Doing trial and error with acid suppressants. None of them seem to help, as I’ve said in a previous post. Trying Lansoprazole 15mg. All I have had up to now is bad nausea, sore dry throat and sore tongue. Last night I had terrible burning in the gullet down to my stomach after I took my bedtime Gaviscon Advance. Woke at 3am with bad pain just below sternum and spasming in chest. Doctor suggests taking this twice a day now. I am feeling worried about this as I dont think I could cope with anymore. This has been going on for three years plus and I am not coping
Can anyone relate to this please?
Never had that problem and have been taking PPI’s and gaviscon for twenty years. The only PPI problem was that certain ones made me start growing boobs:-)
I did at one time take Manuka honey before meals to put a protective coating on my gullet. While it helped it made my doctor ask how long I had been diabetic so I had to stop it.
Have you had an endoscopy or a barium meal X-Ray to see what is happening down there as you may have a hiatus hernia.
it could be that you haven’t got enough acid in your stomach? or your taking the wrong PPI have you tried different ones but they all come with there own side affects
Bless you for replying Gillian. I did wonder if it was that since I’ve got dryness everywhere else but GP said very rare and they found gastritis after endoscopy number 5. I am just feeling so sorry for myself. My gastroenterologist said he didn’t think this was an acid problem but that a manometry was needed to be sure. I just feel so poorly every time I"m on tablets. Don"t have any stomach issues normally except the odd bit of heartburn but once I take tablets I get loads of digestive problems and burning stomach. I’ve retried Lansoprasole because I am a bit scared of trying anything new during the present situation. My GP doesn’t seem to believe in rebound but I’m sure that underdosing on Ranitidine gave me gastritis. The Gaviscon has always been a great medicine for me and now that’s burning too. Seen so many doctors and some have said they can’t help me which makes me think that my life is this from now on. Sorry to moan on. I expect you’ve got all your own worries to think about. How do you cope day to day? Is it just bland diet and Lansoprazole? Are your symptoms in your stomach and throat or just stomach? Have you any tips that work? Love to hear how you manage
have you had an endescopy? if so, what was outcome?
Hi, Joseph, thanks for replying. Yes I’ve had a few. Mostly normal but biopsies showed " mild reflux changes" which scared me but the consultant did not seem at all concerned and was happy for me to manage things with Gaviscon Advance and diet after a disastrous trial with Esomeprazole. How about you? Do you suffer with this too?
Strange several of the posts show as “Edited” I don’t think we have that option so has the moderator made a small change to them ? Have never noticed this before .
well yes I have to live with a bland diet and I’m also having throat and chest burning I cant take Gaviscon now it burns even more I can not understand it because I’ve used it for years and it was the only thing I took for years before glad to take the dreaded PPI medication I’ve had endoscopy done 3 times and the only thing that as ever been found is damage the acid as done been told its stress .
Hi, derek, thank you for replying and bringing a smile to my lips at the thought of your bosom! You sound like you know what you’re talking about when it comes to acid suppression 20 years! Which ppis did you find the most useful and did you never have any side effects? I really do not know why I react to them like I do. They’ve said it could be acid, or non erosive reflux or just hypersensitive gullet which requires a completely different treatment. Had gastroscopies last one 2019 January but last barium was 2007 so another one might be in order as I get stuff spasming into throat. No answers why or what I’ve got though. ENT saw inflammation in throat and said LPR, another gastro said dysmotility and GP doesnt know what to do. I managed for ages just with Advance and low acid diet. Throat is awful now and I have to liquidise food a lot of the time. Digestion usually good except when I try to suppress acid then I get burning. All my family and friends who have indigestion swear by the ppis I think they think I am making up what happens! I admit that I am extremely anxious about medication after so many making me so ill. Sorry to hear about your honey episode that seems popular if a bit pricey. How about you? Have you a hernia? Are your symptoms totally controlled now? I read such horror stories about ppis and how once you are on them it’s impossible to get off them that this fuels anxiety, I think. I did hear of a product in the States which is like a totally natural mint chocolate Gaviscon! Best wishes
Think my phone froze halfway through a reply?
This may be a little basic but do you make sure to sleep on your left side and not eat anything for 2 hours before bed. I find even tums once i’m going to bed is counterproductive. So maybe look at the timing on your Gaviscon. I’ve even broken down to raising the top of the bed 3 inches. All have helped not eating for 2 hours biggest help. Some of my reflux comes from sinuses draining that adds to throat pain I think. Raising bed has helped. Try not to lose hope. I find when the pain and acid get bad I become more agitated which adds to everything. Vicious cycle. Good Luck.
Thanks, Gillian. I am so sorry you’re having to deal with awful symptoms too. You sound to have had a very similar experience to me. It’s very isolating when everyone I know seems to get on really well with their medication and have some sort of a life. Anxiety makes it all worse but I don’t know how you can’t be anxious when you feel so poorly and it’s hard to swallow, you see the weight dropping off and every medicine seems to make it worse. It’s lovely to talk to someone who knows what it’s like. If I get any answers or find a way of getting Gaviscon down again I shall let you know. Glad the Lanso is helping you though. I’ve only taken 5 and already Iam feeling terrified. Throat and regurgitation just as bad but now I can feel acid and pressure and heat in chest at about teatime and on waking which was never there before. Feel they’re giving me more acid? Almost feel addicted to them. Scared to take them and scared not to. What a mess. Hope things get better for you.
Thanks for your reply, Jaisa. You sound to have the same symptoms and experiences as me. Done all lifestyle and diet changes and waiting for manometry. I’ll admit that I am losing all hope which is selfish and ungrateful considering what some people have to go through. Sleeping sitting up doesn’t seem to make any difference even. Basically I am terrified of medication due to bad experiences. Never notice improvements because I am scared of becoming hooked on something which is giving me bad side effects. Don’t feel in control on ppis as they seem very powerful and I’ve read so much about how people suffer rebound and all the negative things that it makes anxiety worse. I wish they did a guide on what you might feel like day to day on them but I suppose everyone is different. It’s hard for me because I have had 2 consultants say they don’t think this is acid related and yet my endoscopy histology showed minor reflux changes and ENT saw inflammation around larynx. Thank you for your reply it really helps to know I’m not the only one. Have you found a good medication for you?
yeah, taking proton pump inhibitors the past few years after several endescopys diagnosed GERD and barretts oesaphagus. in due for another endescopy later this year just to keep an eye on things. i do suffer with reflux and regurgitation after eating and obviously dont go out much to a restaurant or dine out with family or friends as it takes so long for food to digest. can be very frustrating at times.
I was on Omeprazole for 10 years. I’ve managed to get that down to 10 mg from 40. I’ve supplemented with Rinitidine which helps somewhat. I think Omeprazole is ok short term. Some people need time for things to heal. But, no one should just be left on it for years. It is so hard to get off of. And long time use definitely causes problems you don’t expect like anemia and b12 deficiency. I haven"t had the experience of anxiety on Omeprazole but I’ve heard people do. I know its scary having that kind of reaction. Do your testing . If you do try another med. you aren’t going into it the same way. You know your baseline and you can shut it down if you feel “off” And by all means don’t just stay on it indefinitely if helps. Let me know how test goes. Best-j
Hi, Joseph so sorry you too are having a rough time. It involves such a lot of lifestyle changes doesn’t it and that’s what adds to the anxiety not to mention the awful symptoms and trial and error of medications none of which seem to work. Maybe I just don’t give them long enough. GP has told me to stop taking the latest one as it meant spending most of the day in the bathroom if you see what I mean. So now I shall live in dread of rebound and wonder what to do next. I was only on them 5 days but I’ve been here before. Glad they are keeping an eye on you though. Which ppi did you find the best for you? Do you bother with a special diet or does it not make a lot of difference? The regurgitation isn’t much fun always freaks me out. Hope you are managing ok. All the best
Thanks, Jaisa - I’m glad that Omeprazole and Ranitidine have helped you. You’ve done well to reduce the dose so substantially . My GP has told me to come off Lansoprazole today after I could not keep out of the bathroom if you see what I mean! I shall keep trying stuff and hopefully find a way to cope. It seems to be a trade off - put up with side effects in the hope the throat will heal or go the natural route and put up with good digestion but permanent sore throat and swallowing difficulties. Feel I give up too soon due to panic. Hope all is well with you.
thank you I hope your symptoms get better and you find a suitable medication it’s a horrible condition to have to live with either and I think more investigating should be done for this illness because there are do many people that have to suffer with no real effective meds to eliminate the condition and why we get it in the first place when you see other people eating what ever they like and have no problems with digestive issues.
You are exactly right, Gillian. I am in a right mess. GP told me to stop tablets cold Turkey as they were making me so ill. He didn’t think I would suffer rebound after 5 doses. This morning I am in agony, can’t even eat for the burning. So scared. I always get it wrong. They seem such powerful drugs. 15 mg seemed to give me more acid than when on nothing. First suggestion was to double but then they said to come off. Only thing they could do was try yet another ppi or an antidepressant. Have you ever had this or were you sensible enough to stay on the tablets. I feel I might end up in a and e today and I’m scared of going. Sorry for moaning.
Have they ever put you on a steroid considering your suffering inflammation in your throat? Wouldn’t be something you would want to stay on but just curious.