Anyone beaten reflux/heartburn?

[Huntawaymama]

So when pregnant with dd1 I started suffering with bad reflux, I took ranitidine at 300mg by the end. After I gave birth i was given lansopresol *sorry if that spelling is wrong and then omeprazole and then lansopresol again which I took until I got pregnant again when dd1 was 2.5. I tried to go back to ranitidine when pregnant but ended up on omeprazole as it was so bad. I was taking two pills a day and the odd gaviscon. Since giving birth 6m ago I've been determined to stop taking pulls and get over it, I switched to 300mg of ranitidine and have cut down and now take 75mg ranitidine and 2 gaviscon tablets a day. I want off the ranitidine but every time I don't take it the reflux is awful. Anyone got any tips?

Not sure but my ds (2) is on omeprazole 20mg and we've been advised to wean off very very slowly. Apparently if you wean quickly then it will cause a full on flare up. Can you cut the tablets up? Or get a smaller dose?

For example reducing to 10mg once a week, then twice a week and so on until everyday on 10mg. Then split the remaining 10 to take
Twice a day and reduce to 5mg once a week, twice a week etc.

Hope that helps

If you are having bad reflux more than 3 times a week you need to get a referral for a gastroscopy to find the cause, it could be a hiatus hernia or ulcer or infection, don’t panic about taking medication as the acid will be doing more harm than taking pills will, if you leave it unchecked you could develop Barrett’s oesophagus which you really don’t want (I know because I have it) go back to the gp and get a referral.

Thanks for the replies. I don't think I can cut the tablets up they're tiny but I'll try. Last time I saw a gp at my 6 week postnatal she basically said it might go away or I may be stuck with it for life. I'll probably give it another 5m until baby turns one and go back but I know if I go now she'll still say its the result of the pregnancy and to wait a bit longer.

Sometimes it can come down to a choice between taking meds or putting up with a boring anti reflux diet and other lifestyle changes.
After reading about side effects I was desperate to avoid taking acid suppressants.
Cutting out the usual suspects, alcohol, caffeine, tomatoes, fatty foods, red meat, chocolate and lots of other tasty stuff made a big difference. I've got used to the restrictions it but can understand why many people would prefer to take meds and eat what they want.
Also I discovered that sleeping on my right side caused night time reflux episodes so I stopped doing that.

Aidapt Lockable Pill Cutter... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00IHUPRG2?ref=ppxpoppmobappshare

I have this and it's fab

Have you had an endoscopy?

Also have you looked at possible allergies?

I paid privately in the end and avoid all intolerant foods, I take ranatadine occasionally when I get flare ups but it's got easier since I have watched what I eat!!