Reflux - anyone have experience with reflux?

[BlackBucket]

I have some lower GI/bowel issues.

I likely had upper GI issues for some time. I used to experience pain easily in my chest after eating. Just kinda like a fullness feeling in my chest or the pipe that goes down into my stomach. I ignored it.

I got COVID this summer and I was left with a cough. My GP thinks reflux but it has to be investigated further. My GP asked for a stool sample but unfortunately I was unable to give it due to flying away for a week and then I got my period. So maybe later this week I might be able to continue with that.

I am having a terrible time sometimes with what is choking fits of coughing. When I keep on top of the meds I think it's not that bad but I had a good day yesterday where I didn't feel ill. I was busy and I forgot to take meds.

I was sick overnight and again this morning. It's so hard. I am exhausted. I had an interview this morning and I was so tired and I still have to go to work and I hate this so much.

I was in work yesterday and I rushed a meal.

I was eating breakfast this morning and I was hardly allowed to eat it and then it all came back up again. I'm hungry and tired and weak and sore.

Do other people get signed out of work with reflux - even for a week or two to try and help inflammation go down?

Saw a specialist for mine. He told me to buy Gaviscon ADVANCE. It has an extra ingredient in it to normal Gaviscon. That sorts me out. Expensive but only thing that works

Thank you, I will order some now.

I've had various gastric issues including gastritis and hiatus hernia. I think the latter causes reflux.
I've tried ppis but not keen on taking them long term. Agree with pp that gaviscon is your friend until you get a diagnosis.

I use nexium when mine is really bad. Other than that Gaviscon liquid.

Other thing that help me is losing a bit of weight and being aware of dietary things that cause a flare.

Apparently it can be menopause related?

I tend to get it a few days running and it keeps me awake (sometimes it takes ages to realise why) and emergency treatment for me often involves lying semi propped and waiting to fall asleep.

I had the same thing. Had a gastroscopy. Looked pretty okay. "It's just menopause." "You have IBS." "Take PPIs." Two years later - it's IBD. Finally got an answer.

I sympathise as I’ve suffered with it for a few years now - to the point of being hospitalised due to being unable to eat and genuinely feeling suicidal because of how horrendous I felt - even drinking water would burn awfully. I feel sick on pretty much a daily basis. I’m very slim, young, etc. I’ve had loads of tests and a barium swallow found a problem with the sphincter in my oesophagus which is likely causing the issue. Gaviscon advance is good, PPI’s can make my symptoms actually worse but they work for some people and I take anti-sickness tablets when needed. I think mine also gets worse with hormonal changes and always in the PMS week. I think people really underestimate how bad it can make you feel and the impact it can have!

I would heard of reflux before but I never really understood what it was.

Is this a lifelong condition?

Will further tests be needed?

My GP requested a stoop sample but I was unable to give it to date due to my schedule.

Does stress aggreviates this?

I had a problem for years with a busy schedule, time, rushing meals, eating standing up if I ate at all. When I was younger I had a worse diet but I changed a lot over the years. I might have depression now too since last year and I buy food a lot of the time and I just don't eat it. I am depressed too cook sometimes.

Would that have contributed to it?

Losing weight - easier said than done. I would love to but I dare anyone to walk a mile in my shoes. Sometimes my work gets too much and too demanding and long. My summer was intense with weeks of work and but the time I got off free I came down sick with COVID and got one week off. Then there was more balance to my days sometimes.

Once I get into next week my schedule is going to be hell til Xmas.

Yup - inability to swallow (occasionally, haven’t experienced for a while thank god, it was like the mechanism wasn’t working. Consultant told me that’s ’not a thing’ :-s)

Major indigestion

Had a gastroscopy at this point which found hiatus hernia. Then:

Mucous in stool (so sorry, tmi. Didn’t even know that was a thing though so mega freaked me out!)

Waking up with sore throat every morning

Omeprazole helped but apparently can’t be on it long term (I’m sure many are though!)

Cutting out gluten has been life changing honestly - coeliac/allergy tests came back fine, intolerances can’t be detected in bloods apparently so I can only assume I’m intolerant.

Edit - Double posted weirdly!

Also on bad days I take gaviscon advance last thing before bed, just a half dose. Does the trick.

My GP prescribed me Omeprazole 40 mg. I actually find the over the counter 20mg helps me too so I just stay with the lower dose. I don't know if what I am doing is right or wrong.

I've had pain down my pipe even with drinking water. Not so much lately but I definitely had it even this summer and long before COVID. Even eating meals. Just sore with the food going down.

I'm just so exhausted today. I'm in work but I really feel like fucking death. All I need is a sleep. My day is still not over. I am just so tired.

Yeah. I think once you find something that works for you, things will calm down and you will be able to manage better. Water won’t trigger you forever hopefully! It’s so miserable while you’re sorting it out 💐

The horrendous cough is a killer.

My issue now is that I can never keep on top of my meds. This is not intentional or on purpose. It's a busy schedule getting in the way. Like yesterday if felt reasonable well and I was so busy with work I just didn't take any of my meds. Now I am back to being ill and exhausted due to broken sleep.

There were times especially over the past few weeks I would be woken suddenly with a burning and sick at the back of my mouth/throat. That would make me wretch and cough and wake for hours and hours.