Omeprazole

[Bridall]

I used to be on Ranitidine but when they took it off the market I was given many Ppi’s & h2 beta blockers but all of them gave me different side effects. I have been taking Omeprazole 10mg s and gaviscon for 2 years but lately my RLS is getting worse & also my gut flora has never been right since I came off Ranitidine 4 years ago with chronic belching. Has anyone any advice.

[ChrisColumbus]

I believe that you're in the UK? It would be helpful if you could complete your profile with country (and gender and age if poss)/unhide this as it helps with recommendations.

All PPIs including omeprazole make RLS worse for many. I presume that you're taking it for bowel issues and acid reflux rather than to protect against a course of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen as you don't mention this?

If so, ordinary Gaviscon - if that's what you're taking - won't help sufficiently against serious bowel conditions on its own. Have you tried Gaviscon Advance - widely available in the UK - without the omeprazole? It may not be enough, but it could be worth a try.

Beyond this, what meds are you taking for RLS, if any? If nothing now, have you taken any in the past?

Are you on any other meds or supplements that aren't mentioned in your profile, as many can trigger or exacerbate RLS? Are you taking something for epilepsy? Reply with anything that you're taking for advice.

Have you been blood tested for serum ferritin, and if so what were the results? Improving ferritin levels helps the majority of RLS sufferers. For info on iron therapy see this:

rls-uk.org/_files/ugd/b0a19...

[Bridall in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Thank you for your reply, I will look at my iron levels & get back to you.

[SueJohnson in reply to Bridall]

To be a little more specific improving your ferritin to 100 or more helps 60% of people with RLS and in some cases completely eliminates their symptoms. If not when you see your doctor ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking any iron supplements including in a multivitamin 48 hours before the test, avoid a heavy meat meal the night before and fast after midnight and have your test in the morning before 9 am if possible. When you get the results, ask for your ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) numbers. You want your transferrin saturation to be over 20% but less than 45% and your ferritin to be at least 100. If they are not, post them here and we can give you some advice.

Some things that can make RLS symptoms worse for some people are alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, artificial sweeteners, carbs, foods high in sodium(salt), foods that cause inflammation, ice cream, eating late at night, oestrogen (estrogen) including HRT, dehydration, MSG, collagen supplements, electrolyte imbalance, melatonin, stress and vigorous exercise.

Some things that help some people include caffeine, moderate exercise, weighted blankets, compression socks, elastic bandages, masturbation, magnesium glycinate, fennel, low oxalate diet, selenium, 5 minute shower alternating 20 seconds cold water with 10 seconds hot water finishing with hot water for another couple of minutes, hot baths, distractions, CBD, applying a topical magnesium lotion or spray, doing a magnesium salts soak, vitamins B1, B3, B6, B12, C, D3, K2, if deficient, and potassium and copper if deficient, massage including using a massage gun, vibration devices like therapulse, using a standing desk, listening to music, meditation and yoga. Keep a food diary to see if any food make your RLS worse.

Many medicines and OTC supplements can make RLS worse. If you are taking any and you list them here, I can tell you if any make RLS symptoms worse and if so may be able to give you a safe substitute.

[Joolsg]

I agree with ChrisColumbus.You should try to sort the gut. A good way is to use a really good probiotic. My daughter developed IBS after a salmonella infection and her gastro enterologist said he only recommended 2 probiotics, both of which have been trialled in studies.

Symprove or VSL.

Take them and also look up prebiotics. You need to add food that the good bacteria like.

If you can sort out the gut issues, absorption of iron and magnesium improves and that has a beneficial effect on RLS.

[Bridall in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you for your reply. Yes I have been trying to sort my gut for 4 years. After coming off ranitidine it has been crazy. I have been to specialist & had cameras up & down. Didn’t find anything. I have tried symprove I cant remember what happened but it didn’t agree with me. I have tried other probiotics & nothing seems to improve it. I will give vsl a try not heard of that. I left omeprazole off last night & didn’t get rls but still chronic belching. I can’t leave omeprazole off all the time because I have a sliding sliding sliding hiatus hernia & reflux. I get so confused. My life has been ruined after coming off ranitidine & can’t understand why that worked & all the other ppi’s don’t. I have yet to find someone else who has had the same issue.

[Joolsg in reply to Bridall]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I have heard there are new treatments for hiatus hernia. Some sort of operation involving magnets. I'll see if I can find any info.

[Joolsg in reply to Bridall]

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/330...

Here it is. Might be worth discussing with your specialist.

[Munroist in reply to Bridall]

Ranitidine seems to work differently to PPIs as it is a histamine receptor antagonist which might explain why it has different effects. However it seems to have caused an elevated risk of cancer and was withdrawn. A recent post suggested that some people find Esomaprazole causes fewer problems for RLS so that might be worth trying? Here’s the post

healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/po...

[Jumpey]

I agree with others about the gut issues and iron. Omeprazole inhibits all mineral absorption. This includes calcium which can affect bone density. It may be helpful to get your bones checked. Taking calcium ,vit d and k2 helps..

[Cobobay]

Hi, all I can say is from my experiences is, I came off ompeprazole and my legs got slightly better, I just take gaviscon now and I'm pleased I came off them. Hope you get sorted x