I've been concerned about side effects of the Omeprazole. I noted that it can cause Osteoporosis??? After researching natural alternatives, such as Water melon juice, Aloe Vera juice, non fat Greek Yogurt and Cilantro, Baking Soda and Organic Apple Cider Vinegar I have been trying them out. Some I can take better than others. What I'm wondering is - can I stop taking the Omeprazole altogether without suffering any adverse consequences? Your wise words and experience please. Many thanks -
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Getwellsoon1
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No getwellsoon, you can,t stop omeprazol just like that, but have to taper. My way was two weeks 10 mg and then still two weeks half of that. But that was good for me, since I did not use the omeprazol for a long time. And I understand there are older generations like zantac to protect your stomach. but the experts will come and explain more.
Thank you. I am on a daily 20mg capsule. I saw an old comment from PMRpro saying that it was the effects of the steroids in the bloodstream rather than on the stomach that made me think I could just go for a natural alternative. I really appreciate your quick response, I will look at tapering if at all possible - thank you.
My husband is currently on it for acid reflux & it’s a definite tapering dose. Your GP or Pharmacist will be happy to advice you.
Me too, I have been on Lansoprosole for just over 10 years also with no ill effects. I think we are all different but I do know that we need to taper off it, Jannie.
Lots of people do - I have never taken a PPI of any sort because of pred. Some take pred in the middle of a meal so it is sandwiched, some just use milk or yoghurt when taking it. And by the way - use Greek yoghurt with fat, it works even better! Dairy fat is good for you - there is a post about that somewhere today!
However - don't just cold turkey on the omeprazole, you must taper it off to avoid something called rebound acidity which happens when you stop taking the PPI. You can switch to ranitidine/Zantac which does the same thing but in a different way and is easier to stop taking.
Thank you PMRpro. I have been downing the full fat Greek Yogurt by the bucket.
I like your 'sandwich' method.
I simply would not have thought of that idea. I think that my years of good health have dulled my brain in these areas. Not having to think about medication, side effects and whether there are alternatives. I see from other posts that doctors differ widely in both diagnosis and prescribing. Its a real awakening for me. This week I have been ' walking through mud' both physically and mentally. I'm assuming it's the PMR. Weirdly though, I've become nocturnal!!!! 3 nights of no sleep at all and still buzzing next day. Maybe my body is trying to catch up with a 'mud bath'?
I'm in the process of switching to Ranitadine from Omeprazole as I have just been diagnosed with osteoporosis and I'm pretty damned sure it hasn't helped! However, I have been taking it for a very long time so I am going to taper it off gently and hope the Ranitadine will cope with any rebound reflux. I also took Lansoprasole initially but it didn't agree with me. They are from the same medicinal family, whereas Ranitadine is different. Perhaps a word with your Pharmacist for their advice is in order?
Thank you peace_lover. PMRpro mentioned Lansoprasole. I am completely new to all this medication. I really had a very healthy life so far. I'm trying to educate myself while at the same time coping with tapering etc. Your suggestions so useful. Thank you.
Ywe, so you did. The Lansoprasole didn't agree with u. I will try the ranitidine. Goodness. My vocabulary had increased 100 percent since having this PMR. Shame I'm not still at school, would have come in handy. Thank you for your help. It's really reassuring when you don't know what you're doing and worried that you may make your situation worse than it already us. Great stuff on this site.
Yes any antacid will affect your bones. Be careful with the baking soda and make sure it is low sodium. The apple cider vinegar is wonderful for many things. I know a lot of people that can't take it because of the effect on their stomach and esophagus. Personally, I have found the aloe vera juice to be the all time best natural product for heart burn etc. I would wean myself off of any meds. that I have been taking for a long time.
I buy the liquid to drink and use the plant for wounds etc. The plant is getting hard to find where I live. Not sure why. It has always been around as long as I can remember.
My local pharmacy used to sell their own formula of skin cream, but when I went to buy some a few months ago they said they had stopped making it for the time being as the aloe vera they used had doubled in price. For a few months I took aloe vera gel orally, later used juice, and believed it was helping me taper, although I now think it was helping relieve steroid withdrawal, not PMR itself.
Sounds like the Aloe Vera could be a useful alternative. It has gained popularity over the past few years. I like the water melon juice and the yogurt. I'm going to taper the omeprazole and get onto something less prone to giving me osteoporosis. Every bit helps. Thank you for the 'knowledge' HeronNS, much appreciated.
I used to work with someone who sold the Aloe Vera juice but very expensive. I'll probably go to Holland & Barrett or somewhere online. Thank you for the info. I'm getting there slowly but surely.
Full fat probiotic Greek yoghurt works for me. I make my own as it’s so easy to do and better than shop bought. Just got myself some Kefir culture to make that as well. I’m convinced both help.
Hi Mistydawn here’s the link cheese-yogurt-making.com/en/ I haven’t tried it yet so not sure on the quality but the Greek yoghurt is really good. I always use whole bring which you have to bring up to 85 degrees before letting cool to 50 before adding the culture. The Kefir instructions are very simple and I’ll be making some as soon as we get home from visiting the grandchildren.
Something I did years ago when I had acid re-flux due to Pylori H and did not want to take too many PPI's is I elevated bed head up on good solid wooden blocks underneath (about 4-5 inches in height). Worked a treat and about 10 years down the line it has helped both myself and my hubby with any acid re-flux problems. Take care
I’m becoming so confused with all the advice about meds. I’m unable to focus and process like I used to. When I read all of this it’s like a big jumble in my head. It’s so frustrating. I use omeprasole due to vomiting with pred. It is in capsule form. I take 1 a day. How can you taper it .. am I being stupid here? A lot of these alternatives I’ve never thought of and worried about taking if not effective. Can’t go back to spontaneous vomiting. No siree
It does come in different doses but you can use ranitidine too - it does the same thing, just differently. However - just because something works for someone or they have problems with a given medication doesn't mean everyone has to do it. If you have a specific problem with pred then you need to do what you need to do.
Hello Singr. I do hope that my enquiries haven't caused you too much distress. I am finding the many variables confusing too. I am determined to learn as much as I can though. Educating myself as I travel along this rocky road is proving both fascinating and challenging. I've learned so much about myself too. The blessing has been that my doctor referred me to this forum. These very kind ladies have already, in just a few replies, calmed my concern and given me some fabulous choices. I can see that they are already doing the same for you. I'm keeping a journal so that I don't have to keep it all in my head. My own reactions to the meds may prove to be different to others, but along the way I'm sure I will find something that will work well and have less harmful side effects. It's all trial and error isn't it? Nice to know that there is support out there when we need it. Hope you, like me, manage a bit of 'tapering' with good results. Take care.
Hi again. I'm a frequent reader & infrequent contributor but here goes. I have been on Lansaprazole for years - 20 at least. I've osteo-arthritis, emphasema & osteoporosis (which I now realise may not be unconnected to the Lansaprazole). I'm on Levothyroxine & asthma meds too. However, I'm not on (other) steroids. I stopped taking Alendronic acid when I read the in-depth reports of its effects. Reading about the side-effects of acid-reflux medication caused me to try to do without them too - I tried over-the-counter ranitidine - but it was agony. I was also drinking huge quantities of Gaviscon. Reluctantly I went back on the Lansaprozole. However, recently I had a review of my medication (we have this with a pharmicist who comes to the surgery) & he advised me to try again alternating days with & without the medication at first. He also said to take Gaviscon (on the non Lansaprozole days) but 4X a day after meals, rather than in desperate gulps when I'm in agony ( especially in the evening.) I confess I've not the courage to start this regime immediately as I'll have my 3 grandchildren staying for the summer holidays & need a simple regime but I'll let you know how things go in September. After a couple of weeks I'll try & taper off the Lansaprozole more and replace it with the Gaviscon but then I'll probably try to replace that with natural remedies as far as possible. I used to drink cider-apple vinegar every am (very very dilute) & don't know why I stopped. I do eat a pretty healthy diet & include plain live yoghurt. Where does all the acid come from???!!!
The tip about raising the bed-head will be useful for some & obviously helps with breathing problems too. However, as a regular sleeping position it can exacerbate neck & shoulder pain in some people (me for instance!) How life is all 'swings & roundabouts' isn't it?!
I was really interested to read about your experience
Cha-net. Like so many, it seems that we need to accept an on going responsibility to manage the medication and more importantly, their side affects.
I have never had to take so many tablets and I now have a very deep sideboard drawer full of them!!! More to come I'm sure. I do hope that you can review your situation soon and have a great holiday period with your grand children too. All the best. Getwellsoon1
It certainly is - thank-you for sharing, HeronNS. I was prescribed the PPI by the same Dr who put me on high doses of NSAIDs (but which I didn't take unless the pain was very bad & now I mostly manage without them.) However, I was hospitalised with pneumonia about 10 years ago & have had some choking/aspiration worries too (although tests found nothing abnormal.) Even on PPI I produce so much acid that my teeth are in danger of dissolving. Used to chew gum a lot ( not very 'ladylike' whatever that is but I seemed to get away with it !) so I will revert to that. Stops you snacking when on pc or watching TV etc too ! Anyway, a lot of interesting stuff here, thanks again.
How about looking into manuka honey as an added alternative method?
I was just put on 20 mg of Omeprazole 2x/day 2 days ago and already have horrible side effects of extreme nausea, inability to regulate body temperature and migraines. I wish i could try alternative methods but have pretty obvious symptoms of a bleeding ulcer so don't think it's advisable for me right now.
Good luck staying off the medication, it's pretty nasty!!..
Thank you for the suggestion, I'll bring it up at my doctors appt. tomorrow. I was put on omeprazole after an urgent care visit on Sunday without any prior knowledge of these medications so just took what she prescribed.
Hopefully i can get it switched up as i had a pretty rough night last night!!.. Might just take 1 dose of the Omeprazole today as I don't think I can handle two
They may try to tell you that omeprazole is far better - that's according to the company that makes it! In fact there really isn't that much difference.
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