lansoprazole side effects or IBS!

[Jaby86]

hi, around this time last year I was diagnosed with acid reflux and IBS however symptoms completely disappeared after 2 months of lansoprazole 15mg daily.

this past month both the acid reflux and IBS have returned but feel worse than the first time around. I had some lansoprazole left over so started taking that but it didn't seem to be as effective so my GP prescribed me 30mg once daily however 3 days in and I have experienced horrible diarrhoea and cramping. the GP has advised to stop the lansoprazole to see if it's causing it but it's left me scared to eat anything or know what's causing the diarrhoea and when it's going to stop. I have never experienced anything like this before! Any advice welcome!

[FarflameX]

Hi, I'm new here and your story sounds similar to mine in some ways. This is my first post and I can only speak from my personal experience.

I was never actually 'diagnosed' with acid reflux, but basically diagnosed myself, based on my symptoms and my doctor just agreed and put me on Lanzoprazole. I can't say that it's ever really worked or that I'm convinced that 'acid reflux' is truly the problem, since my main problem was waking up with a strange stomach/chest pain which then led to acid reflux. The Lanzoprazole at least made the symptoms better, but never the main problem. I did feel better for a while and tried to come off them, but then I got really severe acid reflux and had to start again. Recently they've put me on a stronger version, but I'm still not convinced that they're even looking at the main issue.

You say you were diagnosed, but I'm not sure how a diagnosis for this is ever reached, unless you had tests and it can actually be diagnosed that way.

I was also put on 15mg and it seemed effective at first. I then tried to stop, since I felt better but I got worse (similar to you) and was then put on 30mg. I then finally felt better again so came off them again and then just got worse again. It feels like the Lanz is just covering something up. I've started taking paracetomol just to help with extra pains that are forming, so maybe that will help you?

Sorry, long rant, just thought maybe it might help to connect some dots.

[Jaby86 in reply to FarflameX]

Hi thanks for your reply. It's very frustrating isn't it. Yes similar to you in that I listed my symptoms to my GP and was told it was likely acid reflux and IBS. I'm assuming that is the case as I felt completely back to normal after the course had finished and pretty much straightaway when starting. Feel like an endoscopywould help but need to get this awful diarrhoea out of the way first

[FarflameX in reply to Jaby86]

I'm really not sure as mine mostly presents as a strange feeling in the stomach, so the endoscopy is needed and coming soon. I would have thought that some sort of tests would be necessary before prescribing pills to anybody.

Gavison Advance works really well for me at keeping any heartburn under control. Lanzoprazole seems ok but seems to be working less well now. But neither got rid of the night-time stomach pulsing.

I never had any side effects though so can't offer any advice about the diarrhoea. Is it listed as a side effect from Lanzoprazole? It might just be that, but others on here probably have a better idea about that.

[Dorset22 in reply to Jaby86]

Try cutting dose gradually over a week and have an acid reflux diet, no caffeine/alcohol and bland foods, manuka honey, probiotics and kefir. Gaviscon Advance at night. I had endoscopy and found I had gastritis from H Pylori which I had never heard of. After antibiotics I am back to normal. Hope you get better soon.

[Jaby86 in reply to Dorset22]

Thanks so much for this. My doctor told me to come off them immediately which I have and thankfully the diarrhoea seems to have improved so I mustn't be able to tolerate the higher dose. Hopefully with a changed diet I can get the acid reflux under control. I have bought some slippery elm and licorice root as I have heard they can help.!

[Dorset22 in reply to Jaby86]

You are welcome. I know how horrible acid reflux is. Forgot to mention a wedge pillow is brilliant too.

[ParkSchool5]

Hi, sorry to hear about your problems. Unfortunately with PPI's, is the terrible rebound acid reflux you get when you try to stop them. I had a similar experience. In desperation you go back on them and it's a vicious circle! Fortunately I have managed to taper down slowly to 10mg Omeprazole daily and Gaviscon Advance at night. Hope you can resolve it soon.

[kahlkoff]

Remember, you can always try a different PPI until you find one that suits you. I'm on my third (Omep / Lanz and now Panto). Finally I have something that I can tolerate.