Has Omeprazole stopped working? - Oesophageal & Gas...

Oesophageal & Gastric Cancer

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Has Omeprazole stopped working?

Tyneally profile image
32 Replies

Hello everyone

I take Omeprazole 20mg once a day and have been for the past 13 yrs. All of a sudden it has stopped working, getting bad pain, especially burning in my throat, so I have started taking it twice a day, morning and evening before meals. Still no effect. I did try taking 40mg in the morning instead and that has made it worse! My doc says to persevere taking it twice a day a little longer but usually in the past it has worked almost straight away...........not this time! Has anyone else had problems after taking it for such a long time?

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Tyneally profile image
Tyneally
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32 Replies
Holman profile image
Holman

I have found that different makes sometimes are not effective. I take esomeprozole as omeprazole stopped working for me but different makes don't work as well as others. I did ask my consultant if I was correct and he said I was. I have taken these for fourteen years 40mg

Tyneally profile image
Tyneally in reply toHolman

Thank you Holman, I do seem to be using the same make all the time!

in reply toHolman

Hi Holman,

In the past I have found certain generic makes of omeprazole don't seen to be as effective for me, either. Recently I picked up a different make than I usually do, and since then my symptoms have gotten progressively worse. I'm definitely going back to my original generic manufacturer.

AlanWare profile image
AlanWare

Following oesophagectomy I was put on omeprazole. It turned out that I was suffering bile reflux not acid reflux. PPI drugs make symptoms worse. See my other posts for more information. I have recently found that taking a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in a carbonate drink has been of great benefit in stopping bile reflux. The burning throat is typical of bile reflux.

Tyneally profile image
Tyneally in reply toAlanWare

Thank you AlanWare, will look into that.

Sickofsickness profile image
Sickofsickness in reply toAlanWare

I tried your idea in water and it helped they had me on the wrong meds I knew it! Every time I took my ppi I got heartburn and pain

LAH2DAH profile image
LAH2DAH in reply toSickofsickness

I have discovered baking soda tablets on Amazon. I take two of those before bed and no more drinking the nasty stuff. If it's really bad, I also take a dose of Lily of the desert Aloe herbal stomach formula. Hope this helps.

Aspecz profile image
Aspecz in reply toLAH2DAH

Hi i can not locate these products can you help with this acid reflux isent fun at all wakeing up in pain is not some thing i want for ever thanks so much

Something has changed, and it really needs to be checked out. It might be that there is something causing extra reflux, or it might be bile. But the whole principle behind taking medication long term is that it should be reviewed and checked every so often, ands you do need to persist until it gets resolved.

Tyneally profile image
Tyneally in reply to

Thank you. Will go and get checked out.

1960finas profile image
1960finas

My cure for acid reflux and oesophagitis. You start with apple cider vinegar unfiltered raw with the mother , ginger turmeric cayenne pepper freshly squeezed lemon and limes,orange and and or grapefruit do enough to make about a pint, and add a half pint of water keep in fridge.use a little glass put one/two table spoons of the vinegar then add ginger,tumeric,and cayenne pepper.All 3 just a tip of a teaspoon cayenne pepper is really hot,then add the juice about one inch in the glass take this twice a day before meals it goes against the grain taking a drink that's so acidic but that's why it works it takes about 2weeks to kick in and it's not very nice to drink ,you may get a bit of upset belly for a couple days while you are doing this just take a a antacid not pp inhibitors please let me know if u r going to try and if u do let me know how you get on all the best fina's

Kpkp profile image
Kpkp in reply to1960finas

That's the most idiotic thing I've ever heard

1960finas profile image
1960finas in reply toKpkp

Please clarify

watkinss2 profile image
watkinss2 in reply to1960finas

So basically you take everything possible that will cause heartburn and discomfort? That's just idiotic! I hope nobody tries this!

1960finas profile image
1960finas in reply towatkinss2

Yeah well just keep taking PPI's and mask the problem u have u will never get better as that is not what PPI's do. What they do is shorten your life u need to do some research and stop being so idiotic .Hi watkinss2 have u managed to do any research on PPI's and acid reflux

munishaggarwal54 profile image
munishaggarwal54

Dear tynealy,

These antacids only giving a false sense of relief. In the process the disease severity continues to grow. Ultimately it reaches a stage where even the false relief is not visible. Your best solution is managing your diet.

LOUPHE profile image
LOUPHE

Hi, late to the party but wondered what the outcome of your issue was?

I experienced something similar and may be able to help! I've been on PPI's for almost 10 years, nexium, then zoton then lansaprazole and for the last 4 years - omeprazole. They always worked despite the fact that i used to take them at night, no knowing this was not advised for the first few years. Then, randomly, when I started exercising 2 years ago and switched to a lower carb diet - and began eating very healthily. All of a sudden, LOTS of heartburn. My doc switched up my medication and nothing seemed to work, was literally crying every day, an endoscope showed my esophagus was covered in burn marks and the surgeon suggested getting the nissen fundoplication - I'm quite terrified of surgery so made a decision to get to the route of this. I made 2 huge discoveries.

1 - If I take my tablet and then eat a substantial amount of fat with my first meal of the day (this could be avocado, or even an egg - due to the yolk, or oily fish) it seems to stop the tablet working

2 - And this was the biggest revelation, I figured out I need to wait 1 hour before eating or drinking anything after I take my tablet.

Also, some brands of Omeprazole don't seem to work as well, I've no scientific evidence but I'm convinced it's whatever the capsules are made of. I'm not sure why I struggle to break these down but I recall when I was taking Zoton (which is dissolvable) I never had problems until I took the generic brand which came in capsule form.

For some reason, even adhering to all of the above mine seem to be failing again, but i've been eating a lot more fiber so I wonder if I can lower the amount of time I wait before eating. Would love to hear a physicians opinion.

Tyneally profile image
Tyneally in reply toLOUPHE

Hi Louphe, Sorry for all the trouble you have been having. My problem with severe acid reflux even though I was taking omneprazole 20mg seems to have resolved itself as my doctor suggested I reduce the dose to 10mg. I believe after taking 20mg for about 20 years my body reacted and found it too strong for some strange reason and am feeling much better on 10mg. Possibly I'm not producing so much acid!! I don't know, just a guess!! Have you tried taking your omneprazole in the morning? that's when I take mine.

Juliojr13 profile image
Juliojr13

It all started with acid reflux for about a year and a half, taking Tums and thinking everything is alright. Until I started noticing my acid syotoms getting worse. After all that time, I finally went to see a gastroenterologist and performed an upper endoscopy. He found my esophagus swollen from the acid creeping up past my sphincter. He also saw small erosions in my stomach. He perscribed Omeprazole 20 mg. They worked for about 3 weeks, then all of a sudden, the symptoms got worse, I went back to him 2 days ago and he doubled the dose and tolde to take 40 mg. I feel as if they are too strong and my stomach acts funny. I also get occasionally chest muscle spasms, esophagus swollen, trouble swallowing, and think I'm having a heart attack. I've been to the emergency room twice, and they do all types of test and everything comes up normal. I don't know what else to do an d think it's the Omeprazole m a king it worse. I changed my diet completely and stopped drinking caffeine all together. Anyone have any related issues that can help a young guy out? I would greatly appreciate it.

BlaiddCalon profile image
BlaiddCalon in reply toJuliojr13

Eek I had to have one of those upper endoscopy. They got to my throat and I withdrew consent I hated it

Aspecz profile image
Aspecz in reply toJuliojr13

Hi did u get things sorted i feel your pain mate please report back i need ti know there's hope this is not fun at all

BlaiddCalon profile image
BlaiddCalon

I have this problem sometimes too. What works for me is if I feel like it’s not working or making things worse, I stop taking it for a week. Then start up again. It works for me again then.

Maybe it’s our bodies working up a tolerance/intolerance to it.

I know this is an old post but I hope you had it resolved in the end. Apparently they aren’t prescribing it that often anymore due to unwanted side effects. I have been on it myself for 5/6 years and they have suddenly taken it off my prescription. I have to call tomorrow now to find out why as I rely on these so much.

Vivek_ profile image
Vivek_ in reply toBlaiddCalon

Hi. I am taking nexium & it's stop working. Should I stop it for 1 week so that it work again. .pls help

Hi .. ive been on omeprazole 25 years and recently my usual brand Dr Reddys 20mg changed its tablet formula in some way also the colour from blue grey to white..they did not work for me any more ..now iam on nexium 20 mg...=...Esomeprazole 20 mg and they are working good ...I went back to the Dr Reddys just to see but again they did not work...i hope this helps others and i agree some brands dont work as good..paul uk

in reply to

Ps my original problem started in the 1980s I was near mt St Helen's camping when she blow her top..we ended up drinking out of the rivers we had no choice and I caught giardia .(beaver fever) that was the start of my problems

Angelsanddemoms profile image
Angelsanddemoms in reply to

I'm sorry I just have to make a funny. Beaver fever is what a lot of young and older men have

gypsymoor profile image
gypsymoor in reply to

Hi, I just came across your post on Dr Reddys omeprazole not working for you anymore. I had about a six month supply of them at home , but about 5 months ago ran out of them and took the new white tablet. I have had problems ever since and have tried various PPI”s none of them work. Had all kinds of tests and all that has shown up is gastritis. Have you found a brand of omeprazole that works for you. I wish they would the original one again.

Ladybugmom profile image
Ladybugmom

Yes!!! I have been taking it since I was about 19. I take 2 Prilosec a day which is equal to 1 nexium my GI has explained. The Dr did an endoscopy and found I had a hiatal hernia. So, I am hoping that’s all that going on with this 95 yearbook or body when I am only 35. Now, nothing is helping and it actually cause me to Vomit while I am sleeping now. I do not know what to do!! I have Brain Cancer in 2010 so it very much worries me as of course it would anyone else!!! Everyone that hears about my health lately brings up that I need to remember I had brain cancer I hear blah blah blah. I sure hope that you get some answers soon for your sufferering.

Conwy1 profile image
Conwy1

Hi. I realise your post is from three years ago but did you solve the problem. My ppi’s have stopped working after ten years of just taking one omeprazole. I can take four now and they have no effect. I have just had Covid so don’t know if that may have something to do with it? Thanks

jim3108 profile image
jim3108 in reply toConwy1

This is really interesting. I’ve been on PPIs for 13 years - Lansoprazole, more recent years Omeprazole. I had COVID in December ‘21 and since then my Omeprazole has stopped working as effectively. Initially I doubled my dose and then tripled it and that seemed to help but it seems curious timing. Did your symptoms subside? Did you change the way you treated the reflux in the meantime?

gypsymoor profile image
gypsymoor

Hi, I'm new here but can identify with the problems you've had . I have taken Omeprozole 20 mg for the past 10 yrs, DR Reddys brand were the only ones that ever worked for me . For the past 2 months or so they have stopped working completely since the tablets changed to the white ones, they had always been the blue /grey ones. My gp has tried me on esomeprazole and lansoprazole , neither of them are working. Its just constant acid in my mouth and stomach pain. Waiting for a telephone consultation with gastroenterologist. hope they can help !!!

Jacks24 profile image
Jacks24

Omeprazole Is only designed as a 3 week treatment doctors are giving it people for years but not looking for the real underling problem that is causing the pain I would go to a see a naturopath I found it more helpful for my husband

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