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

Sounds weird but cutting out grains worked for me. And yes that does include beer sadly. Think hunter gatherer food rather than farm foods. Cavemen didn't get heartburn I probably just made that up

Ohh just seen that post it adds fire to my theory. B12 deficiency, also knowN as pernicious anaemia, is associated strongly with coeliac disease - which is an intolerance to gluten ie GRAINS

I have coeliac disease and chronic reflux was my main symptom.

I suffered for ten years, tried various meds, eating early, no citrus fruits, coffee and all those things.Eventually I ended up having an endoscopy when my esophagitis became so bad I couldn't swallow food at all.

I've never had a problem since. I agree all if it's ongoing it needs investigating.

What does an endoscopy involve? Is it for diagnosis or treatment?

It involves putting a camera, an endoscope, down your throat into your stomach. They can then visualise the walls of the oesophagus, take biopsies and possibly even do some remedial work such as stretching the oesophagus. It's done under sedation or GA.

I had one a few weeks ago. It was purely for diagnosis. I had a very mild sedative but was fully awake. It isn't the most pleasant thing, but over quickly.

I had a ripped oesophagus and hiatus hernia (which had caused the rip along with the acid reflux which hadn't helped) and was therefore prescribed 6 weeks of omeprazole.

Not sure what is going to happen next week when it runs out... I'll wait and see I suppose. I can still tell it's there though.

I have a follow up in early May.

When I was a student nurse some 20 plus years ago we used to do lots of hiatus hernia repairs and then they seemed to fall out of favour and treatment seemed to pharmacological. Now they seem to be doing some repairs again, as Vicar had.

Perhaps somersethouse they will review your tear and hernia with a view to surgery if it doesn't heal?