Omeprazole prescribed

[Hartingdon]

Is this standard practice following ablation (40mg) ? And is it a permanent medication ?

[BobD Volunteer]

Often done to help prevent oesphageal discomfort. I hate the stuff and wouldn't take for longer than a couple of weeks max. Usually prescribed for a month.

[wischo in reply to BobD]

Why???

[BobD Volunteer in reply to wischo]

Took it years ago and almost impossible ever to get off it if taken long term. Took lots of will power and many, many weeks. All the "azoles" are the same.

[Cookie24 in reply to BobD]

Azoles ate awful drugs

[wischo in reply to BobD]

Been on them for twenty years now and all blood tests come back normal. I have a hiatus hernia and GERD and it has been my lifeline. I asked numerous professionals as to the dangers of taking them long term and they all said it was very much hyped up by the media and some medical professions without adaquate trials to prove they caused any real harm in the long term. Either way I am on them that long and feel great.

[Espeegee in reply to wischo]

Read the in packet label. It is quite specific that is a short term medication (2 weeks max) and is not a treatment for indigestion. That said GPs dish it out on a repeat basis and I know some people personally who have been on it for years. It's awful stuff, it really damps down gastric acid which you need for food digestion.

[wischo in reply to Espeegee]

I am on it for ages and do you think I have not read the leaflet. Read the leaflet on any of the many medications here and give me your view on them. It never says on the packet that its awful stuff and really damps down gastric acid which you need for food digestion. It says that some people need it long term due to serious gastric issues so honestly your opinions are basically for people with heartburn. Have you read the labels on Amioderone or Flecainide? yet people still need these medications. Honestly.

[Buzby62]

Yes but usually just for six weeks in my experience. I had six weeks worth of Lansoprazole (similar drug) following cryoablation and others on this forum had the same.

Best wishes

[Alicant in reply to Buzby62]

Been on for ten years+

[CDreamer]

I was prescribed as prophylactic at least 4 times - never taken.

There are conditions that it may help but the associated risks are far too numerous and long lasting to chance if using as prophylactic IMHO.

[wischo in reply to CDreamer]

Seriously are you talking about a proton pump inhibitor like omeprazole or prophylactic for what??. Omeprazole short term is almost always 100% safe and is prescribed for good reason.

[CDreamer in reply to wischo]

And I will never take them. I don’t think they are ‘safe’ for me, I was prescribed as a prophylactic - why when I didn’t have a problem? I had mild gastric issues when taking some meds which were easily treated. I accept that for some people in some situations they may be helpful short term.

My ex GP who studied gastric issues extensively spent their life helping people come off PPIs, it wasn’t easy as there is often rebound.

[wischo in reply to CDreamer]

Possibly not as only just read your profile and as you have osteoporosis maybe not. Apologies.

[Espeegee in reply to wischo]

Short term is the key word, weeks, not years.

[mjames1]

They are prescribed only temporarily. to help prevent esophageal damage which can be quite serious and in rare cases life-threatening.

I wouldn't think twice about it as the esophagus is both close to the heart snd fragile.

I've taken a similar PPi for 20 years because of. GERD with no ill effect. Anyone who says a short course of a PPI like Omeprazole after ablation will do more harm than good is not basing that statement on medical science.

Jim

[Jalia in reply to mjames1]

Agree with you Jim. I'm similar in having taken Lansoprazole for many years and no ill effects.There are times when they are really necessary.

[Hartingdon in reply to mjames1]

Thanks. I was already on 20mg for GERD, just doubled to 40mg following ablation. I will ask about going back to 20mg when I next see the Doctor who carried out the ablation in February.

[wischo in reply to Hartingdon]

Usually for 6 weeks as you can have an ulcer or even a fistula which is the worst outcome due to the heat from the catheters. Wise move to take them.

[Buffafly]

I was prescribed Lansaprazole which had a bad side effect unfortunately but I was then given an alternative because it is important after an ablation.

[Mugsy15 in reply to Buffafly]

Some ablations, anyway. The subject of antacid medications never arose for me either before or after my ablation, and I had no gastric discomfort.

[Karendeena in reply to Buffafly]

I couldn't take Lansoprazole either was swapped to Omeprazole and stuck it out for the 6 weeks

[Hammerboy]

If you do end up needing any ant acid medication speak to your GP about Nizitadine. I was on Lanzoprazole for years but was very worried about long term side effects . I’ve been on the new drug for over a year now , no reflux and it’s not a PPI so safer I’m told

[frazeej in reply to Hammerboy]

Nizitadine is not, as you say, a PPI. It is an H2 receptor antagonist, same class as Tagamet and Zantac and Pepcid (first generation H2 blockers). All have a long record of safety.

JimF

[Hammerboy in reply to frazeej]

Well it’s worked for me and I’m glad I made the switch from Lanzoprazole . My GP would have kept me on it

[Ppiman]

It's for temporary protection as it reduces stomach acid secretion. I wouldn't take it long term unless the acid reflux requires it.

It was given, I gather, because some people have a food pipe (oesophagus) that naturally presses against their atrium. The heat from the ablation instrument can transfer through the very thin atrial wall and affect this, especially if any stomach acid reflux is occurring at the same time.

Steve

[Hartingdon in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks, good info 😊

[Karendeena]

Yes I believe it is standard practice (well it is my hospital following ablation). I took 40mg per day for 6 weeks, pleased I did as I suffered with indigestion which didn't really subside for a few months

[Brizzy50000]

I've been on omeprazole for about 5 years now, so far no side effects that I have noticed after a successful ablation, I have only seen the benefits, I can eat spicy foods etc and no indigestion which I use to suffer from

[Sixtychick]

I had to take it for 6 weeks after my ablation. Didn’t need to continue with it. It’s a precaution to protect your esophagus from acid reflux.

[wilsond]

Yes ,for a month after my ablation. To protect the oesophagus after the likely irritation of the prceedure.

[Hartingdon in reply to wilsond]

Thanks for that. 👍

[Qualipop]

If you do n't fancy one of the "azoles", ask about famotidine which does similar

[mjames1 in reply to Qualipop]

Famotidine is an H2 blocker, not a PPI and not nearly as strong for most folks. That's why they're only prescribed in these situations if PPI's are contraindicated.

Jim

[Qualipop in reply to mjames1]

Well, whatever it is it works far better for me without any of the e ill effects of the PPIs.

[Speed]

I’ve had 2 flutter ablation (right side RF) and 1 PVI Cryo all by the same consultant and all since Jan 2020. He prescribed Omeprazole (or similar) for 6 weeks only for the PVI, presumably because of the location of the procedure to the oesophagus.

[Ducky2003]

Yes and no, in answer to each of your questions. I took it for 6 weeks post ablation, no issues. I did have a sore feeling in the oesophagus for a couple of days and guessed the omeprazole calmed it down again.

[Rosemaryb1349]

After my first ablation I was supposed to have been given omeprazole but never got the prescription so when I developed severe pain a few days later I had to visit my GP, he was very surprised the hospital hadn't sent me home with it.

[Ennasti]

I have a hiatus hernia and GERD and was on a PPI for around 14months. I developed a severe B12 deficiency. We’re all different though and my doctor isn’t sure why my average dose and reasonably short-term time frame did this to me.

I had no trouble whatsoever coming off it using an antacid when symptoms arose in the first few weeks and taking the PPI prior to eating anything I thought might impact my oesophagus.

Around 10 months later, a series of B12 injections in the beginning, and I only take a PPI if I think I’m going to have a flare up.