Omeprazole concerns

[Louise64A]

Hi, I'm new to the forum.

I have ALS and a bad posture and I was starting to have indigestion and coughing, but no acid reflux. My GP put me on 20mg omeprazole over a year ago and I'm now beginning to question this. It seems to have potential side effects eg numbness in the hands and feet, which I have quite badly now. Has anyone got experience of this, please? I think Gaviscon would work just as well. Also, can I go cold turkey on omeprazole? I would check with my GP anyway but I'm interested to know what people think. Thank you.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I can only tell you what we know about the omeprazole: you shouldn't just go cold turkey, you need to reduce the dose slowly or you run the risk of rebound acid production which can be quite unpleasant. It is usually suggested you start by halving the dose for a few weeks before then starting to miss a dose now and again and increasing the days without, also over a period of a few weeks.

Some people switch to an H2 antagonist (like famotidine) first which stops acid production too but is easier to wean off but you don't have to. And using Gaviscon MAY do the job - you have to try to find out. I suppose it depends why you are on it at this stage - had you already developed reflux or regurgitation due to the ALS? If so, then you may need the acid suppression to prevent damage to the oesophagus.

Did you mean to post on our forum which is for polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis? I don't know if there is an ALS forum on HU. We welcome everyone - but not sure how relevant most of our experience is for you. But most of us do know a bit about omeprazole - as you can see from the list of related posts!!

[Janstr in reply to PMRpro]

If on omeprazole or equivalent for a short time is there still a need to reduce slowly? I’ve gone on it as have been put on another ani-inflammatory celecoxib post an op, I don’t expect to be on it for more than a month

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Janstr]

It tends to depend on the person, you would hope it would take longer than a month but you don't know.

[Janstr in reply to PMRpro]

Thankyou

[Louise64A in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your reply, very helpful

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Further to PMRpro’s comments re a forum more suitable this might be worth looking at -healthunlocked.com/neuro-su...

[Louise64A in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks, I'll try that

[piglette]

A friend who was at university with me has ALS too. There is a forum at alsforums.com/community/ you probably know though. I am sure someone there can answer your questions.

[Louise64A in reply to piglette]

Thank you!

[Blonde61]

HiSorry for delay in replying to you

I like you have been diagnosed with gastric reflux ..my symptom is a cough only I don't suffer with acid so when I was diagnosed I was suprised. The consultant at the time told me I could not stay on omeprazole or lanzaprazole as long term usage would cause serious stomach problems

He advised everytime I start to cough to try the cough sweet fisherman's friend which actually works it always stops me coughing

Hope this helps

[Louise64A in reply to Blonde61]

Thank you, that's very helpful. All the best.