialty and treatments for one thing often make another thing worse! How is it that your docs work together? They are not paid for the time spent comunicating and docs rarely do it in my experience. Instead, I make copies of records for each problem and take them around with me!
This week two of my doctors read my record (in one case a new doc and in the other a doc reading record since my last visit). This was encouraging!
I am seeing a nephrologist today and still bringing paper records that are relevant- only a few important ones- to try to coordinate info during the appointment.
I declined blood thinners for years because my afib was only once a year or so (actually I have gone two years now). My cardiologist was not happy but didn't dismiss me. His advice was on record so I assume no liability for him. Another cardiologist, braver than the first, told me at the hospital to "go home and forget this happened."
If your arrhythmia has risks and occur frequently, will you consider blood thinners? It does pose some liability for doctors if you need them and don't take them but you might be able to find a holistic cardiologist. Nattokinase and other approaches are used by some (but nattokinase also thins the blood).
I follow an alternative "triple anticoagulation" protocol that features...Boluoke lumbrokinase (2x daily/B.I.D.), Cardiokinase nattokinase (1x daily), & chewable 81 mg aspirin (1x daily)--& cleared a femoral arterial clot in my right leg with it (in 3 days).
This way I take advantage of the proteolytic/fibrinolytic properties of the lumbrokinase & nattokinase...& the anti-platelet-forming properties of aspirin. The Boluoke lumbrokinase has a registered Canadian FDA trial behind it...which illustrated its clot-targeting proteolytic/fibrinolytic action.
In addition, over time, 3-plus weeks & counting, my systolic blood pressure (which I measure twice daily) has dropped 5 mm/hg--& stabilised there...with the implementation of this natural "triple anticoagulant" therapy.
That's a clinically significant drop in (stabilised) systolic blood pressure.
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I only take the 20mg once a day. I also take a multi- vitamin and magnesium and a B-complex.
Aspirin was my best friend for many years while I had significant headaches. Luckily, the headaches are gone for whatever reason. I also took low dose aspirin for many years until my cardiologist started me on Xarelto around the time of my ablution for Afib. I have been lethargic and heavy legged ever since. His reason for not switching back to low dose aspirin was always that Xarelto is better.
Studies are now showing no difference between the two for effectiveness. Also, “low dose” aspirin is chewable, side stepping the stomach issues and getting it directly and quickly into your bloodstream. The downside is that aspirin stays in your bloodstream a lot longer, so you would need to switch to Xarelto or something similar two weeks before a planned surgery and stop it shortly before the event. Emergency surgery is always a possibility, but informing/reminding the surgical team is important then and quality of life is equally important now. I’ve decided for quality of life and am finding a clearer head, less fatigue and lighter legs as I come out of the pall of drugs, regaining a joy in life that I thought I had to stop reaching for. I was also able to get amlodipine reduced by half.
Drugs can be very helpful, but sometimes there are trade offs. Each person has to make their own decisions. It was very empowering to realize that I can respectfully say “No thank you” in a doctor’s office. Little did I know that I was welcoming a new start in life.
Pamela Hendricks
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5 ReactionsJust in case the other reply didn't post. I take the 20mg omeprezole daily. I also take a multi vitamin, magnesium, Bcomplex and CoQ10.
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2 Reactions@tinker -- Just a quick note re: the anticoagulant.
Been on Eliquis, based on my CHADS score, for three years for asymptomatic afib. I've experienced absolutely no side effects or complications during this time. And the med is EZ to manage since no blood tests are needed.
As an RN, I've witnessed first-hand how a stroke can be a horrible life-changer.
All the best!
/LarryG
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2 ReactionsI am a nurse and seen pts on blood thinners with fast HR or atrial fib because of the blood clot ,stroke risk . I’m not sure about slow hr . I think you need to trust your doctor or just get a second opinion . I am always in favor of second opinions . I’m on eliquist with absolutely no problems . But if there is any chance of strokes . Please don’t go down that road . Good luck Tara
Why not get a second opinion?
I have since I wrote that. This new one at least accepts that I'm not ready for blood thinners right now. I can always change my mind down the road.
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6 ReactionsAgree. Similar experiences at Mayo-. Hindsight: Find new doc!
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2 ReactionsThis week two of my doctors read my record (in one case a new doc and in the other a doc reading record since my last visit). This was encouraging!
I am seeing a nephrologist today and still bringing paper records that are relevant- only a few important ones- to try to coordinate info during the appointment.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI follow an alternative "triple anticoagulation" protocol that features...Boluoke lumbrokinase (2x daily/B.I.D.), Cardiokinase nattokinase (1x daily), & chewable 81 mg aspirin (1x daily)--& cleared a femoral arterial clot in my right leg with it (in 3 days).
This way I take advantage of the proteolytic/fibrinolytic properties of the lumbrokinase & nattokinase...& the anti-platelet-forming properties of aspirin. The Boluoke lumbrokinase has a registered Canadian FDA trial behind it...which illustrated its clot-targeting proteolytic/fibrinolytic action.
In addition, over time, 3-plus weeks & counting, my systolic blood pressure (which I measure twice daily) has dropped 5 mm/hg--& stabilised there...with the implementation of this natural "triple anticoagulant" therapy.
That's a clinically significant drop in (stabilised) systolic blood pressure.