Lansoprazole experiences

[maeve84]

Hello! I’m just wondering how good people have found lansoprazole for acid reflux? My GP recently switched me from omeprazole after I saw her about a persistent tickly throat. The throat symptoms have not improved after 2 weeks of lansoprazole and additionally I’ve had 3 attacks of heartburn which I have very rarely suffered with before. I’ve also been having back and chest discomfort which comes and goes, this could be anxiety because I’ve got myself utterly convinced that I have cancer of the esophagus.

@XDownwiththissortofthingXis there generally a pharmacy own version of gaviscon advance though? The ingredients seem to differ slightly from the normal gaviscon

Acidex advance is very good. My GP prescribed it.

I am not keen on taking PPIs - I have osteoporosis- I don’t need PPIs making my bones even weaker. I quickly found my acid reflux triggers - wheat, chocolate and soy. My GP wouldn’t refer me via NHS - said the PPis worked and that was the problem solved - he wasn’t too bothered about my bones. I’ll have to go private for a referral.

I've tried the boots and tesco versions and they are absolutely rank. Like drinking medicine from the school nurse in 1986.

Gaviscon aniseed is all I can do. Mint makes me puke.

Hi OP. Had similar symptoms to you. Middle chest pain, tickly throat and cough after starting omeprazole for another condition. Prior to that had silent reflux without medication and doing fine.
Anyway, GP put me on Acidex, similar to Gaviscon. 4 times a day. Once after each meal when practical and just before bed. Total game changer! Hardly any cough, no tickle and most of all no pain in chest which was a relief as that was the worst part. It made me feel as if I couldn't breath fully although my oxygen levels were fine.

Hope you get it sorted soon. Bloody awful having it everyday. 💐

https://well.co.uk/well-heartburn-indigestion-oral-suspension-500ml-peppermint/

This stuff is what I use. Works no differently. All the Sodium Alginate stuff does exactly the same thing. They are all pretty foul consistency-wise because its not designed to be digested, rather form a barrier and prevent acid rising up, so its just a question of finding one you don't mind. This one is pretty much identical to the peppermint Gaviscon in terms of taste and texture.

Following this thread as I have similar symptoms and worries

@justasking111thanks, I’ll look this up.

@NextLevel2i I don’t want to be on them long term if I can help it. I don’t have osteoporosis but I’ve also ready about how bad they are for vitamin and mineral absorption so keen to avoid if I can. I can’t go private annoyingly as our new insurance (though DH work) is moritorium underwriting and this is considered a pre existing condition as I had omeprazole prescribed 2 years ago. I looked at a private consultation and could afford that, but I can’t afford the endoscopy so there seems little point.

@Moveyourbleedingarseall the liquids are awful. It’s the texture for me I think! The advance tablets are the best thing I’ve found so far. But they’re not cheap! Especially if I end up having 4 a day!

@Tinsofbeansill look in to that, it’s one I haven’t heard of. Have you had investigations as to the cause of your sudden symptoms? I think that’s my biggest concern that something awful is going on untreated.

@XDownwiththissortofthingXthanks, I’ll have a look at that one too.

@SnowFrogJellysorry you find yourself with the same worries. Have you been to the GP?

Try Pepto Bismol. I find it much more effective than Gaviscon.

@sequinpanties- what flavour is it? Although the gaviscon does seem to help when I have a full blown heartburn attack

This also works for me in relieving certain secondary symptoms, but it can't be used for more than two days at a time, and it's bloody expensive.

I buy it in the USA when I go - I have a gastric condition and it's one of the few things that helps.

Hmmm pink and a bit sweet. Aniseed makes me heave.

I think it's definitely worth trying to find your triggers. When I went off wheat - it was like night and day. I'll get mild symptoms with other foods - not enough to consider medication but wheat is just awful. I'm menopausal too - which is supposed to cause heart burn and HRT is supposed to cause heart burn in some women too - it's all very hard to reveal the culprits but it's worth putting some effort in.

It’s just so odd because 8 weeks ago I was fine. The odd heart burn here and there but nothing out of the ordinary. Then I got this cough and it’s spiralled from there

Why can't it be used for more than two days? @XDownwiththissortofthingX

It's toxic and intended for short-term usage only.

OP, that's difficult to answer. I originally had silent reflux. Initially took omeprazole years ago which made it worse so I came off it.

My recent change to actually having acid reflux on my chest started after restarting omeprazole which I've had to start taking for another condition. Whether its the new condition or the omeprazole that's caused I really don't know. A friend of mine started omeprazole, it made her reflux worse. As soon as she stopped it then the reflux stopped.

Tell your GP your worries, you may be worrying for nothing. It's easy to build it up in your mind. I know because I've done the same.

Hi OP I haven’t seen the GP yet as we have to wait 2 weeks for an appointment.. I’m going to try Gaviscon advance to see if it helps

Update from me. Had phone call from hospital offering a telephone appointment as I’ve been waiting since last March to be see. Had Gastro Consultant ring me, he said my symptoms coughing, reflux, upper chest tightness were classic GERD symptoms. He is referring me for an endoscopy, ultrasound of liver and blood tests. I am overweight, which he assured me if I could lose weight, as I am 64 and the fat is mainly in my stomach, I would feel a lot better. He told me to stop snacking, even healthy snacks, no food after 6pm only fluids and to try not to have breakfast, but try and have just 2 meals a day. I have cut down breakfast, not cut it out completely but I do feel better just having main meals. He said PPI’s would help short term, but he won’t prescribe them until I’ve had tests. He couldn’t tell me how long I am going to have to wait.

And update from me - back to a different GP this morning as I'm still have oesophageal pain and this one thinks after a course of PPIs if it's not resolved I need to be referred for further investigation. Isn't funny the last GP said there was no hope of getting a Gastro referral on the NHS.

@Tinsofbeansyoure right, I do need to speak to them and be honest about my worries. I just know I’ll cry and I hate being like that at the doctors!

@Lennonjinglesthat seems unfair not to try treating you while you’re waiting, what would be the harm. Great that you’re seeing improvements with lifestyle changes though.

@NextLevel2thats crazy that their opinions can differ so much! Glad you’ve found someone who will listen though and do a referral

I was prescribed Lansoprazole a number of years ago . Was told i was h-pylori positive . Had the treatment still symptomatic. Took Lansoprazole on and off for a number of years, im terrible at taking tablets but when symptomatic would take.it for another while.

Started to hear bad things about.long term use of PPIs.

I am overweight. Stopped eating anything 3 to 4 hours before bed. Lost gut weight. Get regular gastriscopies because we have a strong family history of Gastric Cancer. Consultant.unhappy when I wasnt taking PPI regularly. Have recently been taken off their regular screening. I was told previously I had Barrets Oesophagus...now apparently it has gone???!!! I will hasten to.add I am querying this. Have to wait to be seen by GI doc as I said the liklihood of this happening was nearly impossible.

Regarding symptoms much improved. I dont wear anything tight around my gut/stomach area....if i put in weight in my gut area I wear looser clothes until I get back in shape. I avoid bending forward too low , instead i bend at the knee instead. I avoid heavy meals. If I get symptomatic I take a Gaviscon Double Action.

This is maybe not for everyone but lifestyle changes can definitely help. Long term use of PPIs can be problematic. Research well and always consult with your doc as everyone is different.

I've managed to stop taking it. I use Gaviscon if I get acid. Eating less fatty foods has helped too. The studies linking long term PPI use to osteoporosis and dementia were quite motivating to make changes.

The problem I have is that I don’t have many changes I can make! I’ve stopped drinking caffeine, I don’t eat late, I’m not overweight , I’ve reduced down on chocolate/tomato/citrus (even though I’m not sure any of those are triggers). The only thing I haven't done is raise the head of my bed. Which I c can do, just waiting on dh to get me some blocks of wood. This tickle
in my throat is driving me up the wall though!