Has anyone here developed acid reflux ow that they are in perimenopause? The only time in my lofe I ever experienced heartburn or acid coming up in my throat was when I was pregnant but as soon as I turned 46 (now I am 47) I started getting heart burn close to the time I would menstruate and now in the last month it is constant. Anyone else experience this and if so do you have any suggestions on how to cope. I have tried 3 meds: pepcid and zantac did not help at all and omeprazole caused some very scary side effects like debilitating panic, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath.
hi sarah, yes GERD and gi issues was one of my first clues in the peri mystery. I went to the hospital 2x with raging heart palps, chest pain, pressure, sweating…only to find out it was that. I tried meds, but they never agreed me.
I have managed it well by…stopping all eating 3 hrs before bed, elevate your head a little at night, I do not drink caffeine, alcohol or carbonated ( rarely ever did prior), no spicy foods, no overeating, mindful of fried foods especially at dinner, I take a shot of the chaulky mylanta antacid on a bad day. I get migraines, so most of these things are a no-no anyways.
hi sarah! ive had it only a few times, but rolaids help me. my husband used to have it real bad.. all the time..he was popping tums left and right… he cut out all grain, watched his carbs and cut out sugar (except small amount of dark chocolate) he started this way of eating last february and he hasnt had to take any meds for heartburn since (and he lost weight) …
my dad has it too but he takes gaviscon.. and that seems to help him lots (dad didnt change his diet at all… he loves his hot peppers 
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hope some of this info can help you feel better!!! hugs!!!
oh yah i have it all the time now ! any one else have a constant sore throat from it
hi sue! When it first hit, yes…but I thought it was allergies, etc. funny too, I have had strep throat twice in the summer…never had before in my life…probably cannot blame reflux for that…but peri surely is to blame… good times!
right .. great times lol
my throat and tongue hurt all the time now because of the acid then my anxiiety kicks up because of it .. really super great times
Yes - this was one of my first symptoms and it still plagues me. I do my best to manage it with OTC remedies (herbal). I take a capsule mix of marshmallow, dried aloe vera, and slippery elm 2-3 times a day between meals. I find it does help.
I also chew DGL tabs when I feel it coming on and rising up into my throat.
My last resort if it is very bad is to take Zantac 75 with Gaviscon. I do find Zantac helps me. I also reacted poorly to omeprazole as well as Pepcid. Omeprezole actually gave me stomach pain and the Pepcid makes my heart race . Zantac doesn’t bother me.
For what it’s worth, I have read recently that melatonin has been very beneficial for people suffering acid reflux. There have been several studies about it. The only issue I have is that the dosage was too high for me to tolerate - 6 mg. I do take melatonin occasionally but only 1 mg. If I take a higher dosage it makes me feel unsteady when I get up the next day or in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.
Hope this info helps!
Hi I have acid reflux really bad I went into a and e last week as I was in alot of pain. Had it for a few years but got worse since going through menopause. I’m on omeprazol now. It’s awfull isn’t it hun.. I’m on citalopram for anxiety which helps I also get palpitations which really scare me. Have you tried lansoprazol I was on that but it didn’t help me but might be different for you x
hi sarah - yep! been there done that - ER a few times thinking i was having a heart attack - Everything LOU has suggested really works, in addition start eating fermented foods like sauerkraut, kefir, kimchee, kombacha - your body needs more acid not less - try to wean yourself off those antacid Rxs, they are not good for you - try eating papaya enzemes and fresh parsley & fresh ginger - i have friends who swear by taking a shot of apple cider vinegar everyday really helps -
I have been extremely sensitive to antacids and ppis so I have no idea what to do. The heart palpitations terrify me too. Benn going to doctor getting test after test and nothing is showing up except him saying I probably have ibs and an ulcer/gerd/gastritis. But this all came in suddenly and when I google digestive issues I found articles that talked about perimenopause and I have felt I have been in that phase for at least a couple yrs. This hormonal transition is really awful and all the meds the doc gives me to deal I have bad reactions to 
YES! Every sensation I get, the stomach or chest burn, radiating into ribs and back, etc… Sets off my anxiety and makes it so much worse. I took a trazedone last night and it stopped the burning so I am not sure which burn is acid reflux and which is me having an anxiety attack.
I am in the phase of trying major lifestyle changes. These symptoms freak me out. The heart palps are horrifying.
I agree about the heart palps…I was admitted to the hospital twice…my dad died at 42 of a heart attack…so I was freaking out. the second time, I was there 3 nights for observation…ran several tests and heart work ups…even a heart cath…which sucked. My heart is tip top.
They put me on a beta blocker for the heart palps and a ppi for the acid. The ppi gave me terrible bathroom problems…the beta blocker lowered my blood pressure too much ( I run low anyway). No thanks to both those meds for me!
me
hi sarah - try taking magnesium to help with your heart palps -
Hi Sarah, Yes, changing hormones relax the lower esophageal sphincter so this is very common. I have been dealing with it for a year. I get lump in throat, sternum pain and pressure, pain in back, pain in chest, excessive burping, the works. I do take Prevacid which I think is milder than omeprazole, but I do not think it has helped much. I had an endoscopy and an ENT exam and everything looked fine, so it’s good to know one can have these symptoms even long term and there may still not be any worrisome damage. I recommend Gaviscon Advance liquid from the UK which is available in the US from Amazon. It is a very different formulation from the US Gaviscon and works much better. Take 2 teaspoons at bedtime. I sometimes take 2 more in the middle of the night. Do not eat or drink anything after taking it, so make it the very last thing you do. The mint flavor bothered me but the aniseed is fine. It tastes terrible at first but by the second dose I was fine with it. That and sleeping on an incline helped a lot. It also helps not to sit on a soft couch or bend over for awhile after eating-- even to load dishwasher etc. Also liquids are a big thing for me. Cold water is a big reflux trigger. I only drink warm water and not immediately after or during meals. That makes a huge difference and is rarely talked about. Also in addition to spicy food, chocolate, soda, fried food, it is good to avoid overly acidic foods like salad dressings. I just use olive oil now. Giving up caffeine and alcohol has been a huge drag, but I got used to it and I have to say it has heped hugely with other symptoms like poor sleep, palpitations, and hot flashes. It’s worth trying for awhile if you can stand it.
Hi Sarah
Have you or any of the ladies on here ever tried Acupuncture to relieve symptoms?
I have been having Acupuncture for 12 years and originally (ironically) it was for my periods which he sorted within 6 months when I was 31 (after struggling with them from the age of about 14). He now treats my peri menopause symptoms, of which I have about 19 of them, and I know if I didn’t have this amazing treatment I would be in a much worse state!
hi nicky, yes, from 2015-2017 I did it weekely, then, every other week for tension headaches and neck pain. At $80 per session…did not do much of anything for me…except a quiet rest. She also did cupping for my tight neck muscles. Did nothing but hurt and leave huge bruises afterwards. I now have migraines since peri. Glad it is working for you…I have heard it can help so e people.
Thank you Jen and everyone else for the helpful tips and advice. I will try your suggestions. I am also dealing with IBS so this has been a real downer
Thank you Pam!