Post covid acid reflux?

Labralion · 2021-04-25T21:54:31+00:00

Anyone else experienced this? I had it in January and about a fortnight after my taste returned in February the acid reflux started! Could be entirely coincidental but interested to hear of anyone has experienced similar and if it went away. It's daily and getting me down, and the omeprazole isn't helping much!

Bonifacethethird · 25/04/2021 23:03

Yes! This happened to me. I got covid last year and it's been on and off since.

Bonifacethethird · 25/04/2021 23:04

(never had it before covid)

CrunchyCarrot · 26/04/2021 06:42

Just thinking out loud here, but I wonder if what you have is actually LOW stomach acid, as opposed to high? As I have hypothyroidism I'm only too well acquainted with low stomach acid, the symptoms are the same as if you have high acid. If that's the case, then omeprazole will do nothing for it (it's not good to take that for any length of time as it causes dependence).

Try doing a test for low acid, use the bicarb method first thing in the morning. Put 1/4 tsp of bicarbonate of soda into a glass of water. Drink on an empty stomach. Wait for a few minutes to see whether you burp. If you don't, or only burp a little, then you likely have low acid. Try it a few days running to improve accuracy.

loveleafco.com/baking-soda-stomach-acid-test/

In order to help, if you do have low acid, there are a number of possible things to try. Acid cider vinegar (with the mother) is good, diluted in water prior to eating your meals. Can also do the same with lemon juice. Or get hold of Swedish Bitters, and have a few drops prior to meals. All these stimulate digestive juices. Another thing to try is Betaine HCl with pepsin (capsules). Again, take one or more with meals (but on no account take them on an empty stomach or if you are taking NSAIDs).

bookworm1632 · 26/04/2021 11:24

@CrunchyCarrot

Just thinking out loud here, but I wonder if what you have is actually LOW stomach acid, as opposed to high? As I have hypothyroidism I'm only too well acquainted with low stomach acid, the symptoms are the same as if you have high acid. If that's the case, then omeprazole will do nothing for it (it's not good to take that for any length of time as it causes dependence).

Try doing a test for low acid, use the bicarb method first thing in the morning. Put 1/4 tsp of bicarbonate of soda into a glass of water. Drink on an empty stomach. Wait for a few minutes to see whether you burp. If you don't, or only burp a little, then you likely have low acid. Try it a few days running to improve accuracy.

loveleafco.com/baking-soda-stomach-acid-test/

In order to help, if you do have low acid, there are a number of possible things to try. Acid cider vinegar (with the mother) is good, diluted in water prior to eating your meals. Can also do the same with lemon juice. Or get hold of Swedish Bitters, and have a few drops prior to meals. All these stimulate digestive juices. Another thing to try is Betaine HCl with pepsin (capsules). Again, take one or more with meals (but on no account take them on an empty stomach or if you are taking NSAIDs).

Seriously, DON'T DO THIS!

If you have concerns you have hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) then you need to see a GP about it, NOT self-medicate. The treatment will depend on the cause, which includes things like nutrient deficiencies or bacterial infection.

If it's high stomach acid and PPI's aren't working for you, maybe worth trying Famotidine - replacement for Ranitidine that is no longer manufactured.

hollieberrie · 26/04/2021 12:52

Yes, I suffered badly with this for a few months. Went away on its own in the end but it was horrible. Hang in there

Original poster

Labralion · 26/04/2021 13:02

Thanks for the advice everyone.I've got the gp calling today so we'll see what she says! It's just a bit miserable isn't it!

OP posts:

lightand · 26/04/2021 13:09

Yes, happened to me too. It didnt appear for several months.
I have worked out how to at least cut it down though. Not eating as much.
It is a lot worse when my weight is increasing, than when it is decreasing. Not that my weight varies that much.

CrunchyCarrot · 26/04/2021 13:20

Seriously, DON'T DO THIS!

If you have concerns you have hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) then you need to see a GP about it, NOT self-medicate. The treatment will depend on the cause, which includes things like nutrient deficiencies or bacterial infection.

Depends whether you can actually get it diagnosed! Doctors are too keen to prescribe PPIs, and not look into low stomach acid, some don't believe it exists. I only came across it via thyroid fora that I'm on. It's a very common problem for people with hypothyroidism and/or B12 deficiency, both of which are very common. I know many people with this problem and all self-medicate one way or another. There's nothing dangerous in what I wrote, and I did add the warning about taking NSAIDs and Betaine HCl.

hollieberrie · 26/04/2021 16:59

@lightand

Yes, happened to me too. It didnt appear for several months. I have worked out how to at least cut it down though. Not eating as much. It is a lot worse when my weight is increasing, than when it is decreasing. Not that my weight varies that much.

Yes good advice. I ate very plain food and drank a lot of Gaviscon. I also took Omeprazole for a while. But really i think it was just time.

Clotsaway · 01/05/2021 10:16

This is me right now, had covid in october. Relax must have started silently and by Feb my throat was very swollen. Cough after eating, dry mouth, chicking out of the blue. Did a month of omerazole, didn't help much. Things got so bad I stopped eating much and lost some weight. Went back to the dr, gave me new meds which have helped a lot. Its under control but not completely gone, have it every few days for about a day or 2 and the settles. Waiting for endoscopy appointment.