GERD and aspirating reflux?

[iambouddica]

I’m a late 40s female and over the last year or so I have had more and more issues with reflux and severe indigestion. I tried to get a GP appointment a while ago but the receptionist basically said there was no need and get some gaviscon.

I have tried omeprozole from the pharmacy and it helps a bit but I am having to take it really regularly. Then last night I woke up choking on reflux. It went into my lungs and I spend a scary while coughing it up. I then had a really bad sessions with excess salvia and today my throat is sore and I am still coughing.

I am overweight (bmi 34) and last night I had had red wine and some snacks in the evening so I know I need to make some changes to my diet etc but should I try to see the GP after this? Is there anything they can actually do?

I think that's really bad practice for the receptionist to dismiss you .
Please get a GP appt (easier said than done I know ).
Stress that it's waking you up ,choking etc .
Long term acid reflux can cause real damage-been there got the T shirt !
You need to take omeprazole every day ,not just occasionally.
Gaviscon plus /Advance/extra (whatever it's called ) can help before bed - it has an ingredient that floats on top of stomach contents .Personally it makes me feel sick .
The other thing that will help is sleeping propped up -I use lots of pillows behind me /folded duvet and one of these either side .

But honestly you should see GP .

Prop your bed up on blocks
don’t eat in the evening
talk to the pharmacist about how to take your medication
lose weight

see the gp if that doesn’t help

I found that raising my bed with blocks meant that I slipped down the bed .Unfortunately I have to be properly sitting up at night .
Also found it easier to try and leave as much time as possible between eating and retiring -which I know is the same thing as don't eat in the evening but somehow seems more achievable

Loads of things. I’ve had it since last summer and I’m still not totally on top of it either.
My advice is
insist on a GP appt - you are supposed to take omeprazole every day - it doesn’t work if you take it as hoc. dr can monitor you or increase dose. They can also do some non-invasive tests at first (for h pylori) before going down the gastroenterologist route).
take gaviscon advance (not 2 hours before or after the omeprazole) as it’ll form a raft and help the acid not to come up.
Change your diet - you need to cut out alcohol, fizzy drinks, citrus, tomatoes, greasy and spicy food, garlic:onion caffeine inc chocolate, mint at the very least. You can look at the acid watcher diet - if you do that your weight will fall off - but it’s extremely restrictive and not for everyone! Yes it’s all the nice foods you’re not supposed to eat.,
sleep on your left and raise your bed and see if that helps.

Thanks everyone. I’m the diet tips are really handy and I should try that first. It’ll help with the weight loss too