Proton Pump Inhibitors

[lilredhen]

Hi I just joined this site because I was looking up the connection between PPI's and Lupus. I took Omezprazole for 14 years, every doctor I saw automatically renewed the prescription from the list of my current medications. I lost a lot of weight and had IBS type stomach issues for about a year and decided to do some research on my own since the doctor wasn't able to find the cause. I read about the PPI's and that they should be used short term only and I decided to do an elimination. Within a very short time I was feeling much better, my appetite returned and my digestive problems all but disappeared. I don't understand how this did not occur to my doctor. However now I have developed the lupus type butterfly rash and some of the accompanying symptoms of that disease. I am wondering if it has been caused by taking the PPI for so long. My doctor has treated me for PolyMyalgia Rheumatica, which has similar symptoms, but I did not test positive for that this last time and still have the problems and the rash. Has anyone else experienced this? I find it very helpful to read all your comments and stories, it is good to have others' experiences to relate to. Thank You.

[PMRpro]

There are no "positive tests" for PMR - it is a diagnosis made on the basis of symptoms and response to moderate dose of pred, clinical history and possibly raised blood markers (ESR and CRP) although for 20% of patients they don't apply. PMR is also not the illness - it is the name given to the symptoms of an underlying illness and there are quite a few different causes. Once all the others are discounted, only then should a doctor say "It must be PMR" - a vasculitis which causes generally rheumatic symptoms. As long as the patient is on an adequate dose of pred then the markers should not be raised.

Your doctor - I assume a rheumatologist? - should be looking a bit further. If it is a GP/PCP they should be referring you. You would be surprised how many doctors are totally unaware of the potential gastric (and other) effects of PPIs!

[lilredhen in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your response PMRpro, what you say certainly makes sense. It would explain why am having these other symptoms . My doctor has not referred me to a rheumatologist but I will be asking for that when I see her next week. I appreciate your input, it has helped me to feel more hopeful of a proper diagnosis.