Omeprazole Withdrawal Issues

[southofthedowns]

Hi all

I had surgery last November to fix reflux.

I have tapered down my dose of Omeprazole from 20mg / day to aprox 6-7 mg / day (by opening 10mg capsule and discarding one third of contents).

I stopped Omeprazole completey ten days ago.

I have an awful, splitting headache ever since. Paracetamol and dihydrocodein take the edge off but don't really get rid of the pain.

The last ime I experienced this sort of headache was when I had a stomach ulcer.

Does anyone have any experience of Omeprazole withdrawal? I am very aware of acid rebound - that's not what I am talking about.

I have spoken to GP who is criminally useless and also visited A & E. Variously I have been told it is my eyesight (!), tension or blood pressure. None of the above apply.

I would be interested to hear from anyone who has experienced withdrawal issues from Omeprazole.

Kind regards

[southofthedowns]

I should probably add that I have been on PPI for 25 years... No-one walks away from that.

[liz_crisp]

I tried cutting down my dose of Lanzoporol about 5 years after my oesophagus cancer op ( had read about bad side effects) and due to acid reflux I developed Barratts. Which showed up at my checkup. Be careful and make sure you get checks for acid reflux damage too. Im back on 60mg a day and have been now for 15 years

I don't know about the headache but I didn't feel anything keep pressing to find out the cause Take care

[Dorset22]

I took PPIs for a year or so and then found out I had H Pylori after asking for an endoscopy. Equally useless GP. If the headache doesn’t go just a thought have you had a dental check up. I had a terrible headache once and was prescribed tranquillisers which I didn’t take, had my eyes tested etc. Went the dentist and I had a bad tooth which didn’t give me pain but was causing the headaches. Probably random but hope you get better.

[Washington1]

Hi. So sorry to hear you are suffering so much. I haven't experienced this, but reading what you've written made me wonder if you have any nutritional deficiencies. From what I've read, long term use of omeprazole can possibly lead to magnesium and zinc deficiencies for instance. Just thought I'd mention this in case it helps. Maybe your gp could help with some vitamin/nutritional tests? Hope you start to feel better soon.

Ps. I've recently bought zinc carnosine, which is supposed to be helpful for gut health. Too early to talk of effect, but thought I'd mention it. I am now also taking magnesium glycinate.

[southofthedowns]

Thank you everybody for your kind comments.

The big issue with PPI is of course malabsorption.

I am (or have been) supplementing with B12 (injections every 13 weeks), folate, magnesium, potassium and iron (Infusion last summer after only three years of asking).

I was diagnosed osteopenic four years ago.

I think it is important to engage with your GP if you suspect problems. It is difficult to get them to do a truly wide-ranging set of tests, they will try to get away with basic 'GP blood screen'.

As an example I had a sore tongue for years and thought nothing of it. It went away when I started supplementing...

Trust me when I say no-one gets away with long term PPI therapy without top-notch monitoring. It can slowly ruin your life.

Regards

[ParkSchool5]

Hi, sorry to hear about your problems. I have been on Omeprazole 20mg for 10 years and although it helps my acid reflux somewhat, it does make me feel generally unwell with not as much energy as I used to have. I have tried to wean off them twice during this time with horrible acid rebound consequences. I have managed to get down to 10mg daily with Famotidine 10mg during the evening and Gaviscon before bed. Have you tried Famotidine as an alternative?

[southofthedowns]

Hi

A couple of years ago I tried to come off PPI by stopping abruptly. I was put on Nizatidine at twice the regular dose (600mg I think).

I was also using Ibuprofen with Dr's consent.

I developed an ulcer and eventually damaged my kidneys.

I went back to PPI and ulcer settled down.

One problem with Gaviscon etc is that it makes the stomach alkaline - which stimulates the stomach to make more acid.

The trick is to stop the acid getting into the oesophagus in the first place. Which is why I opted for surgery.

All the best

[Beanlover]

Can I ask you how you found the surgery for reflux. I have what my GP describes as a very large hiatus hernia. I have reflux problems on and off. When I asked about treatment looked horrified and gave the impression that it was a terrible experience which she didn't think would be a good idea..Just wondered your views on it.

[southofthedowns in reply to Beanlover]

Hi

Upper GI surgery is quite a big deal. Whatever procedure you undergo I think you will be uncomfortable afterwards, I certainly was.

The various options (fundoplication or variations therof, Linx & Reflux Stop) are difficult to reverse if they go wrong. All these procedures attempt to replace or reinforce the action of the lower oesophageal sphyncter. You may find you cannot burp, cannot vomit and you may or may not still experience acid reflux.

I respectfully suggest lots of research until you are sure you understand the likely range of outcomes and then have a conversation with a consultant. I am sure you are aware you are entitled to choose where the procedure is undertaken, and that you can ask for a second opinion.

Finally, if you are managing the symptoms without resorting to daily PPI I would lean toward leaving it alone. However if you are obliged to use daily PPI at least be very sure you understnd the long-term implications of doing so, not least the malabsorption issues.

After 25 yrs of PPI I was diagnosed osteopenic as a male at 60yrs of age, I broke my arm in December after a minor tumble. I take a range of supplements and last summer I received an iron infusion, after only a few years of asking...

All the best

[Beanlover]

Thanks for your response. I do have PPIs daily. Am 79, with a range of other conditions. I think I understand the malabsorbtion issues. I have had B12 issues, but at present seem to be managing ok. It does seem a bit hit and miss. Perhaps understand GPs response now. I am lucky to have exceptionally good GPs.I hope you have found it worth while in the end.

[southofthedowns]

Hi

It might be worth asking for comprehensive blood tests to monitor the malabsorption - maybe twice a year? Just to be sure nothing is creeping up on you.

I feel that I have lost years of my life to this nonsense.

I wish you all the best with this.