Omeprazole - Acid Reflux/Heartburn

melbury

I have to say that I have had the most awful weekend of suffering from acid reflux, totally miserable. I am beginning to think is it actually worth making myself feel like this when I could stop it by taking an Omeprazole:(

I have just taken a Ranitidine in the hope that it will help a bit, but they just don't seem to work as well.

greenbee

Start keeping a diary of what you eat and symptoms - you might find a pattern.

I've also been told to eat either standing up or sitting at the table - not on the sofa/in a comfy chair - and to make sure I'm upright for at least half an hour after eating.

I sleep with 2-3 pillows as well.

Have you spoken to your GP/consultant, as you probably shouldn't be stopping prescribed medication without their agreement and support?

coffeehound

Some advise to raise the head of the bed by six inches, too.

lessonlearned

melbury wrote: »

I have to say that I have had the most awful weekend of suffering from acid reflux, totally miserable. I am beginning to think is it actually worth making myself feel like this when I could stop it by taking an Omeprazole:(

I have just taken a Ranitidine in the hope that it will help a bit, but they just don't seem to work as well.

Melbury ....are you trying to go cold turkey. If so, you may be suffering from a rebound effect....basically if you stop takings PPIs suddenly acid production goes into overdrive. You need to step down gradually.

Try taking 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in water. It will help neutralise the acid. Also drink as much water as you can....this will help dilute the acid.

Also eating slowly, remaining still for 30 minutes after eating, and raising the bed might help. Try and add some alkaline foods. Lemon juice in water will also help.

Fire_Fox

A huge amount of unscientific, potentially harmful nonsense or half truths come from the media/ vlogs/ blvogs in the name of 'health'.

Please nobody stop their prescribed medication, add supplements or use try home remedies without consulting your pharmacist, a registered dietician or your family doctor.

melbury

lessonlearned wrote: »

Melbury ....are you trying to go cold turkey. If so, you may be suffering from a rebound effect....basically if you stop takings PPIs suddenly acid production goes into overdrive. You need to step down gradually.

Try taking 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in water. It will help neutralise the acid. Also drink as much water as you can....this will help dilute the acid.

Also eating slowly, remaining still for 30 minutes after eating, and raising the bed might help. Try and add some alkaline foods. Lemon juice in water will also help.

No, definitely did not go cold turkey.

Sorry, I have just realised that in my original post I didn't make it clear that I had gradually cut down over the past year to the point where I have only been taking 2 x 20mcg per week - one mid-week and one at the weekend and this has actually been enough. However, I do feel that perhaps even two per week is not safe as the drug is never really out of my system.

Must admit I have nearly reached for them a few times over the past few days:( Ranitidine doesn't do the job as well, but then if it is less harmful then I suppose it is worth it.

custardy

Have you spoken to your GP on this?
NHS cover this and looking at the study I wouldnt say its anywhere near conclusive of a correlation.
https://www.nhs.uk/news/medication/heartburn-drugs-linked-to-premature-death/

I say this as an Omeprazole user myself.

melbury

custardy wrote: »

Have you spoken to your GP on this?
NHS cover this and looking at the study I wouldnt say its anywhere near conclusive of a correlation.
https://www.nhs.uk/news/medication/heartburn-drugs-linked-to-premature-death/

I say this as an Omeprazole user myself.

What's a GP;) I am afraid getting to see a GP where I live is just about nigh impossible:(

Are you still taking them? If you don't mind me asking of course - how many per week?

lessonlearned

melbury wrote: »

No, definitely did not go cold turkey.

Sorry, I have just realised that in my original post I didn't make it clear that I had gradually cut down over the past year to the point where I have only been taking 2 x 20mcg per week - one mid-week and one at the weekend and this has actually been enough. However, I do feel that perhaps even two per week is not safe as the drug is never really out of my system.

Must admit I have nearly reached for them a few times over the past few days:( Ranitidine doesn't do the job as well, but then if it is less harmful then I suppose it is worth it.

Ah right.....maybe you need to reduce the dosage first before you cut back any further.

Here's what I did.

I was taking daily 20 mg.....I stepped down very slowly.

I bought some 10 mg OTC. Took those for a while, then cut them in half to go down to 5. Then took those on alternate days, then every 3 days. Then cut them again and went down to 2.5 then, twice a week, then once a week and then finally stopped. It took around 6 months.

I made it more manageable by taking ranatadine as needed, or if I was really struggling, then the bicarbonate solution.

You might also try making some lifestyle changes such as stress management, relaxation techniques, more rest etc. Also it might be worth keeping a food diary to see if you can pinpoint any food triggers.

custardy

melbury wrote: »

What's a GP;) I am afraid getting to see a GP where I live is just about nigh impossible:(

Are you still taking them? If you don't mind me asking of course - how many per week?

Prescription is 1 per day @20mg
I generally dont take them every day as Im a forgetful sod.
prescribed to me as a protection for my stomach for taking painkillers/non steroidal anti inflammatory

Been prescribed for around 5 years.I'll be on the painkillers forever so expect to be on the Omeprazole forever/longer term.

Im not at the GP often but when I do go again I'll try to remember and ask.
I can pretty much always get a same day appointment here.