Return of Symptoms After Exclusion Diet

After three years on an exclusion diet as treatment for my Eosinophilic Oesophagitis (EOE), during which I was completely asymptomatic, I began to experience occasional symptoms again. Most of these episodes involved food impaction, which required hospitalisation on two occasions. Other impaction episodes I managed at home, although they resulted in many hours of chest pain.

Uncertain Cause

I never understood the reason for these recurrences. I had been following my diet strictly. Perhaps I accidentally consumed something I should have avoided once or twice, but I was confident that I had not been eating any of the trigger foods regularly enough to explain these symptoms.

Consultation and New Treatment

As these incidents occurred while I was living abroad, I visited my doctor once I returned to Spain. He suggested starting treatment with omeprazole (a proton pump inhibitor) at a high dosage as a new approach to managing my EOE.

Starting Omeprazole

I began taking omeprazole—specifically the Pepticum brand—one tablet every 12 hours, totalling 40 mg per day. At first, I was apprehensive. Although I could now eat foods I had avoided for the previous three years, the idea of experiencing another food impaction was frightening. Previously, these episodes had occurred unexpectedly, even when I believed I was adhering to my diet. Now, eating all kinds of food again made me aware that an impaction could happen at any moment, which was quite stressful.

However, as the days passed without any difficulties, I gradually became more relaxed. A few months after beginning the medication, my doctor performed a follow-up gastroscopy, which showed no presence of eosinophils.

Current Status and Quality of Life

It has now been four months since I began this treatment, and I remain completely asymptomatic. My quality of life has improved significantly, not only because of the absence of impactions but also because I can now enjoy:

– Meals in restaurants without worrying about dietary restrictions.

– Travelling without carrying special food “just in case”.

Being able to eat normally again has made a remarkable difference to my daily life and peace of mind.