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 dragonfly123 @dragonfly123

tell me more about diverticuli pain on the left side, that sounds like maybe what I had and it was horrible; went to the ED, cause it hurt so bad and so long I wanted to die.

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I have it as well, but been watching what to eat. No nuts. If you want to eat nuts, turn it into powder. Because the seeds go into the Div cavities and start an infection. Try to prevent constipation. You might have had infection, and needed antibiotics. Otherwise, you will end up having surgery done which is a risky procedure. But, people got better by watching what they eat and having bowel movements.

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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've heard and read both about nuts, particularly popcorn, and fresh raw corn, doesn't do me well...but dunno
I was in the emergency for severe pain, they said it was gas, but when I read yours, left side, sigmoid colon, it made me wonder if the pain was from that, as I do have diverticulosis/and possibly itis...dunno
the GI is amazing, and very complicated

Lewis

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Profile picture for dragonfly123 @dragonfly123

I've heard and read both about nuts, particularly popcorn, and fresh raw corn, doesn't do me well...but dunno
I was in the emergency for severe pain, they said it was gas, but when I read yours, left side, sigmoid colon, it made me wonder if the pain was from that, as I do have diverticulosis/and possibly itis...dunno
the GI is amazing, and very complicated

Lewis

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Hi Lewis,
Yep sometimes they have told me not to eat popcorn or strawberries anything with seeds anything with peanuts, the pain on my left side of my abdomen is usually more towards the front and it just hurts and it does feel like gas. I don't get it very often since I started eating differently and popcorn doesn't bother me at all. It's all so very confusing because I've been diagnosed with ulcers,IBS, diverticulitis. Every time I go get a colonoscopy it's different but I've never had polyps I'm 63 so I've been about five times. I can't say that what they call diverticulitis is pain on my left side which does feel a lot like gas or bloating and all sometimes get constipation but it has happened a lot less since I changed my diet and I still eat popcorn just not as much in one sitting. But I also eat flax seeds and they're tiny so they're supposed to be able to get into the holes of your colon if you have diverticulitis and cause pain so everybody's just different. I am very interested in studying all research on microbiomes and stomach issues because I really believe that is where all our troubles start. Since I started taking care of my stomach issues more and eating the right things then I definitely feel better everywhere even with joint pain. Been diagnosed with SIBO too I need my research found that antibiotics are really not good for us and with sibo some people would scleroderma have to be on that constantly. That's when I changed applesauce and sauerkraut for my prebiotics and probiotics I can't believe how amazingly simple it's been.

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Profile picture for dragonfly123 @dragonfly123

I took freeze dried breast milk for my SIBO, then added goat milk yogurt, seemed to help a ton...cut out the PPIs, but the docs want me to get back on the PPIs, so I'm struggling with the tossup, acid reflux, beat up esophogus, or laying in bed in pain with a hot pad. I too, "microdose" the psilium fiber, cause too much, is too much, and it's easy to get too much! actually little fiber gummies seem to be just about the right amount for me.

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If the doctor thinks you need medication to heal your esophagus then you should definitely take it, because you're exposing yourself to the danger of developing esophageal cancer. Try to see if you can take an H2 blocker. If that doesn't help you (you need to give it at least 2 weeks to see if you feel better), then take the PPI. It's better than getting cancer.

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Profile picture for t98 @t98

If the doctor thinks you need medication to heal your esophagus then you should definitely take it, because you're exposing yourself to the danger of developing esophageal cancer. Try to see if you can take an H2 blocker. If that doesn't help you (you need to give it at least 2 weeks to see if you feel better), then take the PPI. It's better than getting cancer.

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I"d rather get cancer and die of it; that spend 12 hours laying in bed, clutching a heating pad, against my tummy, trying to get it to unlock, and hypersensitivity to methane gas, like pea gravel; inside my tummy, grinding along. From what I've seen, a lot of doctors, have their "go to" diagnosis and treatment, and don't listen to the patients, don't review the prior records, and don't have a clue about WTF is going on, with and inside their patient, I've had 15 ED/docs, three GI docs, and about five surgeons, deny, what I told them, over two years, and finally confirmed thanks to another surgeon, "very rare, spigelian hernia, you got to get that fixed, it can pinch your bowel" after two years of misery and telling docs that I have a hernia, and the all denied it, but one, that said that was a possibility. Inept idiots, a lot of doctors; don't know shit.

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Profile picture for jojo @jord

May I ask you where in your stomach the pain is? I have pain in middle where ribs meet and under ribs get inflamed or bloated or feel so heavy. Used to have little pain, but now, no matter what I drink or eat it or walk or bend pick something up, it hurts and feels heavy and bloated. The only thing has helped is warm water and heat pad. I can't take any PPIs or H2 Blockers due to thrush and getting Sibo. As soon as bloating and gas is gone, SIBO shows up! Thanks.

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PPI’s treat symptoms, not the cause. I too took PPI’s and once off, symptoms returned. So what’s the point of taking them?
PPI’s can also harm you. After my 3rd endoscopy, the GI doctor came in and told me to never take a POI again as my intestinal cells were hypertrophic.
If you have SIBO, find a doctor who knows how to treat why you have SIBO. Find one that actually listens to you.

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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’m in the process of weaning myself off of Prilosec, I’ve been a user for over 15 years constantly daily of 20 mg. I’m going to 10 mg for two weeks and then 5 mg for 2 and in 4 weeks hope to be at zero. I’ve tried this before with no success as the acid production comes back with extreme vengeance. The reason I’m quitting is my new doctor has strongly suggested I do this as research is suggesting possible harmful side effects. It’s day three and I’m feeling discomfort and frantic nerves.

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Profile picture for dmuth2 @dmuth2

I’m in the process of weaning myself off of Prilosec, I’ve been a user for over 15 years constantly daily of 20 mg. I’m going to 10 mg for two weeks and then 5 mg for 2 and in 4 weeks hope to be at zero. I’ve tried this before with no success as the acid production comes back with extreme vengeance. The reason I’m quitting is my new doctor has strongly suggested I do this as research is suggesting possible harmful side effects. It’s day three and I’m feeling discomfort and frantic nerves.

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If you already have an acid surge/discomfort, then I suggest doing it more slowly. In other words, take 10 mg every other day or even every third day. I'm trying to switch from a PPI to an H2 blocker and I started once a week to take an H2 instead of PPI, and then once every 4 days, 3 days, and building up. I don't know yet if I'll succeed but it's so far working to do it slowly.

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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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After 10 years on a ppi and h2 blocker (worsened after gall bladder surgery), I 'm finally on an h2 blocker only, 40 mg of Famotadine twice a day. But, it's only because my Crohn's is finally being treated effectively. Crohn's inflammation was making it impossible to control the reflux. Also, I often have to add Gaviscon in between doses, but I think it's safer than remaining on a ppi.

Also, make sure you are on a strong enough dosage of an h2 blocker. They were trying 20 mg twice a day at first.

Good luck!

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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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Things have improved since cutting dosage. Total of 70 mg vs 120mg in 7 days and I’m feeling much more stable on 10mg vs 20mg. Acid effects are stable as today is day 7 and it’s now 2 days without the need for a tums at night. I’ve stayed away from acidity liquid, foods and alcohol. Planning to carry this on for another 7 days and then reduce to 5mg for a two week period. If needed I take a H2 during this time of withdrawal.

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