How to control acid indigestion/reflux without PPI’s?

[SK1973]

I am really suffering with acid indigestion or reflux.

I have a 26 year history of IBS (had this half my life) but over the last 6 years I have also been suffering from acid/reflux/indigestion. I’ve had so many tests and the gastroenterologist just labels it as IBS with functional dyspepsia.

I wake up with an acidic feeling at the base of my throat, I often have a raw/raspy feeling in my throat and mouth. I burp absolutely lots especially after eating and my guts constantly gurgle and growl, I often have a ball like feeling in my stomach as well.

Weirdly, I find this gets all so much worse mid cycle (around ovulation). I am also in perimenopause and not sure if this is exacerbating everything. I won’t lie I am also very stressed caring for a parent with dementia (just spend all of last night in A&E with mum and now I can’t stop burping).

I have tried PPI’s but they exacerbate my IBS and give me diarrhoea and if I take imodium that makes my acid worse. Gaviscon doesn’t really help much. I am very careful what I eat and avoid gut irritating foods (follow the acid watchers diet and also avoid dairy, gluten and eggs) and I follow the low fodmap diet for my IBS. I only drink water. I walk every day and listen to guided meditation etc.

Is there anything I could try to alleviate this? I’m concerned years of acid sitting in my throat and oesophageal area will cause major health issues.

If you follow acid watcher diet you’re on the right track. I’m in it and take ppi and gaviscon advance (has to be advance) and I’m still not totally rid of symptoms. On my good days I accept that I’m doing my best.
other things you can try - not eating 3-4 hours before bed, elevating head of bed and sleeping on your left.
its very hard to stick to the diet, I do lapse occasionally, but they say you have to be 100% commuted (v hard if you have any life outside the house!!).

I make bone broth regularly, and drink a mug of it every day, plus using it in cooking. Also worth keeping a food diary but I'm sure you know that already.
I did have a book about the benefits of bone broth but I can't find it on my kindle. I'll let you know what it is if I do find it.
PPIs didn't agree with me either, and they have some awful side effects in the long term

I also drink kefir for the probiotics, and add ground flax and spices like cinnamon or nutmeg.

Some people argue that reflux is caused by having less stomach acid than needed. The stomach then struggles to digest anything and this causes bloating which forces excess acid up the oesophagus. I don’t remember the details exactly but they recommend supplements which support digestion rather than suppress acid. I’m talking off the top of my head though because it’s been a while since I researched it

I read this too.

You don't mention it, and maybe it's something you're careful about, but it's important to make sure you don't eat dinner too late so that you can stay upright for a few hours after the meal. Also, some people find that it's helpful to sleep on a raised type of pillow rather than a flatter one.

Probiotics! Xx

I think there is something to this, I am veggie and was having bad reflux but since I upped my protein intake things seem to be getting better. I think my stomach acid was weaker due to not having enough protein and now that I consume more approx. 100g a day I think my stomach acid is stronger and so less reflux.

I do a prescription for a PPI but I don't like to use them my GP told me they were the cause of my one time b12 deficiency and I since read that long term use of them is linked to the development of dementia.