GERD......what has helped?

Ok, so I ran out of my omeprazole and my doctor won't prescribe me anymore. I figured maybe I won't need it anymore. Today is day 4 without it and I am just miserable! Couldn't sleep last night either. Guess I'll have to use the OTC meds which I was hoping to avoid. I was actually hoping to get off the prescription omeprazole anyway, but I cant live like this either.

Anyone have chronic GERD? What do you do that helps???

My partner buys Omeprazole at Sam's Club or Costco

Walmart- prilosec

There shouldn't be any difference between prescription omeprazole and the stuff you get over the counter, just make sure you're taking the same dose.

Did your Dr give a reason why they would not continue supporting this? You can find it OTC but I am super curious what is behind their change

My doctor only gave me a limited supply to use after surgery and said I shouldn't need it anymore. That the surgery should cure it or at least help it tremendously. However, it hasn't and I still have the constant burning in my throat.

I just didn't know if there was something else besides meds that could help? Was hoping to stop taking meds altogether, but looks like I'll have to continue or either live with the pain.

To be blunt, your surgeon is a moron, or just likes being cruel to his patients.

PPIs such as omeprazole are well known for having a rebound reflux reaction when simply stopping them (ask your pharmacist for recommendations as well) and it is good practice to wean off of them - cut the dosage in half for a couple of weeks, then in half again if needed, before stopping. Or, substitute some or all of them for an H2 inhibitor such as Pepcid or Zantac, (also available cheap over the counter like omeprazole.)

Just because you "shouldn't" need them by now doesn't mean that you don't still need them.

When I came off of my PPI I took ranitadine (Zantac) and have been able to live with that with relative comfort, and I still do use it. I have tried licorice or ginger (herbal remedies) to get off the Zantac, but so far can't go without it.

I had 2 bouts with an ulcer because I stopped taking my omeprazole. I was told I didn't need it anymore, and each time I stopped I got an ulcer. And I do not have h pylori bacteria, was tested multiple times. After 5
EGD's in a little over a year I am not willing to take a chance on discontinuing the omeprazole. Since surgery I have not had any GERD or heartburn.

Bottom line some people just produce more stomach acid than others, and if you still have the symptoms you need the omeprazole.

Hope you feel better soon!