Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Acid reflux and anxiety

70 replies

Mollylolly · 21/08/2020 10:31

Hi there

I am looking for some advice. About 4 months ago I started suffering terrible anxiety i stopped eating nearly and lost over a stone in weight and was put on valium then 4 weeks after that I started having terrible stomach issues symptoms are acid reflux, burping, grumbling stomach, pain at top of stomach, burning throat. The doctor gave me nexiem which at first worked well but I had to increase the dose eventually as its not as effective now. I had a ultrasound, ct scan,transvaginal scan,about 10 weeks ago . All OK just found a small fibroid and my adrenal gland swollen due to stress probably but nothing to worry about..... Fast forward now and still the stomach symptoms continue and my anxiety is so so bad. I just cant handle it anymore I worry constantly that its something awful . My doctor says ive had tests and i should feel reasured by this but I dont .

My worst symptom is the feeling like the acid is crawling up from my stomach and into my throat. My throat constantly feels like there is water at the back of it and my throat burns sometimes. My ears feel burny too . Its all wearing me down. My dh says this is all caused by anxiety.

I'm still taking the nexiem but it only helps with 60% of the symptoms and ive tried to stop it but just couldn't manage and ended up back on it .

Has anyone else suffered with this ?I would appreciate your experiences .

Thank you

OP posts:
BillieEilish · 21/08/2020 10:40

The same as you, almost exactly (not the ears!)

I was 45 and it was the menopause (I believe) took omazerpole and HRT. Thankfully it has gone now, more or less, but I can't drink wine anymore, or eat leeks Hmm

I hope you feel better soon. It's miserable Flowers

Original poster
Mollylolly · 21/08/2020 10:43

Hi thank you for your reply.

How long did your reflux symptoms last ? Im going on 3 months now . So it was perimenepause? I never thought of that . Im 44 still have registered periods although coming every 22 days now.

OP posts:
BillieEilish · 21/08/2020 10:51

I was your age more or less! I still get it occasionally, worse if I forget to eat. Lasted at least 6 months. I lost a lot of weight. At one point I was frequently sick after eating from it.

I am absolutely convinced it was the menopause, my periods just stopped (after reducing to about every 21 days for a few months around this time), never to return. As soon as I took HRT it went. I have seen others on here say the same.

Obviously don't drink juice or eat acidic things, that also helped. It is still there though, I mourn the wine! But I can eat completely normally now.

Original poster
Mollylolly · 21/08/2020 10:58

Thats interesting. Like I say im still having mine but they have reduced to 22 days .

I eat a very bland diet and dont feel the nexiem work that great at all.

So the 6 months you had it did the ppi not work very well either ? Did you have anxiety too?

Its absolutely miserable.

OP posts:
BillieEilish · 21/08/2020 11:02

Horrific anxiety, again, I think menopause.

I didn't consider it either as was only 44/45. The PPI did work to an extent, I sometimes have to take it now and again, but HRT knocked the whole lot on the head TBH.

I am the sort of person that doesn't eat when anxious, this makes it worse, I smoked at that point because I was anxious... this did not help!

liverpool1981 · 21/08/2020 11:03

Hi have you been tested for helicobacter? I have the exact same as you had helicobacter It all started with esophagus spasms and I thought it was a heart attack

BillieEilish · 21/08/2020 11:05

Yes, good point. Initially I was tested for that too. It could well be that.

Original poster
Mollylolly · 21/08/2020 11:28

Hi i was tested in January and was negative . I had it 9 years ago and was treated with antibiotics. I also did 2 home kit tests for the bug in the last few weeks and both negative. My new surgery dosent do the blood test only the stool test which I cant do as I'm on ppi and would need to stop it for 2 weeks. The doctor did say I could just do the eradicate therapy just in case but she says since I was negative in January its very unlikely I have it now. Plus I didn't fancy taking a heavy dose of antibiotics if I don't have it it could make my stomach worse . Its a bit of a tough one.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mollylolly · 21/08/2020 15:40

Anyone else ? This ferling of water sitting at back of throat is awful.

OP posts:
OhWhatAPalaver · 21/08/2020 16:31

I don't have the water in throat thing but do get a lump / tight feeling. LPR/GORD can cause some weird symptoms. My left ear hurts today 🤷 I've put the link below to a document from the NHS with some really useful info. I've just stopped taking omeprazole today as it caused me so much bloating and wind it's awful. Try the self help tips first and if no improvement call Dr again.

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=www.rlbuht.nhs.uk/media/8184/cid4315laryngopharyngeal-reflux-lpr-pif-1423-v6-updated-info.pdf&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjx8er7zKzrAhV1QEEAHcfwCYEQFjAXegQICBAB&usg=AOvVaw0Xvf6EhZniJUShD5xwn78R" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.com/url?q=www.rlbuht.nhs.uk/media/8184/cid4315laryngopharyngeal-reflux-lpr-pif-1423-v6-updated-info.pdf&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjx8er7zKzrAhV1QEEAHcfwCYEQFjAXegQICBAB&usg=AOvVaw0Xvf6EhZniJUShD5xwn78R

liverpool1981 · 21/08/2020 19:01

Hi I am on a ppi at the moment and peptac which has been a game changer for me you can buy peptac from Amazon or over the counter I just take a swig after every meal or if i am starting to feel unwell it's about 3.50 a bottle . Please go and buy a bottle and let me know . I was on lansoprasole and I didn't get much joy from that my doctor changed me to omeprazole and it has been a great few weeks. Also I no longer drink coffee I have changed to twinings chamomile and honey . I have lost approximately two years of my life with this

Original poster
Mollylolly · 21/08/2020 19:09

Thanks for your replies and the link I will have a look.

Liverpool1981 what was your symptoms? And did you have them constantly?

OP posts:
liverpool1981 · 21/08/2020 20:16

Hi I was going to bed and waking up choking with acid in my mouth I had oesophageal spasms which were making me gasp. I had no appetite and everything I ate was giving me pains especially tomatoe dishes, red wine anything fatty Chinese takeaways Italian I can't eat bacon or onions. I was also having sleep paralysis I was constantly exhausted as I was up all night with pain. The acid actually hadgot so bad it gave me terrible sinus infections . I then had he helicobacter test was on antibiotics and ppi for one week and the helicobacter went away. I had the camera down my throat then another into belly I was on heart machine 4 times and I had a sleep apnoea night study. When the acid is bad it actually stings my eyes and gives me a terrible sore neck.

liverpool1981 · 21/08/2020 20:18

Also I was anxious because I wasn't rested and no energy I wasn't sleeping until 6am and that was only because I couldn't stay awake any longer then waking at 2pm to start the day of pain all over again. Another thing I have in my house is Bragg's apple cider vinegar with the mother which is important and baking soda as it neutralises the acid

liverpool1981 · 21/08/2020 20:24

Sorry I also had the barrium swallow done which showed I have acid reflux. They said minor but honestly I think not. Also I thought I had stomach cancer as I tend to always lean on the dark side I was convinced I was dying and used to cry myself to sleep at dawn go back and see your doctor the first doctor I seen told me I was depressed and I was holding my stomach it was painful 24 hours a day. Start with a process of elimination regarding food and drinks and get a good allergy test done. I haven't yet but I will soon

HathorX · 21/08/2020 20:45

Just to mention, acid reflux, burping heartburn, can be indicators that you might get cancer of the oesophagus. Keep an eye on your symptoms as the years roll by. My dad suffered the symptoms you mention for many years, and we think it was the cancer growing slowly, or perhaps the acid caused the cancerous mutation. Whatever the case, it killed him. So, beware if the symptoms don't seem linked to the menopause, or if they return at a later date

liverpool1981 · 21/08/2020 21:59

I am so sorry to hear about your father 🙏 it's a terrible life living with this dreadful thing

Original poster
Mollylolly · 22/08/2020 11:31

Hi Hathorx
I am so sorry about your dad my sincere condolences. But its not helpful to me as you can see by the post I have severe anxiety and your post has made me ferl even more anxious. Ive only had this 3 months so I'm hoping its will pass. I do realise you were trying to help but just think about what you are going to post first.

Liverpool 1981

Do you still have symptoms? Even on the ppi ? And were your symptoms all day?

OP posts:
SadSoVerySad · 22/08/2020 19:54

@HathorX

Just to mention, acid reflux, burping heartburn, can be indicators that you might get cancer of the oesophagus. Keep an eye on your symptoms as the years roll by. My dad suffered the symptoms you mention for many years, and we think it was the cancer growing slowly, or perhaps the acid caused the cancerous mutation. Whatever the case, it killed him. So, beware if the symptoms don't seem linked to the menopause, or if they return at a later date
Untreated acid reflux can affect the oesophagus leading to Barretts Oesophagus with changes to the lining of the oesophagus. This is usually monitored as in some cases it can develop into cancer of the oesophagus. This is likely what happened to your father.
SadSoVerySad · 22/08/2020 19:56

To allay your fears OP, it's only a very small amount of cases of Barretts Oesophagus that develop into cancer.

SadSoVerySad · 22/08/2020 20:11

As Liverpool1981 said, try Peptac or Gaviscon Advance after meals and before bedtime.

I've been on lansoprazole for years then I started getting a horse voice as the day wore on, as well as exacerbation of ear problems. Advised by ENT specialist it was caused by acid reflux reaching high up into my throat which affected my vocal cords and my ears. Eustachion tube runs between ears and the upper throat. So I was I was having earache or my ears didn't feel quite right. Had to take lansoprazole twice a day instead of just once and to take Peptac. Peptac and Gaviscon are similar but Peptac is cheaper.

Hopefully, all the advice on here will help you and you will feel better soon.

Original poster
Mollylolly · 22/08/2020 20:19

Thank you i really appreciate your advice. Did you get excessive saliva and a feeling of water at back of throat?

OP posts:
OhWhatAPalaver · 22/08/2020 20:39

Try gaviscon advance aniseed first and try not to worry (hard I know). Oesophagal cancer is quite rare as far I can tell. It would have to be untreated for many years. I've had this on and off for about 2 years and only just getting the gp to actually refer me.

Original poster
Mollylolly · 22/08/2020 21:13

Thanks for your reply. How long does your flare ups last ? This has been 3 months for me .

OP posts:
FaffingForEngland · 22/08/2020 21:17

If it's any consolation OP I also get the burning (and very itchy) ears. It's horrible. Have you had a gastroscopy? It turned out i had an ulcer caused by anti inflammatory drugs for chronic pain.