PPIs (Esomeprazole) for hiatus hernia/reflux

[GinJeanie]

Hiya. Just wondered if anyone knows more than me about taking proton pump inhibitors for severe reflux? I've had the condition for around 5 years and an endoscopy found I have a large hiatus hernia. I took Omeprazole for around a year then came off on advice from the consultant and had two years without symptoms. Had another bad flare last year and have been on Esomeprazole since. Planning to come off soon.
Are the meds safe to take long-term? Someone recently told me that their Dad has damaged kidneys from taking them. Another friend's Mum who has had reflux all her life and not taken meds now has incurable oesophagal cancer. My hope is I can just take them when I have a flare-up but I know this condition isn't going to go away. Many thanks!

I find that esomeprazole works quite quickly so I only take on days when i have symptoms. I don't want to take it every day if I don't need to.

@CatsLikeBoxes thank you for your reply and sorry you have reflux too. You're lucky they work quickly. It usually takes me about 6 weeks of taking the meds and low acid diet to start to feel more normal. Would rather not take them though!

I’ve just taken 4 weeks worth of omaprazole and hoping reflux stays away now with dietary changes as Googling scared me off getting a repeat!
i will ask my gastro when I see him in a couple of weeks about re-starting if I need to.
i suppose you need to weigh up side effects vs long term damage if it’s a chronic issue. What does your GP say.

@JustDanceAddict My GP has never said it was a problem tbh. I've recently heard about the kidney damage link anecdotally and haven't been able to ask them. Hope you stay well 🤞

I've been taking it gif years. No issue

*for

Duplicate thread… I’ve replied on your other one here 😊

www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4640520-long-term-use-of-ppis-esomeprazole-for-hiatus-hernia?reply=120237347

Thanks. Currently being investigated for gut issues.
i will see how it goes in next week or so before the gastro appt. I had a couple of really bad heartburn episodes which is why they were prescribed (by GP).

@Afterfire - Thank you! Will have a look now. I put it in Chat as thought there might be a bit more traffic 🙂
@JustDanceAddict good luck!

I was born with a hiatus hernia and no proper sphincter at the top of my stomach so always had reflux. I have taken PPIs for 15 years but recently went to the GP after reading research to suggest they increase likelihood of osteoporosis and stomach cancer. I've had blood tests for both and nothing detected so I guess I'll stay on them. I have lowered the dose though. I was told that if you try to come off them suddenly you can get a rebound effect which intensifies the reflux so if you aren't aware of that you might think (like I did!) that you can't cope without them.

Taking PPIs are implicated in IBDs such as microscopic colitis. This is mentioned in the small print which none reads. I now control this with a restricted diet and supplements. The reflux has disappeared, so I wish I’d just made dietary changes in the first place.

I know 2 people who have been on it for years one has a hiatus hernia.
I imagine the proportion who go on to develop serious side effects is small.
I had gastric reflux but stopped drinking alcohol, very fatty food, v large meals, cut back on coffee, sleep with 3 pillows. That seems to keep it at bay for me.

I have GORD so I'm on Esomeprazole for life. You do need to be aware that it can cause anaemia as it appears to block iron absorption; I manage this well enough (tests always show 'borderline') with diet and a multivitamin with extra iron, but I do know two other people on PPIs who take prescribed iron tablets so YMMV.