Hiatus hernia and reflux - running out of options

[CreatingHavoc]

I have a hiatus hernia and reflux. All the meds I've tried so far upset my stomach and I'm now dealing with other digestive issues and painful piles as a result. I've tried omeprazole, lanzoprazole, famotidine and cimetidine. Back to using just gavisgon advance now, which does help but not sure about taking it long term.

Lanzoprazole worked best for the reflux but the effects it's had on my ibs are awful and I'm now really suffering as a result 😭

Any suggestions of anything else I can try would be amazing, doesn't have to be prescription meds, I'm open to anything atm!

Have you seen a surgeon? If not, ask your GP for a referral. I recently had a Nissen Fundoplication that repaired my huge hiatus hernia and stopped the reflux.

I'm on pantaprozole, you could try that.

I tried all of the meds you have tried but esomeprazole works for me…most of the time! I am thinking of asking for surgery though.

Esomeprazole worked for me when others didn't

Same here, I've had reflux 20yrs+ and esomeprozol is the best one for me. However since taking it I now have ferritin deficiency and low vit D, so I think it's probably working too well!

Surgery has been mentioned to me so something to think about OP.

Also a few years ago I gave up dairy (not for reflux reasons and before I had a hernia) but as a result I no longer had to take meds as the reflux went. But then I wanted to TTC and went back to dairy.

But maybe something to try?

I exhausted all options and had fundoplication surgery 2013. It sorted it out although I wasn't able to burp after it. Now I am starting to have symptoms again. GP says that can happen over time.

Have you been tested for h pylori, I had really bad reflux and assumed it was a hernia but got tested for h pylori for gp. Had a course of anti biotics and now much better only ocassional acid after drinking

I switched from omeprazole to slippery elm (holland and Barrett). The first month was hard due to increased acid following stopping omeprazole but once I got over that , it's been great. Might not be appropriate for you, but you could research it. Omeprazole was leaving me anaemic, and my mum ended up with osteoporosis due to the omeprazole, hence my desire to get off it.

This has got to be over 10 years ago now.

There’s a great book, the Acid Watcher Diet. Someone on here recommended it to me, my acid reflux cleared up when I started the diet in October. I think I noticed a bit of a difference after about 3 days, but the real change came about three weeks in. There are also other things to do alongside the diet such as going for a walk after dinner, I found that staying on my feet after eating is important too - rather than a walk, I often do the washing up, clean out the fridge etc. I also use an iquoro- you can google it.

I was the one who told @Mustardfan about the AWD. Have to stick religiously to it or it doesn’t work.
Aldo raise your bed at the top and don’t eat 3-4 hours before bedtime.
I haven’t got a hernia but have awful reflux and PPIs just made me low in ferritin and gave me ibs!

Thanks all, I am keen to get off the ppi's and H2 antagonists because of the side effects. I also have issues with low iron and I don't want to be making it worse with the lanzoprazole etc. Just using Gavisgon advance for now and will investigate slippery elm. I'm pretty much vegan these days so no dairy etc.

I was sceptical about the acid watchers diet as I wasn't sure if I could adapt it to not include meat, dairy or egg but I think I will give it a go. I'm mostly gluten free as well so my diet is already quite limited. I'm getting really fed up of the reflux it now though so needs must.

Oh forgot to say, no h pylori, was tested for that when I had my gastroscopy that confirmed my hernia.

I’m the same op, am unfortunate to suffer both upper and lower gut issues and find the meds for each upset the other.

The AWD definitely helps, there is a good FB support group for it. I have found that going hard core on my diet really helps. I’m low fodmap, no diary, no wheat/gluten etc. I’m also perimenopausal and have noticed it’s much worse since I’ve been in this stage of my life so I think hormones are playing a big part too.

I had the same.. awful thing. Luckily it sorted itself out after I gave birth but the doctor said if it didn’t I would have surgery.

rennie helped me massively.

@CreatingHavoc - you can have eggs, chicken/turkey and a little bit of cheese on the acid watcher.

The advice I got from my consultant was not to take the ppi all the time but only when you might need them eg if you know you have a big meal coming up. Omeprazole really didn’t agree with me and the rebound reflux when I came of it was brutal. I was a bit better with lanzoparazole but now just use otc esomeprazole if it gets too bad. Diet is a big thing for me so learn your triggers. I know something with a heavy tomato sauce will not sit well nor would most fruit juices but black coffee doesn’t usually trigger a response.
Another trigger is if I am getting a cold. A couple of days before the cold comes out my reflux is often much worse.

What's the mechanism that makes taking PPI cause anemia ?

The reduced stomach acid can impact iron absorption https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5891535/

Women already are at higher risk of anaemia than men as well due to menstruation.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I am experiencing rebound reflux atm I think, having just come off the lanzoprazole. It's unpleasant! Gavisgon advance is helping for the time being. Only taking it max twice a day though. My consultant said the same about ppi, not to take for a long period. I might just get some esomeprazole for emergencies and stick to gavisgon advance and watch the diet (probably the hardest bit!).

Hi there,

I have been suffering with chronic reflux and burping for 4 years now. Its 24/7. It all started after I took 2 lots of antibiotics for a uti . Then 3 months later I tested positive for hpylori. Treated that with the triple therapy antibiotics but symptoms never went away. I've tested negative for hpylori 4 times since one with endoscopy through biopsy and 3 stool tests. The endoscopy diagnosed a 2 cm hiatus hernia and mild gastritis. Basically Doctors told me to live with it as they would not repair the hernia as it was to small despite my horrendous symptoms. I have tried every diet possible every supplement but nothing helps . I was on the acid watchers for 1 year but nothing changed. I also used the iqoro device for 18 months with zero results. I've tried every ppi and h2 blocker all trigger off palpitations . So I'm left guzzling gaviscon. I don't eat gluten dairy or sugar and I only drink alkaline water but the misery continues. I absolutely understand how horrible this situation is . You are not alone.

My sliding HH is 5cm. I take omeprazole but bought some nexium so alternate I find that works better. Gaviscon advanced doesn't work. But the really old fashioned Maalox does so I keep a bottle by the bed.

This morning I woke up with awful reflux plus three dashes to the loo. Felt sick all day. I think it was the iced Chelsea bun I had yesterday.

I avoid so much food when I am able to. Husband made a pork curry tonight, I had mostly rice. God it's boring.

"Maalox Plus Suspension - Antiacid Oral Liquid for for The Effective Relief of Heartburn, Indigestion, and Wind - 250 ml : Amazon.co.uk: Health & Personal Care" https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maalox-Oral-Suspension-Peppermint-Flavour/dp/B074GV4D9J/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=11FUWCZNI5ZJ8&keywords=maalox+plus&qid=1707863814&sprefix=maalox%2Caps%2C384&sr=8-3

"Altacite Plus Suspension 500ml" https://www.chemistcounterdirect.co.uk/altacite-plus-suspension-500ml.html

Another old fashioned remedy that works