Omeprazole

[Atom1]

Does anyone know how long I can take this.? It's meant to help with excess stomach acid due to my preventer.

[risabel59]

This is quite a difficult question. Lots of people with asthma have acid reflux. You can take omeprazole for a long time. And certainly if you have a big problem until things really calm down. Some people have taken it for many years. There are different doses. So it may be possible to titrate down.

There is some research that suggests that PPIs contribute to bone thinning. But this is not definitive.

I find that really paying attention to what I am eating when helps. There are tons of web sites that can point you in the right direction. I use Omeprazole if I get a flare up, but not all the time.

It may also be worth investigating if you have any food allergies or intolerance which is also common with asthma.

I think that you need to find out what suits you. I have found my acid reflux much better since I changed my asthma drug regimen. But I can’t say that would work for you as it took my specialist along time to tweak things for me.

R

[Atom1 in reply to risabel59]

Thanks. Very helpful.

[TuckBox2]

Hi Atom1,

I went through all the antacid drugs to try and control my acid reflux, it was assumed that it was due to the steroid inhalers. (I have been diagnosed asthmatic since 1988) I was on Omeprazol for 8-9 years, I started suffering with losing my voice as the acid was burning my vocal chords. I was swapped to Esomeprazol (by the voice specialist at t he hospital) as I was told it was it was a stronger medication that was about 1998/2000.

I then had a 'Laprascopic Nissen Fundoplication' in 2009 (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nisse... This stopped the acid reflux, I had to make some changes to my diet (no fizzy/gassy drinks, no spicy foods) but I have been pain free ever since.

[Debd in reply to TuckBox2]

Hi TuckBox2. I hope you don’t mind me asking. My doctor has suggested that he will put me forward for this operation. How long was your recovery after this op and has the procedure had any long lasting impact on your life. Whilst I really really want a better quality of life I am concerned about the side effects of the op. Many thanks.

[TuckBox2 in reply to Debd]

Hi Debd,

After the op, when back on the ward, I was only allowed sips of water for the first day, I was put on a Morphine Syringe, but never used it and was given Paracetamol & Ibuprofen for pain relief. From day 2 and for 6 weeks I was only allowed soft foods (mostly mashed foods, soups, ice cream, yogurts, mousses etc.) this helped me lose 2kg.

I was told not to drive for 1 week, and I off work a total of 3 weeks (mainly to reduce the risk of being hit or bumped in the stomach) They used dissolveable stitches so once the plasters came off and I was able to shower properly they were gone in a week to 10 days.

I was lucky that after 6 weeks it was Xmas and I was able to eat regular solid foods etc. They did advise me not to drink fizzy drinks, not to drink using a straw, to avoid beer & lager (though I do have the occasional 1 nowadays) not to have really spicy foods or too many foods that give you gas. This is because the valve is mostly kept closed to stop the acid coming back into your oesophagus, you do not burp but and gas has to work its way down. The op I had was not a tight wrap as with some food allergies I can vomit quit a bit so they left the valve a little looser than normal in case I have a reaction to certain foods, luckily this has not happened in the 9 years since my op.

[Debd in reply to TuckBox2]

Thank you so much TuckBox2. This is so helpful and I am very grateful for your feed back. It will help me to prepare.

[TuckBox2 in reply to Debd]

I hope you get this done and all goes well

[Hidden]

Hi I have been on this since I was 34 and I’m now 71 and haven’t suffered anything untowards if I miss a dose I know and can’t eat for rest of the day I have a large hiatus hernia and it works perfectly hope that helps

[Lizzie1956]

I take mine when on steroids, otherwise no, I don’t take them. UNLESS I’ve had a few particularly good meals with too much alcohol! 🙈

[omahjoa]

I have been taking it for 2 and a half years. When i tried to stop i got terrible reflux so started it again. Hope this helps

[emmasue]

I take them every day. If I have had a fizzy drinks, I still notice my symptoms, but fuzzy drinks are my weakness, especially in this heat! However, when I am good, they seem to work. There's lots of good advice here. Hope you feel better soon.

[Newproblems]

I've been on Omeprazole for over twenty years for a different reason. I have only just been given a preventer inhaler having used a blue one for years. I have so far suffered no ill effects.

I just would like to say that acid reflux should be monitored and controlled. If unchecked it can cause damage to the oesophagus. In a very few rare cases this can lead to oesophageal cancer. This is not as well publicised as it should be for fear of scaring people and having doctors surgeries full of people with simple indigestion.

I know all this because I had oesophageal cancer in 1994.

[ChrissieMons]

if you are sure it is caused by your preventer, you might want to have a different one.

[Atom1 in reply to ChrissieMons]

I've tryed 3 different inhalers. No difference.

[Ken6]

Omeprazole and other PPI's have a terrible effect on my digestive system.

I can take them for about two weeks then the severe symptoms start.

I find 2 Gaviscon, double action, tablets work quite well for acid reflux.

[Darceydoo in reply to Ken6]

Hi yes I take Gaviscon Advance which is for a cough.

[janet1944]

Hi I have emphysema, amongst other things, hiatus hernia for Years. I have taken Omeprozole 40mgs for Years. Also ranitidine 150mgs . I have always been okay no problems, it says for a short period , but as I said it’s years. I have been without for two days and known I hadn’t taken it immediately. I use 3 inhalers.

[Hidden]

I too mine for 2-3 month after that it was fine then about 6mth I had to go bk on them

due to my stomach stating again, I have been bck on them now for 3mth so I take it must

keep coming bck. Hope you keep well.