omeprazole / proton pump inhibitors
Discussion
Bit of back story...
I've been getting some pretty severe discomfort in the guts, went to the docs, gave him my life story, and he thinks it's something to do with reflux, possibly an ulcer, and a very slim chance it's gall bladder. Couldn't help but agree as I do get heartburn now and then. Got stuck on a course of Omeprazole (20mg / day).
That was 3 weeks or so ago, and 2 of them were pretty good - definitely noticed the reduction in acid, no heartburn, and the original symptoms had pretty much gone. After 14 days though I've been having some really intolerable side effects in the form of stomach cramps. It feels like I've been stabbed in the belly.
So, I've been back to the docs today, and told him about the side affects, and he's suggested doubling the dosage of omeprazole to 40mg/day. This instantly raised alarm bells, but he seemed pretty confident it'd do the trick. Here I am a few hours later, and the knife-in-the-guts feeling has progressed to a chainsaw in the guts and the result is far worse the original symptoms I had. I'd gladly trade heartburn for this, and to make matters worse I can't take NSAIDS incase it's an ulcer, which I normally use to quash back pain.
I've got to go back tomorrow for blood tests and H Pylori tests, so I'll ask then, but I'm really struggling to find anything I can treat the pain in the guts with - I'm not planning on taking omeprazole any longer as it's side effects are intolerable, but I really can't be doing another 2 sleepless nights while I wait for it to sod off out of my system as most of this week has already been a write-off and I've work to get done.
Anyone had the same sort of reaction to omeprazole? If so, I'd love to hear what worked to relieve the abdominal cramps and stomach pains. Simethicone hasn't done a thing, peppermint tea is useless, and I'm damn near breaking out the emergency Laphroaig and demolishing half a bottle. Doesn't help that the OH takes it every day and hasn't had a single side effect of course.
I've been getting some pretty severe discomfort in the guts, went to the docs, gave him my life story, and he thinks it's something to do with reflux, possibly an ulcer, and a very slim chance it's gall bladder. Couldn't help but agree as I do get heartburn now and then. Got stuck on a course of Omeprazole (20mg / day).
That was 3 weeks or so ago, and 2 of them were pretty good - definitely noticed the reduction in acid, no heartburn, and the original symptoms had pretty much gone. After 14 days though I've been having some really intolerable side effects in the form of stomach cramps. It feels like I've been stabbed in the belly.
So, I've been back to the docs today, and told him about the side affects, and he's suggested doubling the dosage of omeprazole to 40mg/day. This instantly raised alarm bells, but he seemed pretty confident it'd do the trick. Here I am a few hours later, and the knife-in-the-guts feeling has progressed to a chainsaw in the guts and the result is far worse the original symptoms I had. I'd gladly trade heartburn for this, and to make matters worse I can't take NSAIDS incase it's an ulcer, which I normally use to quash back pain.
I've got to go back tomorrow for blood tests and H Pylori tests, so I'll ask then, but I'm really struggling to find anything I can treat the pain in the guts with - I'm not planning on taking omeprazole any longer as it's side effects are intolerable, but I really can't be doing another 2 sleepless nights while I wait for it to sod off out of my system as most of this week has already been a write-off and I've work to get done.
Anyone had the same sort of reaction to omeprazole? If so, I'd love to hear what worked to relieve the abdominal cramps and stomach pains. Simethicone hasn't done a thing, peppermint tea is useless, and I'm damn near breaking out the emergency Laphroaig and demolishing half a bottle. Doesn't help that the OH takes it every day and hasn't had a single side effect of course.
Edited by Stu R on Friday 30th March 00:19
I'm on omerprazole.
Went to the doc complaining of constant fluid on my chest, some testing and stuff later he concluded its the weight of me being a fatty causing the issue.
Tried operprazole for a month, things much better, tried a double dose for a month and issue went away.
So now I take just one, eat a bit less and exercise more.
Certainly not had any issue as you describe.
Went to the doc complaining of constant fluid on my chest, some testing and stuff later he concluded its the weight of me being a fatty causing the issue.
Tried operprazole for a month, things much better, tried a double dose for a month and issue went away.
So now I take just one, eat a bit less and exercise more.
Certainly not had any issue as you describe.
Abdominal pain can be caused my many problems, not just acid/ stomach ulcers.
It may be that the pain is caused by something else, not acid related.
What age are you?
How much alcohol do you consume?
Could you have gallstones?
Does anything relieve the pain ( eg eating) or make it worse ?
Is the pain in one place or does it move?
Unfortunately some GP's prescribe PPI's as a coverall for "stomach" problems, without investigating too much.
If symptoms do not imprve, insist on further investigations.
F-P
It may be that the pain is caused by something else, not acid related.
What age are you?
How much alcohol do you consume?
Could you have gallstones?
Does anything relieve the pain ( eg eating) or make it worse ?
Is the pain in one place or does it move?
Unfortunately some GP's prescribe PPI's as a coverall for "stomach" problems, without investigating too much.
If symptoms do not imprve, insist on further investigations.
F-P
I take them with no side effects and for the most part work well. When it isn't, whisky is would make it a lot worse for me, a lot. Did you mention to your doc you've been taking NSAID's, presumably for a while? If your o/h takes Omeprazole too, perhaps your shared diet isn't helping? Might be worth doing a food diary and noting the results. Certailnly worth persisting with your doc.
Btw, peppermint for intestine, camonile tea better for stomach afaik.
Btw, peppermint for intestine, camonile tea better for stomach afaik.
Thanks folks, apologies for the late reply.
To answer some of the questions & points above in no particular order -
- I'm 29, don't drink much (3 or 4 whiskys a week normally which I've not had for a while now, and the odd pint infrequently). I do smoke, but I've knocked that on the head as soon as this pack's finished.
- gallstones I think have been ruled out but I'm still waiting on a load of test results coming back this week
- I do a reasonable amount of exercise though I am a overweight but actively doing something about it (diet's in good order with most of the stuff that can trigger heartburn etc removed and portions are small etc)
- Nothing relieves the pain I get after taking Omeprazole, though Omeprazole takes the acid discomfort away - just replaces it with worse symptoms. 100mg Tramadols did nothing for it. The pain I get after taking Omeprazole stays in the same place. The pain associated with the symptoms it's supposed to be treating doesn't move much - top of the stomach / bottom of my sternum
- Doc knows I've taken NSAIDS and that I stopped as soon as 'ulcer' was mooted. Prescribed me an alternative which seems OK.
- Don't share a diet with the OH as she's in the US and at the minute I'm in the UK. My diet's all planned out to help me get the most from the gym and shed some pounds, so it's pretty sorted.
Think that just about covers it. I'm just waiting it out as he's not in on fridays or mondays, conveniently, and I'd prefer to deal with the same person just to keep diagnosing simple. I think he's got it nailed, just didn't expect such strong side effects. I'll certainly ask about the Lansaprozole - sounds promising!
To answer some of the questions & points above in no particular order -
- I'm 29, don't drink much (3 or 4 whiskys a week normally which I've not had for a while now, and the odd pint infrequently). I do smoke, but I've knocked that on the head as soon as this pack's finished.
- gallstones I think have been ruled out but I'm still waiting on a load of test results coming back this week
- I do a reasonable amount of exercise though I am a overweight but actively doing something about it (diet's in good order with most of the stuff that can trigger heartburn etc removed and portions are small etc)
- Nothing relieves the pain I get after taking Omeprazole, though Omeprazole takes the acid discomfort away - just replaces it with worse symptoms. 100mg Tramadols did nothing for it. The pain I get after taking Omeprazole stays in the same place. The pain associated with the symptoms it's supposed to be treating doesn't move much - top of the stomach / bottom of my sternum
- Doc knows I've taken NSAIDS and that I stopped as soon as 'ulcer' was mooted. Prescribed me an alternative which seems OK.
- Don't share a diet with the OH as she's in the US and at the minute I'm in the UK. My diet's all planned out to help me get the most from the gym and shed some pounds, so it's pretty sorted.
Think that just about covers it. I'm just waiting it out as he's not in on fridays or mondays, conveniently, and I'd prefer to deal with the same person just to keep diagnosing simple. I think he's got it nailed, just didn't expect such strong side effects. I'll certainly ask about the Lansaprozole - sounds promising!
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff