How long if at all, are you to take Omeprazole ( Prilosec)

[Kindle 8,667]

I was on 40mg for two months and then 20mg for a couple weeks. My surgeon said if I had no acid reflux problems to go ahead and stop it. Which I did. I have, however taken a 10 day course after a vacation where I ate a lot more sweets and alcohol than normal. My tummy hurt a bit, and the Prilosec helped. I also took it (per my surgeon's instruction) when I had to be on steroids for a compressed nerve in my neck.

Talk to your surgeon, But no sense taking it if you don't have reflux.

[Faithluvhope84 22]

Mine was only for a month. It's interesting though bc I have reflex before the surgery and wonder if I should continue.

[esskay77 785]

I checked with 4 other people who had the surgery with my surgeon and they were all told to take it for life. Interesting that the guidance is so different.

[meplus3 8]

I am told I need to take mine for 5 months, how about you?

With my first surgery i had to take it for 1 year!!

[Djmohr 6,965]

It really is strange and must depend on each of our medical situations.

[Kindle 8,667]

It really is strange and must depend on each of our medical situations.

I don't know, it sounds like some surgeons just give the blanket order of "PPI for life". Obviously, some people may need to be on an antacid or PPI, but with no previous GERD symptoms and no postop evaluation of whether or not the patient actually has acid reflux issues, it seems quite irresponsible for a surgeon to order potentially unnecessary medications "for life". Like any drug, PPI's are not without their own potential side effects.

[SuzeMuze 338]

My surgeon prescribes Protonix for 6 months after surgery, then re-evaluates on a case by case basis. Straws are a no-no for life.

[wildGoose 207]

I was told six weeks. That's tomorrow. I'll see what my PA says.

[bellzfamily 3]

3 months for me twice a day 20mg. No straws ever again. I don't care about that I swallow to much air with them. I would think they will tell me to always have some available in case I get tummy troubles, but 3 months is it.

[esskay77 785]

I don't think it is based on our personal medical issues, but I think it is the surgeon's best practice to either have you on it or not or for how long. It is interesting though, how all over the board it is.

And the straw thing, lol, I had originally thought it was for life but when I asked, they said, no, just for the first so many months. Luckily, I don't like using straws so much anyway so it's not a hardship for me. The only time I prefer a straw is with a chocolate milkshake or a restaurant diet coke and since I don't do either of those anymore, I'm good. lol. I don't get why people drink their Water with a straw (unless it is in one of those Water bottles with a straw).

[amylynns 802]

I have to take it for life. I also have Barrett's Esophagus, and even after RNY in October, I have some reflux. I had another scope done a few weeks ago to check things (all ok) and then also had an upper GI with a small bowel follow through last week. (all ok) He did say I have a small hiatal hernia, which is probably causing the reflux. What I don't understand is why I have the hernia still. I had one before surgery, but I would have thought that would have been repaired while doing the RNY. A question I have for the surgeon at my next check up!

[ready2B 263]

I like to drink out of straws in restaurants because the dishwashers don't always get the rim of glasses clean enough and things like chapstick & lipstick can leave gross residue on them. But, since I can't drink liquids now 30 minutes before or after meals, even though I order a Water when I go out, I rarely drink any of it so the one or two tiny sips I might take from a straw then aren't going to hurt me.

[amylynns 802]

I never have heard what the reason behind the "no straw" is?? I love drinking Water from my water bottle with the straw, it just seems to be easier to drink. I've had such a hard time getting my liquids in. I've been dehydrated and needed IV fluids twice now, and I fear I'm getting that way again now... But I haven't used a straw. :-)

[rdelly01 25]

2 months for me once a day!

[enjoyinglife 313]

14 months post-op, I still take 2 a day.