Omeprazole

[Hueandcry]

I take this daily in the morning. Lately have been wakened during the night by acid coming up into my mouth & burning my throat. Do I need to go back & see my GP?

[Drogonssmile]

I believe from my experience of gastroenterology that for best effect you need to take Omeprazole 1 hr to 30 minutes before your last meal of the day if you are suffering from reflux at night. Maybe try that and then go to GP if it doesn't then improve?

I worked as a secretary in gastro for 5 years so I am not an expert but this is what I picked up.

[Drogonssmile]

Alternatively if you suffer in the daytime and night time you may need to see your GP again and have 20mg twice daily (one before breakfast and one before evening meal) prescribed. Disclaimer: again, I am not an expert!

[Hueandcry]

Thank you. I wasn't sure as it says on the label from the pharmacy to take in the morning but I will try changing the time I take it & see if that helps

[Drogonssmile]

No problem :) in my experience, i think because GP's aren't gastro specialists they don't necessarily know the best way a medication will work, but taking before food is apparently the way to make it most effective. Hope you get relief from it, acid reflux is horrible!

[lottiegarbanzo]

I think you should talk to your GP, rather than altering the way you take medicines based on internet advice.

Just to throw in the advice my GP gave me, in case yours agrees. I had a course of omeprazole, taken in the morning as directed, then took Gaviscon Advance (that product specifically) at night, as apparently it forms a foamy layer on top of your stomach acid so offers protectection at night. Also, no eating or drinking in the later evening.

I don't really know if it helped, as I don't think acid reflux was actually my problem.

I've also taken omp when taking a six week course of ibuprofen, to protect my stomach. Definitely in the morning before food for that. It all seemed innocuous but the one day I didn't take it, I really felt the effects, including acid in my throat.

[MrsTannyFickler]

Did you see your GP OP?
I'm in a terrible state with reflux, tummy pain and sore throat.
I'm on 10mg of Omeprazole every morning and have Gaviscon Advance for night but seem to have lost control.
Just wondered if youve tried anything new and if its working?

[Seaweed42]

When mine is bad my GP says to double up the Omeprazole to 20mg per day for two weeks. That usually makes it better after a week or so.

[MrsTannyFickler]

Thanks Seaweed. I'll give that a go. 5 or so years ago I was on 30mg daily so I'm sure doubling it up won't be an issue short term.

[Jingstohang]

I was on 40mg daily when I took it (switched to lansoprazole when it stopped working) so you can def increase if you talk to gp.

[kissmelittleass]

Have any of you tried taking digestive enzymes? I was on PPI's a few times for short spells and although they helped short term they are only masking the problem. I did some research and found some very disturbing things about PPI's and stopped taking them I also had side affects from them too.
I started to take one to two digestive enzymes before each meal and have found a huge improvement, during this crisis I ran out of enzymes and during the time I didn't take them I had very bad stomach gurgling especially at night, throat gurgling, burping, excessive wind, stomach pains.
When I got my online delivery within a day or two nearly all those symptoms were gone.
I find the brand I use works best for me so maybe you could give the digestive enzymes a go it might help you.

[MrsTannyFickler]

@kissmelittleass Thank you.

I'm afraid I have no idea what digestive enzymes are. I will have a look later and try and educate myself.

I'm also on movicol permanently. My whole digestive system is buggered.