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?