omeprazole and bone loss

[Jumpey]

Hi,

I have severe Gerd(acid reflux)and have been prescribed Omeprazole.However I am reluctant to take it because of the fear of further loss of bone density .Has anyone taken this drug,or a similar PP I,without incurring g or worsening bone loss?

[t1gernidster]

I have taken omeprazole or lansoprazole (a similar PPI) for years as I have no option. At my last DEXA I had mild osteoporosis and since that diagnosis I have had a parathyroidectomy which I am hoping has improved that situation. I have been prescribed HRT, take all the supplements and ensure I have sufficient calcium in my diet. I also walk and use vibration plates. Yes, taking a PPI for the length of time I have concerns me but that’s just how it has to be.

[Jumpey in reply to t1gernidster]

Me too. And sometimes needs must.I hope you continue in good health. X

[t1gernidster in reply to Jumpey]

Thank you. You too. Perhaps you are already taking supplements but if not do have a look at vitamin k2, magnesium, boron and vitamin D as well as calcium. All these can help keep your bones strong.

[ChristineK in reply to t1gernidster]

I have been taking Lansoprazole since my HA in 2020. I questioned my GP about the loss of bone density and she has referred me for a telephone appointment with the cardiologist. I will also ask about the use of Vitamin K2 MK7, which I think may interact with blood thinners. I take Calcium and Vitamin D3 supplements.

[Jumpey in reply to ChristineK]

Good luck with your consultation .

[ChristineK in reply to Jumpey]

Thank you

[MWZ3]

Yes I take a similar one marketed in the name of Pariet. It is Rabeprazole which is like yours and for the same reason. It depends how bad your reflux is. I can’t really do without it. I hadn’t considered connection to bones but I doubt it impacts much. Have you even broken any bones? The first criteria for bone issues is if you have actually broken any bones. People have accepted the drugs when no bones have been broken on the basis of a number given. If nothing has happened why take the drugs for osteoporosis. On the other hand, living with no help for GERD or similar would impact your life and wellbeing.

[Jumpey in reply to MWZ3]

I too have yto take something because thecreflux is so bad. I have osteopenia and no broken bones- I don't take drugs for it.

[Mavary]

Hi! I’ve taken it for years. I would suffer so badly if I didn’t take it. I’m on 20mg in the morning and 20 at night. To be honest I couldn’t not have it. Does it affect the bones? I haven’t got a clue. I’ve never heard that before. I don’t know. I do know my bones are bad though so you’ll have to let me know.

[t1gernidster in reply to Mavary]

I wouldn’t take any drug, prescribed or otherwise, without investigation.

[Jumpey in reply to Mavary]

Yes it's said to affect bone density. Sounds like you have been fine on it.

[Mavary in reply to Jumpey]

Not really! My bone score is not good even after four years of treatment. It works for me most of the time. I’ve still got to be a little careful what I eat. Otherwise I get a lot of acid indigestion.

[ChristineK in reply to Mavary]

Yes, PPIs are known to thin the bones.

[walk21]

I have been on esomeprazole for years and do worry about it. I understand that the damage to bones is because it interferes with absorption of magnesium, so I take a supplement and also use a magnesium butter moisturiser as it is absorbed through the skin. I don't know if it helps but at least I feel I'm doing all I can

[Jumpey in reply to walk21]

Like you I too take magnesium .Long may you be healthy.

[Mavary in reply to walk21]

I wish I’d known that a few years ago. I wonder if I should be taking it now. It’s like shutting the stable door now the horse has bolted.

[walk21 in reply to Mavary]

I have a lot of wedge spine fractures but hope to prevent more. I don't think anyone knew the long term problems with PPis when I first started them about 17 years ago. We have to do the best we can from now on. Not everyone can take magnesium supplements without getting diarrhoea so go easy if you decide to take it

[Mavary in reply to walk21]

It’s like I say we can’t win can we. I’ve got a funny tummy anyway so it probably won’t be any good. I’ll give it a try though.

[Jumpey in reply to walk21]

Yes as you say we have to make the best of it. I have taken magnesium supplements for many years with no ill effects .

[Tues]

I have taken omaprezole for a number of years and now know about the risk to bone density. I shall continue to take it as Not taking omeprezole has its own risks. I have dexa results of -2.9 hip and -3.8 lower spine. I am currently refusing medication for Osteoporosis as I have tried it and didnt tolerate it. I am eating as healthily as I can, walking as usual, using a vibration platform daily. I have seen rheumatologist and been offered further meds but declined for now. He has suggested if I choose not to take meds then a repeat dexa should be done 3yrs after first one. So I’m due November 2023. He also suggested that the fractures I had were not fragility fractures (that anyone who did what I did would have had the same result) I’ll review my decision after November 2023 scan. .

[Jumpey in reply to Tues]

Huge good luckX

[Tues in reply to Jumpey]

Thankyou. And you too. xx

[Mavary]

I’ve been taking Omeprazole for years and I’ve not heard that before but it’s definitely one to think about now although I couldn’t not take it. I just can’t win.

[Jumpey in reply to Mavary]

No it feels a bit like that.x

[ChristineK in reply to Mavary]

I'm hoping that the cardiologist can maybe recommend a similar drug to Lasnsoprazole that does not thin the bones.

[Mavary in reply to ChristineK]

I’m going to rely on the Dr treating me the best way they can. It works for me and I know I can’t go without it. My bones are improving as well so I’m happy.

[ChristineK in reply to Mavary]

As long as you are happy, that's all that counts. Good luck

[Jumpey in reply to ChristineK]

Good luck.

[Catseyes235]

I stopped taking Omeprazole more or less completely after a lifetime of acid reflux which was worsening with age and specialist just wanted to up the Omeprazole. What I didn’t realise is that Omeprazole reduces the effectiveness of thyroxine and also resulted in kidney stones.

Simple change of diet achieved this ..no white sugar, no white bread, no cakes, biscuits, no processed foods. I changed to sourdough bread and that was a game changer. I now take Omeprazole around once every two months if no food alternatives. Good luck.

[Jumpey in reply to Catseyes235]

I'm so glad dietary changes helped.Sadly, I haven't been able to achieve much success. I'm waiting for surgery now.

[pinkelwurst]

GORD can lead to a serious, although rare, condition called Barrett's Oesophagus and for this reason it must be controlled and be medically monitored. If reflux is not controlled by PPI then go back to your doctor for advice. Do not ignore it. All medications involve risk as opposed to benefit, ie. risk/benefit. In this case the benefit well outweighs the risk.

[Jumpey in reply to pinkelwurst]

I'm aware .Thanks for your concern. X

[Sunseaandsand]

Hi There are so many people who will not even try the treatments for osteoporosis, this is as a result of reading up on the side effects and also hearing others negative experiences.

Yet from the replies to your post it is quite obvious that they are quite willing to take PPIs without even reading the patient information leaflet.

PPI s do contribute to osteoporosis, although I've never read how they do it, however your acid is needed to dissolve calcium from food and supplements and incomplete digestion can cause other intolerances.

If you stop the PPI, your body goes into overdrive and rebounds producing excess acid. It can take weeks or even months to stabilise.

I was on lansoprazole for decades and it is only in the last few years that osteoporosis was added to the list of side effects.

After 3 attempts I am finally free of them.

They are not easy to come off but I was determined to persevere.

First I weaned off the night one, then the day one by taking one every other day, then missing two days, all the time using gaviscon advance to control the symptoms.

Now I rarely even have to take the Gaviscon.

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[Jumpey in reply to Sunseaandsand]

I'm so pleased you had success and glad you are virtually symptoms free.

[AnnieW55]

Just a general question for those of you being treated for GERD. I was wondering if you had all been tested for GERD or have just been treated for it on the basis of your symptoms.

[walk21 in reply to AnnieW55]

I was given PPI just because of the symptoms how would they test?

[AnnieW55 in reply to walk21]

Please see link below for GERD testing

webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/gu...

I was asking because I went to my GP many years ago and was given a PPI for my symptoms which I used on and off. A second GP had me tested for H-Pylori (which was negative) and again prescribed a PPI. Then I found out I had too little stomach acid (after doing the bicarbonate of soda test) and started using organic apple cider vinegar in water before a meal which helped enormously and I no longer take any medication for my symptoms (mainly burping, bloating, some reflux). Not much is known about low stomach acid, and many of the symptoms are very similar to those of GERD (maybe the amount of reflux may be one of the deciding factors. I’m not medically trained) so I was just curious if anyone had been tested.

[walk21 in reply to AnnieW55]

I have been swallowing these things for 17 years so it's difficult to remember. I had a lump in my throat. Had endoscopy and barium swallow so I guess they got it right

[Bluebell999]

I took omeprazole/lanzoprazole for over a decade at a dose of 40mg daily, in the morning. After my spinal collapse, this was immediately reduced to 20mg daily.

I later read that these PPI's can affect the absorbtion of essential vitamins and minerals.

I had/have severe acid reflux but the fractures were worse so happy to reduce the dose, although I cannot stop completely because the reflux can affect my voice and make my oesephagus sore.

I take gaviscon advance about an hour after my night time tabs and this seems to help. Raising the height of the top of the bed either by blocks or extra pillows help too.

I find Adcal also gives me reflux but it helps if I take it with a little food. I also take Buscopan which helps with wind and settles my tummy if I am out.

As others say, reducing gluten type foods, bread, etc also helps with the reflux.

It is a case of looking at your diet, timing the omeprazole and perhaps having the odd evening off and substituting with an ordinary antacid.

Good luck!

[Jumpey in reply to Bluebell999]

I have tried all the things you suggest without success.I seem to have a structural problem and am awaiting surgery. Good luck.

[ROSModerator Partner]

Hi Jumpey and all who've added their own experiences to this post. The issue of PPIs and bone density is a complex area, so you may wish to contact the helpline nurses at the ROS to discuss your situation on 0808 800 0035. Lines are very busy at the moment, but if you keep trying different times of the day might be better. You can also email [e-mail] - although bear in mind it can take several days to get a reply when the services is so busy.

[Jumpey in reply to ROSModerator]

Cheers for the advice .

[Eton in reply to Jumpey]

Hi Jumpey ,I understand that H2 Antagonists suchas Famitodine do not carry the same risks as PPIs in relation to osteoporosis. I use them on an occasional basis to deal with gastritis.

[Jumpey in reply to Eton]

You are right.My reflux is too bad on them.

[Chillyone]

I took high doses of lanzoprazole for 10 years,I understand now the high dose should be given for a few weeks to settle the problem and if there are flare ups.I requested a dexa scan because of taking them, and was found to have Osteoporosis .I tried other things which didn’t work and slowly reduced to 15mg in a morning, which along with Gaviscon works, only increasing my dose if I have a flare up.

[Jumpey in reply to Chillyone]

Bless you. Glad you've found a better regime.

[frustratedasmathic]

Similar to you I have a hiatus hernia and reflux also Osteopenia. Taken pantoprazole for the over 15 years. Recently due to the ongoing symptoms with the GERD I researched the Internet <not something that I would normally do> came across a device for GERD iqoro.com. It has totally changed my life. No more reflux, I use it 3 times a day for about 1 minute each time. I can go without the drug and it makes no difference the device is what made the difference. Honestly it should be prescribed to everyone before medication is considered. It costs just over 100.00Gbp. Since I bought it the device has being approved by the NHS, but not many Doctors/Specialists know about it. Like you I was very sceptical initially. For the Osteopenia I am on HRT patches which protect the bones. However you do also need to do weight bearing exercises walking, threadmill and weights. I was on long term steroid tablets in my teens and 20's which caused me to be suspect to Osteopenia. So I would not put the diagnosis down to the taking of the pantoprazole.

Hope the above has being of some help. Sorry such a long post here.

[Jumpey in reply to frustratedasmathic]

Cheers.I'll look onto it.x

[frustratedasmathic in reply to Jumpey]

Please do. In my mind it should be mandatory for anyone with reflux to try it. The very best. Hope it works out for you. Look into the HRT patches there is alot of controversy about these amongst the medical profession, but for some people they really work as they also protect the bones. As they do not go into the blood stream as they are a slow release it minimises any side effects. I take Accetate with vitamin D.

[Cat551 in reply to frustratedasmathic]

My doctor told me you can’t use HRT patches if you have heart disease or if it’s been several years since menopause. Is that the same information you were given?

[frustratedasmathic in reply to Cat551]

Hello I do not have any issues with my heart. But perhaps raise it with another Dr. I can only comment on my own health. Best of luck.

[Cat551]

I took omeprazole for a good part of 20 years. About three years ago, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis. When questioning my doctor about this, he didn’t have much to say. It would be nice I’d doctors at lease warned you so you could take more calcium or try and counteract the effects. My acid reflux was pretty bad, but I eventually weaned myself off of omeprazole very slowly. I replaced it with Pepcid (famotidine), morning and night. Omeprazole really never made me feel great, and I still had some acid reflux. I’d already removed acid triggers from my diet. Then I removed more, like all tomato products, garlic and onions and bought a special acid free coffee (and added some baking soda) to that. I eventually weaned myself off Pepcid. I don’t recline for at least an hour after eating and don’t eat 3 hours before bedtime. I take Pepcid now when needed. Most of the time I feel better then I did on the omeprazole. PPI’s are only recommended for 14 day doses, not indefinitely. I’ve had to do that once in the last year, then stopped. This route may not be for you, but definitely keep a log of irritating foods, and see if you can manage it enough to reduce the meds. Good luck

[Jumpey in reply to Cat551]

I agree about the informed choice. I too have been following a low acid / alkaline diet and don't eat after 6pm etc.,etc. Lifestyle changes are important. Take care.x