Belly Issues

[Rogerthelobster]

Hello all and I`d like to hear what people have to say about what I am going to write as its bothering me greatly.

I am Roger from Wolverhampton,49 years young.

I have been on OMOPERAZOLE since 16.

10 mg then at 20 20 mg daily.

My symtoms are classic and confirmed Hiatus Hernia,diverticulitus and now barretts oesophagus.

Im now on 80 mg so im taking 4 tablets p day and after last Endoscopy where biopsys were taken it showed a lot of imflamation in belly.

What i`d like to know is I think all these tablets ive been taken for a long time has damaged my gut and I did work n live in Frankfurt,Germany about 15 years ago and they did not want to prescribe OMOPERAZOLE and said it could be dangerous.

Please advise me anyone that knows,

Kind regards,Roger.

[RoadRunner44]

Hello Roger, I have my reservations about Omaprazole too. I have been on these capsules for about 5 years. I was advised to continue with them by my consultant . He is a lung specialist and I have bronchiectasis. He explained that acid reflux could leak into my lungs and cause complications.

I am hoping others will respond to your post as I have also been told by a doctor friend in another country, that it would be better if I could come off them.

[farful in reply to RoadRunner44]

I am on that, too. It does nothing for me. The doctors just say keep taking it. I am much older than you, but I had surgery for hiatal hernia last year. That was the only thing that worked to get rid of the acid. Unfortunately, for me, they had to reverse it due to eating difficulties I had. But with all of your conditions coming from acid, and very serious conditions, and your young age, I would consider the surgery if it is available to you. Other than diet restrictions and those meds, there is nothing else. Right now I am supposed to watch my diet. The kicker is the beverages. There is nothing that I can drink that I like. So I just do what I want.

[MariaSt]

Hello, Roger. If you have Barrett's, then you have to stay on omeprazole or any other prazole indefinitely, I am afraid. Prazoles have their side effects, but Barrett’s can lead to esophageal cancer if left untreated. Discuss it with your gastroenterologist, if you already didn’t.

[liz_crisp]

I have had OC and tried to stop taking my Omaprazole as I had heard it could have side effects , but after a bout of pneumonia caused by acid reflux in the lungs, they did an endescopy and found I had developed barratts and I am now taking 30mg twice a day for the rest of my time on this planet. Its the last thing I want again. I take an oral disspersible version.

take care Lizzy

[Spikey]

I stopped taking omeprazole about 10 years ago on the advise of my gastroenterologist, because it was causing side effects (mainly diarrhoea). Instead, he put me on pantoprazole, which I have been taking ever since (20mg twice daily). I believe this also has side effects, but so far I haven't experienced any.

[The_OPA Partner]

please check out the OPA website for further information opa.org.uk

You should also look at RefluxUK website, the link is at the bottom of the OPA website too.

[basten]

Hello oh I'm so sorry to hear that. I have oesophagitis gastritis and hiatus hernia. I am in pain despite Esomoprazole Rinitidine Gaviscon. I was supposed to see a GI but it got cancelled due to virus and is scheduled for August when I want to ask then to do another endoscope. But meantime I paid private for a virtual consultation with another GI. He thought I may have SIBO and I had to pay for a kit to be sent to me but it was negative. He also wrote to my doctor and said with a view to stopping the PPIs etc and asked me why I was still on them . I take medication which he thinks may have caused gut dismotility but again applied as he cant do any tests etc due to virus. Hes agreed to see me on NHS after all this. I read up on SIBO and it can cause various issues and am disappointed it was negative so I'm back to waiting frustrated and square one. I wish I could help you more. I am 71 female. I dont have money to go private except to talk via virtual and for the test. I just pray we get back to normal soon.

[basten]

Yes look at Reflux UK website. That's where I found doctor who asked why I still take them. Opa.org too good luck

[Notknowmuch]

Hello Roger, my husband (a fit and healthy 61 yrs old weighing 83kg at 5’ 11” height) was diagnosed with OC and wasn’t even aware that he had Barrett’s Esophagus.

It was when he had difficulty swallowing that GP ordered a barium swallow test, which then got things moving very quickly ie followed with gastroscopy which confirmed OC. Then had CT scan the finally PET scan to determine the cancer stage.

OC was diagnosed in Feb, chemoradiation therapy started in Mar and Apr with 6 weeks recovery to put on weight in readiness for oesophagectomy on 2/7/2020.

My husband is now recovering at home after 12 days in hospital. He does not have any issues with swallowing, he burps often and has to consciously eat slowly and on a ‘mince and mash’ diet. He will suffer pain when he forgets to eat or drink slowly or eats a little over the 300csl per meal (6 little meals a day).

He will have a first follow-up appt with surgeon next Monday. He currently weights 78.4kg; he lose 2 kgs during chemoradiation therapy but got back up during recovery before surgery.

He has pain especially under the RHS underarm area (IL surgery and told that his cancer is curable) and usually around after meals. These are managed with strong pain killers which he will eventually have to start weaning off . He tried weaning off earlier this week but pain was too intense so aborted the idea.

What I am trying to say is it is worth considering having the op if this is one of your options despite my comments about how uncomfortable the recovery stage is; it is inevitable.

Meanwhile, do what it takes to put on weight because you will lose a lot of weight during therapy (maybe) and definitely after surgery while trying to eat at a new ‘normal’ way without any issues as posted by patients and carers at this site.

Hope you get clarity in making your decision. All the best and take care.