Omeprazole has killed my stomach

[Boredofmyguts]

I posted last week after my GI appointment when he prescribed omeprazole for gastritis and reflux.
I have been on it and other PPIs before but not for a long time. I’m also on another unrelated medication which is well tolerated and not contraindicated. My GI knows this.

I started it on the Thursday morning. By Sunday evening I was really windy and bloated, but I stupidly still took it on Monday as it was really helping my reflux. Then I felt worse and worse on Monday - nauseous, bloated, stomach pain, bit of diarrhoea etc which is rare for me.

I thought it would abate and I did an e-consult on Weds to say I had to come off omeprazole as I was having these symptoms . Gp messaged back to say try lower dose or other PPI. I also contacted my GI - I don’t expect he’ll get back to me, but for the record. I don’t want to restart until I feel normal again.

I still have bloating and pain now and I’m not particularly bothered about food but once I start eating I’m ok.

Has anyone experienced these side effects. It’s making me miserable as I’m so uncomfortable and my reflux is obviously back as well. I’ll have to contact GP again if not better by Monday.

Any tips for relief? I’m eating quite bland food. I eat a restricted diet as it is.

@AutumnalCrows that's awful, couldn't your GP push for a different one?

@Boredofmyguts I did change my diet several times and it makes very little difference. I don't think I have excess acid. I don't eat UPF, I don't eat large meals, I stopped eating a dinner years ago and just have a snack after work.

I did try angling my (spare) bed but I sleep on my front so it was impossible as I kept sliding down! There's no point swapping waking up with choking, to sleeplessness from discomfort 😂our marital bed is too big and wouldn't tilt.

I'm sorry you have the bowel issues too, that's awful for you, it must be exhausting.

I did Google the iqoro thing mentioned above which looks interesting. I'm going to have a look at the cost and consider trying one.

@TheLivelyRoseive never heard of this but it sounds like it might be effective.

@Nannyfannybannyyrs it’s really hard and I never quite know what to do for the best. A lot of our family have reflux issues but on my DH’s side. He has it too but doesn’t care! He occasionally takes Gaviscon but he’s def got LPR/silent reflux.
I do get comments about what I eat - late MIL used to be bad for it and I’d get quite offended. Yes I would love to tuck in to a bowl of tomato pasta!
I’m also slim, kept to a relatively healthy diet, ate red meat rarely.

Many drugs have side effects initially that wear off after a few weeks.
PPIs aren't great long term but you have to balance risk v benefits and in your case it seems your health is suffering enough to favour taking it.

@isitmyturnmild side effects I can live with but not being doubled up in pain and feeling sick/no appetite. I would like to take it so my body can heal as maybe the root cause can’t be pinpointed, once things have calmed down stomach wise I will try the lower dose. Then if not, beg for famotidine.

Are you on HRT OP? I see you mention peri menopause in your post above. My reflux was caused by the progesterone part of hrt (utrogestan) relaxing my LES (it relaxes smooth muscles). I think the hormonal fluctuations of peri can cause this too. Mine has been better since I got the mirena coil with more stable progesterone (although it is still early days so fingers crossed it continues).