Reflux -please talk me down

[Adifferentstory2]

I’m currently suffering from a really bad flair of GERD - been going on 3 weeks and no sign of any control despite doubling my PPI and antacids. I’m scared and feel (probably overly) emotional about it. Symptoms are discomfort in upper oesophageal, burnt throat each morning, coughing fits, can’t speak much / throat sticks, feeling like something is stuck in the top of my stomach, feeling every bit of a tablet as it goes down etc. It’s there every hour of every day and I feel utterly miserable.

I’m late 30s two small children, a busy full time job and fairly severe (high functioning) anxiety. My reflux is stress / anxiety related and there is a strong family history of reflux. I don’t drink, smoke and my BMI is 20ish. It started whilst pregnant with my first 5 years ago, was managed with PPI (which I came off straight away when I’d had my baby), then nothing for 2 years and then it came back nearly 3 years ago. Put on PPI again and have never come off. Usually a flair up comes under control after 5-10 days and doesn’t make me feel anywhere as rotten as this. The throat, cough, constant burning lower down are unusual.

I’ve tried - sleeping upright, eating nothing past 6 (and even then bland, small meals), increasing meds, gaviscon etc.

I’m rambling sorry - I guess I would love some positive GERD stories from people who have felt the same and managed to control it. Please tell me how. I haven’t been back to my GP yet and I haven’t had an endoscopy. I am thinking of oesteopathh as that seems to work wonders for everything . I’m also freaking out about permanent damage to my throat and long term use of PPI. How can it be so bad so young and how on earth do you control it without medication? I have tried to come off but life without (before this flair) was unbearable. The whole thing is also affecting my work as I can’t talk without coughing.

Will stop now but any thoughts so appreciated.

I have GERD and have had it for many years. The endoscopy showed a moderate hiatus hernia. I was changed from Omeprazole to Lansoprazole. I take 30mg a day and can take an extra one when I have flare up. The cough is horrible, sometimes I cough till I am sick. I have asthma as well! I have been on PPI for about 20 years now and most of the time I am fine. I avoid trigger foods, sleep propped up and keep a supply of orange Rennies with me! Anxiety makes it worse so try not to worry. Has your GP suggested another endoscopy to see what is happening?

How long have you had it? How long have you been on a PPI? Have you had bloods done to check for helicobactor pylori? And to check your not aneamic or other things that may point to other diagnosis?
Any weight loss?
Any food allergies or bowel issues?

Thank you for your replies. It’s draining and impacting on my life, hence the drama and feeling like it’ll never be controlled again.

I’ve been on medication for 2.5 years (but had it during pregnancy during that). I had heliobactor tested 2 years ago and it was negative.

Ordinarily it’s managed by Omeprozole but this flair up feels different and doubling my dose hasn’t touched it.

No weight loss or bowel issues. The only significant thing is (nearly) stopping breastfeeding - possibly hormonal link (unlikely).

I expect the GP will suggest a scope when I see them next week.

Try Gaviscon advance I find this very good.
I've also got an iqoro, I think it helps. I cant overeat as it makes it worse.
I've successfully weaned myself off PPI's with the above.

Ds had terrible reflux as a baby and toddler. His consultant tried several different medications which weren't working. Someone suggested we try an osteopath, within a few treatments he was pain free, eating and sleeping and it never returned. Might be worth a try.

@anomletteandaglassofwine thank you - I have booked for next week. Other people in my family have had amazing results with osteopathy so thought it was worth a try.

I’m using gaviscon advanced a few times a day but not help really.

The best thing I ever did for my reflux was to get a wedge pillow. Look up "anti reflux wedge pillow" online and get one which is specifically for this. The incline starts at your waist and raises your head about a foot above the mattress - you don't slide down because the slope is very gentle. I've had mine for years and I've gone from having severe nighttime reflux to having almost none. Best wishes .

@starrynight21 that’s really helpful thank you. Going to search now...

starrynight21 Thank you so much I have just ordered one!

My DP swears by a glass of soya milk to ease acid reflux. I did doubt him so I googled it and found information suggesting soya milk has a neutralising effect.

Hey,
I never normally comment on threads but I hope this will be helpful.

Firstly, you poor thing. Reflux is utterly soul destroying and so painful. I had it after my second pregnancy (mid 2018) and was on PPIs and ranitidine to no avail for over a year. A gastroscopy had shown a little damage only but my symptoms were horrendous. I then had PH manometry and a barium swallow. I was the same as you, two small children, BMI of 21, sleeping upright, all the dietary changes etc.

What changed things for me was being prescribed a low dose (20mg) of Amitriptyline following a diagnosis of neural hypersensitivity. Three weeks later and I was symptom free! I haven't taken PPIs since and am now off the Amitriptyline too. I've never experienced the pain since and now count this as thoroughly in the past.

I got my GP to refer me to Dr Jonathan Hoare in London who was the Dr who cracked it all for me with the diagnosis of neural hypersensitivity. Good luck! I hope you get a resolution in the way I did. In the meantime, you have my full sympathy.

[quote Adifferentstory2]@starrynight21 that’s really helpful thank you. Going to search now...[/quote]
Glad to be of assistance !

OP are you taking the PPI in the morning ? And leaving at least a 2 hour gap between the antacid /Gaviscon and the PPI ?

Thank you so much to everyone who has posted - very helpful and reassuring that there may be a way out.

@Devolo that is really interesting - thank you. I’ve never heard of neural hypersensitivity before. What does it impact upon? So glad you got sorted. Dr Hoare rings a bell - maybe when I’ve searched before.

@peridito yes I am. Half PPI dose am and the other early eve, with gaviscon in between and gaviscon advance just before bed.

I am exactly the same as you ive been going through this for 1 year to no let up in symptoms. I had ended last week and have a small hiatus hernia . Im on nexiem 40mg and it does nothing. My symptoms are burning throat and ears lips and heavy chest 😫

I’ve had similar for 20 years.

I take Lansoprazole which works well 90% of the time. The rest of the time I munch on Gaviscon tablets till it settles. I also drink meadowsweet tea which helps.

I try not to eat too much fat which helps. I’ve tried acupuncture and osteopathy without success.

I’ve found Ibuprofen is the worst thing I can take as it inevitably sets it off.

I had it really badly a few years back and was diagnosed with a hiatus hernia. I am now generally ok and rarely get a flare up. I don't know what helped really but I am a lot more active now than I was before although my weight hasn't changed.

Avoid Ibuprofen, it does make Reflux worse in my opinion. Gaviscon Advance is the best thing I have found for flare-ups. One thing I do find helpful is Peppermint Tea, if you can stand it. You are doing all the right things. Do look at your stress levels, try some relaxation tapes etc. It might help. It's a miserable condition, I hope it eases soon for you.

Hey. Neural hypersensitivity meant that I had exactly the same symptoms (burning throat etc) as were caused by the reflux but that medication for reflux wasn't helping the pain.

I really hope you get it sorted ASAP.

Are you avoiding things like caffeine, chocolate and peppermint? All of these can relax the sphincter muscle and increase the reflux.
Onion, garlic, tomatoes and excessive sugar intake can also make it worse.
Do you know for sure that you have high acid levels? As the majority of GERD sufferers actually have low acid levels and PPIs lower it even further, especially with extended use which may be why your symptoms are worse now. They can also lower vitamin and mineral absorption if taken long term.
If you have low stomach acid you need to increase it with things like apple cider vinegar, betaine HCL and digestive enzymes and stop the PPIs, although it may need to be done gradually as rebound reflux can be an issue after long term use.
It took me about a year to get mine under control with lots of experimenting of dosage etc as you need more acid for protein rich meals, I am now much better and just have the odd day once every few months where I need to pop a couple of betaine HCL tablets with my main meal.
Unfortunately most doctors don't really understand GERD and just prescribed PPIs, usually if antacids don't work its because you have low not high acid levels.

Unfortunately most doctors don't really understand GERD and just prescribed PPIs, usually if antacids don't work its because you have low not high acid levels
Really? oh that's very confusing:(

Hi there,

Is there a specific one you bought? I am 32W and 6 and the acid reflux has gotten really bad.
I am researching and want to make sure I get the right one that allows for side sleeping as well. Am I overthinking this and will any of them will be fine for use in pregnancy.

@starrynight21 I forgot to tag you in my message above. Are you able to help?

I have had a couple of bouts of acid reflux in the past three years. Last one before this lasted about two months back in 2018. I am avery anxious person and suffer severe bouts of anxiety and health anxiety.
My sister who suffered heartburn before trying ACV told me years ago to try ACV. Have been on it for over a month snd have t sicked into my mouth since. I still burp snd feel nauseous occasionally but I think for some it’s a game changer . Most people think they have too much acid but quite often it’s the opposite. Chew gum, it stimulates saliva.

Low acid has the same symptoms as gerd and is linked to B12 deficiency and thyroid conditions. As you would expect further lowering stomach acidity will make it worse.

Don't take supplements in the 4 months before testing and request GP tests B12, folate, ferritin, fbc and full thyroid panel.