Has anyone been taking Omeprazole over a number of years? If so, have you experienced any side effects? I was previously taking them, then stopped due to concern over side effects, but considering taking them again as I feel reflux is affecting my breathing (history of shortness of breath, left - sided chest tightness - no evidence of airway inflammation on tests, Cardiac tests essentially normal).
Thanks
Hi I have been taking these for around 2 years now coz of acid reflux. I was getting bad indigestion too and was waking in the early hours 2/3 times a week and vomiting for hours into my toilet. Nasty!
There are other ones you can take though so maybe one of these would suit you better? x
Hi Hypercat, sounds like you've had a horrendous experience with reflux! I'm glad the Omeprazole have helped. I was taking Ranitidine for a while, which helped a bit, but I think the Omeprazole were more effective. Do you find reflux affects your breathing? x
Well I have mild copd and asthma as well and the pattern was waking up around 3/4 am coughing for England. Then I would start feeling nauseus too and would keep swallowing. After around 15 minutes the nausea got worse and eventually I would have to get up and throw up. This lasted for ages and was everything including bile. Only when this was completely finished could I return to bed.
I don't do it on the omezaprole. x
Hello, Yes, I have been taking Omaprazole for 5 years now. My doctor suggested I go on a lower dose which I did. Unfortunately the acid returned and I had to go back on 20 mg. I want to decrease the doseage of all the tablets I take if possible. I understand that we should only be taking them for a set period so I am going to speak to my doctor and ask advice.
Hi RoadRunner, yes this is what I'm trying to do aswell (minimize the amount/dosage of meds I'm taking), it's not always easy is it? I know with reflux there are surgical options, but even these have potential side effects/complications (although not so much with some of the newer procedures)
Hello again, As I said, I spoke to my doctor yesterday about Omaprazole tablets long term. He appreciated I wanted to reduce tablet dosage and suggested I take one 20 mg one day and 10 mg the next and so on. I'm going to give it a try and will feed back to everyone after I give it trial run.
Hi RoadRunner, hope all goes well with reducing the dosage of Omeprazole. I know it's better to do it this way, rather than stopping suddenly.
Been taking full dosage 15 years with no negative side effects. Best Wishes, judg69
Been taking them for over 10 years now with no side effects.
Hi ZM1980
I had to stop taking omeprazole due to stomach pains but now take pantoprazole which are very effective with no side effects!
I have taken them for a long time. I know there are concerns about long term use (e.g. osteoporosis) but reflux can cause problems too. I don’t want to tempt fate but they suit me very well i.e.. no negative effects.
Been on them for several years without a problem. I use a low salt diet with magnesium baths and plenty of fruit & veg for potassium to counter any mineral losses they cause. I was previously on ranitidine for many years but find omeprazole more effective.
I’m the other way round, omeprazol didn’t suit me, tingling mouth , puffy lips from the start, so have been on ranitidine for years now. Work well and no side effects that I’ve noticed.
If I forget a dose, I soon get a pain midway in my upper back. GP says stomach acidity shows that way sometimes. I’m assuming I’m on them for life, to counteract the acidity in steroids and oxytetracycline that are my regular companions. My osteopenia has been put down to steroid use, no mention at all of ranitidine.
It was my GP who took me off ranitidine when I was diagnosed with COPD, and prescribed omeprazole instead. He said the ranitidine was old fashioned.
Yes, I think that’s the general view 👵🏻
But does the trick for me, and I can buy a few Zantac in the chemist if I find myself out without my pills....two are the same dose as I’m prescribed! Years ago, my prescription came as Zantac, now just get the generic of course.
I’m odd with drugs so no surprise I reacted to Omeprazole, though GP said I was the first he’d ever heard of to have problem with it.
Have a good day 🌸
I,ve been taking Omeprazole since 1992, The only side effect might be hairloss , but maybe I would have gone bald anyway lol.
Been taking them over 10 yrs due to hyetus hernia. No problems for me at all. Hope this heps. Karen. Xxx
Like you I wanted to reduce all my meds. 3days without Omeprazole I was in agony. Restarted them and will definitely continue. Jane
Hi, I've been taking them for about 10 years and no side effects. Good Luck. John
I have been taking them for as long as I can remember. The doctors told me to stop them and other medications because I went into renal failure after a 2-week course of IV antibiotics. Within a day I was in real trouble with acid reflux , pain and nausea and I was begging them to put me back on them. They said I could have ranitidine ( Zantac ) but it didn't do the job. Luckily after a few weeks I stabilised and they put me back on them and I felt so much better.
Glad things are better now after what you went through with the antibiotics. I was taking Ranitidine, but agree they are definitely not as effective as Omeprazole. The rebound effects of acid reflux can be quite bad if stopped suddenly (or sometimes even gradually). They do seem to work well for a lot of people.
Hi ZM
I have been taking 40mg of Omeprazole for about 6 years now and I have not suffered any side effects. However my GP did warn me that the body needs acid and the overuse can have a detrimental effect on the system. In fact, he was loathe to prescribe them but did so because of severe reflux. I will continue to take them despite the warning as the reflux can be horrendous.
Good luck
Kevin
Hi Kevin, you're lucky to have an honest, informative GP - most I've been to seem to just issue these meds without afterthought! I have found them (Omeprazole) beneficial, though, despite some side effects. Suppose it's a case of seeing if the benefits outweigh the risks.
I took them on repeat prescription for over a decade, with no monitoring.
I now have osteoporosis, which is a known side effect I was unaware of.
These are very strong drugs and have been advised they should never be prescribed in first instance but if necessary only for a short time. This applies to all PPI's (so all the 'prazoles').
There are alternatives such as Slippery Elm, which after a while, are just as effective.
Hi Titian8, sorry to hear you had such a bad time with the Omeprazole. I do think doctors need to consider the fact they can have potential side effects and monitor regularly. I do feel I need something to control the acid, as I feel it is affecting my breathing/lungs. Will look into the Slippery Elm, thanks.
I tried slippery elm instead, but did not find it worked for me - perhaps I didn't give it enough time. It is not the nicest of things to take: you make a thick porridge of the powder and tasting it is just like what it is, eating tree bark.
I totally agree with you Ergendl about the S.E in powder form.
Someone on this forum recommended to take it as a kind of porridge, so that it creates a barrier in the stomach against acid. I also found it difficult to take because of the texture and taste so bought the capsules instead. I do think the powder would be faster acting and more effective though.
The capsules took a while to kick in and experience the benefit (weeks in fact). However, I persevered and eventually they definitely worked for me.
Hi ZM1980, as per my reply to Ergendl: although S.E. Powder is probably the best form it's easier to start taking it as a capsule or tablet Trying it for the first time as a very thick drink would perhaps put you off.
An internet search of Slippery Elm will give you more information and options available.
I hope you get some relief as know how awful it is to cope with on a daily basis. Plus you don't want another serious condition to contend with, in the future, as a side effect of another drug.
Also try to sleep on your left hand side, as sleeping on right can cause acid production.
Hi Titian8, thanks for the info - will look into the Slippery Elm capsules/tablets. I do find my reflux symptoms are usually worse in the morning and tend to subside a little towards late afternoon/evening. Otherwise it's chronic.
What brand and strength of Slippery Elm capsules/tablets do you take? How long did you take them before noticing relief from your symptoms?
Hi ZM1980, there are so many brands to choose from out there but I always try to find ones with the least additives, fillers etc so bought Bio Health Slippery Elm capsules online from Dolphin Fitness. You can also buy them from Health Food shops. I had originally bought NOW Slippery Elm powder from Amazon (both are vegetarian).
I can't remember exactly how long it was before relief totally kicked in, probably between 2 to 3 weeks whilst taking three times a day. I've got them on standby but hardly ever need to take any nowadays.
I found Omeprazole very good was on it for about 3 years. Then had to come off it a few months ago as it reduced my magnesium level. Now taking ranitidine witch is not as good as Omeprazole
That's why I take occasional Epsom Salts baths, to help rebalance the magnesium.
I agree Ranitidine are not as effective as Omeprazole. Did you have regular blood tests to check magnesium levels or were you having symptoms consistent with deficiency?
My gp said to me that Omeprazole was 99% effective and ranitidine was only 50% effective. I originally went to see my gp about pins and needles in my hands and feet. She asked for blood tests and and the test showed y calcium was low. So she put me on calcium supplements. Then a week later I had a phone call at 9.30 in the evening from my local hospital saying that according to a blood test I had done in the community. My magnesium level was really low and with my calcium being low as well it could effect my heart. And would I come in to be put on an IV drip. And have a echo done as well . My magnesium level was 0.40. So after I had the drip. I haven’t had anymore pins and needles in hand and feet. Also not had Any more cramping. After the drip my magnesium level went up to 1.25. And they were happy with that. I am waiting to see a consultant at the hospital in the endocrine clinic. I also have to take calcium supplements.
I think they’re generally very well tolerated. I’m sensitive to many meds but this one is ok. It can cause your B12 to fall over time which is worth bearing in mind but it’s very easily rectifiable with appropriate supplements.
I have been on it for 4 years , didn’t really have side effects. What are the most common ones?
Took it for 10 years for reflux I never had. Over the years, suffered from agonising cramp in the inner thigh muscles (worse than gall bladder pains) that lasted up to an hour, usually leaving me stranded up a mountain when hillwalking or search dog training or on some hillside when orienteering. Eventually realised the cramps started about the time I started omeprazole, so stopped taking it. As soon as I did, I lost the long lasting cramps I can still get the same cramps, but they only last a few minutes
I tried Omeprazole for acid reflux and (not to be too graphic) I couldn't move far away from the toilet and had many "accidents" - not nice. Went to my GP and she gave me Lanzoprozole which has the same effect. She just told me that it was likely that all those type of meds would probably do the same and just gave me a script for Gaviscon which I now just buy over the counter. It helps a bit when I have an attack but luckily it's not that often now.
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