Any advice on the management of acid reflux -my oesophagus would be really grateful.

[FlippertyGibbert]

My GP has diagnosed me with acid reflux - I have had heartburn on and off for years- but the last few weeks symptoms are worse. Lots of burping, salivating, horrible taste in my mouth, liquid sometimes effortlessly regurgitates back into my mouth, feels like there is a lump in my chest. GP - prescribed me omeprazole - I have rarely had side effects to medication but I couldnt tolerate it - I've tried twice now. So I have decided to stop and am taking OTC ranitidine - I will go back to gp - but it will be a w eek before iget an appointment - tips advice self medicate help would be really helpful x

Thanks Somerset :)
Tapirs- I was so confused by Thursday night I don't know if they tested for H pylori or not and I forgot to ask :(

Have a gp appointment next week - so I am writing down all my questions and I will present them to her.

Good idea Flipperty

Very best of luck for your appointment

I've been prescribed Omeprazole for this too and don't want to to take it yet as I have seen others struggle with the side effects.

What has worked for me is Aloe Vera tablets one a day. I've also cut down dairy to a splash in tea , I was having hot chocolate and yoghurts thinking that they would help. I stopped eating evening meals 6 out of 7 nights and try to eat my main hot meal in the day time. I also have stopped drinking fizzy water and upped my still water intake.

So far I've had no night time regurgitation since I started this even when I do eat an evening meal and the ever present nausea and burning in my stomach has eased.

My plan was to give the aloe Vera a month and then try the Omeprazole is there was no improvement but I am really pleased with how it's going so far.

Good luck with your appt.

Hi guys. I have had quite bad gastritis and reflux since since my first dd 4 years ago. Having side effects from the ppi. Worst is hairloss- really upsetting. But the rash and aching are not pleasant either. So I have been considering something surgical however I can't see how that would help with all the stomach pain? Any ideas?

Hi guys. I've had quite bad reflux and gastritis since having my dd 4 years ago. Having side effects from ppi. Most upsetting is the hairloss but the rash and aches aren't pleasant either. I was wondering about a surgical intervention but I can't see how that would help with the gastritis? Any ideas?

Hi Beare - Watfordmummy has had surgery - which she says has done the trick.
Sounds as though you are having terrible side effects - perhaps you should go back to the GP too :(

Gypsy floss - fantastic that you have had such a lot of relief with your regime. I too am being very strict and things have settled a little - waiting for my appointments now, am wary of introducing any other medication - I've not heard of the aloe Vera tablets.

X x

ive just had a nissen fundoplication in jan this year for this problem, with a hiatus hernia repair.

i suffered for 16 years.
i fiinally plucked up courage to have an endoscopy which revealed a 5 cm hernia.
i had the manometry test and the 24 hour ph test. these revealed severe acid reflux so i had the surgery. my vocal chords were getting damaged from the acid.

ive had a full 360 degree wrap. i have just come off the omeprazole and ranatadine. i was also on gaviscon advance, domperidone, and peptac.

i think i may still need a dose of the ppis as since comng off the meds i have begun to cough again, with throat clearing, and i wake up coughing again.
the surgeon says as far as he is concerned the surgery was a success so not quite sure why im still refluxing....

but i do work shifts and eat at weird and wonderful times which probably doesnt help.

i would go for the endoscopy and see whats what. i was terrified and i put it off 16 years - but i was aspirating acid into my lungs and getting constant chest infections, so in the end i bit the bullet.
endoscopy is nothing. 30 seconds and its over. i asked for sedation but i was still aware of everything so think i could have had a bit more....

the worst thing was manometry. (dont ask - just turn up and do it)
ph test was doable.

surgery was a breeze.

i think if i could make some lifestyle changes it would help....but its hard when on shifts.

btw - there is a facebook group - i joined after someone here told me about it. they are a lovely supportive bunch and the knowledge of the folk there is amazing.

let me know if you want to join - its a closed group but i can give you details and if you pm the lady who runs it im sure she would add you.

you can ask all your questions about gastritis there - everyone in that group has had the same kind of issues with reflux.

btw - can i ask about the bacteria?? h - pylori??? whats that and why does it cause reflux??
do tell.....i think im still having a spot of bother.....

I understand h pylori - is a bacteria that's responsible for causing stomach ulcers - I think- easy to test for apparently - my gp says a stool sample - but also a blood sample I believe-
I think ulcers can cause acid reflux , but acid reflux can also be caused by other things- as you are probably award x x

Vicar - if you could pm me with details of Facebook group that would be great help x x

Do you have any other symptoms? The reason I ask is that a friend of mine suffered from "reflux" for years, affecting what she ate and when she ate it, indigestion all the time, horrible stuff. Then she had an ultrasound for something else and discovered many gallstones and a problem with her bile duct! Just thought I'd mention it in case you are also having unexplained tummy symptoms (can be mild and can last for years undetected.)

pmd you flipperty.

I have this problem and have had for about 4 years :( I now chock on many types of food too. I have had endoscopes barium meals ect but I'm still no closer to finding out what causes it. I take ranitidine and it helps but not brilliant. I feel for you flipperty as it is dreadful

beare I've stopped taking my omeprazole , I'm sure it's connected to my hair loss. I'm trying hard to manage the acid indigestion by changing eating habits, for me that is no cereals, oil, butter. Don't know if it will be enough to do that as it is severe but no way am I accepting hair loss.

Yikes
WildThong and those of you with hair loss on omeprazole, how long have you been on it?
I have a 5 weeks course and the last thing I need is more hair falling out!

3 years somerset. I noticed hair loss soon after starting, previously had very thick hair so it was very apparent to me. I kept putting it down yo stress/other factors, but really the common denominator is the omeprazole.

example

Vicar. Can you pm me as well. Family member has gastroparesis and the side effect is horrendous reflux. She's having manometry and endoscopy soon. I'll pass on the details

somerset - i was on omeprazole for a good 8 years - never any problem with side effects or hair loss.

front - will pm you.

Thank you :)

wildthong and vicar thanks so much for your responses. That is scary reading wildthong.

I have a week left to go and am crossing fingers I won't have to take it any more, but I doubt it as I can still feel that things aren't right although much better since taking omeparzole.

Before I took it I could hardly keep food down and the mornings were awful.

Thanks again.

I was listening to a podcast today of Medical Matters on radio 4 and they were interviewing a specialist in GI Medicine regarding reflux.

He is if the opinion that reflux symptoms of more than 3 weeks needs to be treated and then if not relieved / still present but eased a little , to be investigated by endoscopy. He said the current NICE guidelines are outdated and are being rewritten to ensure the Gp's refer patients swiftly on for investigations rather than just keep prescribing medications.

Persistent reflux can cause changes to the oesophagus , called Barret's oesophagus which can ,but not always, be a precursor to oesophageal cancer. He was making the point that earlier diagnosis means earlier and less invasive treatment and in most cases just alternate years endoscopy to monitor the changes.

My GP implied that my treatment would be medication for at least a year before he would consider referring me onwards. Not that I would really want an endoscopy but there's a big bit of me that would like the reassurance that it would hopefully bring.

Gosh, that's worrying as I've had an automatic repeat prescription for three years!

but its good if it means something will be done. I suffered for a few years badly. Bizarrely since dd2 was born 2 years ago its been better , I still get heartburn but 'normal' heartburn. Never notied any side effects from omeprazole though. I tried cutting out all sorts to no avail. I just hope it doesn't come back....

dont worry - barratts takes years. Its a long term side effect from severe reflux - i had severe reflux for at least 16 years - no sign of barratts but still i would urge anyone with reflux to get endoscopy to check for any damage.

for me, it was my vocal chords getting damaged. im not sure the surgery has worked fully - i think i may still need a low dose ppi.

This item was on the Health Report on Radio National the other day - www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/healthreport/the-link-between-acid-suppressing-medication-and-vitamin-b12-de/5337178#transcript