Omeprazole to help asthma and post nasal drip.

[T1ggy]

Has anyone else been prescribed Omeprazole in case their asthma and throat congestion is caused by acid reflux? I have been taking it for 2 weeks with no difference in symptoms. I was wondering how long it was before anyone saw an improvement as I don't know whether to order more or give them up.

[Jamesd1234]

I’ve been given lansoprazole for the same reason . As I get acid reflux or maybe even silent reflux which affects the post nasal drip. However, like you, I am also still struggling with post nasal drip which is likely caused by allergies with the high pollen count right now. Have been struggling for a very long time to find a solution!

I’ve managed to get a referral to the hospital respiratory to be considered for biologic treatment as my asthma is so bad now. Maybe this is something you could try asking about?

I hope you make some progress with the post nasal drip !

[T1ggy in reply to Jamesd1234]

Thank you. Nothing seems to help does it!

[Jamesd1234 in reply to T1ggy]

I know it’s frustrating! Got steroid nasal spray, max anti histamines, extra supplements but still can’t get a full nights sleep without asthma and coughing up. Ironically , sleep is the thing we need to help our symptoms and to help get energy and exercise!

I guess changing diet is another thing to look into but unsure where to start.

[T1ggy in reply to Jamesd1234]

I have tried going dairy free for a fortnight but it didn't make any difference! I also tried to cut down on acid food but that's more difficult. I bought a new mattress (dust mites) and an air purifier. No luck so far!

[Jamesd1234 in reply to T1ggy]

Yep, I’ve done exactly the same with bedding and air purifier and also no luck. I definitely sympathise!

[Shiraz07 in reply to Jamesd1234]

Hi, I was very ill a few weeks ago with my asthma, the cough was uncontrollable and I thought it was game over, I went to see a respiratory specialist and he prescribed Montelukast .. I take one at night and have been sleeping 7 hours straight whereas before I was lucky if I could get 3 hours from coughing.. works wonders for me, so worth a try for you ?

[T1ggy in reply to Shiraz07]

Yes, definitely worth a try, asthma nurse wants me to try it again. I did try it several years ago and it didn't make any difference then. Would love to sleep 7 hours! Lol!

[Shiraz07 in reply to T1ggy]

Worth another go maybe?

[T1ggy in reply to Shiraz07]

Yes, willing to try anything at this point!

[flowerjunky]

hi T1ggy

I’m on Omeprazole for reflux (as I have a hiatus hernia) and take it twice a day,. If you are only on 1 tablet a day, are you taking it in the evening? I’ve found it also helps to keep evening meals small and avoid alcohol (especially wine). It did take a few weeks for my oesophagus to heal (as the reflux had caused damage to my oesophagus) before I noticed an improvement.

I also take fexofenadine (antihistamine) twice a day and use a steroid nasal spray as I have hayfever and dust mite allergies which contribute to post nasal drip. My consultant also recommended Neilmeds nasal rinse which is lovely and soothing and I’ve found helpful.

I hope you manage to get on top of your symptoms - do keep going back to you dr if they don’t improve as you may need further investigation/medication to help.

[T1ggy in reply to flowerjunky]

Thanks for replying. I hadn't considered that my oesophagus may need to heal before any improvement. I just thought the tablets weren't making any difference to my asthma and blocked throat and nose. So, I need to give them a fair chance then, didn't know whether to order more or not.I also have Neil med and yes it does feel nice. Also fexofenadine and steroid nasal spray. Must be the standard treatment, even if they're not very effective, for me at least!

[flowerjunky in reply to T1ggy]

I think it’s probably worth seeing your gp again (or maybe a pharmacist would be able to advise how quickly you should see improvements). I’ve found that my symptoms have improved slowly (over several weeks).

You don’t say in your post if you’ve been given a steroid inhaler for your asthma ? If so, they can take 6-8 weeks to build up in your system before you see the full effects.

Please do keep seeing your drs if nothing appears to improve. Although we seem to be given the same meds, we are all different and ours bodies likewise !

[T1ggy in reply to flowerjunky]

Yes, I have Seretide and Ventolin. I think the doctor wanted to rule other things out. I had an ECG and blood test and the Omeprazole. Hopefully he'll get on to trying different inhalers if they don't work.The relationship between acid reflux, asthma and sinus type symptoms is very complicated, isn't it.

[flowerjunky in reply to T1ggy]

Good to hear your gp is on top of it all. Yes I’m afraid there’s a lot of us that have the same problems and they seem to be very much linked.

It may be worth asking for a referral to your local hospital Respiratory Unit (although the wait can be horrendously long to be seen!).

[Poppydaydream]

I have asthma and acid reflux ( and terrible hay fever). I was on Omeprazole for 2 years. The last year on double the dose. I was still struggling and when I discovered that long term use could contribute to bone breaks ( I have severe osteoporosis) and pneumonia ( I have Asthma and Bronchiectasis). I didn't feel it was helping either. I'm a plant based Vegan but managed to change my diet enough that now I'm mostly symptom free. ( I'm 76). Good luck. Hope things improve for you.

[T1ggy in reply to Poppydaydream]

Thank you for your reply. I was prescribed Omeprazole to see if acid reflux was causing my asthma and post nasal drip symptons. I have only taken it for 2 weeks so far. It hasn't helped yet. So will have to see!

[Poshcards]

I have been on omeprazole prior to starting on asthma drugs and I still get your symptoms. So i cant see it helps at all x

[T1ggy in reply to Poshcards]

Thanks for reply. That will probably be me too! Nothing seems to make any difference. I've tried so many things.

[Gwalltarian]

Do you take the Omeprazole first thing in the morning? It takes 30 minutes to be absorbed so I try not to eat until then. I also take Rennies if I feel any acidity later in the day and a bedtime. Do you have any indigestion/heartburn symptoms? There is something called silent reflux where you might not realise you have any such problems. However, if you’re not finding any improvement then it’s probably something else causing the symptoms you experience. Do you take antihistamines? Do you drink alcohol?

[T1ggy in reply to Gwalltarian]

Thank you for replying. Acid reflux was just one thing the doctor was exploring for my breathlessness, coughing and blocked head and throat. Had Ecg and blood test so far. He also increased my antihistamines. I just wondered how long I should expect to give the Omeprazole before it makes an improvement. Don't want to give up on it too soon.

[Clairebear35]

I take Lansoprazole in the evening and recently take 2 swigs of gaviscon right before I go to sleep, my consultant said although the lansoprazole stops the burning from the acid I’ll still get some symptoms which for me results in a night time cough. The gaviscon has helped massively. FYI he also said don’t bother with the rennie tablets, they won’t help much. I’ve also switched up my diet which has helped.

[Jamesd1234 in reply to Clairebear35]

Hi, I am also on lansoprazole and unsure if it is helping, but pleased to hear it works for you! I had been taking rennie, but will try gaviscon advance as I hear that is best for silent reflux and GERD. The problem is that these antiacids can prevent other medication from working, so is it best to take gaviscon after the evening meal and then to take the lansoprazole before bed alongside the anti histamines and montelukast? or is lansoprasole best half an hour before your evening meal, then gaviscon , then medication before bed. its tricky to understand the best time to take these medications!

[T1ggy in reply to Jamesd1234]

I don't know if the Omeprazole will help, it's a trial as the doctor says Post Nasal drip and Asthma can be caused by acid reflux. I also take an antihistamine and a statin so those have to be juggled too! Although, I don't have Montelukast, that's also on list to try apparently. I've ended up having different tablets all day, what a pain!

[Jamesd1234 in reply to T1ggy]

Thanks for your reply. I've been taking lansoprazole for a while now, but unsure if it helps. Yet i sometimes notice acid feeling when i wake up in the night with asthma and take a gaviscon. The problem i have is i am unsure when the best time is to take the PPI medication vs gaviscon, as i know medications can interact. Acid reflux only seems to be part of the picture as noticed asthma much more severe when the pollen count is high. It is difficult juggling medication and understanding multiple reasons for asthma. Hopefully we will find some more answers soon!

[xcindyx]

I have the same and acid reflux can trigger asthma. If impressive not making a difference then maybe acid reflux is not affecting your asthma.

[Smurf2841]

I've read your post with interest. I've had a "cough" for 11yrs, since I was pregnant with my daughter & every time I get a cold it goes into my chest & has me coughing for 6-8 weeks at a time. Happened with both pregnancies & I was drinking bottles of gaviscon every day until I had my daughter. Over the years they have said maybe asthma, maybe post nasal drip, or gerd.GP recently prescribed me omeprazole, but I didn't think it was making a difference.

I've now seen a specialist who has me on fostair inhaler & a nasal spray & possibly montelukast (waiting on ECG results)

But he's saying he thinks asthma & sinusitis causing my issues. Hoping for some relief soon as it's affecting my day to day life & is so embarrassing. I'm at the point where coughing now is so severe as to make me vomit or my nose bleed.

Last time I had a flare up from April until May 20th. Then had about 2 months where it went & now it's back again worse than ever, this is the shortest break in symptoms I've had too

[T1ggy in reply to Smurf2841]

When I posted some time ago I was wondering how long to try the Omeprazole for to see if it worked. I tried it for 6 weeks but it didn't seem to help with the mucous in throat and terrible cough so I stopped taking it. My doctor also mentioned Montelukast though I have previously used this for about 2 months with no success. I do have inhalers. I use Neilmed nasal wash and steam inhalation. I don't have any solution yet. Doctors can't seem to solve these sinus/ asthma/ post nasal drip symptoms. Hope you get sorted. It is as you say, very embarrassing. Always have to try to sort myself out. steaming, inhalers etc before I go anywhere to meet people!

[Jamesd1234 in reply to T1ggy]

I completely relate! It’s frustrating trying all this medication and find it doesn’t work. I’ve noticed slight improvement now grass pollen is calming a little but still wake every night with asthma and have daily issues. I think next step is to try and get biologic treatment but the hospital seem far more challenging and less helpful than primary care! … do you take dymista? I’ve also heard that drinking lots of water helps. The nasa rinse seems to irritate me and make things worse / more mucous oddly!

[T1ggy in reply to Jamesd1234]

I haven't tried Dymista, does it work for you? I have Fluticasone spray. I don't know if it works as I'm still full of mucous in my throat. I have also been wondering about Neilmed nasal wash and don't know if that's doing any good. It did seem to help when I first used it. I seem to be taking lots of medication including inhalers that I don't even know if they're working for me! Except Ventolin, I know that works, thankfully !

[Jamesd1234 in reply to T1ggy]

Dymista does help but unfortunately all the meds aren’t enough for me. My only regret is that I didn’t try to push for a hospital referral for biologics sooner as it’s a long process! Cant say what is right for you but I’d definitely contact your gp : asthma nurse and see what else they can do!

[Smurf2841]

Updating as today I've been to see my consultant after allergy blood tests, chest & head CTs & an ECG.He says he is diagnosing my "cough" as asthma & bronchiectasis and he thinks this has been caused by allergies as the test results have come back that I'm very allergic to dust, grass, dog and cat dander, and also to bananas, tomatoes, sesame seeds, wheat and rye. And very efficient in vitamin D

I've been told to keep taking fostair inhaler, montelukast & a nasal spray.

Also some antibiotics & a steroid just now as apparently there is inflammation and a nodule in my lung.

Does anyone have any similar experience please?