I’m on week 6 and due to start reducing next week. So far I’ve resisted GP, nurse and pharmacist who all said I should take Omeprazole. But I’ve now started getting what I think is indigestion in the evening.
Is it normal to get this type of pred side effect 12 hours or so after talking it? I’m wondering if I should start on omeprazole now after all.
I'll let the experts reply to that, but you could take some Gaviscon? I've just started using Aloe vera - it's good for inflammation and digestion. Another good thing for tummy is Slippery elm. But you have to take it 4 hours apart from meds because it blocks absorption.
I gave Omeprazole up. It actually worsened my stomach symptoms. I took Pred with natural Greek Yoghurt. This helped, but I do have a sensitive digestive system now.
Many of your replies are suggesting alternative remedies. Be assured that omeprazole is a huge drug that flies off the pharmacy shelves in vast quantities. So, if there were serious side effects they would be well documented. Take your omeprazole.
I take Omeprazole and find it suits me .... I take 2 ( x 20mg ) before bedtime ( as prescribed by my doctor) and have no problems at all ....
Can I ask the significance of taking it at bedtime? I was told to take it in the morning with the preds.
Me too. Half an hour before pred with water
Um - some of them are. It is said about 1 in 3 patients has adverse effects that are bad enough for them to stop it and for 1 in 3 patients it doesn't work.
Even the NHS says "Most people who take omeprazole don't have any side effects. If you do get a side effect, it's usually mild and will go away when you stop taking omeprazole."
Most people only take it OTC for a short time - and blame the reason they are taking it for any adverse effects. When my husband was given it he almost took off with the effects and it took weeks for them to subside. But the doctors won't have it that it is the omeprazole - getting them to admit medications can be the cause of a problem can be very difficult!
Many people mention side effects of 'prazoles'. My own GP said I should just be careful to take the Pred with food as being on 'prazoles for long-term is not recommended. I found pantoprazole slightly kinder than lanzoprazole. It flies off the shelf because GPs too often prescribe it, especially now you can't get things like Ranitadine.
I had only been on omeprazole for a few weeks when I had a spinal fracture, despite my dexa scan not revealing any major bone loss. My doctor told me to stop omeprazole immediately. I know many people who take it with absolutely no problems, but it is a listed side effect. I have always taken my pred with food to help to prevent stomach issues.
I have been given omeprazole after 20 months on pred - what is your objection to it. Used mint tea when higher dose of pred caused nausea.
Mmmm I was trying to avoid taking it because of the side effects in general and specifically because of the effect on bone density. I’m still waiting for a DEXA scan (mother has osteoporosis).
So I wondered if a 12 hour delay after pred for the stomach pain chimed with anyone.
Think I’ll take an omeprazole now ...
I've been on Omeprazole for 20+ years with no side effects, no problem with taking it with Prednisilone either - I take pred first thing in the morning and Omeprazole with my breakfast
One of the common side effects is 'aches and pains' just like your PMR ones.
There are other drugs, ie Ranitidine etc.
However I was told this by another sufferer when I first started out:
One unwaxed lemon, place in microwave for 1 minute (triples juice) then divide into three and take with water just before your meal. Do not ask me how it works, I don't know, what I do know is that it worked for me and has for others as well who I have passed this tip onto for over 10 years now.
I do not take omeprazole but have also found a squeeze of fresh lemon in water very helpful
Ranitidine and similar drugs are not available at the moment. There are supply problems.
Famotidine and other H2 antagonists ARE available. So are some brands of ranitidine as far as I know, not all suppliers were affected by the contamination issue.
Yes, I know that not all manufacturers were affected but I think that for them, there is a massive over demand issue. Locally, Boots have told my GP that there is no prospect of supply until September (from April) and the independent pharmacist has no idea when he will receive supplies. GPs are not prescribing and are looking for alternatives. At present, they are not issuing physical prescription forms but are faxing direct to one of the two. Also, shielding would prevent me from travelling further afield to try to find a supply.
Hi
I take 20mg each morning and have been for years no problem .This last year have hade acid reflux at night. GP did not want to increase dose to 40mg a day but advised Gaviscon at night take the original aniseed flavour one and it works a treat.
Hi DogAgilityObsessed. I took Omeprazole for a few weeks at the beginning of my treatment, stopped for 4 months and started again 2 months ago when clear signs of gastric trouble appeared. I started getting acid reflux with my second cup of tea around mid-morning and a distinct pain in my stomach when I lay in bed in the evening. I am on AA, so that is an additional assault on my stomach. I am intending to try stopping Omeprazole again when I stop taking AA in a few weeks and see how I feel.
I would try other options suggested above for a few days and if it doesn't help try Omeprazole. It may work for you. I take Aloe Vera in water every morning as well (as cautiously recommended in Kate Gilbert's book) so I imagine that all this helps to protect and heal my stomach, perhaps sufficiently to drop the drug very soon.
With long term use of Omeprazole (my understanding its that long term use is beyond a year), it may interfere with nutrient absorption, hence possible impact on your bone density and B12 levels. It may start to affect Magnesium levels after 3 months of use. I supplement both B12 and Magnesium anyway. Nedless to say, as you can see form other people's experience, it could have other more or less serious side-effects, so I am fortunate that it works for me.
Another word of caution (something I have learned recently thanks to PMRpro); if you take if for a while you need to taper it to avoid a rebound effect with your stomach overproducing acid enthusiastically in the absence of a repressive force. Good luck.
Take apple cider vinegar daily ! It will stop it
I take omeprazole without problems, but I have a very long history of stomach ulcers, barretts oesophagus etc. I can honestly say that omeprazole changed my life, and very much for the better. However, if you don't need it, there are possible side effects. Not everyone gets them, you might or you might not.
Have you thought of trying gastro-resistant (coated) prednisolone? It may help you enough that you don't need anything else. It would be worth a try. It tends to be gentler on your stomach.
Best wishes, B
I took it for years and it effected my a Magnesium levels, I now take Gaviscon and that is fine. I also take my steroids with Almond milk, I have no idea about the science but it works for me. However, I am going to try the microwaved lemon
Take care
🥂
I took it for about 4 months and had to come off it. Symptoms were diarrohea every day, dreadful wind all day long, dizziness when lying in bed, stomach pains. It took about a month for my stomach to feel normal after stopping it.
I have been taking omeprazole for a long time. The are very good. I don't have anything but praise for them.
I take in the morning 30/60 mins before I eat and have had no side effects. I did ask rheumatologist about stopping taking this but he just said - you really would not like an ulcer! Will ask again at my august appt when hopefully I will be at 2.5 mg
My reflux and nausea started with a vengeance when I was on 50 mg prednisone last summer (2019) (GCA). I had been taking the prescribed Tecta (Pantoprazole) but unfortunately the reflux kept rearing its ugly head and unfortunately still has not been resolved. I truly appreciated all the suggestions from everyone when I posted earlier about this condition, but unfortunately nothing helped. By mid June, my GP suggested I try Dexilant (anotherPPI) but by the beginning of July, my bowels started acting up (never problematic prior). I have been hospitalized for 2 days after 3 weeks of bowel issues, tests, and doctor consults. (BTW - emerg was a nightmare - I feel so badly for the nurses; I have a private room and feel safe!).
I am waiting for test results and back on Tecta (2 yesterday and desperately waiting for my next dose shortly).
Hoping for better days for you...and me!
Another idea is to keep a food and symptoms diary and see if there is any connection to what you eat. I have histamine intolerance and if I eat something I shouldn't eg cheese, tomatoes, I get all sorts of symptoms including stomach pain and bloating an hour or so later.
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