Heartburn - doctor will not prescribe omeprazole!

[lolango]

I am nearly 22 weeks pregnant and have had bloody awful heartburn from week 6. Was prescribed omeprazole and have run out so contacted the doctor asking for more - they wouldn't give it to me. Says they're not supposed to prescribe it for more than 6 weeks now. I had the same in my first pregnancy and was on it for the entire pregnancy, it was the only thing that worked.

It's a pregnancy thing - all the dietary changes, pillow wedges, milk, lack of spicy food, gaviscon, rennies and anything else do not help. The only thing that helps is omeprazole. I know you're not meant to be on it long term but I haven't taken it in 5 years, since my last baby.

The doctor seems to think I can handle it using other methods but I really can't, I'm totally miserable. If I don't have omeprazole every second of the day I can feel acid burning my throat.

You can buy it online?

Although is your pregnancy the reason they won't prescribe it again?

I need the capsules and they are prescription only.

The NHS website and everywhere else I can find says they are perfectly safe to take in pregnancy, the GP says the guidance is now that they won't prescribe them longer than 6 weeks for anyone.

That's insane! Without omperazole I was throwing up every night when I was pregnant.

I think you need to ask to see a different GP and show them the NHS guidance. Can your midwife help?

I see the midwife in a couple of weeks but I can't wait that long!

So fed up of the blooming lifestyle advice, I know about sleeping propped upright on pillows but how does that help me after lunch!!!

It's pregnancy related for me, I had the exact same in my first pregnancy and it went away the minute I gave birth.

You can buy omeprazole capsules over the counter. Remember Omeprazole is just a PPI drug (proton pump inhibitor), there are various brands. I’m pretty sure some of the supermarkets sell them, I’ve bought them before.

I understand, it's such a horrible feeling. I'm 11 weeks and I've started on omperazole already but trying to ration myself to one every few days for now. Nobody wants to be taking medication all the time especially when you're pregnant but the alternative is horrendous.

Call for another GP appointment I would if you can.

Sorry I meant you can get it on prescription online

https://onlinedoctor.superdrug.com/omeprazole.html

just don't say you are pregnant or get your partner to order them.

Omeprazole capsules are available over the counter and even on Amazon. You want a brand called Pyrocalm. I used to get them from Superdrug.

https://amzn.eu/d/9PX0AIh

You can buy it without a prescription

this is from Boots

I get the capsules in poundland. They are esomeprazole and work really well.

The change in prescribing is because long term use has been linked to an increased risk of dementia, just three months of use can cause gut infections, bone problems and B12 deficiency.

Speak to a different GP and ask about alternatives to PPIs that will actually work, if they cannot suggest any then make a case for using omeprazole for the remainder of your pregnancy. Enlist your midwife too and if neither of them can help you then ask to be referred to the antenatal clinic at the hospital where you're booked as, in my experience, consultants are more willing to look at benefit vs risk.

FWIW, I had awful reflux in pregnancy and used omeprazole throughout so I know how grim it can be. Without the omeprazole I would wake up several times a night literally choking on a throat full of acid.

The NHS suggests avoiding esomeprazole in pregnancy. Omeprazole is considered safer.

I've been on them 10 years, this isn't comforting 🥴

As above, there are problems with Omeprozole that have warranted these changes. It's not just your GP being a pita! Withdrawal symptoms from Omeprozole can be awful, which is why they won't prescribe long term. My mum has had to come off them. She has a hiatus hernia.

I have been on them for around 16 years.

I’ve been on them about 15 years.. maybe more.. now I’m thinking why would they keep on prescribing them to me?!

No advice but solidarity! I’m 9 months pregnant, never ever had heartburn even once before pregnancy, now it’s my best friend (AKA worst enemy). I’ve repeatedly been told the same by GP & midwife, the guidance has changed and it’s now only able to be given for 6 weeks max.

I don’t know what I’m more excited for at this point, to meet my baby or to be done with bloody heartburn!😂

I'd take almost anything over the acid right now. My GP speaks as if it is a minor discomfort but it is utterly miserable. It burns all day and all night and stops me eating.

it's a different drug from same family

I'm prescribed it but if I cba to sort out a repeat prescription I just buy them in Tesco. Brand name is Pyrocalm as someone else has already said.

My teen has been on them for 5 years

Oh.

I’ve been on omeprazole for as long as I can remember. Decades.

As I’m getting a lot of gut symptoms the hospital consultant has just suggested I change to esomeprazole twice in the day and nizatidide once at night, for two months. I don’t know if changing to a different -azole will make any difference.

Always fun reading about studies and side effects when you have no choice but to take them as the alternative is a higher likelyhood of cancer as well as stomach ulcers etc.

As others have said you can buy them over the counter. Nexium is a brand that I know of.

It’s new advice/evidence about not taking them long term. Previously drs handed them out like smarties. They were always trying to convince dd to take them, she’s got a carrier bag of unused tablets upstairs. She always said she doesn’t have heartburn and doesn’t need them but they wouldn’t listen.