Overprescribed for a small problem?

[muaddib86]

So, about almost two weeks ago I went to a brunch where I drank heavily (I might add the month before had been incredibly stressful and I'd been drinking a lot). The next week I was constipated, with gases building up and the occasional heartburn on eating heavy or spicy food. I had one bowel movement which was like water and gases being released on the 3rd day, and had castor oil the next day after which I had several extremely loose and smelly bowel movements. Through this first week I cut drinking almost entirely.

Fast forward a few days later: had a few beers over the weekend and felt fine, but the gases were still putting pressure on my chest and had trouble releasing them so went to the doctor on Monday - she was a general physician. She prescribed omeprazole 20mg for 2 weeks and I started my regimen immediately. I immediately felt better, and so far the pressure is gone, I can release gas, stool motions are normal and no heartburn. I do release gas, especially after having food, and sometimes stomach feels a bit heavy, but otherwise mostly fine.

I might also add that I have, since Monday, gone on a diet - eating a lot of vegetables good for the stomach (spinach, mushrooms, carrots, brocolli), having yogurt every day and probiotic\B-12 supplements, drinking chamomile and ginger tea, and keeping away from spicy food and red meat. I cut coffee, black tea entirely and have only had the occasional glass of wine or beer.

Now for my concerns: I've read that PPIs like Omperazole only address symptoms, cause dependency and may even aggravate or create new symptoms over time, and that weaning off is difficult. Considering I never had considerable heart burn to begin with, just gases and discomfort, I fear my doctor may have overprescribed. I've had perfect stomach health before this and I do not want to be dependent on this drug. I've lost almost 4 pounds in 5 days since starting this drug and going on the diet, and while this may be because of the change in foods, water loss, and acid reduction in the stomach, I'm a little concerned about taking this any longer (today was my 5th dose).

I've scheduled an appointment with a medical GI specialist for Wednesday - I'm considering discontinuing the pill and seeing how I feel over the weekend. Should I do it?

[TheLightSeeker]

Hey muaddib86.
I only seen your note now and you have likely seen the Gastro.
Omperasole usually helps mask the symptoms of other underlying issues.
In most cases it is not the high gastric acids which are the cause.
It might be wise to do on your own the baking soda burp test and the betaine
HCL challenge. Just look them up. These will give you an indication of your gastric acid levels.
The other thing you may want to check is the quality and forms of your supplements.
probiotics must be the wide-spectrum, refrigerated type in the 10s of billions.
Buy the best you can afford.
B12 must be in the methylocobalamin form, which needs no conversion.
Always google best xyz form of supplement/vitamin and read about it before adding more things in your body which may not work, or worse, work against you!
Undenatured whey and Nigella Sativa seeds and/or oil help boost glutathione levels. Glutathione is the body's master antioxidant and detoxify-er and your body probably needs help to detoxify from acetaldehyde (toxic by-product of metabolizing alcohol).
Stress affects the gut and the worse thing to do is self-medicate with alcohol or drugs which will make things better perhaps at the moment, but
you will pay the price later!
Sorry for the lecture, but again, the truth can set you free, right?
Cheers,
Niko

ps Let me know what the Gastro said.

[muaddib86]

I've gone on a strict bland alkaline diet since a week now and taking B-12, Slippery Elm, DGL Licorice and probiotic supplements with yogurt and sauerkraut. So far the heartburn and discomfort is minimal and slowly feeling better...although recovery is very slow.

Thank you for the great advice, I've set up an appointment with the GE on Thursday and will let you know!