Alternatives to Omeprazole

[Breeks]

Hi,

I had a course of Omeprazole about 18 months ago to control really bad acid reflux, the medicine worked well and things settled. I stopped taking it and things have been good for the last 16 months until a recent flare up so I've got another prescription and I'm 5 days in. I now remember why I stopped taking them the last time around - terrible dreams and splitting headaches - which in some ways are worse than the reflux.

Looking online it seems that drugs like Omeprazole are the most commonly prescribed for this condition, just wonder if anyone has any natural coping strategies for reflux?

TIA

[AlexanderV8]

Lansoprazole is another common protein pump inhibitor.

You could try taking a spoonful of Gaviscon before you go to bed. That sometimes works for me.

Also, try sleeping with your head and top half a bit higher.

You may have a hiatus hernia, so could be worth getting it checked (mind you, there's not much they can do unless it's really serious).

Also, avoid spicy food and limit alcohol until things settle down.

[Colonel Cupcake]

When I was prescribed Omeprazole, the GP started with what I thought was a high dose, 60mg per day. I requested that the dose be reduced until it just controlled my condition (different to yours) and now I am on 20mg per day. Might make all the difference to you.

[Pooh]

I was on omeprazole for years until I cut milk out of my diet and was able to stop taking it, all I do now is have the occasional Gaviscon when I go to bed. This may not work for you but it is worth a try.

[SydneyBridge]

I have a Hiatus Hernia and have been on Lansoprazole for years, 30mg

One doc tried to take me of them as said it was to take them for years. Loads of problems so another doc put me back on and no problems now

[mcelliott]

As mentioned gaviscone can be very effective, apple cider vinegar and liquorice work very well, and reducing stress of coarse!

[Ntv]

Ranitidine

[Glosphil]

Ntv said:

Ranitidine

Has been withdrawn due to contamination.

[Red9zero]

I have bad acid reflux and am on Omeprazole. I also have a hiatic hernia, but had never linked them and my doctor had never mentioned a link either. It would explain a lot though. PH does have its uses !

[Glosphil]

Omeprazole is known to have a number of unpleasant side effects. It reduce my kidney function from 72% to 15% & I spent 5 days in hospital. Only recovered to 42%.
The kidney consultant told me he hates that medication & I was the 3rd patient in 6 months he had seen in that hospital with the same problem.

[Glosphil]

Glosphil said:

Has been withdrawn due to contamination.

Now back but with a different main ingredient.

[Glosphil]

mcelliott said:

As mentioned gaviscone can be very effective, apple cider vinegar and liquorice work very well, and reducing stress of coarse!

A small amount of liquorice in the late evening helped me as did reducing alcohol intake from 12-15 units (mainly at the weekends) a week to 2-3.

[PeteinSQ]

Glosphil said:

Now back but with a different main ingredient.

Are you thinking of famotidine?

[Glosphil]

PeteinSQ said:

Glosphil said:

Now back but with a different main ingredient.

Are you thinking of famotidine?

Yes

[isleofthorns]

exercise helped me get off them (3-4 years of use for a HH)...... dropped about 10kg and had no more need of them.

[Glosphil]

isleofthorns said:

exercise helped me get off them (3-4 years of use for a HH)...... dropped about 10kg and had no more need of them.

I lost 5kg & even that relatively small amount of weight loss seemed to help.

[a_dreamer]

Gaviscon is great and there is a generic non brand version in lots of pharmacies which is the same just cheaper.

As others have said lanzaprazole is good too. I had h pylori so may be worth asking for that test. Once I'd had the antibiotics to get rid of that I very rarely require omeprazole.

[Breeks]

Thanks everyone - this has been really helpful.

Another terrible night's sleep last night so I need to do something.

Will pick up some gaviscon and take a daily dose of that instead to see if sleep improves and the headache goes away - hopefully stomach behaves itself.

If that fails I'll be back to the GP.

It's terrible getting old :-)

[Peanut Gallery]

I was given Omeprazole, had stop half way through as it made my anger something else.

Initially a change in my diet helped sometimes (cut out shop bought bread & derivatives, fresh apples) but rantinidine (sp) worked really well.
Dropped some weight, and even though I have put the weight back on I don't have the heart burn.

Now I just need to get rid of the weight again for my knees & everything else!

[Sticks.]

I used to get reflux badly at night but eating less and earlier and identifying which food/drinks made it worse helped. Eating too much, obviously but fatty or acidic foods for me.