Proton Pump Inhibitors and Joint Pain

[Sweetcheex76]

I know that long term use of proton pump inhibitors can cause bone and joint issues but wonder if any of you have used them and had immediate problems? I have very serious acid reflux issues and my doctor put me on Omeprazole. It was a godsend. But about 4 weeks after using it, I noticed that my hip joints were really starting to ache when I hadn't done any activities that would have caused this. At the time, I did not correlate the pain with the Omeprazole but a few weeks later, the pain had spread to all of my joints. The pain was so bad I couldn't move. I started using a cane because I couldn't even walk or get on or off the toilet for example. My rheumatologist was at a loss at what was happening and although proton pump inhibitors can cause drug induced Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, it shouldn't cause immediate problems. Desperate for the pain to stop, I quit taking the Omeprazole. Within days, the pain was totally gone. One day, I took it in the morning because the acid reflux had been so bad and the joint pain returned. Have any of you had this happen to you? My gastroenterologist prescribed a new proton pump inhibitor yesterday and I am petrified to take it. Thank you.

[Carolina]

Dear Sweet:

I've taken ppi's several times over the years.  The latest time was because my entire esophagus was sloughing off the surface tissue, and I had erosions, and was graded D by my surgeon who did the gastroendoscopy.

After six months of the PPI my esophagus is graded A!  I still have to take Pepcid now and then.

I have had severe osteoarthritis for a long time, but the pain is not aching so much as sharp pains.  I don't think the PPI is connected at all to my joint issues.  But my health issues are many and varied and it's hard to tease out the effect of one medication.

I'm sure other members will chime in with their experience and more wisdom than I can offer.

Elaine

[deeindiana]

Hi Sweet,
I took Dexilant for about 5 years and then switched to Protonic. Been on it 4 years. They both helped a lot with my reflux but if I stop, it comes back with a vengeance. So I'll probably take something like it forever.
I don't have joint pain but was diagnosed with fibromyalgia a few years ago and my doctor said there can be a connection. But fibro is muscle pain - not joint.
I hope someone here can give you a better answer. Starting new meds is always scary.

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I took Omeprazole for years. Can't actually remember for how many. Despite it - the reflux got worse.
My GP referred me to a gastroenterologist. he arranged for me to have an operation called a fundiplication. There are two kinds. I think I had a partial one because the motility at either end of my esophagus wasn't great.

I have never needed Omeprazole since. Reflux fixed.

Take care - Scottie