Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: robotwars on August 17, 2017, 05:54:00 AM
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Hi! can I just ask f anyone else has experienced side effects with this drug, I was prescribed it by the hospital at the beginning of August, I took it for a couple of days then 2am in the morning I woke up with stomach cramps, wind, nausea and felt rubbish so I stopped taking it, I started again 2 days ago then last night I woke up at 3am with the same thing, my stomach feels terrible, having to go to the bathroom a lot, stomach grumbling, wind, started off feeling cold now hot, just wish I could get it to settle, have tried taking Buscopan and now drinking peppermint tea..... anyone got any ideas how to settle my stomach and should I carry on taking it, so confused.....
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Dr James le Fanu in Mondays Daily Telegraph often tells readers how difficult this drug is for some people to tolerate.
I have stuck with success to Rennies followed an hour later when necessary with another tablet.
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Thanks for replies, I'm on the 40mg ones, and I have been taking it on an empty stomach and then not eating for an hour.
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I was on 40mg of Omeprazole (some PPIs are stronger so only 20mg max) and was ok initially but as I didn't need them (docs presumed I had an ulcer when was migraines from hormones) after a few months I started getting pains and worsening hormones.
They basically stop your stomach acid and this can cause food not to digest properly and could cause your symptoms. Or you may be better with Ranitidine or a different PPI as they do all affect you slightly differently. You can also buy Pantoprazole OTC to try for a couple of days to see if suits you better before getting a prescription - you would only need 20mg of that one as it's twice as strong.
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I am on 20mg x twice a day. Are you sure that the dosage and frequency are clearly written on the box? I ask because I had to get a replacement for my epipen today, the use by date I had fortunately memorized because the actual print on the container had rubbed off.
Seriously robotwars, you need to talk to your GP asap. Don't stop taking them without your GP knowing about it. If you are cautious about talking to your GP, have a chat with the pharmacist and get professional advice. Please remember there had to be a reason for the prescription to begin with. Talking to the pharmacist will be far quicker than a doctor's appointment probably. I know that wind can be an embarrassing side effect, as can getting very up close and personal with the loo more often. If I remember properly they did take a bit of getting used to.
Brighteyes
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I was prescribed this, because acid reflux can cause problems with asthma. But I don't suffer with acid reflux! I think they simply put 2 and 2 together and made 5 when I described my reactions to wheat. Didn't help that so I have stopped it. I didn't have any side effects though.
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I have phoned my GP and I'm now awaiting a call from the triage nurse!
I was prescribed it because of a night time cough, went to my GP who sent me for xrays and a CT scan that showed whitening on my right lung which they say is caused by access acid..........
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I couldn't tolerate this medication either, it gave me terrible heartburn, worse than what I was taking it for. Like CLKD I manage with Rennies when needed.
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no I'm not sparkle, but I have had a call from nurse, who cant help me so she has made me an appointment to see on call doctor later this afternoon.
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This particular drug is often prescribed but is also known to cause some people problems.
Let us know?
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I was given this to help try to find a way of controlling a very peculiar quirk of my body.
No one has worked out what or why my body has become brilliant at mimicking a major heart attack. I get the radiating pain from sternum to left jaw and arm, also spreading to the right side but not quite so viciously. I feel desperately nauseated, sweat and try rocking to alleviate the pain. I've had the camera up, down and inside out. All that has been proved is that I was born with a very narrow oesophagus!
One attack was so bad DH rang my surgery and spoke to the duty doctor. It turned out the doctor was talking to him with one phone and dialling 999 with another. I was hooked up to monitors, every measurement thinkable taken and lo and behold, everything had returned to normal. The scariest attack, that happened when I was driving!
It's totally weird. I've even been told that if I do ever have a heart attack I will already know exactly how it feels in advance, uummmm! I have taken this to stop any chance of acidic reflux putting in an appearance and causing burns for a number of years. Mebeverine I take before every meal.
I do feel for everyone who is having to cope with the numerous side effects and hope that each of you is feeling much better very soon.
Brighteyes
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Sounds like acute acid reflux Brighteyes. Thank goodness you have had investigations. Women have different symptoms to those that men suffer with a heart attack so I wonder why it has been suggested that you 'already know' :-\.
It can happen to me suddenly or kind of creeps up >:( .......... I have to sit up as laying down produces too much acid into my mouth. As it happens around the same time at night - about 1.30 p.m. onwards - I reach for the Rennies. Two chewed immediately and then another tablet an hour later ..........
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Well went to the doctors, waited an hour and half to get in, and he has just changed the medication to Ranitidine 300mg at night..... been told to take it for two months then come back to review!
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Any discussion at all? Let us know how you get on.
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Yes - I understand your frustration.
I am like CLKD and babyjane - I have twice been to the docs over the past years ( some time ago) with stomach problems and once was prescribed Omp... and the other occasion Ranitidine. Needless to say both medications sat in the medicine cupboard unopened until they went out of date and I chucked them as I have a bit of an aversion to meds (especially if they are unnecessary!) - and in fact had only gone to see if there was something wrong - not to be prescribed something. Doc's first approach was to reach for the prescription pad and send me on my way!
I use indigestion tablets and occasionally Milk of Magnesia, and short term changes to diet, when my tum plays up - but realise something stronger may be necessary for some people.
I hope it works and you feel better anyway :)
Hurdity x
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Milk of Magnesia can ease symptoms, we used to buy both tablets or liquid. I think that it's best to use the old fashioned over-the-counter meds initially ;-).
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Yes - I understand your frustration.
I am like CLKD and babyjane - I have twice been to the docs over the past years ( some time ago) with stomach problems and once was prescribed Omp... and the other occasion Ranitidine. Needless to say both medications sat in the medicine cupboard unopened until they went out of date and I chucked them as I have a bit of an aversion to meds (especially if they are unnecessary!) - and in fact had only gone to see if there was something wrong - not to be prescribed something. Doc's first approach was to reach for the prescription pad and send me on my way!
I use indigestion tablets and occasionally Milk of Magnesia, and short term changes to diet, when my tum plays up - but realise something stronger may be necessary for some people.
I hope it works and you feel better anyway :)
Hurdity x
I have a small sliding hernia which was only discovered when I was sent for an endoscopy in connection with swallowing. It took me a bit by surprise. I was told that I had slight gastritis too. I am determined not to take any of those prescribed medications and the GP hasn't pushed them on me. I have been reading up on them. There seem to be so many disadvantages/side effects.
I would also prefer to keep to the occasional over the counter medication. I have also tried apple cider vinegar.
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Sparkle, you are so right about it being scary. The first time I was really so sure I was about to die. I found that I was in so much pain I actually couldn't speak. By the time DH came into the room, things were easing off and I was still alive! He said that I had turned a most horrible colour.
The time I was driving, I pulled onto the grass verge and just had to wait it out until I could drive again, that was the only time I was on the road. For that I am thankful.
After that one I was sent for the cameras, both ends same day. It's on my records that if you want to get a camera down my gullet or up the other end, you sedate me first. They tried to make me swallow, I did something strange for me, I panicked. Once I was sedated everything went well, but they did find out why I panicked, my oesophagus is narrow. It also explained why both food and liquids can get properly stuck going down. That's fun too :'(
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That must have been scary bright eyes....
The only discussion I had was that the CT scan showed whitening on my right lung, which they think is being caused by access acid, they need to try and stop the acid then redo the CT scan to see what the lung is like and whether it has got any worse. so they want me to take the tablets for two months then review....
But its strange as I have no indigestion or heart burn, the only symptom I have is sometimes I feel sickly like I have a strange taste in my throat that I cant get rid off, which I had been putting down to hormones! LOL
Only other symptoms I have been getting are rumbling stomachs etc, which I have been putting down to IBS...
Oh well decided I would start the pills on sunday evening as we have been away over the weekend and didn't want any side effects while I was away...
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Oh Brighteyes, what an absolute nightmare! Good you know the reason now, I find it's the not knowing that's so frightening. I've had cameras both ends during the same procedure, thankfully not at the same time. Thank God for sedation!!! :o
Robotwars, you can have reflux without heartburn apparently, I never knew that until I read about it. Hope the ranitidine suits you better.
S x
Yes there is a condition called Laryngeal Silent Reflux. I have been told that I have it in the past. I do get reflux but no burning/acidic taste at all.
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Why would acid get into the lungs :-\ ........ that would worry me the most ::)
Hopefully you've been somewhere 'nice'!
Also with regards belly rumblings, eat more often: don't add more to your over-all diet but eat smaller amounts. As oestrogen levels drop muscles may become lax = hiatus hernia.
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Wouldn't one then cough a LOT? :-\
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Why would acid get into the lungs :-\ ........ that would worry me the most ::)
Hopefully you've been somewhere 'nice'!
Also with regards belly rumblings, eat more often: don't add more to your over-all diet but eat smaller amounts. As oestrogen levels drop muscles may become lax = hiatus hernia.
What is your source of info re. drop in oestrogen levels helping to cause the hiatus hernia please? Are you saying that it can cause it or just that it can make an already existing hernia worse?
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Any muscles which become lax can cause aches and pains and it is known that in menopause, hiatus hernia is a common problem [as is frozen shoulder]. I don't have a 'source' as such.
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Any muscles which become lax can cause aches and pains and it is known that in menopause, hiatus hernia is a common problem [as is frozen shoulder]. I don't have a 'source' as such.
Yes I am aware of it relating to muscle aches and pains but hadn't heard it in the context of hiatus hernia. I know that they are common post 50 but hadn't made any connection with menopause as I thought that it was common in men too.
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I took my first Rantidene tablet last night and I now know why they say to take it at night!
Stomach was ok, so far but this morning I felt like I had taken night time cold remedies, very heavy headed, hopefully it will get better..... fingers crossed.
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I hate that hung-over feeling for no reason ::)!
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Well day 3 of the new tablets and its not getting any better, this morning I feel like I'm hung over and have that sickly feeling. Beginning to wonder whether its worth it, feel worse on the tablets than off!!!!!!
The joke was I was awake at 3am coughing which is what they are suppose to be helping with!!!!
Are there any herbal alternatives or maybe a change in diet...... maybe I should try the gluten free diet as suggested.....
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Thanks Breeze, I don't understand it, I don't drink alcohol, I don't smoke, I'm not over weight, I have no heartburn or indigestion, I don't drink fizzy drink, I only drink water, tea and J20( once a week), my symptoms are tenderness in the centre just under ribs, night time cough and this whiteness they have found on my lung after a CT scan.......
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Thanks Breeze, I don't understand it, I don't drink alcohol, I don't smoke, I'm not over weight, I have no heartburn or indigestion, I don't drink fizzy drink, I only drink water, tea and J20( once a week), my symptoms are tenderness in the centre just under ribs, night time cough and this whiteness they have found on my lung after a CT scan.......
Have you tried decaf tea/coffee instead of regular? When I saw a consultant several years ago, he said I had laryngeal silent reflux and tried to give me a very restricted diet to which I objected. However I did switch to decaff tea and I mainly have decaff coffee (not a heavy coffee drinker). It might be worth a try.
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Is yours any better now Katejo?
S x
Hi Sparkle I don't think I have LPR and my endoscopy last year appears to support this. I did ask the nurse about it as it wasn't mentioned in the endo report. I don't have a problem with nasal drip or excessive mucus and i don't get coughing fits in the night.
When a doctor told me that I did have LPR in 2015, he tried to prescribe a very strict and limited diet which I would never have maintained but i did try switching to caffeine free tea/coffee. I then downloaded this book from Amazon and found it very interesting. It disputes the value of special diets and drugs like Omeprazole. https://www.amazon.co.uk/All-About-LPR-Silent-Reflux-ebook/dp/B00AGVD0SC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1503512479&sr=8-2&keywords=lpr+reflux He predicted that my voice/throat would deteriorate but it has stayed much the same since then.
Since that appt. I have had the endoscopy and found that I have the small sliding hiatus hernia. I now think that the discomfort which I do get is either connected with that or with my underactive thyroid/thyroidectomy. An NHS doctor dismissed my suggestions but I am about to get my thyroid checked again and may pay for a private 2nd opinion if the GP rejects my request. I have a printout from Thyroid UK which lists symptoms of insufficient thyroxine and i have several of them.
I can't say whether my tea/coffee suggestion would help Robot but it is relatively easy to try out without having to buy expensive special foods so I thought it might be worth suggesting.
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Try sleeping slightly propped up which will encourage any reflux not to happen.
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Thanks for that link Katejo, he posts up to date info on his blog on Tumblr which is helpful.
It's worth trying things like cutting out caffeine, etc and as CLKD suggests, sleeping with the head of the bed slightly raised. Also not eating or drinking within three hours of going to bed.
S x
what is the link to Tumblr please? Or is a Google search enough? I avoid late meals as much as possible or go for things like soup/small snacks.
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I wont take omeprazole because of the side effects. I know people that it has caused B12 deficiency in. The gps didn't then stop the omeprazole but give b12 injections, which seems crazy to me. Ppis arent a nice class of drug. I agree that stopping stomach acid stops you digesting food properly. One hint is that peppermint tea will trigger acid reflux. Peppermint relaxes the oesophageal sphincter so acid is free to come back up! Tomatoes are a huge trigger for me, annoying cause I like them!
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I'll never take omeprazole or any PPI's again, took it for about a month years ago as I suffered from excruciating pains in the middle of my chest for years, finally got told it was oesophageal spasms, used to get attacks lasting up to an hour a few times a week.
Tried omeprazole for a month and it made no difference whatsoever,came of it then a few weeks later half my hair fell out!!! It came out in handfuls one day while washing it,I was terrified it would all fall out but after a week or two it calmed down.
I was lucky my hair was really thick to start with and it wasn't too noticeable but I'll never forget the shock of seeing handfuls of hair blocking the plug hole.
It eventually grew back but never as thick as it was and about once a year it still sheds quite badly and recedes at the sides and temples.
Hair loss was listed as one of the rare side effects of omeprazole, don't want to scare anyone taking it and I've known other people who have taken it with no problems but for me personally I'll never take it again.
Strangely though since I had my last period at 50 (5 years ago) and started meno I've had hardly any pain maybe 3 times a year now, which can be controlled with ibuprofen.
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Oh no Marie62 that sounds awful. My medical herbalist told me that omeprazole can cause hair loss. I didnt mention that here as I didnt want to scare anyone. He also said that gps would not admit that it does, but he had studied the drug. So your experience is interesting in that regard as well as awful. I have such thin hair I darent risk it.
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Are there any peer reviewed studies Elliemay?
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I have no idea. I've seen the studies on dementia with it but not researched hair loss. The dementia scare was revised I think and deemed not a risk by my gp.
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My medical herbalist told me that omeprazole can cause hair loss - is it possible to ask him? Alopecia is such a strange condition and can be distressing, the more we learn :-\ ......... shock can cause it, my Dad saw someone's hair turn white when a bomb dropped behind them :o
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Theres quite a lot on Google. I found this article but Im not familiar with the source and you could probably find an equal amount of favourable stuff too. My dad has taken it for 15 years no problem. Friends say it's a miracle cure. My neighbour is a nurse and was prescribed it to prevent Barrett's oesophagus by a consultant who said he hated PPIs because they mask other conditions but there was no alternative. Think it's a case of taking the least effective dose of anything for the shortest possible time. http://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2016/03/22/Studies-are-documenting-various-side-effects-from-proton-pump-inhiboris-used-to-prevent-GERD/stories/201603010157
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I don't trust GOOGLE ;D preferring peer-reviewed studies. Dr James le Fanu has written articles in the Daily Telegraph about the drug too. Not all of it favourable!
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I know what you mean. That article states that there have been peer reviewed studies but I want to see those. Found out that the National Institute of Medical Herbalists run seminars on PPIs. This article isn't my herbalist but one I found that is saying the same thing. I know that the remedy mine prescribed did stop the reflux and the awful constipation I had had. That hadnt shifted with any of the movicol etc from gp. But then later he changed the remedy for my new symptoms and it didnt help that side of it as much. https://www.sussexherbalist.co.uk/herbal-medicine/the-herbal-medicine-approach-to-acid-reflux/1237/
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If it helps those worried, I have baby fine hair and didn't lose any and I was on the highest dose for 6 months on and off. The A&E doc told me they wouldn't see me again if I stopped it again as my ulcers were 'clearly' severe, even though they wouldn't give me an emergency endoscopy. I had no ulcers of course. I didn't have any bad side effects though, it just made my hormonal migraines/nausea worse and eventually caused pain as couldn't digest anything.
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:thankyou: Elliemay
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No probs, that is a really good article actually! Wouldn't have found it if you hadn't asked. It makes sense to me.
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DH has Omeprazole and I don't remember him having problems but then he didn't really have problems initially. Now I stick to over-the-counter meds. for heartburn and try to be sensible about when I eat/drink - not too late to going to bed usually works but when reflux starts and then heartburn and in the early hours of the morning I can wake with terrific pain - but because it's always the same time I try not to worry ::) and chew Rennies .......... as well as sitting up or walking around.