Prescribed Lansoprazole for stomach pain...wondering if I should take it?

[Wagonwheel]

Finally made an appointment to investigate long term stomach pain and diarrhoea, very thorough nurse practitioner prescribed Lansoprazole. Not realising its a PPI until I got home, I'm wondering if should I take it or if I have malabsorption issues will it make PA/deficiencies worse?

[wedgewood]

It will affect your absorption of B12 if you are relying on food sources . If you get your B12 from injections , it will not be affected . But other nutrients may be affected by you taking a PPI , as an acid environment is required for the breakdown of them . I would tend to treat a gut problem with natural probiotics . Like natural yoghurts , organic sauerkraut. kimchi . Kombucha etc

But I really think you should see a gastroenterologist for long-term stomach pain and diarrhoea. It’s not to be taken lightly . Best wishes .

[Wagonwheel in reply to wedgewood]

Thank you for replying Wedgewood. It was my hope that I would get a referral to a gastroenterologist but get a kind of mental block when being examined, I think she wanted to fix the pain rather than the reasons.

She said to take for 3 days then return for a review which I think I'll try, I'm SI B12 once/twice a week and maybe this is the best way to get a referral.

Thanks for the reminder about fermented pickles, they've fallen off my menu lately!

[wedgewood in reply to Wagonwheel]

Right ,why not ? 3 days can do no harm . But PPIs must never be taken for long .

[CatrionaNason]

Do get checked for Bile Acid Diarrhoea...

SECHAT Scan. Also bowel sample tests for everything including parasites. Don't take NO for an answer!!!!!!!. xx

[Wagonwheel in reply to CatrionaNason]

Thank you CatrionaNason I’ll make I’m prepared!

[kaybeena]

I had a number of terrible GI issues. It was hard to eat, male plans, sleep. I was actually on meds for years prior to losing insurance and not being able to afford them! So I started going a more holistic route.

I would suggest getting some Braggs Apple Cidder Vinegar and some raw honey. Make you self a beverage mixing 2tbls Bragg with 1 tablespoon honey... then fill glass with warm or room temp water (not HOT, kills the benefits of the honey, cold won’t dissolve). Drink this 3 times a day and it should help you a lot and very quickly. I was feeling better after about a week- it was shocking. Wean off or continue to use as needed.

I still drink this quite often, many health benefits.

It has also helped others I have suggested it to. Good luck. 🙏🏻💜

[kaybeena]

You can adjust the Braggs and honey amount to taste. I like the taste... some not so much!

[Wagonwheel in reply to kaybeena]

Thank you! I'm just a little confused about how to approach this as the PPI's will reduce stomach acid, making the need for apple cider vinegar drinks even greater..? Hopefully I'll get to see a gastroenterologist

[Queeniz]

I’ve been on the same meds for over 20 yrs x

[Wagonwheel in reply to Queeniz]

Wow, has this caused PA do you think?

[Queeniz]

I have no idea cos my GP won’t even help me he just gives me same meds every week x Are you on them? X

[Wagonwheel in reply to Queeniz]

How frustrating for you. I’ve had 2 pills and so far no improvements. Burning pains in my stomach/intestines are as intense and painful.

Making fermented pickles tomorrow!

[Queeniz in reply to Wagonwheel]

The pills work magic I couldn’t go without them.

But if they are hurting you go back to your Dr ASAP x

[Wagonwheel in reply to Queeniz]

I was prescribed them to stop the pain...do you have stomach pain if you don’t take them? x

[Ryaan in reply to Wagonwheel]

They do a check with a camera if your pain is in your lower intestines area. (Most likely for upper intestines also)

I think it’s called an intestinal gastroscopy but not 100% sure if that is what it’s actually called.

The symptoms are burning and pain and loose stools. The pain is usually worse after going toilet as your intestines contract and expand as there’s usually inflammation.

I would ask for that, you need a referral from your doctor. I don’t think PPIs would help if it’s that.

A friend of mine had a similar problem and they done this. I haven’t seen him to ask what the results were but I’m sure it’s what they should be looking at.

Hope you get to the bottom of the problem.

[Queeniz]

Long story .... my nana died in sept 20 yrs ago & I didn’t eat ONE single thing for 3 months, one day I had pain in my chest (thought I was having a heart attack ) it wasn’t in the end it was acid they put me on the pills & haven’t stopped them since.

As you may have guessed I have been through so much in my life it’s killing me now. X

[Wagonwheel in reply to Queeniz]

Oh goodness I’m sorry to hear that x

[Queeniz]

How did yours start? X

[Frenchiebabe]

No it won’t make it worse . I would keep food diary sounds like you could have intolerance if ongoing loose stools - if this is correct cut out gluten ,

[Wagonwheel]

Loose stools started when I was doing serious training for long distance fell races about 15 years ago. I mentioned it several times to GP's who never took any action, other than ascribing it to training.

The stomach ache started around a year ago, I think, maybe longer memories are pretty sketchy before B12 deficiency was discovered last July.

I have been fasting a lot, not deliberately, mainly because I don't have much of an appetite. A day will go by and I realise I haven't eaten anything, if I'\m honest this can happen several times a week so wondering if this is causing an issue. I always have a good dinner with loads of veg from my allotment and I eat meat..

[Queeniz]

I’ve never had the camera down or any other tests done. The GP just gave me these meds (which 16 yrs later ) I’m still taking.