IBS a lot better since quitting omeprazole

[TobeyL]

Hi All,

Just thought I’d post this as it may help others.

I’ve always had a sensitive stomach and often got D if I was stressing a lot.

I also get heartburn from some food. Mainly buttery and sweet food like jams and croissants.

Doctor put me on Omeprazole three years ago and two years in i got bad D, very active and bubbly bowels with lots of churning and gas.

I had all the tests and was diagnosed with D predominant IBS.

As a test I decided to stop Omeprazole and manage my heartburn by other means. This was in January of this year. After about 10 days the gas and rumbling completely stopped and my stomach has been behaving ever since.

If you’re on Omeprazole you may want to Bret to cut it out for a bit and see if that helps you too.

Stay safe everyone!

[ANB80]

Hi Tobey,

I have been taking Esomeprazole for many years, and I believe that caused me to have IBS. I never had any problems in that department before taking Esomeprazole. As I recall, it was several months before IBS started from when I started taking that medication. I am not 100% sure my IBS is being caused by this, I just have a gut feeling. With my GP, I have tried different medications but this was the best working one for me, for my stomach. Others would have other side-effects, of which I can't remember now as it was so long ago.

[TobeyL in reply to ANB80]

Have you tried Silicol Gel?

It does wonders for me in lieu of Omeprazole. You can find it in the same section as rennie and gaviscon at Tesco.

[ANB80 in reply to TobeyL]

I don't think I ever tried that. At the moment I am going through a bit of a stability phase so changing as little possible to make everything be calm so I may try that in the future, thanks.

[asbayford]

Yes! Omeprazole gave me IBS, I still suffer to this day but I was on it for 3 years. Will never touch it again. So happy you feel better x

[TobeyL in reply to asbayford]

This may be a good tip for you if it hasn’t improved.

My consultant advised me that due to the acid levels dropping for a long time. The gut flora changes. Mine only really improved when I used Symprove.

[asbayford in reply to TobeyL]

Thank you! Yea I've been taking symprove since last November and it's a total God send. Well worth the money, I'll probably take it for life x

[TobeyL in reply to asbayford]

It’s very expensive though.

[pump321]

Yes, I agree with you about Omeprazole. It caused me a lot of problems and had to come off it in the end. Some people can take it without any problems but I will never take it again as I think it has too many side effects.

[gurgleguts]

Interesting to read this. I’m currently on omeprazole and it’s early days for me. The indigestion is pretty unpleasant at the moment so I’m sticking with it. How did you manage you sort out your acid problems? Any pointers would be great as I’m not a fan of long term medications like omeprazole.

[TobeyL in reply to gurgleguts]

Trial and error really. But I’m the end I found that eating regularly helped with my indigestion.

I also learnt what foods triggered my indigestion.

I take silicol gel every morning and it usually keeps my indigestion at bay. If it flares up then I manage it with either Rennie Extra or Gaviscon Advance.

My advice would be to ensure that you pester your doctor to get tested for H Pylori and also check if you have a hiatal hernia. Both which can be treated.

My indigestion also seems to flare up with stress. It’s a bit of a viscous circle sometimes.

Silicol Gel has really been a godsend for me and the bonus is that it is completely inert so you can’t really take too much of it.

[gurgleguts]

Thanks for the info. Ive just done a few stool samples, cant remember what they were for though. My GP is a bit of a mumbler. Ill certainly look into silicol gel.

[RxPINAY]

Oh wow i just posted something regarding this,,, pls if u have time, kindly read it, title is Omeprazole resulting to IBS??? Please advise me what to do 😭

[Bethers2000]

Hello originally I was prescribed omeprazole as my GP believed I had a stomach acid issue when I was experiencing a painful stomach and bad bowel movements. After a couple of weeks of taking these my symptoms didn’t get any better then I was then diagnosed with IBS and advised that taking omeprazole actually makes it a lot worse ! I have stopped taking them now and my flare-ups are not as bad , the pain and bowel movements are bearable.

My advice is that if you do take omeprazole please stop taking them and get advice from your GP for alternatives if you do need them.