Side effects with omeprazole/Prilosec use

Hi there: Has anyone had success in weaning off of Omeprazole? I take it for GERD. Thank you in advance!

I have similar problems. Have a hiatal hernia and was also diagnosed with a "nutcracker esophagus" when I was tested for swallowing abilities. I've been on 80mg of pantoprazole for awhile now, but recently went to 40mg in the morning and 20mg famotidine before bed. I'm close to half sitting in bed and now used to it. The swallowing issue is worrisome, but I've never had food really stuck, just maybe hard to get down but eventually did. Since I'm from Sweden, I started reading about a device that was developed there called Iqoro. It's a piece of plastic that you put in front of your teeth and pull to create a vacuum. This trains the muscles in your esophagus. Takes months to feel a difference. I had my sister send it to me since it's not approved in the US (but it is in Britain). They have a website that is also in English. My test is to see if I can drink a glass of water without stopping. I'm getting close!

I've read about the iqoro. How do you like it?

I think the Iqoro has made a difference for me. It's been over a year now and I'm using it 3 times a day for 30 seconds each time. I found a pamphlet from Iqoro where I had done their swallowing test at the beginning. Time yourself drinking 1 dl (deciliter, about half a cup) water. I wrote 15 sec. Tested now and I can drink the same amount in 10 sec. My swallowing is better!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!!