Reflux and Omeprazole

[67Blue]

After being in recession from PMR/GCA for 7 months but still battling with Acid reflux, with the local surgery only interested in upping or lowering my Omeprazole depending on whether I had a sore throat or not and not interested in trying anything else. I also following Dr Jonathan Aviv's Acid reflux diet for 6 weeks --- lost half a stone but not the reflux. I would like to thank PMRpro for prompting me to insist on a hospital app. to check that it was nothing more sinister. The Dr performed a Gastroscopy and took 6 biopsies. Awaiting the results within the next 6 weeks, but he also found I have a Hiatus Hernia. So I guess I'm stuck with the acid reflux. However he did suggest they try another PPI like Esomeprazole as I felt the Omeprazole wasn't working. He said he could request but not tell them. Is Esomeprazole likely to be kinder to my body than Omeprazole by any chance?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Kinder to your body in what sense? It will have slight different effects so might suit you better but it does the same thing, reduces acid production.

Sounds as if the gastroscopy found something if they took biopsies - hope they are all OK. Some GPs are far too keen on just shuffling the deckchairs on the Titanic ...

[67Blue in reply to PMRpro]

I guess nearly 3 years long term Omeprazole had me worried because of the effect on your bones and teeth, not to mention the possible effect on your kidneys (cause of death stated on my mothers death certificate), gut, liver blood test results, unwell and lacking energy--- I'm sure my lack of energy could be put down to lack of adrenals though.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 67Blue]

What dose of pred are you on? One linked deficiency would be B12 - and that can make you lack energy so worth asking to have checked.

[67Blue in reply to PMRpro]

I have been off pred since January that is why I was hoping to ditch the Omeprazole, but according to the leaflet Haitus hernia comes with its own acid reflux problems, the letter from the hospital hasn't arrived at the surgery yet, so not discussed it with anyone apart from the brief chat at hospital recovery on Sunday. Will ask about B12 check tomorrow thanks.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 67Blue]

That's right - might as well wait to see what they decide there,

[Miserypants]

I was given Omeprazol and then Esomeprazol. Made acid reflux worse so I stopped taking it. Reflux more or less went away. In hospital having hip done they insisted I take it. Set everything off again! Any hint of acid reflux I drink a full glass of water. Solved.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Miserypants]

Orthopaedic surgery in particular can cause acid secretion and very speedy development of ulcers - why they wanted you to take it. But obviously PPIs don;t agree with you so you would probably be better with an H2 antagonist like famotidine or cimetidine.

[67Blue in reply to Miserypants]

Thanks for that, I'll try anything, the Acid watcher diet said not to drink during or after a meal, so i felt I was a bit lacking in water, however the Dr at the hospital sounded like I would be on something forever now I have a hiatus hernia. Not sure I want to start on trying to understand another disease. I'm so disappointed. I had my hopes pinned on Esomeprazole but then it is just another PPI. But then the MRI scan for my numb foot showed bulging disks in my spine I didn't know I had and now I'm back walking more my back doesn't worry me at all. Unfortunately I still have the numb foot. And the surgery still don't have the hospital letter about my hiatus hernia anyway. Oh well onward and upward.