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Original poster

Self help for stomach pain/heartburn

30 replies

Middleagesucks · 13/12/2021 21:04

I have bad stomach ache. I've had this before maybe 3 times in past 4 years. Lasts for a month or so and then eases

It gets really bad if I haven't eaten although helped by paracetamol. If I do eat I get heartburn.

Tried Rennie type tablets and that pink chalky stuff last time made me sick.

Is there anything available over the counter that will help. Or tips?

OP posts:
Gingernaut · 13/12/2021 21:18

Eat small, bland meals - lay off big, fatty, spicy meals.

Take steps to lose weight - heartburn and indigestion is often caused by obesity

Gaviscon and esomeprazole can help.

The older drug ranitidine was found to contain carcinogenetic traces, so until they find a way to prevent that, esomeprazole is the expensive, over the counter alternative.

Original poster
Middleagesucks · 15/12/2021 05:26

Thanks for the info re esomeprazole. It is really expensive but might give it a try as hopefully will settle in a week or so. I feel like I might have an ulcer, getting food right is very difficult at moment.

OP posts:
workwoes123 · 15/12/2021 05:35

Have you been to the dr? What do they advise?

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Original poster
Middleagesucks · 15/12/2021 05:49

I was prescribed Lansoprazole a couple of years ago which I think helped (it eases after a few weeks/couple months anyway).

I haven't contacted GP recently as I have contacted him for a couple of things, and also seems not serious given COVID pressures.

OP posts:
UncomfortableSilence · 15/12/2021 05:49

You can buy non branded Esomeprazole in places like Tesco, Home Bargains etc I was using it for a while before my GP switched me to Lansoprazole.

In my experience Gaviscon Advance works best but that is expensive.

Overall though it would be best to have a chat with your GP.

lambo88 · 15/12/2021 05:50

I would see ur gp as I had bad pain and heart burn and I had gallstones x

PAFMO · 15/12/2021 06:03

Low stomach acid has the same symptoms as high stomach acid so don't take -prazoles until you've ruled it out.
I'd ask for an h.pylori test (estimated that 60% of adults worldwide have it!) though the gastritis pain with that tends to be constant and not dependent on what gog eat.
As pp says, could also be gallbladder related. I have gallstones (had h.pylori about 10 years ago)

MaverickSnoopy · 15/12/2021 06:17

I did The Acid Watcher Diet. Its very good and there are facebook groups too. It enabled me to stop taking PPIs (omeprazole/lansoprazole etc) and get back to "normal". The long and short is cut out tomatoes, caffeine, onions/garlic, alcohol, chocolate and anything acidic. Make sure you dont eat before bed. Drink lots of water and make sure you eat a lot of raw veg. You need to heal your body. Anecdotal but PPIs had lots of side effects for me and actually made me much worse.

Original poster
Middleagesucks · 15/12/2021 06:22

The pain is worse when I don't eat and bad at night (prob due to not eating). But eating before bed gives me heartburn. That's the tricky bit. I'll look up the diet thanks.

OP posts:
HohohoCoughCough · 15/12/2021 08:29

Does the top of your abdomen feel like its burning? I get this and I suffer with reflux. Omeprozole helps but I would go to your doctor to rule out anything else. Theyll ask you for a stools sample.

Original poster
Middleagesucks · 15/12/2021 09:13

It's like a poker in middle of my stomach. Eating gives me the burning top of stomach reflux thing.

I had a stool sample test to investigate anemia earlier this year and it was clear. At that time it had been at least 6 months since i last had stomach pains.

I am sure GP would prescribe Lansoprazole or similar so if I can get similar over the counter I will.

OP posts:
Bramshott · 15/12/2021 09:17

Hot water bottle on your tummy, and drink lots of water. My reflux always seems to be worse at this time of year...

HeyGepetto · 15/12/2021 10:00

I get bouts of really painful heartburn. I don’t find the rennies or gaviscon remedies help a great deal, although I still take them in hope, the liquid is better. I get the most relief from rubbing peppermint oil (a few drops in moisturiser) around the area, it’s very soothing. Mine thankfully only lasts a few hours generally.

Hoorayhenryyah · 15/12/2021 11:21

Try nexium control, you can buy it in boots or the chemist. I get this too, awful stomachache and heart burn. Try not eat greasy/spicy food or too much sugar and drink plenty water. Not necessarily linked to weight. I am a healthy weight and still get it once in a while

itwasntaparty · 15/12/2021 11:59

Omeprazole/ nexium or esomeprazole.

Work out about £1 a day. A go will probably give you a month for the prescription charge.

Original poster
Middleagesucks · 15/12/2021 12:04

Yes a prescription would be cheaper and as I've had it before probably doesn't need an appointment.

OP posts:
Redcherries · 15/12/2021 12:09

Lots and lots of water, don't fall victim to the milk myth. Water will dilute the acid but milk settles it briefly then the stomach makes more acid to balance the milk.

Sleep propped up.

Bland white foods, little and often. A dry biscuit or bread can give temp relief sometimes.

I suffered for years and eventually had to have surgery to stop it, one thing I did learn is that everyone has different triggers, I could eat chilli all day long but a sip of Jack Daniels had me on the floor in pain.

Hereagainnewlogin · 15/12/2021 12:15

I would go to the GP tbh. Who cares if you have had a few appts lately? That's not a reason not to go Confused it could be something more serious and if you don't catch it soon well you might end up costing the NHS a lot more money than a GP appt

Hoorayhenryyah · 15/12/2021 13:41

@Redcherries what surgery did you have?
@Hereagainnewlogin seriously?! Making someone worry and feel guilty about costing the NHS money?! Away you go!

Hereagainnewlogin · 15/12/2021 13:53

@middleagesucks Eh? You said you didn't want to go to GP so you wouldn't 'waste' NHS funds, but I was just pointing out that if you self diagnose and it ends up being much more serious then you're not achieving your original intention?

It's better for your health to see if you can find out what's wrong asap. Not really sure how I'm trying to make you feel guilty, not my intention. Just think you should go to the doctor rather than asking a bunch of randoms on the internet

Hereagainnewlogin · 15/12/2021 13:55

Oops sorry @Middleagesucks I got mixed up with @hoorayhenryyah thought they were the OP

Hoppinggreen · 15/12/2021 13:55

Apart from seeking medical advice I recommend peppermint tea
I was a bit sceptical about it but my non English Mil said it was a miracle for nausea abs stomach ache and it was. She used to give it to her Dc from being small with sugar in but I quite like it and regular drink it whether I need to or not.
It’s served in quite a few countries after a meal as standard I believe

PAFMO · 15/12/2021 14:10

@Hoppinggreen

Apart from seeking medical advice I recommend peppermint tea I was a bit sceptical about it but my non English Mil said it was a miracle for nausea abs stomach ache and it was. She used to give it to her Dc from being small with sugar in but I quite like it and regular drink it whether I need to or not. It’s served in quite a few countries after a meal as standard I believe
I'd definitely agree with that. When I had h.pylori (which I still maintain the OP needs to have ruled out) I took peppermint oil capsules instead of omeprazole. Now I have gallstones (chuh, me and my digestion Confused) I take the capsules and drink the tea. Absolute life saver.
Redcherries · 15/12/2021 14:40

@Hoorayhenryyah I had a nissen fundoplication, its to stop the acid coming up from the stomach. I spent a year or so regurgitating throughout the day with no warning, not to mention the burn!

Original poster
Middleagesucks · 15/12/2021 15:05

I'm feeling like a hypochondriac these days but I am in a lot of pain so will submit an online referral. See how it goes. And will try peppermint tea.
Commiserations to fellow sufferers.

OP posts: