Question for other Duke patients -- Omeprazole

Hi folks,

I'm about 16 months post-RNY.   I had my surgery with Dr. Pryor at Duke.   When I had my surgery they explained that they were putting everyone on Omeprazole (generic Prilosec) post surgery because they have found that cut the incident of post surgical ulcers in half.  I had no incidence of reflux before surgery or after surgery so this was purely a preventative measure.

I had my 1 year post surgery visit back in March and they made no change to my meds at that time so I'm still on the Omeprazole.    However, I had an appointment with my PCP last week and he was surprised that I was still on the Omeprazole.   He said that studies have shown that long term usage of PPIs can lead to a higher incidence of stomach lining erosion and also a higher probability of stomach cancer.   Short term usage showed no issues.

I understand that not all programs are using this yet, so that is why I'm limiting this to Duke patients.

So, if you had your surgery at Duke within the last 2 years,

a) Were you put on Omeprazole (generic Prilosec)?
b) Are you still on Omeprazole now (after how many months)?
c) If not, when were you taken off it?

I have a call into Duke to verify that I'm still supposed to be on it but I've gotten no response yet.

Thanks,

Syd

Hi Syd,

Ben and I both discontinued the Omeprazole at 1 year post op because, like you, we had no prior reflux history and while meds can be helpful and prevent complications, when unnecessary, we prefer not to take them. As you said, check with your Dr or Hillary before discontinuing, but I would bet that you'll come off of it. 

I look forward to seeing you next month. 

Warmly,

Thanks, Barbara.     Sounds like they may have just forgotten to tell me to drop it at 1 year.   Hopefully, I'll hear back soon.

I'm sorry that I'm going to miss the support group this Saturday.   We'll be traveling around NC and SC taking my daughter on a tour to visit college campuses.   Got to start the application process in a few months and she hasn't figured out where she wants to apply yet.

But I'll be there in August.

I'm only 6 days post-op, but Dr. Torquati told me that I would only be on Omeprazole for one year for preventative reasons. I am assuming he will take me off the medication at my one-year visit.

Kristin

Hi Kristin,

Thanks for the response.  One year seems to be when people are told to stop it.   Hopefully I get a call back soon.

Thanks!

There are also fairly new studies out showing that continued use of PPIs increases your risk for intestinal bugs like cdiff.

I had the DS, so I don't have a blind stomach to worry about marginal ulcers, but when I saw Dr. Sudan at my 6 month visit I told him that I had been forgetting to take mine most days and had no ill effects and he told me it was fine to stop it.  Now I take one very rarely if I wake up feeling heartburny.  Again, I had the DS and not the RNY, so your risks are different, but I just thought I'd share.