Lanzoprazole and side effects

[PopandMo]

Hello, I am over 2 years past Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy and have been taking Lanzoprazole 15mg once a day, then Gavison at night. I’ve found that my folate and ferritin are low , probably caused by ppi use and wonder if anyone has managed to come off them. I know they have lots of potential bad effects long term, but is it more important to keep reflux acid down? Just interested what others have done. Thank you in advance!

[focused1]

My situation was slightly different as I had hiatus hernia resulting in surgery then gall bladder removal but before the hiatus surgery I was put on same . Told by consultant that surgery was best option as lanzoprozole and gaviscon should be short term . He actually said he wouldn't like to take them and this personally coaxed me into surgery .

This is my story . I had different circumstances but the thing I took away if a consultant wouldn't take them for long then neither would I . I actually stopped taking them and changed my diet to very light meals and for the last few weeks before surgery had a mainly liquid diet of smoothies and quality blended full of veg soups .

[phil in reply to focused1]

You have answered your own question. In our situation when we have had this operation and I had mine 17 years ago its better to control reflux acid with a PPI After my operation I was in the same position as you and worried about taking this medication

For the first few years I only used Gaviscon but I would still get heartburn bending down and occasionally that would caused slight pain in my throat which worried me greatly

After speaking to my consultant he advised me to take a daily PPI the lowest dose that suited me and this what I have done for the last 11 years and wouldn't be without them

You have got to realize that we are different and this medication protects what is left of our Oesophagus and in my case give me a better quality of life

As drugs go this medication has been prescribed for many years and has a very good safety record, but it up to you, we are all different and I wish you all the best

Regards

Phil

[PopandMo in reply to phil]

Thank you Phil. I agree I think controlling the acid is the priority and I assume I will be given supplements to deal with low ferritin and B12 etc. I’ve yet to speak to my surgeon but I reckon he would say the same. I was just interested in whether others had had problematic side effects.

[focused1 in reply to phil]

Thanks . Like you say we are all different and maybe given tailored advice . When a Dr won't take it then that is when the bells rung but I didn't have your issues

[liz_crisp]

Hi I have taken lanzoperole now for. 14 years post op. I did try to stop but was diagnosed with Barratts 6 months after stopping which wasn't found before so I am now on them for life as I didn't know I had reflux before the cancer diagnosis and so notice when I stop taking them.

[PopandMo in reply to liz_crisp]

Thank you Liz, yes despite the bad press these meds get, I think it’s just something we have to take as the benefits in our situation outweigh the risks. I’m sure my surgeon would agree-it’s quite hard to get a hold of him at the moment but I think pretty much everyone does take them. Glad you’re doing well.

[whasler]

I'm also 2+ years since op in Aug 21. On 30mg Lansoprazole for the anti acid but also because it also apparently helps prevent internal bleeding which may occur as I get older - I'm on various pills for my heart. I now take Lans each morning with my heart pills (leaving 20-30 mins before I eat to let it settle).

I use three pillows if I eat too late in the evening but rarely use Gaviscon these days.

So no plans to come off but unsure what folate and ferritin levels are!

[PopandMo in reply to whasler]

Thank you for replying! Sorry, ferritin is the body’s store of iron, and folates are Vitamin B9, or B12 can be affected because we don’t have much stomach after the op. I think the body just doesn’t handle things the way it used to and so we suffer some side effects. Lanzoprazole stops the production of acids that we need so it changes things. Saying that, as others have said, I think keeping acid down is most important for us. Good luck in your recovery!

[SurreyGuy]

Hello, please ensure your Lansoprazole is being prescribed under medical supervision. They may wish to undertake blood tests to keep an eye on your kidney function and various blood levels. Personally I wouldn't want to take it long term. For reflux I sleep as upright as possible with a wedge pillow. It took a while to bet used to it but I no longer need to take anything for it.

[whasler in reply to SurreyGuy]

I was told by my cardiologist that Lansoprazole mitigates issues with internal bleeding so that's quite a big plus for me on heart pills for staying on it for a while (with annual echocardiograms)

[PopandMo in reply to SurreyGuy]

It is a drug with side effects that are potentially harmful, but by all accounts it’s necessary to keep down acid following oesophagectomy. People seem to react differently to medication and I guess it’s trial and error and weighing up what is best, even if it comes at a cost. I would always go with what my consultant recommends, though I guess even they differ in opinion!

[Artiquety]

Like yourself, I am trying to go natural, because someone once hinted, that, maybe, the PPI and other pharmaceuticals may have contributed towards my reflux disease. I hope that this site might offer a glimmer of hope …

thenaturaldoctors.com/podca...

Janet Stockley a Nutitionalist in Liverpool also offers advice

[Mobile] 07752 542364

[Bards]

I’m nearly 10 months post Ivor Lewis (join is very high up if this makes a difference).. Had some fairly horrific nighttime A.R. at points though very little daytime. Improved quite a bit so went down from 30mg twice a day to just once a day.

Long Putnam’s wedge pillow seemed to improve things further so asked if I could see if I could reduce dose. Consultant said I seemed capable of monitoring myself well enough to adjust so reduced to 20mg for 10 days, then 15mg, then 10 & now nothing for 5 weeks with no I’ll-effects. In fact things continued to improve to the point I only rarely get a very minor symptom. If I didn’t know my history I wouldn’t even realise anything was up…

I suspect I’ve been VERY fortunate and maybe few will be… Seeing the Consultant again in 2 months so will make sure this seems plausible, and also whether being off PPIs means the prescription supplements (AdCal and Ferrous) and/or the over the counter vitamins. From reading around I think mine may be unusual outcome but that’s my experience but I was keen with medical go ahead to experiment with PPI reduction. I didn’t expect to come off completely but have.

I’m a mere(!) 56yrs old so I have hopefully many years left for any PPI undesirable effects to build - that’s why I was motivated to ‘have a play’ with dosage but subject to Consultant confirmation seems to have paid off for me. If still suffering I wouldn’t be kidding myself as I didn’t deal well with nocturnal Acid Reflux at all.

Hope that may help someone rather than galling any who still struggle with nighttime A.R.

Bards

[PopandMo]

thank you for your story, and it’s good to hear you’ve successfully managed to come off the ppis. I still suffer rather badly at night, but Gaviscon is pretty effective and I’m seldom wakened, except with occasional coughing. I’m still on 15mg of Lanzoprazole in the morning and thus don’t feel any reflux through the day. I might try doing without but would always discuss with my consultant first. Good luck in your recovery!

[Bards]

I guess it’s good news you’re only prescribed 15mg. It’s strange - I was never prescribed Gaviscon & was told to take Lanzaprazole 30 mins before dinner, so had no night-specific meds, perhaps that’s why I suffered so badly for a few months?

All patients have different responses and Consultants will all have variable proclivities. Thank you for your kind thoughts and best wishes

[PopandMo]

I was initially on 30mg twice daily and had to ask to reduce, as they tend to forget little details like that! I think the Gaviscon has been useful as it has an instant effect , so ideal at night when reflux tends to be worse. You’re very welcome-it’s always helpful to share what works for different people! Trial and error.