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?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

fltutu | @fltutu | Jul 9 12:34pm

In reply to @nightngale1998 "Hi there: Has anyone had success in weaning off of Omeprazole? I take it for GERD...." + (show)

I took Omeprazole for 2 years for GERD and it seemed to be helping a lot. Then day I woke up and my left leg was swollen. After many doctors and loads of tests, I happened to read in a NIH report that Omeprazole sometimes exacerbated arthritis in your joints. Since I have arthritis in my left hip, I went to my Gastro and asked to get off Om. He said he'd never heard of that reaction and RELUCTANTLY put me on Pepcid. Within 48 hours, my leg was back to normal and the Pepcid is handling the GERD just fine.

pb50 | @pb50 | Jul 9 1:12pm

In reply to @fltutu "I took Omeprazole for 2 years for GERD and it seemed to be helping a lot...." + (show)

Ditto. Proton pump inhibitors like Nexium and Prilosec are
Triggers for a condition called Microscopic colitis - an awful, I’ll do anything to stop it kind of thing.

So
I too transitioned to Pepcid. I had to supplement with an additional one mid afternoon for a few days and then Tums - but now it’s all good.

ksdm | @ksdm | Jul 9 3:51pm

In reply to @nightngale1998 "Hi there: Has anyone had success in weaning off of Omeprazole? I take it for GERD...." + (show)

I was on Pantoprozole, which is similar, and I weaned myself off. Instead of one pill a day, I took one pill every other day and finally stopped.

cjval52 | @cjval52 | Jul 10 3:44pm

In reply to @pb50 "Ditto. Proton pump inhibitors like Nexium and Prilosec are Triggers for a condition called Microscopic colitis..." + (show)

PPIs also create a favorable environment for helicobacter pylori to thrive. ( causes ulcers)

AnnieC | @annc999 | Jul 19 9:54am

In reply to @nightngale1998 "Hi there: Has anyone had success in weaning off of Omeprazole? I take it for GERD...." + (show)

I am trying to wean off Nexium. Down to every 4 days 20 mg. No issues so far. Wonder if I ever had Gerd. Weird. But it’s caused me to have bleeding stomach
Polyps that are quite large.

gravity3 | @gravity3 | Jul 23 12:33pm

In reply to @fatherofstickyrice "No, thankfully, I have not had esophageal cancer. My doctor has recommended that I transition from..." + (show)

I have Osteoporosis. I take Osteoporosis meds and bhrt. Because of my acid reflux I was prescribed Omeprazole. When I read that it can inhibit calcium absorbtion I was concerned. Since then I have resumed the ppi and am not going to worry about the calcium issue. At 77 I am refusing to worry about the myriad issues with medication side effects. My life is too short. I

lamd | @lamd | Jul 24 9:35am

In reply to @fatherofstickyrice "10 years ago or so, I had severe symptoms of having food stuck in my esophagus..." + (show)

Hi, I was diagnosed with esophagitis / silent gerd and put on pantoprazole for a few months. When I tried to stop the pantoprazole I had severe heartburn. (I never actually had heartburn before I started the PPI). After ~1 month of torture, I went back on the PPI, but to a half dose. I took half dose for about a month and then alternated that with famotidine until I switched, then started weaning off famotidine. My real question for this group is…is it worse to be on a PPI daily long term or to be on famotidine daily long term or are they equally bad for both osteoporosis and dementia? Does anyone have any insight on this? Thanks

Father of sticky rice | @fatherofstickyrice | Jul 24 11:27am

In reply to @lamd "Hi, I was diagnosed with esophagitis / silent gerd and put on pantoprazole for a few..." + (show)

Famotidine (H2 blocker) does not inhibit calcium absorption as Omeprazole (PPI) does.

gravity3 | @gravity3 | Jul 24 12:07pm

In reply to @lamd "Hi, I was diagnosed with esophagitis / silent gerd and put on pantoprazole for a few..." + (show)

My gastroenterologist had me go through a protocol to quit Omeprazole. With that ppi, she did not recommend quitting cold turkey.

jmedj55 | @jmedj55 | Jul 27 6:18pm

In reply to @mrsbeard26 "I’ve been on Prevacid my entire adult life. 27 years. Slowly transitioning off. I’m scared." + (show)

You’ve been on a ppi medicine for 27 years ? I hope you can wean off it successfully. You apparently have GERD or reflux ? That is what I have along with swollen esophagus and I started Prilosec in May though it worries me as to the side effects

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