I'm taking Nexium 40mg x 2 and Gaviscon x4 daily. How long before these symptoms subside? I'm fed up with reading negative responses regarding LPR.
Hi Julie,
How long have you been on your meds? If it is more than a month - I would say they are not working for you and you need to go back to your doctor. Have you had any other tests done like an endoscopy? With this they can see what damage there is or if there are any other causes. I've got reflux and a hernia - but I mainly get problems with my throat - I have cut out all the triggers listed for reflux - and that has been really difficult - as it has dramatically changed my lifestyle, but I am also fortunate that I am now on waiting list for fundoplication. LPR is not a nice thing to go through - and the only people who do understand are those who suffer from it themselves. It can drag you down - but there are options out there. First step is go back and see what else can be done.
Thanks Glennie, yes I've had a lot of investigations and finally a Nissens Fundoplication 18 months ago that sadly hasn't helped my symptoms. I can cope with everything except the feeling that something is stuck in my throat and the soreness. Was just wondering if anyone has had much success with Gaviscon Advance? Any suggestions are glady welcomed.
Hi Julie, I was told to take Pepcid AC and did so for 2 days. On the third say I woke up feeling horrible. Numbness is the hands and feet and lethargic. However, my LPR symptoms subsided within those two days. I never took medication again. However, from what I read it's important for the first 6-12 weeks to heal the esophagues. I have stuck to a strict low acid diet and follow the behavioral rules also. I believe the solution to acid reflux is the diet and behavioral changes. However, most people rather just take pills.
Hi Julie,
Gaviscon advance is very good - are you just taking the tablet form? I stopped using the tablets when the doctor said it wouldn't be strong enough! It is pretty disgusting to take - but does the job. Sorry to hear the fundoplication didn't work - could happen to me too! Have you been to see anyone about that?
Thanks abc1234, any advice is appreciated. My reflux and LPR was well controlled for the last few months with metoclopramide but then because of the severe side effects of long term use my consultant made me stop taking them. Ever since my symptoms have been awful especially my throat. I'm just hoping that the Gaviscon Advance and Nexium will help. The only thing that I've been eating that I shouldn't is chocolate, can that cause so many problems do you think?
Yes taking Gaviscon Advance liquid but it's difficult to time when to take it because it interacts with other medications. Have been back to the consultant and he seems to think that the Nissens op went well but I still have all the same symptoms so how can it have? I just want to feel well again as we all do. Mind you he wasn't treating LPR but Gastric Reflux. As I say I can cope with a lot but the sore throat really gets you down so any advice would be really, really appreciated.
Yes, chocolate and garlic are some of the worst for AR. I would buy the book named dropping acid it will be helpful.
So have you managed to control your reflux just with diet? Can I ask if you had the throat problems that I've got? I would do anything to get rid of this lump in my throat. I hadn't even heard of LPR until I started looking at the forums and I'm a nurse!
I had an off and on again sore throat for a long time until I was diagnosed. No lump though. For me the sore throat is my barometer of how clean my diet is. From what I have read (book mentioned) the diet needs to be lifelong. I don't take any meds.
Just wondered how restricted the diet is? Can you go out for meals and socialise and have a normal life? It's amazing that you're not on any Meds atall. What about natural remedies? I'm trying Probiotics, vit D and DGL liquorice but too early to tell if they're doing anything.
Normal life what's that 
. Yes going out to eat can be interesting. There are two places I trust and what they serve mostly fits the AR diet. I don't find probiotics has much of a benefit for AR for me, but I do consume it for other reasons. Vitamin D works incredibly well for me specifically Calcium Carbonate in pill form, but it's very constipating. I did not see/feel any benefit from DGL. I know it seems hard to believe I am not taking any meds, but once you get your diet down it's actually very simple.
Hi Julie
sadly I think chocolate is off the agenda as I only had four of those lovely Roche thingies over Xmas BUT what a shocking night. Brings everything back with a vengence. I use the Gaviscon tablets and liquid and agree that the taste is down right awful. The tablets are very good if you have a raw burning throat but when you are really crook they dont last right through the night. I am trying different brands of ginger chewables to try and get off Gaviscon forever. Not having a lot of luck as yet. The papaya ones I seem to be allergic too which is a shame. (Gives constricted throat). It would be great if a sticky topic could be started here on what we all use as "band-aids" to help us through the long, long nights.
Hi Julie,
I think you need to read up on pepsin. Apparently that can stay with you after you have sorted acid reflux - I was reading about someone who had problems with acid reflux, bile reflux and pepsin. Pepsin can stay in your system. Worth a try anyhow. I was reading what eveyone has been posting on here - I can't do chocolate - it relaxes your muscles and makes reflux more likely to happen. It's murder for me - as I love the stuff! I do have one saving grace though - my tablets have 'tainted' my tastebuds - and chocolates, cakes and cheese spread just taste like chemicals and I don't enjoy them. Still crave them though!!!!
Nice to hear from you Rex. Do you take prescription med or natural remedies? Have had such a bad flare- up and trying to calm things down. Am trying to eat low acid but it's not easy is it? It's so much better to hear from people with similar problems than doctors than have no idea what it's like. As I said before I went through the Nissens op and it's made no difference to my symptoms so it's down to me to sort myself out!
Hi Glennie 68, thank you for your comments. I've lost weight lately through having no appetite so have been eating chocolate to gain calories! I'll have to stop though because it really sets off my reflux. Hopefully the nexium will kick in soon. How do you get rid of pepsin then? I don't cough or have excess mucous just the problem throat which I'm desperate to sort out. Any suggestions?
Hi Julie,
I think I read of someone putting bicarbonate of soda into water to make it alkaline to help shift the pepsin - don't know if it works - kinda makes me think of old fashioned remedy for indigestion! There's such a lot of conflicting information - I guess you just have to try things! I've not had a brilliant day myself - and I can't figure out what has triggered my symptoms today! I've lost almost 2 stones in the last 4 months!
Hi Julie - I think support from fellow "sufferers" is better than anything any doctor can tell you. I go for natural wherever possible. I was really shocked after watching the Horizons documentary called the Pill Poppers. Have you seen it? I came away completely disallusioned as to the non scientific way drugs are actually "discovered". I was really interested in your comment on the Nissen. I think I would die of fear of choking as I cant even swallow a capsule! Makes it darn hard to correct low acid as you cant take it. On PPI's for years and got off them thanks to DGL but it just wont take me the last 10% of my journey. This seems pretty common with many of us despite our best efforts. Came across the latest natural cure yesterday - melatonin. Will give it a bash. Cant put up a link as it will probably get moderated out! Low acid diet seems to be very hit and miss.
Hi - try rinsing your mouth with a weak solution of bi-carb then spit it out. Neutralises pepsin the stuff that apparently causes the burning feeling.
Hi Rex, so gargling with bicarbonate of soda will help with a sore throat will it? My GP had never heard of " silent reflux", how can that be when a lot of people seem to have it? She said that my throat problems were caused by anxiety! No but they are definitely causing anxiety!,