Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Taz2 on November 26, 2018, 09:02:42 AM
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I have to take Omeprazole as my recent endoscopy led to diagnosis of acid reflux from a recently developed hiatus hernia. I've read a lot about the bad side of taking a PPI but really have no choice due to patches of ulceration in the oesophagus caused by the acid. I have lost a male friend fairly recently to oesophageal cancer and another two who are in remission so I know how important it is to heal the patches.
I should have begun them a week ago but am still dithering due to a silly fear I've had for all of my adult life of developing diarrhoea especially when, at work, there is only one adult loo for all staff. I have obviously read all of the side effects and it doesn't seem to matter to me that 9 in 10 people don't suffer diarrhoea as a side effect - of course I concentrate on the 1 in 10 who do! The other problem is the fact that low stomach acid means less disinfectant to protect against stomach bugs and working in a school this is a common occurrence.
It's been a busy couple of weeks with family meals and parties plus lots of out of school trips so there didn't seem a "safe" time to start them. I have a meeting today - only twenty miles away - but that's causing me to worry! I'm so annoyed with myself for being a wimp in this way and the endoscopy team were not very happy when they called for an update last week. Anyone have anything positive to say before I down this first one?
Taz x :(
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Hi Taz2
I have been on omeprazole for about 4 years. I got acid reflux during my peri menopause and it was agony! Burning sensation down my throat - horrible, these tablets have been great I can't say anything bad about them, they helped me when nothing else did.
Today I still have really bad flare ups usually when I'm stressed. My gp says there are many rumours flying around about the pros and cons of these tablets, but when you are in agony they really work. Luckily I'm ok atm so I have been able to ditch them and take them only on a need to have basis.
I would say take them until you feel better then keep them as a standby. I also swear by peppermint tea. As for your diarrhoea issue I have had no problems.
❤️Ss x
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Thank you Sweetscarlett. As you say there are issues around these tablets but the outcome if I don't take them is worse.
I have to take them for six weeks and then go back for a further endoscopy. This is because, although I tolerated one five years ago really well, this time I couldn't stand it for long enough for the biopsies to be taken. They want to calm down the ulceration before trying again. I'm really lucky in that we have a good endoscopy suite as part of our local GP surgery but they can't carry out sedation. They would be happy to try again in six weeks but I think I am going to opt for sedation this time. I don't want to be unable to tolerate it for long enough again and waste everyone's time. I think the problem was with the mouth guard. They only had ordinary size ones whereas, last time, I needed a child's size. They don't carry all sizes due to financial cutbacks and I didn't think to ask for one beforehand.
Thanks for your comment it's been really useful.
Taz x :)
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Taking PPIs fro a short time 6-12 weeks won't do that much damage. The side effect that I hated was ‘wind' - very embarrassing. I also developed diverticulitis because my digestive transit speed up so much and food wasn't being digested properly.
There are different types of PPIs and did better on Lasamprozole (wrong spelling I'm sure). Once things have settled you may be Abel to do without them by chaining your diet. Dg x
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My OH has been taking them for about 3 years ... so do quite a few other people I know. He`s had no side effects and they`ve changed his life - he used to start choking in the middle of meals and rush to the loo and be sick..not nice for any of us. But he`s fine now. Are they doing him any good long term? Probably not but his quality of life now is what matters to him and at 75 reckons it`s worth it. x
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It's not like you to worry!
Dr James le Fanu in the Daily Telegraph points out that taken long-term, this particularly medication can alter the acid in the gut so that the tablets no longer have good effect. There has to be acid in order to break down food, maybe read Michael Moseley's book, he describes transit really well.
However: like anything, taken under supervision and for a short-while to see if there is healing, should be beneficial for your digestive tract. Why not begin them on a Friday so that you can be near a 'loo at the weekend? You may find that your bowel action alters but not significantly. How much of that will be because you are worried that your bowels will loosen?
If I am on the Motorway and my bowel suddenly clenches, panic sets in :'( because a) I don't want to stop at a Service Station: I HATE them, why can't the loos be close to the car park! and b) I daren't move in case my bowel lets go B4 I get to the loo >:(. It's never happened. But!
Endoscopy is not something I would ever want to face :-\ so well done! Also the Staff see more people than we do with these conditions so if you have discussed your worries, they should be able to reassure you. :bighug:
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I also take omeprazole but just as & when,they've never given me diarrhoea & like dancinggirl I too have diverticulitis so if anyone could get the runs with them it would be me 🤨
Good luck
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the hernia was a real surprise as there wasn't one there when I had an endoscopy three years ago. I had to have one then due to unexplained anaemia and they wanted to check for bleeding. I went to see the doc this time as I had a teeny bit of heartburn and had two episodes of waking up in the night choking on the acid. I didn't find the procedure too bad last time but this time as soon as they put the mouth guard I started retching. It was nothing to do with the gastroscope - it was the guard. We decided to keep going but I couldn't stop retching and then felt like I was going to choke on what was coming up into my mouth so it was stopped. It may be that a smaller mouth guard will be ok but I've phoned them today to ask for a referral to the hospital for sedation.
The first ten days after the endoscopy I felt horrible. So much heartburn and taste of acid in my mouth with regurgitation too which I'd never had so I can only assume that the procedure upset things. Maybe all that retching didn't help. ;D.
Thanks for the advice Sparkle about diet. I'm not that keen on meat anyway but wine and chocolate... that's a different story! I went out for family meal on Saturday and had wine together with a pudding of chocolate torte (too rich to finish it). Later that night we went to the pub and I had more wine and crisps - totally forgetting that it might not agree with me - but had no problems at all. The endoscopy nurse said that the Omeprazole will "change your life and you'll wonder how you ever managed without it". which was odd as I didn't really have much bother apart from a burning in the oesphagus when I drank hot drinks.
Obviously I have to get the oesophagus healed and the biopsies taken (fingers crossed there's nothing else going on) but I really hope that I wont have to take them for too long. First one tomorrow.
CLKD - thanks for the Friday tip but we have had such a lot on over the past few weekends I haven't been able to do that. I am a wimp when it comes to taking anything. I can advise everyone else but can't do it myself ;D
Thanks for all of your help ladies.
Taz x
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I think it must be from the oesophagus as the instructions are that I am NOT to stop PPI's before the next endoscopy which does go against normal procedure.
I don't have a problem with wine - it's just hot drinks which are uncomfortable and also I did have a feeling like a lump in my throat when I ate bread or meat. That's feeling much better now. Obviously if I'd already started the PPI I would be telling everyone how wonderfully it was working ;D
Dancing Queen - that must have been so horrible for your poor OH. I'm pleased that the medication helped him.
Taz x
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I was on it recently and had no issues at all with it and I'm usually one if life's sensitive wee flowers lol.
I took along with antibiotics on the triple therapy regime for hpylori and I'm happy to say I took 2 daily for week one then one daily for week 2 then I reduced to alternate days 1 daily and im fine with that.im now working on building my gut flora again because of the triple therapy and im using bone broth and i also take the skin off the chicken and put in a blender / soup maker with the stick and veg and it makes a beautiful soup which helps heal my gut as hpylori causes ulcers.i also make cabbage water which I drink a couple if times a day again to heal the gut and that could be why I've made a good recovery after this triple therapy.😘DD
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Did U decide yet ?
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Yes I did it! ;D
Day four today. It's given me some nausea but not too bad and a background headache but so far only the usual 'morning rush' IBS. Bizarrely it's increased the hiccuping I sometimes get after meals which I was told was due to the acid and hernia. Throat feels more comfortable when I eat and drink so hopefully it's working.
Thanks so much for all of your support and for not making feel daft to worry.
Taz :thankyou:
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No one is daft on here, nor is anything too much information ;)
Do you eat little and often?
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No one is daft on here, not is anything too much information ;)
Do you eat little and often?
I'm a little bit daft btw 🤪
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How daft :D
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No one is daft on here, not is anything too much information ;)
Do you eat little and often?
I have breakfast at 7.30 and lunch at 12.15 when I'm at work and something when I get home around 4.30 and main meal around 7.
Taz x
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What, no snacking ;D
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Ah well at work there's no snacking time but in the evening..well..that's a different matter 🤣
Taz x
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:D
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How u doing Taz?
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How's it going?
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Sorry I forgot to update! I've got used to the slightly nauseous feeling for the first hour after taking it and it's been nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. I don't get hungry though which is strange. I get the most amazing tummy rumbles which can be embarrassing at times especially during the reflective pause at a funeral I went to this week. ::)
The burning in my throat when drinking hot drinks has mostly gone and the lump in the throat when swallowing bread or meat has gone so that's good. No more waking up in the night with a mouth full of acid and also my tickly cough disappeared almost straight away and I hadn't even realised what was causing it!
Thanks for asking CLKD. :thankyou:
Taz xx
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You're welcome. Sounds like you are staring 2019 on a positive!
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Next endoscopy on the 14th January.
Taz x
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:-X
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I had my follow up endoscopy today under sedation. Although it's a nuisance having to have tomorrow off work while it leaves my system what a difference to having it without! So much less stressful.
The good news is that the ulceration in my oesophagus has healed and the stomach and duodenum (1 and 2) are also fine. Obviously the hiatus hernia is still there but I can now reduce the Omeprazole to 20mg.
Thanks for all of your replies and support when I was freaking out! ;D
Taz xx
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I would be freaking out at the thought of what you've been through! :medal:
How do you feel overall?
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I'm ok thanks. A bit sleepy at times and being well looked after by OH. I'm sat on the sofa in front of a blazing woodburner with three of the four cats jostling for space on my lap. They're taking advantage of me sitting still. It doesn't happen often!!
Taz X ;D
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Improvement then?
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It's stopped the slight reflux and has allowed the oesophagus to heal which is good as ulceration can lead to cancer. I can drink tea without feeling like my throat is on fire which is nice. Still feel a little nauseous for the first hour after taking the pill but the initial headaches have gone now. Thanks for asking. :)
Taz x
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Thanks Sparkle :)
Taz x
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Only just read this that's good news hope your still feeling ok.
Lanzalover x
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How are you doing taz?
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Glad things are improving for you Taz - keep taking the tablets.
Love Cazi xx
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Thanks Cazi! I will as I know the hiatus hernia won't disappear so have to be careful. Hope you are doing ok.
Thanks Lanzarote and Jaypo. I'm doing ok. Still on the higher dose as the GP hasn't updated the prescription yet. I'm just pleased that it all healed as a friend who was in remission from oesophageal cancer (symptoms were the same as mine) has just found out it has returned in a lymph node. More treatment. No surgery possible sadly.
Taz X
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Have you been advised to sleep in the 'upright' position Taz?
For reasons not known to me for years my Dad had the bottom of the bed raised on two bricks which were wrapped in silver foil - less obvious that they were bricks ;). It might be that you need to raise the head of the bed rather than the bottom ?
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No as I don't really have symptoms while on the omeprazole. Your poor dad raising the wrong end of the bed! ;D
Taz x
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Well I don't know if it was the 'wrong' end but Mum can't remember why he did the foot .........
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Oh sorry I thought you meant he had a hiatus hernia which means you have to raise the head of the bed to stop the acid washing back up the oesophagus. Back problems often need the foot of the bed raised.
Taz x :-\
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Hi, been on Omeprazole for 9 years now and have just got it down to as and when needed. I do get flair ups now and again but once i start them again it eases. I have never had diarrhoea with them and have tolerated them well.
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Tnx Taz. He suffered with 'lumbago' for years ....... as did his Dad ::)
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I'm glad you are doing well jgr. I'm hoping that I will be able to reduce further in future if I learn to pay more attention to diet.
Taz x :)
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Does it make any difference what time you eat Taz B4 bed?
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I'm on omeprazole too. Went to gp with chest discomfort, thought it was indigestion although no burning, and took them for 4 weeks. No side effects apart from a few headaches to start wirh. Felt better so stopped but it came back again after a few weeks (and too much wine at lunch one day) so started up again.
Meanwhile, was sent for heart scan as ECG done by doc was a bit iffy. Been summoned back to docs to discuss the results :o.
Anyway, I'm terrified at the thought of having to have an endoscopy more than any heart problems. I gag sometimes brushing my teeth.
Glad you ladies are doing OK.
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Thank you. I don't even know if I need one, my mind is getting carried away again, but Im sure my problems are gastric, feels like i have indigestion. Could be wrong though.
I love this place. Everyone is so lovely and supportive.
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If you do have one I agree with the sedation suggestion. I remember nothing after she put the sedative into the cannula. I've had two before without sedation. The only downside is that the next 24 hours are a bit boring as you can't work or drive and are supposed to have someone with you whereas, without sedation, I went straight back to work.
It's better to get it checked out rather than put it off and have more problems.
Taz x
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Ah relaxing! That's always been my problem just can't seem to do it ;D
Taz x
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I can relax for England ;D - lots of bubbles, hot water, good book, cuppa ..... DH refrained from putting a TV at the foot of the bath :D
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Another Sir Marley fan, you must be ok 👌 🙋
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:-\
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:-\
What's up hon x
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Hi Blot
I have been on both omeprazole and lansaprozole when I was taking oral hrt and it worked. I felt like had something lodged in my throat and then under my ribs..very uncomfortable more something stuck rather than a lot of burning. Now I am on transdermal hrt, no need for either, so I suppose it is a positive story but maybe won't help you?? I had terrible nausea on tablets as well.
Don't worry about an endoscopy, as Taz says with sedation it is fine. Just "swallow" when the nurse says "swallow"!!!! and think pleasant thoughts....being tense always makes things more difficult. Hard I know when you worry but with the sedation it will be over and done in a jiffy.
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Thanks Ladybt28. I don't have burning or a feeling of anything being stuck, hard to describe. Gp told me to take omeprazol for a further two months then review.
So following my heart scan I have a couple of leaky valves but apparently nothing to worry about just yet :o. Rescan in a year and the usual warnings of if you become short of breath etc. Once again a rushed appointment and a bit dismissive considering they asked me to go in when they could have just phoned me up. I give up!
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Hi Blot
I had an endoscopy last year,and as I had no one to chaperone me, I could not have the sedation. I have when I clean my teeth, but honestly,it wasn't that bad. I haven't once , but then it was okay.
I mean, I wouldnt do it for fun, but it was manageable
Jeepers x
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As the day wears on I get background heartburn feelings resulting in reflux when I get into bed. This afternoon I am trialling 2 small spoonfuls of Milk of Magnesia to see if it settles my reflux by T-time. If it does then job done. If not :-\ but I would never go for invasive down the throat tests :-X. Seen them done :(
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Better to go than develop something that needs far more invasive tests though. Gaviscon is better for reflux than milk of magnesia due to the way it works.
Taz x
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I would have to be completely out B4 contemplating examinations. I've watched too many :-X
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That would be fine. I had sedation this last time a d knew nothing about it.
Taz x
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Really. No soreness after ?
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No none at all. The endoscopy nurse put the sedative in the canula and I came round 15 minutes later with no memory of the procedure. Tea and biscuits then home after being told the findings.
Taz x
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Hiya Taz - I've only just seen this! Glad to hear all went well and hope everything has much improved for you re the reflux and burning - and that it stays that way!
Hurdity xx
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Thanks Hurdity. Yes much improved thank you! Hope you are ok especially now you can enjoy these lighter evenings! :(
Taz x ;D