Hideous heartburn (not pregnant!)

[Loueytb3]

What can I take (apart from Gaviscon which is useless)?

I've had it for most of for the past 3 weeks, some nights really bad, stopping me from sleeping (inc last night). Feel quite sick and in pain first thing in the morning. I have rarely got it in the past, even when pg.

The only thing I can think of is that I'm on a health kick - eating healthier, no cakes/choc/biscuits, hardly any alcohol. But that should make it better shouldn't it? At what point would you go to the Drs?

Zantac works well, but i think you should get it checked.I only ever seem to get
a problem if i eating the things your not!

Me too NK. I only need look at the clover tub and I suffer.

Will be keeping an eye here for some tips.

(currently using Asda/tesco's own brand indigestion tablets and milk)

It might be worth trying omeprazole, which suppresses over production of acid in the stomach. You can buy a it otc at pharmacies, but it might be that you need gp to check it out, and maybe prescribe a stronger dosage.

I was prescribed this for a month last spring after an appalling episode of gastritis, which gave me dreadful stomach pain at night, and made me very nauseous. I took it for a month, and the problem has not recurred, although the gp thought that if it did, it would be worth checking for gallstones. But so far, so good. Think it was caused by a combination of a stressful house move and the amount of alcohol being consumed to obliterate the full horrors of the new property!

Best of luck, and hope you get better soon.

Thanks - is omeprazole the same as Zantac? Will go to pharmacy first thing.

NK - it is odd. I could understand it if I were eating crap. The only thing I can think of is that because I'm eating less, my stomach is emptier sooner. Mind you, it didn't go after a large bowl of porridge this morning.

Also try propping yourself up in bed or two bricks under head end of bed. Have you tried milk? Maybe see your gp for some lansoprazole.

Can't stand milk unfortunately. I will try eating more yoghurt in case that helps.

I was wondering about Gallstones too. felt like the worst heartburn ever, but on the wrong side. It always seemed to kick off at night as well. Have you tried eating smaller and lighter meals in the evening?
As well as Zantac, buscopan (for IBD) worked for the gallbladder pain as it's an anti spasmodic

Is your tummy bloated? Are you urinating heaps?

I was just having this conversation today. Since Ive started cutting the carbs out, Im suffering terribly. Why would that be? Im on the Gaviscon. Peeing loads, because Im drinking alot more. Is it just a bad diet to be on?

Nope Bay - in fact tummy is getting smaller (slowly) as a result of the diet. Not having that much less carbs but maybe that's the cause?

I think it must be. Ive been off the carbs and booze and Im really suffering on a night. I probably should stay off the coffee as well.

I have a hiatus hernia and stomach ulcer that causes very painful heartburn.
Maybe go to your GP to get checked?
I take lanszoperzole.

When did heartburn start and how long?

I had my hiatus hernia and stomach problems before I was pregnant. But I know pregnancy can cause hernias, but most go after birth. Some do stay though and some require surgery.

Have you been eating more of a certain food?

I find anything citrus aggravates my heartburn and can trigger it off.
Also if I miss eating , it can trigger it off.
I have to have small but frequent amounts to eat to try and keep the heartburn away.

Example, orange juice is a killer and triggers and causes my heartburn to be so painful

'At what point would you go to the Drs?' ASAP.

You absolutely must go to the doctor and have yourself thoroughly checked. Three weeks is too long to leave this.

Really Math? Bugger.

Its been a bit better over the weekend, I had a few too many glasses of wine so maybe its alcohol withdrawal. Its back again this morning but not bad enough yet to warrant taking anything. I've got some zantac so will try that before I go to the Drs because they will probably say try it first. No orange juice, same amount of coffee as normal. The only thing I've been eating more of is porridge. Surely that can't be the culprit?

Alcohol gives me bad heartburn! So I don't drink it.

I doubt it's porridge.

I am low carbing and I had some diet coke the other night and it was terrible, I was nearly crying. It must be to do with having an empty stomach. Nuts are terrible for me also.

Low carbing won't give you heartburn. See your gp - if only to rule out a serious problem with your oesophagus

Have you had a h.pylori test? I had heartburn/acid for months before the doctor would believe me that google I had already diagnosed myself.

I get this when stressed with work or dieting. Or if I've overdone the wine.
At the moment I'm on low carbs and the gp said this is the reason why. I've got a months prescription of lansoprazole which works a treat.

Be careful! Angina symptoms can feel very much like heartburn. Are you getting breathless at all? Either way I would go to the gp asap.