Hi,
Like everybody on here I take Lansoprazole for stomach problems.
There are lots of experiences on here of the side effects people get when taking them but;
What effects do people get when stopping taking it?
I think it would be very interesting to find out as I cannot find anything on the internet listing any effects the people have when stopping it and how long they last?
If you have any experience positive and negative could you reply here!
It may be useful to everyone.
I have been taking Lanzoprazole on and off for around 2 years. Usually a 2 or 3 month course of 30mg. then I stop taking them until I need to again.
In the past, after I have stopped taking them, it usually took a month or two for the symptoms to come back. However, last time I really put my mind to taking the doctors advice on diet and found that it was just over 3 months before I needed to take them again and even then I only started taking them then because I didn't want it to get really bad.
Things that I did that helped include cutting out red meat, no fried food, no alcohol in an shape or form, no processed food (only cooked from scratch so I know what is in it), no vinegar, no black pepper or chillies (spicy food), some breads and cheeses, and no eating for 2 hours before bed time (sometimes longer) and no liquids either.
another really important thing to get to know is when you are full to stop eating. Eating too much doesn't help either.
Good luck, it is really difficult to keep up and you will find that most sandwich shops, restaurants etc don't sell food that you can actually eat without problems.
Thanks.
I stopped them the other day, I am not getting heartburn but getting a feeling like something is stuck in my throat. It's keeping me awake at night.
I am trying to get a good list of experiences everybody has when they stop taking Lansoprazole.
The majority on here must have stopped and started again?
Post what you felt, let others know!!!
We are all on this medication and each experience can help others understand what they are going through!!
I have been on Lans since November 2008, I was given a 2 months supply.
When that supply run out at the end of January I started to get the feeling my throat was blocked.
No heatburn at first just the block throat feeling, however after 10 days the heatburn returned.
Its the throat symptoms that are worse than the heartburn, eating an apple I thought I would never be able to swallow.
Back on another 2 months course of Lans, see how it goes (15mg 1 x daily)
Must add the Lans does solve the problems of block throat and hearburn, also very little in the way of side effects, little bit of dizziness here and there and maybe a couple of headaches from time to time.
But not sure if it is the lans as my job means I spent 6 hours a day in front of a computer screen so headaches are common.
Have you actually tried stopping yet because I want to try soon but I am worried about the adverse effects. I want to stop because I am also worried that this drug may be bad for the body eg weakens bones, What else?
i stopped taking lansoprazole about 3 weeks ago, i was only on them about a month, i have had watery diahorrea ever since and am now feeling nausious
I have been getting headaches like migraine but not as severe, few stomach aches but tolerable and also tired, hoping all this will pass in time
I have been on 30mg Lansoprazole for more years than I can remember for stomach acid/+ heartburn.
Within these years,I have had severe Constipation,and have been given quite a few meds for the constipation,(which clears it for a while ) but it always returns...
Just recently (about 3-4 weeks ago) I stopped taking them,(I believe the Lansoprazole made me constipated)
I told my doctor this,and doctor said...No....Lansoprazole did NOT cause it) doctor ,imo did not read the side effects of this drug...
I am Not saying this med effects everyone this way,it doesn't........but it effected me...
I am pleased this drug and it's Toxins are now leaving my body...in fact,now I am no longer constipated...
I now have a repeat prescription for Advanced/ Double Action Gaviscon for my acid tummy/heartburn...
I am so relieved,that I stopped taking this drug...
I get some stomach,and lower back aches at the moment, (withdrawal symptoms) but I reckon,they are caused by the Toxins waiting to leave my body,in a natural way...
I take No other medication,only one Capsule for High Blood Pressure per day...
I have had an Endoscopy,and I am waiting to see a surgeon end of November...for the outcome of that procedure...I am keeping fingers crossed that I do not have an ulcer,or whatever...
Well I am glad that I am not the only one who differing symptoms. I have now been off lanzoprazole for 3 weeks and feel 100% better than I did on them. I have normal bowel reactions now and other than the odd stomach pain I am feeling really good. I have started reintroducing foods into my diet and can identify those that cause me problems, sadly its always the things you enjoy, however, at least I know what to avoid. I have also started exercising at least 4 times a week for an hour and half, - bought myself an indoor bike, really enjoy it and it seems to keep the system flowing much better when it comes to digestion, must say set a TV up in front of bike so I do not notice the time so much, it works and that's all that matters, sadly like others I also was told by my doctor not to stop taking them and that constipation was not due to lanzoprazole, all I can say is that who else knows their body better than you........ Good luck with those endeavouring to stop. Also to poppysocks1 I had endoscopy and they found initially that I had gastritis which was why I was put on the tablets in the first place, good luck with results hope all ok.
Thanks mrsmo...
I will update after the surgeons appointment...and yes,I was put on them in the beginning because of the acid stomach,then they found a germ in my tummy Helicobacter Pylori... I had to have antibiotics for a while to get rid of it !!
Then doctor upped my dose of Lansoprazole from 15 to 30mg,,,and it has never been reviewed since in all those years of being on it,and twice admitted to hospital because of constipation...No one would listen to me,so I took it upon myself to cut them out completely...and as I have said bowel movements have returned to what I remember as near normal...
I have had a terrible time these past 6 months with pain in stomach,(build up of toxins I expect/maybe on top of the acid tummy.....
I have lost 2 stone 5lbs in the last few months also....this has been very noticeable...rather concerned about this actually...can't be due to coming off the medication ...as I have only been off them for about three weeks...
Good luck to you all coming off them if your thinking of doing so...take care... 
Sorry to hear about the weight loss and consistent pain it is very difficult for anyone to understand unless they gave experienced it. I really hope all goes well with the surgeon keep positive.
Can't be anything too serious mrsmo...else they wouldn't keep me a month before I am to see the surgeon ...would they !!
As I have said before keeping the acid / heartburn at bay with the double action Gaviscon...thanks for your support
I have Fibromyalgia and Osteoarthritis,and I don't think having the constipation has helped me at all,do you glad I am back to normal in that area...so pleased to be off the Lansoprazole,I am near on positive that is what was causing my predicament...take care
Sorry to hear about the Fibromyalgia and Osteoarthritis these two alone you certainly do no need a stomach upset to add to it do you and constipation. I am sure you are right anything serious and you would have been called before now, take care and keep me informed.
Yes,I will keep you updated mrsmo...but what ever it might be I shall not be putting myself on any of the prazoles ever again...I shall stay on the Gaviscon... take care,will speak again next month after I have seen surgeon...bye for now
I have posted some months ago on this site re stopping lanzoprazole, and now other than the odd irritation and certainly watching what I eat I am fine, it is worth the 'struggle' to stay off them I feel. I have found several different foods affect me so I keep off them, it was trial and error and still is to a degree but well worth it.
I am in the same situation as you now mrsmo,and I also find it has been worthwhile coming off the Lansoprazole.
I also keep well away from any food that I believe will upset my stomach.I take the Gaviscon for any irritations now,it helps a great deal.
Since stopping this medication I am no longer constipated,which was the main reason I came off the tabs,doc,didn't believe it was this tab causing the constipation,so I proved her wrong,I also told her that constipation is/could be one of the side effects of taking this tab,and it was written on the leaflet in the packet,she still wouldn't agree,so I proved it.
Within a week I was getting rid of the toxins that were in my body,now I am back to normal and regular in that dept.
I am happy you are coping with your tummy upsets,take care.
Forgot to add mrsmo,
After seeing the surgeon a couple of weeks ago,he was concerned about my weight loss,and sent me for blood tests and a CT Scan, Thorax Abdomen and Pelvis,I am now waiting for the results of the scan etc.
I've been taking lanso for my Gastro Reflux or (GERD, Acid Reflux, Heartburn) as they call it for a number of yrs "infrequently" though, contrary to the doctor's advice! although
i never had serious (or even not serious) side effects, but i decided to take them less often
(twice a wk and not 1 capsule a day as advised/instructed by doc) just as a precaution, having read about
their possible side effects. from what i read and see everybody's condition and reaction to this medication is different. so what works for me doesn't necessarily mean works for others. . Let me get to the point. i stop taking them (daily) whenever i feel ok ie. no heartburn etc. ..and how i do that? simple, i just substitute that with natural food: vegs and the best that work for me are lettuce, cucumber steamed or boiled (shallow)
spinach and green leaves like kale etc. (adding some salt can help) as all these are antiacid alkaline "food".
and here how it works (for me).. after a meal and even sugary dessert which is my stomach's enemy i eat
lettuce (a few leaves depending on how i feel and how much sweet or culprit food i had) or plain salad with vinegar if i want to. Yes vinegar, i know it may sound strange but works for me! this it seems has a
balancing or rather containing/inhibiting effect on the acid in the stomach,, cleansing your
gullet and neutralise the acid. give it a try it may work for you. its only vegs after all. no harm done.
hope sharing my exp. with you can help explain some aspects of this dreadful gastro acid condition which
makes life so unpleasant for so many. thx.
Hi all,
Please any help would be greatly greatly appreciated. I'm 23 and went to the gp 5 months ago because cardio made my chest hurt. An endoscopy showed that I had a hiatus hernia and I was given lansoprazole which I've been on for 3 months but since I have been taking lansoprazole 30mg a day I have had such horrible non stop chest pain and stomach pain. I took ibuprofen for three weeks and chest pain was significantly better (I can now sleep instead of lying awake for death) but the pain still exists.
I have recently read that my muscle pain could be a side effect of lansoprazole. I tried stopping but I went through such horrendous stomach pain I took it again after day 3 . I am going to try stopping it again but weaning off slowly. 15mg a day for a week then ranitidine or Zantac or gavisconf or a week then hopefully home free?
Does anyone know if my muscle pain and side effects in General WILL leave once stopping lanso after long term use? I didn't have ANY problems before starting it. I still don't understand/ can't believe I was prescribed it and so many others. It's just ruined and taken such a big chunk out of our lives.
Thanks guys for sharing ur experiences