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Original poster

Sudden heartburn / acid reflux - causes?

16 replies

TheSingingBean · 08/03/2023 15:06

I've never had many problems with my stomach or digestion. Take an occasional Rennies but that's about it.

Went out with friends last night, arrived home at 10pm and had the most horrendous attack of heartburn / acid reflux. I had to sit up until 3am, the pain was so dreadful. Took bicarb of soda and indigestion tablets but nothing helped. OH was on the verge of taking me to A&E because he thought I might be having a heart attack.

This is what I ate / drank:

Half a bottle of rose wine - rarely drink it but a friend asked me to share. I drank most of this before the meal.
A few mouthfuls of red wine, but not a whole glass.
Chicken Cacciatore (I know tomatoes are a trigger for some people, I've never had a problem before)
Sticky toffee pudding and ice cream - so yes, fatty and sweet but never caused an issue in the past.
Decaf coffee and mint chocolate.

The only things I can think are that I ate later than normal (the meal came just before 8pm) and that half bottle of rose........ is rose wine a heartburn trigger for anyone else?

I'm not especially stressed and wasn't aware of eating particularly quickly.

I'm terrified of it happening again so want to do everything I can to avoid it!

OP posts:
CaramelMach · 08/03/2023 15:12

This happened to me when I was pregnant...

NomadicSpirit · 08/03/2023 15:15

It will be the alcohol coupled with the late meal. I ended up just needing a single drink to get bad heartburn. Its one of those "I've never had this problem with alcohol before" things that suddenly hits you.

I found gaviscon helped as did lying on my left side as the stomach empties on the right.

I also got it when I had COVID, so there's that possibility too.

justasking111 · 08/03/2023 15:19

Drinking on an empty stomach. I always order water for the table and glug that if dining out at night. The chicken was just piling on the pain. I avoid pudding too.

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Pieceofpurplesky · 08/03/2023 15:21

Rose wine for me, every time. Shame as I love it

Flavabobble · 08/03/2023 15:24

The older I get, the worse it is. I now try to avoid pastry, or other rich foods late on. Get my pork pie fix at lunchtime.
And if I do indulge I try to get a walk in before I go to bed.

hbbyno2 · 08/03/2023 15:30

Only ever suffered terribly in pregnancy, is this possible? Also could be gallbladder related with the fat and alcohol

Welliesandpyjamas · 08/03/2023 15:31

If you are on HRT, it can be a side effect

Theyresexpeoplemn · 08/03/2023 15:39

Weight increase?

Original poster
TheSingingBean · 08/03/2023 16:09

Thanks for the replies everyone.

To answer some questions, I'm not on HRT, not pregnant (I'm old 😉), haven't gained weight recently - though I am a bit overweight which I'm sure doesn't help. I had my gallbladder out 25 years ago and haven't had any problems with that.....until now 😐

It was the severity that took me by surprise and the fact it was so out of the blue, but given that Pieceofpurplesky also has problems with rose wine it does make me wonder whether that was the main culprit.

That's the only thing I can pinpoint that was different to my normal eating habits. I'm usually a merlot drinker so giving the rose a miss from now on won't be a problem.

OP posts:
TonTonMacoute · 08/03/2023 16:10

Flavabobble · 08/03/2023 15:24

The older I get, the worse it is. I now try to avoid pastry, or other rich foods late on. Get my pork pie fix at lunchtime.
And if I do indulge I try to get a walk in before I go to bed.

Me too, it has become a fairly regular thing over the last couple of years.

Normally I make sure I eat early and avoid any obvious trouble makers.

If I am going out or can’t avoid eating late, or if I’m going to have cucumber Hmm then I take a Nexium and that sorts it.

Original poster
TheSingingBean · 08/03/2023 16:16

TonTonMacoute · 08/03/2023 16:10

Me too, it has become a fairly regular thing over the last couple of years.

Normally I make sure I eat early and avoid any obvious trouble makers.

If I am going out or can’t avoid eating late, or if I’m going to have cucumber Hmm then I take a Nexium and that sorts it.

Show quote history

Can you get Nexium over the counter, TonTon?

OP posts:
mibbelucieachwell · 08/03/2023 16:24

It happened to me very suddenly too a few years ago. It felt the acid suddenly shot really high up the oesophagus. Very sore and a bit nauseous making. You can buy nexium otc from supermarkets as well as pharmacies. Also own brand omeprazole and esomeprazole.

After a week mine hadn't settled down so I went to to the gp who advised taking it for a month then gradually coming off it. She predicted that it would be fine but with flare ups and she was right.

I find liquid Gaviscon is more soothing than the chewable rennies type tablets. And I never eat much in one go. And I leave a gap between dinner and my after dinner cup of tea.

Strong coffee, spicy foods and eating a lot in one go are my triggers.

DidyouNO · 08/03/2023 17:18

Also think about what clothing you wore. I had this and it's each time I sit for prolonged periods (like a leisurely meal) in my fancy high waisted trousers. They seem to constrict a little higher up and do it every time.

mibbelucieachwell · 08/03/2023 18:16

Yes. Tight waistlines are out.

justasking111 · 08/03/2023 21:52

I once wore spanx type girdle. We were at an event. The pain at the end of the meal. I rushed to the loo, tore them off, stuffed into my evening bag and never wore them again 😂😂

TonTonMacoute · 14/03/2023 19:56

TheSingingBean · 08/03/2023 16:16

Can you get Nexium over the counter, TonTon?

Show quote history

Yes, I get it in the supermarket. Not cheap but I use it sparingly

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