omprezole. Can I stop?

[Gossiplady]

Started PMR in April 2021. Given 15 mgs Predisolone and Omprezole of 20mgs. Now down to 0.75mgs and feeling fine. Taking the marathon very slowly, but as I have matured and realise all pills have side effects, So the less pills the better. Can I stop taking Omprezole as it has definitely helped me with no effects .Or can I take a lower dose? Wonderful forum and friends! Cannot manage without you.

[SheffieldJane]

It is advisable to taper down your omeprazole, maybe take it alternate days and discuss a lower mg with your prescribing doctor. Stopping suddenly can trigger an unpleasant surge of GERD/ heartburn etc.

[Gossiplady in reply to SheffieldJane]

thank you SheffieldJane. Will chat to doctor.

[Gossiplady in reply to SheffieldJane]

bless you.

[SnazzyD]

As SJ says, do not stop suddenly. I did it over 2 weeks and that was still not enough, even with a backup medication but I was on 40mg Pred. I have not found much online about specific plans for reduction, mainly just waffly info about reducing slowly. As per usual we are all different so perhaps have a go with alternate days and stretch it out. Have a word with your doc too. Under 1mg I was on no acid meds at all.

[SID3]

I am on 3.5/3 MGW of pred and have been slowly weaning myself off Omeprazole this last month, now down to 20mg every four days. No problems so far.

[Gossiplady in reply to SID3]

thank you.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You can try - but do taper it by starting with halving the dose if possible for a couple of weeks and then miss odd days - much like using one of the slowed tapers to get off altogether. If you stop cold turkey you will experience rebound acid production which can be severe.

[Gossiplady in reply to PMRpro]

many thanks my mentor. Cannot halve the dose as they are in capsule form. Will chat to the doc about giving me 10mgs. Slow but sure.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Gossiplady]

You can halve it by getting the lower dose prescribed - and if the GP is sticky, you can buy it OTC. You can do it with the capsules by opening them and tippig some out, mixing the granules with yoghurt or apple sauce is the usual suggestion.

[Gossiplady in reply to PMRpro]

Brilliant! Three years ago full of beans and living life to the full, I never thought that my future would be pill cutting a steroid and opening up capsules and halving the granules into yogurt! We never know what lies ahead do we? Still grinning! Best wishes to everyone!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Gossiplady]

Bit of light relief never harms ...

[67Blue]

Sadly it seems I didn't taper for long enough, or maybe I should have been more cautious and chased an appointment and at least tried to discuss going down to 10 mg Omeprazole, I have ended up buying The Acid Watchers Diet by Dr Jonathan Aviva and am back on 20 mg till I get permission try again for the 10 Mg to work. One lady foreign lady dr said she would prescribe both just take whatever ones I felt I needed that day. But that was soon over ridden by the head dr. The medical people have been "not a lot of use" to put it mildly, one phone call just ended with the young foreign man repeating the phrase you need it to protect your tummy. I had told the receptionist what colour my knickers was etc etc and that I had been off steroids for 6 months--- why do they bother with asking all these things if they don't pass them on I wonder. I don't have heart burn just the acid reflux which consists of lots of burping and congestion, which used to be at night when I lay down. My back isn't happy with raised pillows etc, but seems to be all day as well now. So take care and take it very slowly.

[Gossiplady in reply to 67Blue]

very kind 67Blue! Better than we know. Will have a look on the book. Many thanks.

[67Blue]

Hopefully you won 't need the book, I wouldn't worry yet as hopefully you will be given a lower dose and take it very slowly I am just desperate to try anything as it seems I am stuck with the acid reflux.

[Gossiplady in reply to 67Blue]

I wish you health. Bless you.