Omeprazole

[Cavalierrubie]

Has anyone stopped Omeprazole successfully.? My GP has changed my medication to Famotidine and it doesn’t seem to be working and l am in pain. I have been on Omeprazole for many years with a hiatus hernia and acid reflux. Thanks.

[Hidden]

Did the dr give a valid reason for the change? You may have been on omeprazole for longer than he thought you should be. It would be a good idea to go back and let them know how you are

[mjames1]

Famotidine is an H2 Blocker and as a drug class, in many cases not as effective in suppressing acid as a PPI such as Omeprazole. Persoanally, H2 blockers never helped me with my reflux/gerd. I would therefore let the doctor who made the change know what is going on and ask to go back on PPI's. I would love to get off of PPI's, but so far they are the only class of drugs that work for me and many others.

Jim

[Cavalierrubie in reply to mjames1]

Yes, l know. It’s so difficult to control this. I have tried many times to get off them without success. My kidney function test recently came back as abnormal, which has concerned me. I am also on anticoagulants which can cause the same health risk. Incidentally, l just read your post re. oesophageal spasms. I get these and if l eat a raw apple it cures them. It may sound bizarre and contra. but it works for me. A nurse at the Gastroenterology clinic l attended told me to eat raw apple for my stomach issues. I wish it was a complete cure. Thanks for reply.

[mjames1 in reply to Cavalierrubie]

In case you haven't tried them, some find relief with alginates such as Gaviscon Advance, although personally didn't work for me. I also have had some success with the antacid Mylanta after meals and at bedtime. That and raising the head of my bed and not lying down after meals, etc.

Re the spasms, thanks for the raw apple suggestion. Too early to tell, but I was having a mini spasm about 30 minutes ago and headed to the store for a raw apple. Seems a little better now. So far the only thing that has really worked is Diltiazem and valium, but valium is not a daily solution so currently on daily Diltiazem. I also find stretching and heat work, but time consuming and no immediate relief. I believe the underlying problem is one with motility and SIBO that got worse after a bout with Covid. Trying to find a doctor that will address the cause rather than just the symptons, but not so easy to find.

Good luck with your situation. I think people (and even doctors) don't understand how debilitating reflux/gerd can be.

Jim

[Cavalierrubie in reply to mjames1]

Hope it soon calms down for you. I have had a very bad day with Gerd. I think l had too bigger lunch. It sometimes gives me palpitations when l overeat. I have AF along with all this, which makes it all the more intolerable. Don’t have too many Valium as withdrawals are horrendous and l speak from experience.

[Jumpey]

Read Dr.Louise Kaufman's Acid Reflux Diet She's a renowned expert.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Jumpey]

I have the book. Recipes complicated. I have a list of foods not to eat, but unfortunately doesn’t work for me, just helps. I have large hiatus hernia which is probably causing my problems. Thanks for trying to help and glad it worked for you.

[Jumpey in reply to Cavalierrubie]

I have a hernia too.I went on a strict alkaline diet for months. I can now manage with occasional gaviscon.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Jumpey]

Unfortunately, l have other health problems which would interact with this special diet. Gaviscon doesn’t work for me either. You have done very well to manage this horrible condition so thanks for sharing your success.

[Jumpey in reply to Cavalierrubie]

I'm sorry to hear that.Huge good luck.x

[SableBandit]

I am having a flare up because my hernia slipped up into my esophagus so I’ve been stomach breathing and massaging my left side trying to get it to go back down. Also taking slippery elm. I open the capsule and put it in a tiny bit of water so that it will coat my esophagus and hopefully help the hernia to slide back down. You can successfully get off the ppi but you have to do it slowly. The longer you are on it the slower the taper. If you are only on famotidine then right after taking it take Gaviscon, 2 Gaviscon if needed. I also take charcoal tabs to absorb excess acid. Usually I wait until I have eaten because that’s when the acid reflux starts and then I take a charcoal tab, works in about 10 minutes, so I stay standing and walking, and avoid bending, and then I take a Gaviscon or 2. Sitting down causes the reflux to rise so standing straight helps. What I’ve noticed this week is that famotidine doesn’t work for the hernia reflux very much. I have better luck with the charcoal, slippery elm and Gaviscon. Hope something here helps you. It’s just the most miserable feeling to be in this much pain. God bless.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to SableBandit]

Thanks for that, you have given some good advice and glad you are getting through this flare up., I have had loads of them and it’s very painful. My hernia is a sliding one. I think we all have different ways of coping with it and thank goodness there are things to help. I dread to think what it must have been like for past generations. It’s in my family and l remember my dad taking bicarbonate of soda before bed. I do, occasionally, if it gets bad, as well as other meds. Bending is the worst. Almost everything we do entails bending. Shopping is also another bind, with lifting shopping bags. God bless to you too and take care. X

[SableBandit in reply to Cavalierrubie]

I pray that you have a better day today. Some days I’m not sure how I make it through. Sliding hernias are the pits. I would have the hole fixed if I could but I don’t do well under anesthesia so there goes that option. Oh well, at least we have this site where we can commiserate with others and glean helpful information. Today is a new day. The possibilities are endless. Xxx

[Badger2024]

I’d love to know what your eGFR result was in your blood labs. That determines how well your kidneys are functioning. My Chronic Kidney Disease was put down to taking Nexium (PPI) for the last six years. I had investigations November last year for kidney stones, kidney artery disease and cysts and all okay. I then said to my GP (PCP) that perhaps I should go off my PPI as I must have early stage irreversible kidney disease. She said oh yes you do but it’s only mild. I was so pissed off. So in the last seven months my kidney function has gone down some more but now seems to have stabilise. At 44% function. I’ll have it for life and may eventually have to have dialysis. All because of Nexium. These PPIs aren’t supposed to be taken long term. Do some research. Big pharma don’t care. With reduced kidney function you should stop taking all anti-inflammatories too. Diet wise no added salt and preferably no red meat. Drink plenty of water. Depends how reduced your function is. My nephrologist put me on famotidine as it’s reasonably safe for kidneys. Like you I also have a sliding hernia and it didn’t help at all. My GP then changed it to nizatapine which is also an H2 blocker and it’s been much better. No way near as good as PPI but that will eventually kill me and kidneys. I hardly ever eat fried food. I eat small meals. Usually only two a day with one or two snacks. Last one about fours hours before bed. Take a glug of Gaviscon just before bed. Sleep with two pillows. Thinking about have a hernia op to tighten up my lower sphincter. Think it’s called a fundiplication. If you’ve read this far can you please let me know what your eGFR is on your biochemistry blood results. Good luck