Omeprazole

[Pinkishlover]

Hello,

I have been on Omeprazole 20 mg once a day for 90 days......my gastro Dr said I do not have to wean off of it. What is considered long term use of Omeprazole where a person would have to wean off of it?

Thank you

[ParkSchool5]

Hi, it all depends on how long your symptoms go on for. I have been on them for 10 years due to acid reflux from GERD and hiatal hernia. I started on 20mg daily but for the last few years have weaned down to 10mg daily and Gaviscon at night.

[Pinkishlover in reply to ParkSchool5]

Thank you....I too have a small hiatal hernia and gerd. I have purchased tums and Mylanta for any attacks. I hear a lot about people using gaviscon.....is it better?

[ParkSchool5 in reply to Pinkishlover]

Gaviscon double action liquid or Gaviscon Advance liquid are very good to take just before bed as they are quite thick (like yoghurt) and help form a 'raft' to stop acid escaping up into the esophagus.

[Pinkishlover in reply to ParkSchool5]

Thank you....I will definitely look for it.

[Jessie1234]

I manage GERD myself. Loosing weight really helps as does keeping trigger foods to a minimum or cut some out altogether. I cannot tolerate chilli or spicy foods but found a fruity, chilli powder that I do tolerate called “Sweet Ancho.” I can take small amounts of garlic, onions and tomatoes, other trigger foods. Coffee causes indigestion but I take one shot lattes. I usually make oven chips in an air frier which is fine but fatty foods such as Take Out Fish and Chips is a real irritant. Pastry also annoys me. As we age some of us do not have enough stomach acid to aid digestion but an acid supplement (plant or animal derived) called “Betaine HLC and Pepsin,” taken preferably just before your largest meal, really helps with digestion particularly in the evening. Provided you stop eating from 7 or 8 PM until morning it should cut out the need for Proton Pump Inhibitors such as Omeprazole. Gaviscon taken on a very regular basis can sometimes have a rebound effect making indigestion worse but I now take it the odd time if everything else fails. A pinch of Baking Soda works even better. Proton Pump Inhibitors prevent your body from absorbing the nutrients which you need to keep you healthy which has been highlighted recently in the UK by a rise in cases of Rickets as people don’t have enough Vitamin C. It’s fine to take Omeprazole or over the counter Nexium for 6 weeks as maybe it’s needed to settle a throat burned by reflux or in my case after major stomach surgery or for a week when on holiday. It has it’s place. One big game changer is to raise the head of your bed with either a wedge pillow or placing wood under the top legs of the bed. Personally I much prefer the latter but both take a bit of getting used to. I suppose you could say I learned the hard way! Hopefully this is of some benefit to someone.

[Twitchen]

I have been on it for 16 years non-stop!