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.

It's advised for max 6 weeks as can cause ligament weakness and muscle wastage

@lolango , a gastro consultant I saw privately years ago said not to use extra pillows or a pillow wedge, as that stops you lying straight (ie your body’s not in a straight line). Instead, raise the whole bed at the head end, eg by putting bricks under the bed legs. Do it as far as you can until any more and you’d slide down the bed.

He said his wife has reflux and that’s what they do. Worth a try, perhaps.

@CormorantStrikesBack to be fair you can get silent reflux. I had no symptoms of heartburn so reduced mine and have ended up with major stomach issues and a possible stomach ulcer.

News to me about long term use. I’ve been on it 8 years. Luckily I have cancer so probably won’t live long enough to get dementia. Every cloud has a silver lining!
(cancer humour, not for sympathy btw)

Sure. But she has no symptoms at all. Even with silent reflux there are symptoms like a cough or phlegm or a tight throat and she has nothing. She has gynae issues which is bugger all to do with heartburn. She’s now been diagnosed with endometriosis which she’s been saying for years she has which I don’t think omeprazole helps with 😁

I didn't know that. I was put on omeprazole a few years ago as a prophylactic s I'm on blood thinners and was told it was a precaution they took. Will try to speak to GP

Go gluten free if you’ve not already. I had awful heartburn while pregnant but managed to resolve it through being strictly gluten free

Tried, did jack all. Diet makes zilch difference. I genuinely might as well eat curry all the time as it makes it no worse.

I didn't know about blood thinners and omeprazole. DD is on blood thinners for life now and they haven't mentioned her going on omeprazole since she's been on blood thinners. The only times they have tried to get her to take it was before she was on thinners!

@ObliviousCoalmine

Me too. Was on Zantac until that was banned too

When I was PG, i was on Gaviscon, by the BIG bottle - you can get that on prescription too

You can buy the capsules online

Gaviscon doesn't help by itself unfortunately.

You can get them in Lidl - £3.99 a packet

Been on them for over 20 years here (Lansoprazole) and a bit worried now.

I have chronic reflux/heartburn due to a genetic condition and have been on and off omeprazole for years. I stopped taking it a few months ago as it was causing horrendous constipation, but the resulting heartburn brought me to tears more than once. Rennies, Gaviscon, etc didn't touch it.

After listening to Jack Dee (of all people!) talking about it on a podcast, I have started drinking sparkling water every day and I can't tell you how much it helps. I now have cases of San Pellegrino all over my house 😅 on days where I don't drink it, my heartburn comes back that same evening, so I really notice the difference. I'm not a fan of sparkling water as it comes but adding ice and a bit of cordial makes it a lot more palatable.

Could you not ask for lansoprazole?

I ask because acid reflux is one of the many side effects of chemotherapy and both my oncologist and chemo nurse practically throw me boxes of lansoprazole after every infusion. Have definitely been taking them longer than six weeks.

I think the issue is with PPIs in general rather than just omeprazole.

Oh gosh I didn't realise they don't like prescribing it for more than 6 weeks now. Luckily I've only just had it prescribed at 27 weeks, last pregnancy I was on it from 10 weeks.
Sending solidarity though, I'm the same, 3 pregnancies, every time horrendous heartburn that stops the second the baby arrives. The amount of people that tell me ' oh yeah I had that, I was drinking gaviscon and that sorted it'. It just doesn't work for me either!! Makes no difference what I eat, how I sleep, its just almost permanently there. Gaviscon feels like it just sits on top of the acid...but its still there.
I'd suggest supersrug online pharmacy though, I've got nexium before last pregnancy too and that was the best 2nd best option.

Does that really help?! Not actually a remedy I've tried so I'll definitely give that a go. I like sparkling water!

In general my digestion has been all over the shop this pregnancy. Constipated for a few days then the total opposite problem for another few, then back again. It's driving me daft.

Does Peptac work for you? It's supposed to be far better than Gaviscon etc.
I've been getting heartburn this pregnancy and my orthodontist of all people recommended it.

Ahhh. I understand. Have never had to deal with acid reflux, heartburn et al until I started chemo, so those who suffer from it really have my sympathies, it's awful.

As an aside, have recently discovered both plain rice and porridge made with water quite soothing, ditto drinking lots of water.

Phone your midwife and ask her to prescribe!

I promise, it has really helped me. I would never have believed it but I was on my knees with the pain and would have tried anything.

I pour 500ml of sparkling water into my big insulated cup with loads of ice and a splash of apple cordial, and I drink it over a couple of hours. Sometimes I'll have another in the evening. I swear I don't have a hint of heartburn!