Heartburn problems

[Summerwood1]

Hello, I am 43 and have never had heartburn problems before until now! I've had it since about March time,it's the acid feeling in the chest. I had been lifting heavy furniture by myself,kind of resting the chest of drawers on my middle area whilst I lifted it. It wasn't long after this that I started to get the heartburn. The doctor has put me on Omeprazole tablets that do seem to help but once I forget or stop taking them it comes back. It seems that the tablets are only masking the problem. The doctor is reluctant to refer me to the hospital. I would just like to know what the problem is as it worries me a little. Anyone else had a similar thing.?

[turtlesallthewaydown]

I've recently been put on same drug. I'm 45, no heartburn until recently apart from during pregnancies. My prescription is for 2 months, then I have to see what happens. I cannot imagine it will have gone away either. My mum has reflux too but seems it is caused by her stomach being at slightly odd angle. Best of luck with your treatment. (Btw can you see a different GP if you don't feel happy with this one?)

[ArabellaRockerfella]

I am in exactly the same position and it was baffling me. But I think I have narrowed it down to being caused by taking Ibuprofen! I have taken this for over 20yrs with no affect but now when I take it I have the worst heartburn and it then affects me for days after. I have also become a lot less tolerant to certain foods and wine in my old age!! (43)
Do you think this might be true for you?

[millicentfriendly]

The problem with Omprazole is can be hard to come off and as you say, it doesn't solve the underlying problem, it just reduces the level of acidity in your stomach. This means when you stop taking it you end up having the same symptoms or worse than you had originally.

I had quite similar problems to you and when Omprazole didn't help I was tested for Hpylori which is the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers. After testing positive I took a heavy duty course of antibiotics which cleared up the Hpylori but I still continued to have awful hyperacidity in my throat. Eventually I was referred for an endoscopy and found to have a small hiatus hernia and some inflammation but nothing sinister. Since lifting things causes acidity in your case, it's quite possible you have a hiatus hernia too.

When I found out that there was nothing specific wrong I decided to stop taking Omprazole and other similar PPIs because I suspected that they were only contributing to the acidity. I also stopped taking Nurofen because it's true that they can really cause stomach problems. It took a long time but slowly my symptoms cleared up. I have started using Nurofen again, which I shouldn't, because I do sometimes feel like I have mild acidity when I take it.

Do go back to your GP and ask to be tested/referred. Omprazole is not a cure, as you've seen and it's not ideal to be taking it for long periods unless you really have to.

[Summerwood1]

Thanks for all your replies. I've seen 4 different doctors about it. The first thought it could be a hiatus hernia which fitted in with lifting heavy furniture. The last doctor dismissed that and said lifting furniture would not cause a hernia.
I'm getting a lot of belching as well.
It's interesting to see that most you that have posted are around the same age!
I'm going to try and get in at the doctors tomorrow to ask again to be referred.

[Summerwood1]

I managed to get in at the doctors. He's reluctantly referring me for a Baruim swallow. Pleased that it's being looked into.

[Dowser]

My digestion problems really took off when I was 40.
You're right about allopathic drugs masking the problems.
I've used a lot of antibiotics, pain killers and antacids...all to my detriment.
I'm 64 and I take none of the above. Haven't done so for three to four years.

First all you need to realise that no treatment will be effective without paying good attention to your diet.

These symptoms mean there is inflammation or infection present.
It's the only way your body can signal to you that you have a problem.

So, as your body has become more acidic over the years you need to re- alkalise it.

That's cutting out all the acidic foods that are causing you distress.

Our western diet is heavily acidic and all these problems plus many others have become endemic in our population.

You need a two or three pronged approach.this is what works for me

1 alkalise your diet..increase green veg. It's not one size fits all. Some people cope better with raw veg, me I prefer green soups
2 cut out acidic foods. .this is amust. Dairy, wheat and sugar have to go
3 cut out antacids...if you have a little bit of heartburn...bicarbonate of soda is better
4 increase your immune system.. Probiotics, vit d3 , vit c

You must read and research as much as you can. Loads on the internet. Robert redfern. Dr mercola. Dr Sircus. Marks daily apple. Dr Marilyn glenville. Keith scott mumby.

I was told by a naturopath about 20 years ago ( I wish I'd listened) about food being so complicated, messed about and to get back to simple delicious meals. If I'd acted on his advice I'd have saved myself years of pain and my digestion would be so better than what I've aged to recover now.

I just didn't get it then. I wanted to eat the ice creams, the cakes, the chocolate, sandwiches and so on

It's all about from scratch cooking and eating food ad close to the plant or animal as possible while you heal.

[scaryteacher]

I've been having this too and the pain radiates up to my jaw. I had an ultrasound last week that ruled out gallstones, but ruled in a fatty liver and am about to start physio to see if it's a rib/back problem. I've also been given Omprazole to try for a fortnight as well.

I think giving up dairy and sugar would be really hard, and I find if I've had porridge made with milk, and natural yoghurt on top of muesli, it improves.