omeprazole and vertigo/dizziness - Lung Conditions C...

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omeprazole and vertigo/dizziness

Tiggertheterrier profile image
28 Replies

Hello. Has anybody else had issues with omeprazole giving them awful dizziness? I have persevered , been reduced to the 10 mg capsules, and still feel like I'm on a roundabout . Are there any other ppi meds I could change to that don't have this wretched side effect?! And yes, my bed is propped up so I am sleeping on a slope. Gaviscon isn't quite strong enough. I am being tried on Carbocysteine and it's ththis that is giving me ththe Gastro pains. GP was a bit reluctant to start me on the Carbo due to my previous medical history of gastritis.....but we are getting desperate to deal with the hyper secretion from both lungs and sinuses. To be honest, only oral pred sorts it out but I know I can't keep having blasts of those indefinitely! Have been waiting 14 months to be seen by my chest consultant....and GP has chased this up 3 titimes now!!!!! I have asthma and bronchiectasis. Such fun!

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djbctla profile image
djbctla

Hi Triggertheterrier

I feel for your plight, and hope u are given some good advice to rectify your reflux problem.

BERNARDINE

It seems to me that your bronchiectasis is not being treated properly. Excess mucus is a sign of an exacerbation which needs treating with the right antibiotic in a high enough dose for at least 2 weeks. Steroids are only for asthma and not recommended for bronch alone. The carbocysteine could be causing the mucus to become so runny that you can never get rid of it all. Letting it be a bit thicker can make it easier to get it all out. It is essential that you do this every day. I have had dizziness all of my life and it was to do with the crystals in my ears, whether or not I was taking lanzaprozole which is similar to omaprozole. You really need a bronch specialist. Look for one yourself and insist on a referral.

Tiggertheterrier profile image
Tiggertheterrier in reply to

hi Littlepom, I really am SO fed up of waiting to be seen by my consultant! My last mucous sample sent off by the GP was 'clear'/ 'normal' so they won't prescribe me any antibiotics( and I ddid ask for them!) I am getting lots of mucous up after saline nebs and ACB, but also spitting stuff out all day from the minute I wake up. I am very seriously thinking of moving house to England as the health board here is in and out of special measures, and one of the worst performing in Wales. I was on this forum before with a different username, but left after some unpleasant encounters with some people. Don't know why this keeps putting repeated letters in some of my words........

in reply to Tiggertheterrier

I have heard that things are terrible in Wales. The problem with bronch is that the lab tests are notoriously unreliable. They often come back negative when there is obviously something there. Your GP is typical. They know nothing about bronch and treat it like copd which it is not. If it is impossible for you to be referred to a hospital in England look at the big teaching hospitals in Wales. Find a bronchiectasis specialist. Take the name to your GP and absolutely insist on a referral. Waiting as you are to see a respiratory consultant you coud very well end up with a general resp con and they know as little as GPs about bronch. Take matters into your own hands We bronchs have to be very pro active and vociferous in sourcing the right treatment.

Tiggertheterrier profile image
Tiggertheterrier in reply to

Morning Littlepom,My GP now classes my post nasal drip as severe and has referred me to ENT, having exhausted all the treatments at her disposal( nasal sprays, neilmed nasal rinses, antihistamines, steaming with olbas oil etc). She is saying that the uncontrolled pnd is aggravating my asthma, giving me a chronic cough, which in turn is annoying the bronch! The pnd has certainly got drastically worse over the last 12 months, and breathing through my nose is getting really hard going. I do know that sinus issues can go hand in hand with bronch, so the two may be natural bedfellows. There was some talk last year of referring me to the specialist chest clinics at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester, but nothing put in writing. Having lost my Dad in May and my husband in September, my energy levels are at rock bottom. What I could do us email my local consultant's secretary and ask her to jog his memory on the Manchester referral.

I am currently doing my ACB mornings after Relvar and Dog Walking( am coughing up quite a lot while walking the dog!!!), am not getting much up later in the day. I suppose we are all different!

in reply to Tiggertheterrier

It's so hard to tackle things when we are exhausted by events in our lives but I'm afraid that we do have to be pro active if we want to get our conditions managed properly. The one encouraging thing is that walking your dog loosens the mucus and helps to get rid of it. All forms of exercise help. It's the timing that can be difficult. As you don't cough up later it doesn't seem as though you have an exacerbation. Having asthma does make you complex and as your usual consultant hasn't been successful a referral to a bronch specialist is a good idea. You can find one for yourself and take the name to your GP and insist on a referral. This can be at any hospital, Wythenshaw included. She will probably be grateful that you are being pro active and would appreciate advice from an expert. It is a good idea to refer you to ENT. As bronch goes hand in hand with sinus problems that really needs sorting out. In 1993 I was suffering like you. An op to get rid of a polyp and scrape out my sinuses did the job and improved my bronch no end. This situation is manageable but it needs the right treatment from an expert

Alberta56 profile image
Alberta56

Trust Littlepom. Her advice is always worth following up. I hope you are soon given a solution to the unpleasant situation you are in. xxx

Patk1 profile image
Patk1

I don't have those reactions. Has Dr checked Yr BP,and ears to rule out other causes? Do u use lung clearance techniques eg active cycle of breathing, cpl times ea day to get mucous up? If Yr not aware of it,do read up on aluk website,and videos on you tube. It's the main self care regime for bronchiectasis+ shld help you.carbocysteine helps thin the mucous to make it easier to get up.

Patk1 profile image
Patk1 in reply to Patk1

Ps I've also got bad chronic rhinosinusitis. That can cause vertigo if affects ears.wjn I do lung clearance,I use disposable plastic cups and nappy bags.i can sniff mucous in sinuses back + into mouth to expell.may help u.im on fenofexadine,steroid nose spray,+ sometimes need loratidine + nasal decongestant too. Perhaps ring hospital booking office,see whn yr going to be seen..& if any chance of earlier appointment.gd luck x

Tiggertheterrier profile image
Tiggertheterrier in reply to Patk1

Morning Patk1, my blood pressure is always on the low side - has been for my entire life - which they tell me is good. Ears are fine, but I do have very small ear canals( discovered on a head MRI) and eustachian tubes prone to getting clogged with the mucous. If you see my reply to Littlepom just done a second ago, you'll see that I am doing my lung clearance, and I also do saline nebs to encourage the gunk to come out. I also have severe post nasal drip.

peege profile image
peege

I have bouts of vertigo (BPPV), caused by right sided vestibular disease , definitely not caused by the omeprazole I take for GERD.

Ern007 profile image
Ern007

Hi,

I take omeprazole without any problems - there are other drugs in this group that might suit you better, for example "Lansoprazole" and even other types of drugs, I hope you get sorted .

Tiggertheterrier profile image
Tiggertheterrier in reply to Ern007

Thanks Ern007. I have a feeling that the carbocysteine are causing more side effects than actually helping shift the gallons of mucous!! I will persevere for another week, just to give them a fair trial.....but certainly the gastric and bowel side effects are not much fun🙄!!

honeysuckle78 profile image
honeysuckle78 in reply to Tiggertheterrier

Carbocysteine was a killer for me . I tolerated it well at first as opposed to nacys with made me instantly nauseous.

the worst part of carbocysteine was it took about 3 months of gradual but widening problems including lots of mucus stomach pain diarrhoea bladder pains before I realised it was doing me in .

My G.P. and I thought it was unlikely to cause such problems as I had tolerated it well at first . But I came off and symptoms disappeared.

Can’t take omeprezole it gives me severe stomach pains.

Am in wales too saw a so called bronchiectasis specialist who disregarded everything I was trying to tell her. She reckons I should not be on antibiotics unless my sputum is green .

But I don’t get any sputum now . I’ve read there’s DRY BRONCHIECTASIS has anyone else got this version?

Now get antibiotics and steroids from g.p. When I need them .

I use biokult for gut health no lactose rarely eat gluten .

Have been using saline spray and nasal protector spray by French brand Puressentiel which seems to reduce my infections.

Just spent cheap month in turkey by sea no pollution and sun and felt marvellous. Within 3 days of being back I’m poorly again and house bound . On antibiotics and steroids again .

Have bronchiectasis asthma long COVID and brain injury.

Found more information about bronchiectasis on this group than anywhere else . Was eventually diagnosed by ct scan 15 months ago. after years of breathing problems and dozens of X-rays saying there’s no problem.

I also found that if I’m tearful or overemotional this is a sign of infection. As I have no sense of smell or taste after COVID I used to be able to taste an infection was imminent but can’t now .

But

Izb1 profile image
Izb1

I can so relate to your post TTT. I have bronchiectasis and suffered sinus problems for years. All down to neglect from my gp, respiratory consultant and ent surgeon. I am left to deal with the problems and have insisted on a referral to the bronch specialists at Wythenshawe. I put in for this in February and still chasing so be patient. I find the only way to deal with excess mucus is antihistamine. I take one when it all gets too much, but dont like to stay on them as they make me sleepy and I dont like to stay too dry. I think LP is correct when taking Carbocysteine it makes it so runny and causes a bigger problem. I cant advise on your dizziness , I used to suffer with labrynthitis due to the crystals in my ear not draining . Its so horrid having all these problems and you are left alone to deal with them. I still use boxes of tissues because you cant stop the mucus from developing in your nose which them travels to your chest causing a constant cough. I really sympathise , all you can do is try to ease it and keep it under control. I like you am hoping that the bronch specialists can give us a solution x

Tiggertheterrier profile image
Tiggertheterrier in reply to Izb1

thanks Izb1, am so glad I'm not the only one doing battle with this! My GP is lovely, and very caring, but not got a scooby do about bronch. You have answered my question about how long the wait is ffor Wythenshawe!! Fexofenadine 180 mgs is definitely easing it a bit, but never ever completely shifts it. Waking at 33am choking on ggreat globs of gunk in ththe back of your throat is no joke. Do you find yourself having to spit stuff out too? It's not very polite, or ladylike!!!! Thanks ffor your reply.

Izb1 profile image
Izb1 in reply to Tiggertheterrier

I think my gp could have made this alot quicker for the referral, she seems to go through the referral service which is a waste of time instead of going direct but I am ok to wait at the moment. Yes I find the over production of mucus a pain and am constantly having to cough up, luckily i live on my own. This is all through my sinus's, having the operation helped a little but crept back and the surgeon left me with a hole in my septum so I wasnt pleased. I am careful to make sure my sinus's dont get infected again as this is what started everything of. Have you had a ct scan to make sure that yours isnt infected, all mine were and were like that for over 6 months due to neglect from go and consultant, the ent doctor put me on 6 weeks low dose Doxycyline to clear it up. As Littlepom says you have to be proactive to get things done but fighting your corner is the only way to look after yourself x

Tiggertheterrier profile image
Tiggertheterrier in reply to Izb1

Not had my sinuses scanned, GP seems to assume that they aren't infected as mucous is clear, not any other colour. Haven't got a bad taste in my mouth or throat from it, inside of nose is usually quite crusted when I wake up - that washes out with the Neilmed sinus rinses. My dear Dad, who passed away in May, was a retired doctor, he had exactly the same nasal and sinus issues!! Must run in the family.......excuse the awful pun!!

Izb1 profile image
Izb1 in reply to Tiggertheterrier

Mine didnt have alot of colour either, nor bad taste although i have lost my sense of smell and dont think that will ever come back now. So sorry to hear you lost your Dad, its hard losing a parent x

Tiggertheterrier profile image
Tiggertheterrier in reply to Izb1

thank you, it was really tough. That's interesting re your mucous being clear. My surgery do things 'by the book', annoyingly, the test results are never questioned, and they take everything the consultant says as gospel - even though he's actually failed to sort me out!!

Izb1 profile image
Izb1 in reply to Tiggertheterrier

My mucus wasnt clear, it never has been but said it wasnt infected ?? Yes my doctors are the same, the consultants word is gospel even when they are wrong lol x

Germantara profile image
Germantara

I had terrible chest pain I thought I was having heart problems but I stopped it and pains went away I waited a few days and chest pains came back so stopped taking it told docters and I'm now on larprozole no problems take care

Lutontown profile image
Lutontown

Are you sure it's the Omeprazole that's causing your dizziness. Could be wax in your ears, could be hypothyroidism. My wife has this and probably due to the pandemic, didn't have blood test for over 2 years to check her thyroid levels. She was getting terrible dizzy spells, had her ears looked at, no wax, does have vertigo occasionally. Eventually when we asked the question and got a blood test her thyroid levels were very low. Her thyroxine dose was gradually adjusted, and now after a year, no more dizziness.

Tiggertheterrier profile image
Tiggertheterrier in reply to Lutontown

thanks Lutontown, thyroid checked last month, all absolutely OK with it! I'I've had bouts of dizzy spells for years - hence the MRI of my head! ENT investigated it thoroughly about 8 yrs ago and said perhaps Crystal's getting lodged in my abnormally small inner ear canals. The Epley Manoeuvre usually clears this. Have been on and off omeprazole ffor years due to gastritis( and protection when I am on high dose oral steroids).

I am dizzy while taking them, and ththe dizziness goes again when I come off them. So it probably is them. Had a whole raft of blood tests last month for FBC, U&E, thyroid, cholesterol, inflammation markers. Everything was OK. GP also peered into my ears and there was no wax.

Lutontown profile image
Lutontown in reply to Tiggertheterrier

OK, looks like you've covered all avenues. I've been on Lansoprazole for acid reflux, for years, and do not get any trouble with it. I hope Meniere's disease has been discounted with you.

Tiggertheterrier profile image
Tiggertheterrier in reply to Lutontown

🙄🙄Yes, they ruled out Menieres. I never had any vomiting, just the spinning. Stemetil always calm it down again. Can't take Serc as it gives me diarrhoea. Wretched side effects......

Lee_Scoresby profile image
Lee_Scoresby

My wife has been taking Omeprazole for a long time now - she takes it when gastric matters cause her particular problems (i.e. not all the time) - but she's never suffered from vertigo.

Tiggertheterrier profile image
Tiggertheterrier in reply to Lee_Scoresby

Thanks Lee, my body seems to be quite fussy about some meds, and not bothered about others! I had quite an over-dramatic reaction to two Covid vaccinations, but my flu vaccination- nothing! Weird!🤔

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