Heartburn - absolutely sick of it

[Herewegoagain22]

I’ve been suffering from raging heartburn since around February. I’ve been to the chemist and had the usual Rennies, Nexium etc. But nothing worked. Been to the doctors and been tested for H-Pylori as I’ve also been suffering with bloating after eating. Well that came back negative.

Went back to the doctors who have prescribed Omeprazole, which takes the edge off the heartburn slightly but it’s debilitating. Doctor sent me away last time and told me to ‘come back in a few months if it isn’t any better as I can’t be on Omeprazole long term’.

I’m a good weight, I’m sporty, my diet is good, I exercise, don’t smoke, don’t drink. It’s just frustrating. I now have to eat smaller meals as I feel so uncomfortably full after a normal sized meal. And the burning sensation is just horrible.

I’m sick of going to the doctors and being panned off. That’s three times now. Anything else I can be doing? I’m at my wits end.

You should definitely push for a gastroscopy if it keeps going. I would go back to the GP and state they should be referring you. Quote NICE guidelines!
PPIs like omeprazole should be taken first thing on an empty stomach. I keep mine in my bedside table so that I can just grab it and it gets to work while I’m getting up. More effective for me like that.
I’ve got a hiatus hernia so I’m on long term omeprazole. The thing about taking it long term - it can cause issues like muscle aches and there’s some research that it increases the risk of dementia 😬 BUT if you have persistent reflux (say if you have a hiatus hernia) and don’t take a stomach protector, the acid can cause serious damage to your oesophagus increasing your risk of getting cancer..the risks of the cancer are higher than the other risks so I chose to continue mine.

I have quite severe GERD and am on Lamsoprazole - it really is amazing and 90% of the time my reflux is totally fine now.

Saying that, even whilst being treated, eating tomatoes cause me agony. Along with pineapple and anything citrus, or too much bread.

As others have suggested, I'd try an elimination diet - there are plenty of ingredients in a healthy diet that can cause awful reflux.

Sorry NICE guidelines are here:

Has anyone tried IQoro? It's some sort of gadget that's meant to reduce acid reflux.

My MIL spent years chewing Rennies, drinking Gaviscon and avoiding spicy foods, but never sought treatment for the underlying issue. In her 60s she was then diagnosed with Barrett's Oesophagus so has to have regular endoscopies.

Well, that would certainly take your mind off the heartburn.

I had terrible acid reflux before being diagnosed with coeliac disease. Gluten free diet sorted it out.

You need an endoscopy, I suffered for years with heartburn due to a hernia at the top of my stomach. I'm on medication for it, but the hospital said they won't remove it unless I'm in pain, which I'm not.