Reflux misery- omprezole not really working

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I have been suffering from reflux for a couple of months. Tried cutting usual culprits out ( choc, caffiene, tomatoes, onions) and raising bed. As it wasn't helping so I went to the GP and I'm on third week of omprezole. Some days are a little better but Im still getting slot of reflux. I know I've been very stressed recently which hasn't helped. I have to go back in a months time if not better and I know I will probably have to have endoscopy. Anyone else had this problem? Is there anything else I can try? I'm so desperate I think I would drink cats piss if it would help!

While I was tested for helicobacter I could only take gaviscon. It was a hellish 2 weeks.

Have been in Lansoprazol for 3 years now. I take one in the morning 30 minutes gefore food and one 30 mins before my evening meal. Each one is 15mg. I need to watch citrus things and I cannot have peppers or orange juice. It's much better than it was. I do have gaviscon which you should take within 2 hours of a dose but is effective give at night if I need it.

And sorry - I've just read your op again and you mentioned stress and sleeping upright......Duh - heat frazzling my brain.

I've also seen an osteopath/physio who have worked on loosening my diaphragm. This can really help drop the stomach back to where it should be as when we are stressed (hunched shoulders etc.) the stomach moves out of place and gets stuck under the diaphragm. If you try this, expect lots of gurgling noises as things get into a better place!

Hi OP,

The gut/brain connection is very strong. When you have stomach issues being stressed / anxious / depressed can play havoc with your digestion and vice versa. One thing feeds the other and it becomes a vicious cycle until you aren't sure if it's the gut issues causing the stress / anxiety, or vice versa.

There's a lot you can read online which will help you understand the relationship better and if you can get your stress / anxiety under control it will help your stomach. Not easy I know.

I've been having problems myself lately but I find a bland diet, sucking peppermints and lots of peppermint tea does seem to help.

It also might be worth taking an acidophilus supplement. Some people swear by it, for others it doesn't have much affect but there is a lot of anecdotal evidence it can help with all sorts of gastric issues. Holland Barrett do a good one for about a tenner. It certainly won't do you any harm.

howtotreatheartburn.com/acid-reflux-and-anxiety/

www.listentoyourgut.com/symptoms/40/heartburn-acid-reflux-gerd.html

Oh you poor thing. Reflux is a misery. You definitely need a stronger dose of omeprazole, but appreciate that's no good til you can see your GP. Have you been to a pharmacy?

Rennies sometimes help me a bit but sounds like you're beyond that point

You can buy omeprazole over the counter now. I know it wasn’t working completely, but might tide you over until GP is back.
I am now low carb as it seems to sort out my issues, even without meds. Although, in my case, that might be the weight loss (hopeful)!

If you've just finished a course of Omeprazole, you could be suffering from "rebound acid" - which can be worse than the original reflux you had. It's usually best to taper the dose near the end of the course. A stronger dose would just make the problem worse in the long run, but you could try ranitidine (Zantac), which works in a different way, and can be bought OTC.
Going low-carb was the best thing I did, almost stopped it in its tracks.

Apparently acid reflux can be due to stomach acid not acidic enough! Apple Cider Vinegar works well. Our stomach acid needs to be v acidic to keep bacteria at bay, which can grow & cause reflux. As we age our stomachs become less acidic.

I'd be very wary of Apple Cider Vinegar. I've tried it and it was one of the worst things I could have done. Honestly made me feel so ill. If your throat/gullet are sore because of reflux it can be really painful to take, even when well diluted and it made my stomach feel worse than ever. I do appreciate that it can be a really good remedy for many things, but I would be extra careful with reflux.

There are newer drugs than either omeprazole or ranitidine that are supposedly better (more effective, less side effects) - keep trying with the gp. They will give you cheapest first as if they work then that's the best outcome. You may also be able to try a higher dose.

But definitely get the H.pylori testing done. Faecal antigen testing is the best option for establishing whether you have a current infection.

You can buy Apple Cider Vinegar capsules to avoid mouth & throat. Amazing for arthritis too!

Thanks so much for all your replies. I will definitively try all your advice. I'm going to insist that I have a test for hpylori first. It also makes alot of sense about posture as I'm terrible for holding my shoulders tense so will look into some sort of chiropractor/ osteopath.