UPDATE: 2011-11-02 I took the last capsule from my 28-day supply of omeprazole today. I am deferring a follow-up visit to the GP, as I’d like to see what happens over the next few days as my stomach adjusts to no longer having its hydrogen pumps inhibited…
I finally gave into my GP’s suggestion (actually a locum) that rather than suffering repeated acid reflux and taking antacids to partially neutralize stomach acid spilling into my esophagus I really ought to give omeprazole a try. He wrote me a scrip, I filled it and have been symptom free for the best part of two weeks.
Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor used in the treatment of indigestion (heart burn), dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease PUD, gastroesophageal reflux disease GORD/GERD, laryngopharyngeal reflux LPR and Zollinger—Ellison syndrome. It is one of the most widely prescribed drugs internationally and is also available over the counter.
After so many years of suffering from acid reflux and growing discomfort when swallowing, I am pleased to have discovered the benefits of this drug. Its action presumably reduces the chronic inflammation that arises from repeated bouts of excess. I’ve got a couple of weeks supply remaining and will review with my regular GP before that expires.
I’m loathe to look too closely at the likely side-effects but aside from a nasty taste in the mouth that lasted for several days, but has subsided now, I’ve not noticed anything else. There were concerns that omeprazole blocks gastric emptying, but a recent study suggests that is not the case
If you have any of the above digestive problems, don’t suffer in silence. Moreover, if there’s a family history of Barret’s esophagus or esophageal cancer, it’s better to have such problems checked out and treated.
Kamiya T, Shikano M, Tanaka M, Tsukamoto H, Ebi M, Hirata Y, Mizushima T, Murakami K, Shimura T, Mizoshita T, Mori Y, Tanida S, Kato T, Imaeda K, Kataoka H, & Joh T (2011). The effect of omeprazole on gastric myoelectrical activity and emptying. Journal of smooth muscle research = Nihon Heikatsukin Gakkai kikanshi, 47 (3-4), 79-87 PMID: 21979407