Omeprazole

[Ronzy]

Hope I’m right, yesterday had dreadful cramping both hands lasted nearly 3 hrs

So painful. After it subsided I reviewed me

medication, starting with Omeprazole

Read this .

**********************

Long-term side effects.

If you take omeprazole for more than 3 months, the levels of magnesium in your blood may fall.

Low magnesium can make you feel tired, confused, dizzy and cause muscle twitches, shakiness and an irregular heartbeat. If you get any of these symptoms, tell your doctor.

Taking omeprazole for more than a year may increase your chances of certain side effects, including:

* bone fractures

* gut infections

**************************

So guess what I’ve stopped them for now

No crams today 😌 but early days see what happens tomorrow onwards

But that warning does seam to fit.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

We do tell people on pred to take magnesium for cramps - pred can do it too. Both together ...

[Ronzy in reply to PMRpro]

Don’t feel right tho discomfort in my asophercuss ( hard word , all the way down 😒😖

[SheffieldJane]

Poor you! Perhaps your doctor will prescribe a Magnesium supplement. I never got on with Omeprazole.

[Ronzy in reply to SheffieldJane]

What do you take.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Ronzy]

My doctor has given me a prescription for Lansoprazole but I only take them now and then . I prefer over the counter indigestion remedies, as and when required. That pink stuff that begins with C. feels as good as anything. I can’t think what it’s called. I take Magnesium and Zinc from a pharmacy- just a normal daily dose at bedtime. It seems to help with sleep, restless legs and cramp.The side effects of the stomach protection drugs seem out of all proportion.

[Ronzy in reply to SheffieldJane]

I think you’re wise there On Omeprazole I was going to poo 4 &5 times a day

[SheffieldJane in reply to Ronzy]

I think all our drugs can cause that. Better than constipation I reckon.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Ronzy]

Then your GP needs to provide an alternative to try - it sounds as if maybe it isn't helping the stomach/gullet problem as much as it might and is leading to lower gut problems as it often does.

[Ronzy in reply to PMRpro]

That’s true, what might be good , don’t get on with lanzoprasol

[Hypercube in reply to Ronzy]

It affected my bowel so badly I didn't dare leave the house! And though it's 2 years since I took any, I still have occasioal bouts of diorrhea (which I didn't have before! I would definitelt suggest taking it with care.

[Ronzy]

I am taking magnesium now

[Ronzy in reply to Ronzy]

Wondering what a safe dose of magnesium might be taking I’m taking max now according to my instructions on bottle. That is 150 mg twice I day

[123-go]

Hi, Ronzy. If I were you I would not take any more omeprazole until I'd reported the hand cramps and the oesophageal discomfort which is another side effect. Tomorrow morning you should ring your GP surgery and describe your symptoms saying that you are taking omeprazole. If you can't get through to the surgery telephone your chemist and ask to speak to the pharmacist.

[Ronzy]

Soon as a I can thx got an hospital appointment tomorrow 👍👍

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Ronzy]

Then mention it there too - it needs checking out.

[Bcol]

Hi Ronzy, just a thought, I'm sure I've read that just stopping Omeprazole is not ideal and that it should be tapered down over a period of time.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bcol]

Quite right Bcol - it results in rebound production of acid - which makes things worse.

[GrandmaPirate]

Omeprazole may be very useful medication for some patients, like myself. I am taking it on prescription since 30 years. Because of fisures in the esophagus due to reflux I could not live without it. So supplements prevent the side effects. I suffer from MRA since 2 years and prednisolone isn't favourable for my esophagus/stomach condition, so omeprazole is very helpful in my case.

[Hidden]

I take high strength magnesium to help with cramps too. Taken with D3 and K2 for better absorption. I only take omeprazole when I feel I have a little bit of indigestion....usually at night. They're not a good drug to take permanently. However, all of us that are taking Pred are prescribe omeprazole to help prevent a stomach bleed. Wondering if anyone on the forum have in fact had a stomach bleed since taking Pred.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

By no means everyone is prescribed it even when on pred. The only time it is mentioned here is if I need to take ibuprofen - and I suspect a GI bleed is more likely with that.

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

I'm just going by what my rheumy told me when it was prescribed in 2019. He told me important to take in case of a bleed due to pred. I've also been told that once past seventy we shouldn't take ibuprofen as they can cause strokes. Many drugs have warnings on them but doesn't mean it will happen. I just prefer not to take omeprazole unless necessary. I also take the odd ibuprofen when necessary. But get what you're saying.

[Ronzy in reply to PMRpro]

I take 150 mg twice a day but apparently no enough 🤷 how much do you take

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Ronzy]

You're asking me Ronzy - never taken a PPI. Did you mean Stapelhurst?

[Koalajane in reply to Hidden]

I was never prescribed it and simply take my prednisolone with food

[Hidden in reply to Koalajane]

So do I....really don't feel the need to take Omeprazole when no problems.

[Boss302Fan]

I’d discuss with a gastroenterologist or at least your GP. Years ago I was forced to see the Specialist because of chronic heartburn and difficulty swallowing. After a thorough exam and diagnostic tests found I had a large sliding hiatal hernia and acid reflux disease (GERD). He tried the gambit of PPIs, some after being on for many months, or years, would switch me because their effectiveness waned. What’s interesting, is I’ve been back on the original (omeprazole) for over 15 years and it’s still working fine.The only difference is this prescription doesn’t include the 1,000 mg sodium bicarbonate because my insurance stopped covering that formulation (that’s ok if I need it I just add it to a glass of water). I’m on 40mg 2x per day. No side effects. My blood electrolytes have been fine and are included in my 6 month follow-up visits. I am on B12, but my Mg is okay.

[Lyndaki]

I always take magnesium supplement but the twice I’ve run out, the cramping came straight back, so yes, it works! (I take Lanzoprazole & 2.5mg Pred at moment)

[Ronzy]

No cramp now but need ppi as I have. Hiatus problem😱

[Maxslady]

I had some strange hand cramps in the beginning with my GCA. Rheumatologist at Mayo clinic in Jacksonville Florida said it was the prednisone. It went away as the dose lowered

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Maxslady]

It probably was the pred - depleting your magnesium levels!

[Ronzy in reply to PMRpro]

Thinking about it yes most likely. I’ve had to get back on Omeprazole as reflux was badAs I have highatus urnier.

[Ronzy in reply to PMRpro]

Probably ok on lower dose 👍

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Ronzy]

You didn't stop the omeprazole suddenly did you? You either have to taper slowly though not as slowly as pred or take another acid inhibitor instead or you will get rebound acid production which can be quite bad,

[Ronzy in reply to PMRpro]

I did and was . Back on day after 😱Now drinking tonic ,Ok so far . Doctors now dipped my pred to 15 from 20 after only 3 weeks 😱 ACCORDING TO MY GUIDANCE. She says . I said my guidance is my body if it not working I’ll put it back up😤. She then just mumbled something.

How long would you prefer to stay at a dose?

Thanks all the v best with yours. 🍀🍀🍀

Ronzy