Osteoporosis

[Dextersam10]

Has any one had omeprazole for reflux and has osteoporosis. I read that it's not good for people with osteoporosis due to bone health woul like to hear from any one .bit worried to take it .thank you and merry Christmas .

[hjskev]

I have both osteoporosis and acid reflux. I think Alendronic acid was the cause of my digestive problems and I used to take omeprazole. After a while the omeprazole stopped working for me. I read awful things about Alendronic acid so I stopped taking that too. Now I'm worried about Gaviscon because it is high in salt and I don't think that's good for bones. It looks like its a chicken and egg scenario. I'm no help to you I'm afraid I'm just empathising. I wish I hadn't allowed the doctor to take me off hrt. If I was of the right age for it that's what I would go for now, but I'm 74 and the doc wont give me it despite me still having menopause symptoms. Hope someone turns up who can set your mind at rest. Happy and healthy New Year.

[shazier2000 in reply to hjskev]

I to was on omaprazole for yrs for acid reflux I now read they can cause osteoporosis

My gp wouldn’t give me hrt because she said it can cause osteoporosis

I was 55 when I went throughout menopause

I asked again about hrt 5 yrs later was told it was to late by another gp

I now how severe osteoporosis and recently had two severe wedge fracture at T6/7

I was given alendronic acid in 2015 my stomach used to burn so I refused to take them

No alternative was offered and I’m in a right mess now and in so much pain

I’m no longer on omaprazole because I had a stroke and had to come of the and start taking lanzoprazole because of the blood thinner I was put on

I blame doctors completely for just leaving me re osteo

Last yr I had a really bad chest infection and had to go to the emergency room

I had respiratory failure and pneumonia

I also have severe emphysema

Anyway I was in agony with my back I thought m lung had collapsed

I was told it’s muscular and would heal

5 months later I was te admitted with my gallbladder but they couldn’t find the stone and have me a Ct scan

It the Ct scan that revealed the fracture that wrote present on X-ray 5 months before

They did nothing and now I have kyphosis which is caused by the fractures.

Nothing they can do now they should of braced me at least and told me not to twist or bend and rest up

The fractures took about 10 months to almost heal

Now my physio says they don’t tend to brace anymore in my country UK

I’m disgusted with the way I have been treated

When I tell my gp about the acid reflux she just gave me double the dose which again lanzoprazole as far as I know are not good for bones

I’m going to see a spine specialist privately because when I was referred they looked at my X-ray and results and refused to see me ? Why I I don’t know I didn’t get an explanation

So anyone that has gerd be aware of the long term effects of taking theses pills for acid

Doctors don’t seem to care like they did yrs ago 5/10 min to discuss your health and they write out a prescription

I may as well of seen a vet they might take more notice

[Humzee in reply to hjskev]

Hello there - I have recently been diagnosed with osteoporosis as a new ex-pat living in Mayenne, France. What to do? I used to run a self-help chronic pain charity as a work- injured nurse. (Spine mainly.) So I became used to reading new research on intractable pain. Now to do the same with osteoporosis. Quite a shock as, daily, I tramp up hill & down Dale/ take calcium carbonate now aspartate + Vit K2 + Vit D3 + boron + magnesium. Don’t smoke or drink. Eat a healthy diet etc. But I am v slim & that can be a major factor, also.

After intensive research, I decided that I wanted to go back on HRT(oestrogen patches) at 79. As I was taken off at 60 re faulty alarmist research. Otherwise I wld have stayed on it! So, I approached my new & quite grumpy mèdecin traitant with my translated notes explaining why I preferred HRT to the osteoporosis drugs. Blow me down, despite my local pharmacist declaring no chance. My doctor immediately agreed and spent an age looking up oestrogen patch + dose(50mg for the first year/then 25mcg for life.’) A slight increase in breast cancer risk. Blood clot risk a no with oestrogen patchs. My suggestions re the dose) Bless him he has prescribed a once a week years supply. My lady pharmacist almost feinted telling me that I was the first in France to be prescribed it at my age. Will also seek to have relevant blood tests + have ordered a v expensive MarodyneLiV vibration plate - designed by a Dr Clinton Rubin(look him up as he is fascinating re understanding osteoporosis at the cellular level as well as astronauts losing bone density. etc. Margaret Martin a physical therapist also produces VG YT videos. She knows all there is to know about osteoporosis.) I like to think that I am a cool soul who can deal with stuff. But It was a scary shock to be diagnosed with osteoporosis; especially with all the experts highlighting possible risks of frequent fractures etc. Forums like this one are invaluable. Thank you.

[hjskev in reply to Humzee]

Well done. I'm envious. Is there a particular hrt patch suitable for older folk?

[One-Blue-Lady in reply to Humzee]

This is very interesting, I have been wondering about asking for HRT but had doubts that it wouldn’t be considered at 90, but I’m in uk so probably a big difference to France. My understanding is that they have discovered a reading of-3 in my upper left arm, suddenly calc plus vit d was offered and referred to the hospital for treatment. I’m wondering now if they are trying to undo what damage omprazol has done through being prescribed for reflux for about five years and no checks for bones. I have started treatment but have had the dental checks, that’s what is scary as I know someone who has had the jaw damaged through taking the tablets. I’m still not convinced it’s necessary. Hope you’re feeling your persistence has paid off. Best wishes for future.

[Jumpey]

I have taken it short term for Gerd but am off it now because I have osteopenia. It stops the body absorbing minerals such as calcium. It didn't actually work for me anyway. I drastically changed my diet to an alkaline diet and that did the trick.I can now eat fairly normally. Good luck.

[One-Blue-Lady in reply to Jumpey]

Can you give more information on changing to alkaline die please.

[Jumpey in reply to One-Blue-Lady]

Read Dr.Louise Kaufman's Acid Reflux Diet.

[Humzee in reply to Jumpey]

Hello back - I don’t hink so. Menopause Matters .co.uk is an independent menopause info site. Also a Dr Newson is a UK- wide promoter of HRT. Anyway, don’t give up. Every woman with osteoporosis has a right to have HRT. Whatever her age depending on any medical contraindications. I am on an oestrogen patch as I had a total hysterectomy. Patches are best as they circumvent the liver re blood clot risk if taking tablets. There is a slight increased risk of breast cancer. But at our age there is, anyway. I was simply put off by the possible side-effects of the osteoporosis drugs. Plus the fact that only HRT can maintain a healthy bone density. Whereas none of the osteoporosis meds replace bone as it was pre osteoporosis. I believe. I stand to be corrected as I am not a doctor. Simply a nosey retd nurse. My heart goes out to everyone with osteoporosis ‘cos even as an expert in chronic pain(if I can be of help there as I read someone had been refused adequate pain relief. Not on. As I often found also with people with high level chronic pain. There is definitely discrimination because bif you have cancer pain, for example, adequate pain relief is rarely thankfully denied. We all have a human right to adequate pain relief. As mentioned in the Human Rights Act. As a retired nurse shame on me for being so ignorant about the complexities with regard to osteoporosis. Certainly concerning the possible fracture risk etc. I hope that helps do keep us informed of your progress.

[Fruitandnutcase]

I was with osteoporosis in 2020 but I suppose I had it for a while before that. In my past I was given omeprazole - I’m afraid I can’t remember what for though - but it was quite a few years before I was found to have osteoporosis.

I had unlimited access to the stuff. Eventually I read the patient information leaflet and realised that it is generally only advised for short term use although I know there are people who take it all the time as a ‘tummy protector’ because of other drugs they are taking.

Well that discovery freaked me out and I didn’t want to be taking it all the time so I worked on my diet and eliminated anything that was likely to give me heartburn and stopped the omeprazole completely with no ill effects.

More recently I was prescribed it again after I fractured my sacrum and was given a strong dose of Naproxen- doctor said she would give me a ‘tummy protector’ to go along with the Naproxen - I had already been given a lesser amount of Naproxen by a hospital GP - with no need for any sort of ‘tummy protector’. I wasn’t keen to take omeprazole again however ‘doctor knows best’ as they say so I did it.

That combination totally messed up my gut and I ended up with the worst diarrhoea ever plus a massively increased pulse rate - I felt dreadful. Spoke to GP who said to stop the naproxen but to double up on the omeprazole which I did. Still no improvement so I stopped the omeprazole altogether and things went back to normal for me.

I know what not to eat to avoid heartburn and there is no way I would touch omeprazole again especially as PPIs are supposed to not be good for your bones.

[fraid]

Hi, I have OP and have taken Omeprazole for years but only on and off, never had a problem with it. I only use it for GORD when I feel 'acidic' as it reduces the amount of acid you produce, but if it's not that causing your gut problems there are other things. I only take drugs when I have to, sleeping propped up helps my Gord more than anything else. Also I found that if you produce too much acid, more acid is best as stimulates body to produce more alkali, so a natural approach. Too much alkali makes body produce more acid ( learnt this re cystitis!) .Works for me and I rarely get problems now, inc. no colitis just occ. ibs. But everyone is different. Maybe ask gp re pros and cons? Good luck. 🤞

[Mavary]

hi I’m on two tablets of Omeprazol and couldn't do without it. My bones are quite bad. MyvDexa was -5.5 and is the last time I had one -4.2.

[shazier2000 in reply to Mavary]

If you don’t mind me asking do you take medication for your osteoporosis

My last hip score was -3.7 I haven’t got a clue what it means

I’m on alendronate now and have taken it for around 9 months with vitamin cali-d1000

My vit D is normal after many yrs of been negative

I am now being asked to go on zolandrate fusion 1 a yr for 3 yrs I’m so scared of the side effects and what can happen to your jaw

At least with the alendronate I can sto that when I want I can’t with the infusion it stays in you body for 12 months but I’m so worried my spine is going to re fracture

[Mavary in reply to shazier2000]

Hi Shazier. I was having Terraparatide injections at first. I had to do them myself every day. I had my biggest improvement while on that. Im now on Denosumab for the rest of my life. Luckily since I’ve been on it I haven’t had any more fractures. Im touching wood while saying it.

[One-Blue-Lady in reply to Mavary]

How do you feel about injecting yourself and can you stop if you test to find it isn’t helping?

[Mavary in reply to One-Blue-Lady]

My bones improved a lot on Terraparatide. I had no side effects either. You won’t know if they are working or not until you have your next Dexa scan. If you stop them you could undo any good they are probably doing. I don’t understand why you would want to stop them. It’s a treatment for two years.

[One-Blue-Lady in reply to Mavary]

I m very suspicious of tablets after being prescribed omprazol without any checks by doctor. I have a neighbour who has had two abscess under two teeth that has caused her jaw to disintegrate leaving her with sunken jaw. I have read about others having bone problems so I’m doing a lot of research, My daughter was a physiotherapist so she has been searching for information to help me as well. Some things she’s asked doctor they have any answers to, and the NHS doesn’t do some of the tests she’s asking questions about, so no answers!

They can’t prove it’s osteoporosis either! Might be arthritis! So I will try to manage it myself at least for the time being.

[Mavary in reply to One-Blue-Lady]

Ah I see! Maybe you should wait for a decision as to what is wrong just to make sure.

[One-Blue-Lady in reply to shazier2000]

I am going to hospital for investigation into treatment for osteoporosis after taking omprazol for many years. Started because of reflux but when I stop taking it I get swallowing problems, I can’t do the endoscopy treatment they have to do deep sedation, I had it once to stretch the gullet by 5cm, that wasn’t enough to stop the swallowing problem. So they want me back in, that means I have to stay in overnight and they can never provide me a bed! Otherwise I have to have someone stay with me overnight. I’m on my own so problem!

I’m convinced it’s omprazol that has caused osteoporosis but after several days without taking it I have problems swallowing. So have to start taking it again. I never had problems with my bones before. But haven’t any idea what to do so I can stop taking it. The hospital wants to treat me for osteoporosis because one arm is-3 but can’t give any other information about Dex scan so they have said they are waiting to speak to me before going ahead with injection. To me it feels like they are using a hammer to crack a nut! Like you I’m worried about my jaw and teeth. A neighbour has had two teeth removed, antibiotics because of an abscess and her jaw is distorted causing her face distortion either side of her mouth where her teeth were removed. Her treatment was tablets but they are suggesting Zoledronic acid for me which sounds ghastly!

[MaggieSylvie]

I have taken omeprazole in the past but now take lansoprazole. I'm assuming there is a difference. I had cut it down to one a week but the pharmacist at the surgery said I should take one daily again. I have six spinal compression fractures. I took Alendronic Acid for nine months until I read what it could do, and at a later dental appointment, was told how my lower teeth on one side had moved up! I'm glad I stopped, but I still take the calcium and vitamin D.

[shazier2000 in reply to MaggieSylvie]

Oh gosh this is what’s bothering me I’m on alendronic acid at the moment and my teeth are not great as it is

I’m seriously thinking don’t swap over to to the zoldronate fusion I can’t just stop taking that

What do you do now apart from the vit D

Do you use diet alone and is it working

Do you know what your score is

[MaggieSylvie in reply to shazier2000]

I don't know my current score. I stopped taking alendronic acid after 9 months but I have started again on the advice of my GP. Only been on it 3 weeks tomorrow, and I don't expect to feel any benefits just yet. It's meant to strengthen the bones (when taken correctly) not reduce the pain. So I take Colecalciferol - calcium with vit D and I take a bucketload of supplements from Nyvana. To be honest I don't want to take that much and it's meant to be reducing. I'm vegetarian, so my diet isn't much help to me but I do my best. I have other things to think about at the moment so I just keep doing what I've always done and so far I will be 80 on xmas Eve. My teeth have always been quite good.

[99real]

I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis after four years on omeprazole. Proton pump inhibitors are associated with side effects including fracture and kidney disease (and some say dementia). I also developed Hashimoto's, which is an autoimmune disease against the thyroid. Thankfully, my kidney disease went from stage 3 to just within the reference range after stopping omeprazole. The thyroid value for Hashimoto's is decreasing the longer I am off the drug. For the people who claim to be on a PPI for decades with no effect, you are lucky. Not everyone gets side effects but if you do, they are life-changing. Low acid, low fat, whole food diet is key for me now. You can learn about one version at jamiekoufman.com and other tips on addressing GERD without drugs. Dr. Jonathan Aviv is another ENT who promotes the low-acid diet. There is a FB group that has a ton of recipes based on Aviv's findings: facebook.com/groups/1990134.... Finally, there is a book by a chiropractor, Dr. Keith McCormick, that talks about secondary causes of OP. PPIs is one of them. You can buy his book or google videos of him. PPIs (and h2 blockers on a lesser basis) make it harder for you to derive optimal nutrition from your food because of the reduced stomach acid. Gut health is key to overall health. I started reading labels on store-bought food and there is so much acid as preservative in most of it. My perspective is if you can get by without an acid suppressor, that is best. If you use it short-term or once in awhile, maybe ok. I wish my doctor had said use it for a month to heal the inflammation in your esophagus while changing your diet and sleeping with your heard elevated. My health would be a lot better now. Good luck with your decisioning

[Tues]

I’ve been taking omeprezole daily for many years. I have osteoporosis. I’ve tried to stop it but I get dreadful reflux. I’ve read the replies to your post and will look further into getting off it. I was ill with alendronic acid then given risendronate but same thing happened. Currently taking no drugs (except vit d). Using a vibration plate and upped my calcium intake. Having my 2nd dexa scan next week. I will have to see how that goes b4 deciding on further treatment.

[Seniordoglover]

I took omeprazole daily for about 5 years for reflux. My PCP (primary care physician) at the time never once told me it could affect my bones, she just renewed the prescription every year. When I got a new PCP, the very first thing she did was tell me I shouldn’t take that drug long term and she switched me to famotidine instead. I’ve been taking that for about 3-4 years. I found out I had osteoporosis in my hip and osteopenia in my spine in August 2022 at age 50. Genetics might have played some role in it, but I blame the omeprazole. Neither the endocrinologist nor my current PCP will say that’s a possible cause, but after all my reading, I know taking that drug for so long certainly didn’t help my bones, and I am very upset that my first PCP allowed me to take it for so long without ever once warning me of what it could do to my bones long term.

[One-Blue-Lady in reply to Seniordoglover]

My doctor has never admitted that taking omprazol long term is the reason I am now looking at treatment for osteoporosis! I have tried cutting back but swallowing not so much reflux just returns. Hospital visit has not helped because I can’t decide if I want to risk injections that I understand once started cannot be stopped.

[Yoga99]

I was taking Omeprazole too before diagnosis of Osteoporosis.

I have weaned myself off it. Not easy and now unable to take Naproxen for my Sciatica.

Good luck!

[MayGodBlessYou]

i've read that the 'prazoles can have ill-effects mentally for some, so take care

[ROSModerator Partner]

Hi Everyone, thanks for all your comments, we have a Further food facts and bones Factsheet available, pg 7 has a section on alkaline diets: strwebprdmedia.blob.core.wi.... Hope that helps, best wishes