Reflux - come on badly after covid

[Mustardfan]

I generally have a bit of reflux which I live with, without treating (I cough a little every day). I’ve just had covid and developed an irritated throat and then a nasty cough. I’ve just realised it’s almost certainly reflux. I bought some GaviNatura and took one after dinner tonight which has meant I have barely coughed so far this evening. I did start coughing when I sat down on the sofa after dinner, but it stopped when I got up and cleaned my kitchen. Has anyone got any advice? I’m really tired as I haven’t been sleeping well with it, but it’s hard to relax as when I sit back or lie down I start coughing. I hope to sleep better tonight.

Covid really messed with my digestive system and I’m still battling reflux well over a year on! Have had many investigations and they only found h pylori on endoscopy which I took the treatment for.
Gaviscon advance is the best for reflux - have t tried the gavinature as yet though. It’s prob worth going to GP and getting a Gastro referral as you can’t just ‘leave’ reflux. It’s a right pain- I’m on hols atm and I don’t at v carefully at home - no high ph foods etc - come away and been v slightly less careful and my lower digestive system is now giving me gyp hence being awake in early hours.
I also think that there’s some research going in to reflux after having covid as it seems so common.

Thanks. Have you tried the IQoro exercise gadget? I bought it a few years ago but never used it. I’ve started using today and am going to give it a go - three times a day for 30seconds. I had a much better night last night after taking the gavinature.

@Mustardfan - I haven’t got a hernia and that’s what they’re for primarily. I feel I am more on top of it but almost thinking I’m never gonna rid myself of all the symptoms as strictly adhering to the prescribed diets (AWD or dripping acid) is tough (unless you never go out or need to socialise).

I didn’t read that about the IQoro, my understanding was that it helps reflux too. I read the Nice guidelines and the review of research said that dietary changes didn’t help. Sounds like that isn’t your experience. The Nice review finding that doesn’t sound credible. I realised I had bad reflux and not a virus related cough after eating a sharply tasting kiwi fruit and realising it made the coughing a lot worse. Can I ask what foods you’ve cut out? I love tomato based sauces and really don’t want to cut it out - or onions.

@Mustardfan im afraid you’re gonna have to cut out tomato based sauces, onions & a whole lot more. Basically any nice food 😆
I follow the acid watcher diet - it’s a book written by an eminent ENT in NYC. Loads of people have managed their symptoms this way.
I’m on hols atm and it’s depressing not to be able to have the food or drink I really want. I have gone off piste a bit, but I’ll get back to it strictly again when I’m home. I do actually feel worse when I’m not sticking to it properly- have bought lots of gaviscon with to tide me over - and I don’t want to feel ill on holiday.
Nice guidelines are wrong as you have a cough cos the acid/pepsin is irritating your airway/throat and if you’re having high ph food it’s making it worse. Read the book to get an understanding of the issue

Thanks, I’ll get the book.

@Mustardfan how are you getting on with the iqoro? I am wondering about getting one for reflux which seems to occur for a few weeks every few months but not sure if it is worthwhile. It seems very expensive for a small piece of plastic.

I've had stomach surgery in the past and and am on medication for life for acid. Almond milk has been amazing for me. I don't love it but it works so I have it with cereal each morning. Worth a try.

My reflux has been horrendous since covid. Going to start taking probiotics. I loathe gaviscon as it makes me retch.

I’m really really thankful to Boredofmyguts for recommending the acid watcher diet book. I wish I’d read it years ago, and I recommend it to anyone with acid reflux. I’ve been following the acid watcher diet and it’s made a huge difference. The book also conveys a powerful message about the need to take action if you have acid reflux.

I’m also using the quoro. The research suggests that takes 3 months of use to make a difference. I have faith in it.

Thanks for the suggestion of almond milk. When I’ve looked at that in the past it seems to be mainly water, but I might try it. I find a simple meal of chicken thighs stewed in water with oregano and fresh parsley, thickened with cornflour, served with brown rice cooked with turmeric, peas and sweet corn to be my best meal in terms of producing no reflux.

The book recommends taking a walk after dinner (he says ideally after all meals, but knows this is hard to stick too). I’ve found that staying upright after a meal makes a big difference. I don’t go for a walk after dinner, but I tend to tidy the kitchen, perhaps even do more cooking, clean the fridge. I have a walk after breakfast. The acid watcher diet is hard work.

Thanks mustardfan for the update on the iqoro, have you noticed any improvement? I guess it it hard to know if it is down to this or diet or both.

I found these exercises which I am thinking of trying initially.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9550520/#:~:text=The%20exercise%20of%20dry%20swallowing%20in%20the%20bridge%20posture%20significantly,and%20safely%20without%20adverse%20events

I have really odd reflux which recuurs every few months and lasts weeks. Oddly it is worse when my stomach is empty. Does anyone else find this? I find alkaline water and slippery elm help.

@Mustardfan - I’m really pleased the book is working for you, makes such a difference doesn’t it? It is hard work and I do slip occasionally as I’m human. The worst is when you go out for dinner or so party. December will be a challenge!!

Hi Bubbles. Yes, I’ve had a massive improvement. I’ve had a dry cough for at least 15years, it was barely noticeable to me, it was such a habit, I also had phlegm in my throat. I’m hardly coughing at all now. No phlegm in my throat. Up until late last week I was still getting the feeling of heartburn quite a lot, but that seems to have mainly passed now. I’m still burping. I don’t know if I’m still having some reflux without being aware of it. I’m sticking with the diet for now. It feels fantastic to have this improvement. The exercise you’ve found sounds good.