The side effects of Omeprazole and life without it

[mjcartw]

Thanks very much for everyone who responded to my first post. I found all the comments helpful and illuminating. I have now had confirmation from the "gastric team" at my local NHS hospital that I am in the system for an appointment for an investigation of the symptoms which I detailed in my last post. I should have an appointment in the next week or so. Hopefully I will get some answers. I have had a lot of advice, since I started to develop the new symptoms, from experts and from fellow sufferers and one thing that has emerged is the impact that a relatively high dose of Omeprazol (40mg per day) over 2 years or more has had on my body. The aggressive reduction of gastric acid has taken its toll and it could be that my current symptoms are a consequence of this and I may have got to the point when Omeprazole is doing me more harm than good. I have read a lot about the side effects and some of them match my symptons. I'm not about to do anything drastic until I've had the various investigations, however, I am reconsidering my relationship with Omeprazole. It seemed a wonder drug when I first started taking it as it took away all the symptoms but I am now thinking about reducing my intake of it with a view, in the long term, of coming off it completely because of the long-term side effects. I will, of course, take appropriate medical advice before I take this step. I will then seek to manage my Acid Reflux/Barretts in a more natural way. I'd be glad of anyone's thoughts and advice about this. It would be good if I could get by without a PPI.

[Reader101]

Hi I found combo of losing weight, tipping head of bed up, dietary restrictions nothing fried, no garlic, onions, tomatoes, chocolate, pop, wine to be helpful

[Aquariel]

After years of it I decided that if the acid isn't there as it should then the body will take other measures to do the job. I think acid must be easier to get control by self means rather than trying to combat some damn drug on top. I wouldn't hold my breath on medical help and don't be upset if you don't get any. You can beat it but its very individualist what the solution is. Certain foods will go for it, just thinking about it is bad enough. I found standing up and walking most of the day reduces the acid, when you slump down in a chair it collects.And walking is good for the brain. It sounds bizarre but I was dying from it, I was 6.5 stone and I was(still am) an agnostic living Catholic Southern Ireland that year. Everybody went to church and I used to go every Sunday to take my93 year old neighbour. One of the things they do is a chant ' holy Mary Mother of God' etc and one day it started to affect me, I was shocked but I'm told chanting does this to the brain eventually. But I came away knowing I would recover.It was still a very long fight but the mental state is very important. Its a frightening thing to be eaten alive from the inside.All you need is a glimmer of hope by whatever means and dump any drugs, have confidence in yourself and get a quick through put of matter by Dulcolax. My problem is a proven neuropathy that was 'incurable'. When it came back after 25 years, I was ready for it and managed a recovery in 3 months rather than 5 years. I was a professor of maths, a truly logical person, I thought and I spent more time researching the acid more than I did on my PhD. And I found the solution in a little country church in West Dingle. When I went home to England equally by chance I took up playing a brass instrument as my last effort and that worked wonders as well.Deep breathing and control empties the stomach.

[Chickadeeday]

Omg let me say I did my utmost to get off omeprazole and I was literally only on it continuously for 2 to 3 months but it landed me in hospital, constantly sick , scared, no sleep and the list goes on allergies ! I got hblocker instead and took that for two weeks then down to gaviscon for two weeks and I’ve never been better ! Got my life back after off that drug ! It is only meant for the short term anyway! Now I just drink apple cider vinegar in the morning two tablespoons in warm water and I have a banana. The vinegar reduces acid in the stomach and banana has potassium

Which also settles the stomach.

[Mum007]

Try marshmallow root or slippery elm. It helps to heal the lining of the throat and gut. Google it. Don’t take it at the same time as medication. Also try DGL capsules and apple cider vinegar. Keep off tomatoes chocolate (Cocoa) alcohol coffee tea and raw vegetables,also onions and garlic if only for a short while to see if it helps If you come off the omeprazole be prepared for a rebound for a while. And try massaging your stomach in a clockwise direction before meals to speed up the passage of food in the gut.