Stop omeprazole/Prilosec/nexium and lose weight

I recently had some gastro issues at 32. Through going to the doctor for this issue it was suggested by the specialist to stop taking omeprazole/nexium/Prilosec because it was more than likely the root cause of my ulcerative colitis. I have had an acid reflux problem for ten years and had taken the pills everyday for that long. I sort of didn't believe the doctor so I did what most do and read up on it online. To my surprise not only was it very likely the cause but I also found something else interesting. Omeprazole causes gradual weight gain and makes it very difficult for people to lose excess weight. I had gained roughly 50lbs over the course of ten years and though I lift heavy weights three days a week and did cardio five days a week I wouldn't lose more than a five to ten pounds over the course of three months. I stopped taking this pill and not only is my acid reflux very manageable by avoiding certain foods but I have lost 9lbs in 17 days from doing exactly the same thing I've always done. The only difference is the pill.
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Replies

  • barby8051
    barby8051 Posts: 11 Member
    Have some questions for you but would first like to thank you for posting this. I have been on various ppi's for 14 years and have slowly been getting freaked about other complications of long term use that have come out over the years, mainly increased bone loss and now most recently, the connection between it and dementia. I would love to get off them but I cannot imagine going back to my previous way of life of absolutely no citrus, tomatoes, sleeping on a slant, and enough stashes of Tums everywhere to cover a drugstore. I am curious if anyone knows a safer medicine than the ppi's? I have also tried the homeremedies of apple cider vinegar, mustard, and aloe Vera juice- individually!lol
  • Rocknut53
    Rocknut53 Posts: 1,794 Member
    I recently had some gastro issues at 32. Through going to the doctor for this issue it was suggested by the specialist to stop taking omeprazole/nexium/Prilosec because it was more than likely the root cause of my ulcerative colitis. I have had an acid reflux problem for ten years and had taken the pills everyday for that long. I sort of didn't believe the doctor so I did what most do and read up on it online. To my surprise not only was it very likely the cause but I also found something else interesting. Omeprazole causes gradual weight gain and makes it very difficult for people to lose excess weight. I had gained roughly 50lbs over the course of ten years and though I lift heavy weights three days a week and did cardio five days a week I wouldn't lose more than a five to ten pounds over the course of three months. I stopped taking this pill and not only is my acid reflux very manageable by avoiding certain foods but I have lost 9lbs in 17 days from doing exactly the same thing I've always done. The only difference is the pill.

    I'm in the same boat. My doctor told me if they work keep taking them. Not a satisfactory solution as far as I'm concerned. I tried quitting cold turkey and had such bad rebound reflux I couldn't do it. How did you manage to just quit them? I gained weight over the 12 or so years I've been taking Prilosec, but I know it's because I was simply eating too much. I'm down 16 pounds since January 5th so it's possible to lose while taking those meds. I worry more now about the reports that PPI's interfere with the absorption of calcium and certain vitamins and of course, as barby8051 stated, higher risk of dementia.
  • AngelinaB_
    AngelinaB_ Posts: 563 Member
    I do take Privacid but not everyday, but when I feel sick I take it and it helps. I didn't know any of this, thanks for sharing.
  • suzan06
    suzan06 Posts: 218 Member
    Interesting. I just got out on it. I'll have to do some reading.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    I have been off the omeprazole for a little over a month. I had to stop it,it was causing my reflux to get worse,I had restless legs and muscle pain while on them,it messed with my hormones.I was continuously retaining water,had bad headaches.The thing with PPIs they arent meant to be take long term unless you have a risk of certain stomach issues(not gerd) or you are prone to barrettes esophagus,no one including doctors ever told me that they were supposed to be short term for most people. The first two weeks of stopping it I had NO reflux,then the next 2 weeks book it was awful. I am taking an OTC pepcid and Im doing pretty well using that.I had acid reflux before I gained weight. But I notice now that The water retention is gone,and Im feeling better overall.I was on dexilant before the omeprazole and had no issues losing weight,but while on the omeprazole it did make it harder to lose it(probably due to messing with my hormones),its been a lot slower even when I was eating at a lower calorie goal(1500 or lower). so maybe now I will get back on track I hope
  • amyepdx
    amyepdx Posts: 750 Member
    I've been taking omeprazole for about 4 years - turns out I have an esophageal hernia but it was the 60 lb weight gain that caused the problems. I've also heard that long term use can lead to problems with some nutrient absorption? Now that I'm down 67 lbs, I switched to Pepcid just last week (it's not an SSRI). So far so good!
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    amyepdx wrote: »
    I've been taking omeprazole for about 4 years - turns out I have an esophageal hernia but it was the 60 lb weight gain that caused the problems. I've also heard that long term use can lead to problems with some nutrient absorption? Now that I'm down 67 lbs, I switched to Pepcid just last week (it's not an SSRI). So far so good!

    an SSRI is for depression,anxiety,etc. a PPI is a proton pump inhibitor for reflux,Gerd,etc. two totally different meds.yes,they can cause nutrients to not be absorbed
  • amyepdx
    amyepdx Posts: 750 Member
    amyepdx wrote: »
    I've been taking omeprazole for about 4 years - turns out I have an esophageal hernia but it was the 60 lb weight gain that caused the problems. I've also heard that long term use can lead to problems with some nutrient absorption? Now that I'm down 67 lbs, I switched to Pepcid just last week (it's not an SSRI). So far so good!

    an SSRI is for depression,anxiety,etc. a PPI is a proton pump inhibitor for reflux,Gerd,etc. two totally different meds.yes,they can cause nutrients to not be absorbed

    Duh - I meant PPI - thanks for clarifying!
  • PaulaWallaDingDong
    PaulaWallaDingDong Posts: 4,641 Member
    I found the opposite to be true. I've been on genric omeprazole prescribed by the doc for a few years and it seems to have helped that I'm not stuffing my gullet with extra starchy foods to buffer the rising stomach acid. I go off it once in a while but always wind up chowing down on antacids.

    I can't imagine the medication itself directly causes weight gain (but then again, my lack of imagination isn't really conclusive evidence).
  • RobertWilkens
    RobertWilkens Posts: 77 Member
    I recently had some gastro issues at 32. Through going to the doctor for this issue it was suggested by the specialist to stop taking omeprazole/nexium/Prilosec because it was more than likely the root cause of my ulcerative colitis. I have had an acid reflux problem for ten years and had taken the pills everyday for that long. I sort of didn't believe the doctor so I did what most do and read up on it online. To my surprise not only was it very likely the cause but I also found something else interesting. Omeprazole causes gradual weight gain and makes it very difficult for people to lose excess weight. I had gained roughly 50lbs over the course of ten years and though I lift heavy weights three days a week and did cardio five days a week I wouldn't lose more than a five to ten pounds over the course of three months. I stopped taking this pill and not only is my acid reflux very manageable by avoiding certain foods but I have lost 9lbs in 17 days from doing exactly the same thing I've always done. The only difference is the pill.

    The reality is, we're all different in how our body reacts to meds. My dad was hesitant to take his heartburn meds daily (he was taking "as needed" otc) and sure enough,he had a ulcer the same day he had a heart attack and nearly died. So those medicines are important "if" you need them.

    I take them and have for at least the last 5 years, In the last 14 months i lost about 50lbs (w/ MFP and Mirosoft Band 2) while taking them, omeprazole specifically.
  • one235
    one235 Posts: 70 Member
    I have been on omeprazole for almost 2 months now. I had so much acid reflux that my esophagus stared to close up . Had to get a endoscopy done and had to have my esophagus stretched. The closing of my esophagus was worse than taking omeprazole. I take it everyday and find no problems.
  • KnM0107
    KnM0107 Posts: 355 Member
    I lost over 120lbs while taking omeprazole. I am maintaining now and taking nexium. Not all people react the same to medication.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    edited February 2016
    Psychgrrl wrote: »
    My weight problem was associated with my acid reflux. Never had it until I was obese. Lost the weight while on nexium. Problem disappeared. Stopped taking nexium.

    This was me too. As soon as I dropped the weight, I stopped having acid reflux and can eat anything without it returning (except hard cheese at bedtime for some reason).

    There are 4 main treatments for GERD:
    • Lose weight. Pressure on the stomach, especially when sitting and sleeping, causes acid to back up. Reduce the weight and you reduce the pressure
    • Avoid trigger foods. These vary from person to person but frequent culprits are fatty foods and/or acidic foods
    • Medication. Especially helpful when there are ulcerations or erosion in the stomach and/or esophagus.
    • Nissen Fundoplication. If none of the above fix it, or you want to get off the meds, you need a surgical solution. This surgery is also the surgical solution to a hiatal hernia, which often accompanies GERD.

    Each person needs to make an informed decision as to what is the best option for them and what is needed for their particular situation.

    On the note of omeprazole causing weight gain . . . I lost 100 lb. while taking it. It had no effect whatsoever. I was able to get off it after a year when my GERD stopped and the gastric erosion had healed. No rebound acidity, I just started taking it every other day, then every third day, etc until I was taking it once a week, then stopped completely.
  • Rocknut53
    Rocknut53 Posts: 1,794 Member
    earlnabby wrote: »
    Psychgrrl wrote: »
    My weight problem was associated with my acid reflux. Never had it until I was obese. Lost the weight while on nexium. Problem disappeared. Stopped taking nexium.

    This was me too. As soon as I dropped the weight, I stopped having acid reflux and can eat anything without it returning (except hard cheese at bedtime for some reason).

    There are 4 main treatments for GERD:
    • Lose weight. Pressure on the stomach, especially when sitting and sleeping, causes acid to back up. Reduce the weight and you reduce the pressure
    • Avoid trigger foods. These vary from person to person but frequent culprits are fatty foods and/or acidic foods
    • Medication. Especially helpful when there are ulcerations or erosion in the stomach and/or esophagus.
    • Nissen Fundoplication. If none of the above fix it, or you want to get off the meds, you need a surgical solution. This surgery is also the surgical solution to a hiatal hernia, which often accompanies GERD.

    Each person needs to make an informed decision as to what is the best option for them

    On the note of omeprazole causing weight gain . . . I lost 100 lb. while taking it. It had no effect whatsoever. I was able to get off it after a year when my GERD stopped and the gastric erosion had healed. No rebound acidity, I just started taking it every other day, then every third day, etc until I was taking it once a week, then stopped completely.

    When I first developed GERD I was at my goal weight. In my case being overweight had no influence. Now, though it may be a factor in why I need meds to control it. A question for my doc at my next wellness physical.
  • Psychgrrl
    Psychgrrl Posts: 3,177 Member
    earlnabby wrote: »
    On the note of omeprazole causing weight gain . . . I lost 100 lb. while taking it. It had no effect whatsoever. I was able to get off it after a year when my GERD stopped and the gastric erosion had healed. No rebound acidity, I just started taking it every other day, then every third day, etc until I was taking it once a week, then stopped completely.

    Most medications listing weight gain (fat, not water weight) as a side effect don't do it directly. They can cause an increase in appetite which causes the weight gain (birth control, SSRIs, etc.). I'm not a doctor, but can't think of one medication which causes weight gain (fat) just by ingesting it.

    The possible side effects are important to discuss with your doctor so you can make informed choices while taking it.