Acid reflux 24/7!

[Catatvet05]

I was on Amitriptyline for a round 6 months to sort my chest pain which would eventually ease acid reflux symptoms (supposedly); Unfortunately, I saw no difference aside from terrible adverse affects. I’m off it now. However, I’m still looking for a solution to resolve my functional heartburn, as it’s officially called (though I’m still finding out what else?)

Nothing seems to get rid of it, I’ve tried every medication and supplements you can think of including diets to ease my symptoms. It’s terrible, no matter what I try or do it’s coming up into my mouth - taste of acid.

The consultant after having a PH test (prior to that had an endoscopy) all tests confirmed it’s not gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. My GP says my symptoms is uncommon, which is annoying me because they can’t work it out.

The endoscopy did find Candidas and I was given medication twice over the course of over a year or so. It could be possible that it’s not for the right Candidas? Now I’m going to have a mouth swap and another stool test to confirm once again for any infections?

I had seen a “Hoslistic” specialist who quite frankly has had no idea and just assumed an infection in my throat. Gave me supplements which did nothing. Of course, tests couldn’t be carried out due to lockdown. Still, she requested my previous tests from my gp not specifically stating which tests? The lack of responses to my emails makes me believe she cannot help me and is out of her limited experience? I am currently on Alforex and Ester-C, and in between trying digestive enzymes, which is not doing much. I do suffer a little from IBS but I think actually my stomach lining has strengthen since trying many of the supplements for some time? My blood tests are all good. No allergies.

Anyone who has experienced acid reflux 24/7, and has had tests but still can’t work it out what it is? Consultants believe that the route caused is from anxiety? And Papers I’ve read about functional heartburn seems to kind of fit the problem? However, the Amitriptyline is the medication that is meant to have worked after 2-3 months? I’m wondering now should I try other medications but just not keen on it that idea.

If anyone has experienced this and what was done to resolve it?

Really looking for some clues?

Thank you 🙏🏼

[Natsteveo]

hi Catatvet05

I suffer with acid reflux and heartburn and I take lansoprazole 20mg they are very good also omaprazole is very good too ask your dr for one of these they do help alot it eases mine and my bloating

Hope this helps

Nat

[Catatvet05 in reply to Natsteveo]

Hello thank you for your response. Yes, these were the few first meds I tried. How long until your saw any results? The problem also is finding the route to the acid reflux- could be anything from bacteria to bowl or kidneys?

[Sillysausage234]

Helebactor pylori ?? Might be worth mentioning to your gp

[Catatvet05 in reply to Sillysausage234]

Yes I was tested back in 2018 and I will be retaking the test. Thank you

[Catatvet05 in reply to Sillysausage234]

Yep, got all my tests sent off today

[Sillysausage234 in reply to Catatvet05]

I had similar symptoms turned out to be that .....also had the candidiasis with taking lots of anti biotics ..hope you find out soon and. Get it treated

[Catatvet05 in reply to Sillysausage234]

Hello, I’ve now been confirmed the helebactor pylori. I wanted to ask, how many days until your saw a change in your symptoms? I’m on my fourth day of taking antibiotics but still the same; I’m still burping and having reflux issues.

[Sillysausage234 in reply to Catatvet05]

Hi glad you got sorted out....I think I had 2 different anti biotics clarithramycin and amoxicillin and it cleared up within in a week or so

[Catatvet05 in reply to Sillysausage234]

Mine hasn’t unfortunately. I was really hoping the antibiotics would resolve it, but nothing. I have to wait several weeks now to get tested again and if it’s still there to take another course of antibiotics. I’m hope so!

[Sloth99]

Omeperazole seems to be drug of choice for heartburn and acid reflux these days as per GP prescription.

[Catatvet05 in reply to Sloth99]

Not for me. Normally that is the case but it doesn’t resolve route to the issue

[anon2508 in reply to Catatvet05]

what meds have you been given ?

[Catatvet05 in reply to anon2508]

The list is endless! All types of reflux medication as I’ve said previously. I’ve tried Amitriptyline, Omeprazole, landoprazole, ranitidine, high street meds, antibiotics, all sorts of probiotics, supplements, body therapies (the cost was too much so I had to stop), some others that I cannot think of the names?

With yours, because you have hernia and ulcer it’s hard to treat. You can’t treat hernia, I don’t think? But with your ulcers I’m surprised it’s not worked for you - the meds designed for it?

How long have you tried each medication? You need at least 1-2 months to get results .

[anon2508 in reply to Catatvet05]

aw well more than 2 months? why cant you treat hernia? could that be what is causing me most problems?

[Catatvet05 in reply to anon2508]

For a few people I know who have it said they couldn’t due to area or something? Can’t specifically remember?

[anon2508 in reply to Sloth99]

is there anything else worth a try ?

[Catatvet05 in reply to anon2508]

Diet? It may help to ease your reflux not get rid of it, unfortunately.

[Catatvet05 in reply to anon2508]

Have you tried broth soup? I’m trying it myself at the moment. Give it 2 weeks. I had to dilute with water because fat can worsen my acid. Could try mastic gums? Noting worked for me but meant to be food for treating ulcers

[anon2508 in reply to Catatvet05]

i have indeed tried broth soup.but do you have a full diet plan or list of foods you advice to take and avoid? what are mastic gums???

[Hands_1]

Have you been given the 3 tablets that kill off a bug in the stomach. I had terrible pains that lasted for about three weeks. As others say I take lansoprozole every day and this has stopped the pain. The other med amatryp. is supposed to help the nerve endings in your body ie:aching legs. They also are not good for your heart, but you get a good nights sleep.

Sorry cannot help you.

[Catatvet05 in reply to Hands_1]

Yes I had quite bad pains but they have eased now. I think it’s about managing my stress levels and that is supposedly the route to symptoms, although I’m not completely convinced. I haven’t come across anyone who has had it? Thank you

[anon2508 in reply to Hands_1]

what are the 3 tablets ?

[Hands_1 in reply to anon2508]

Think they were antibiotics

[Catatvet05 in reply to Hands_1]

Yes although I only had 2 sets of antibiotics

[Catatvet05]

Wow!! Just got my tests results and after 2.6 years confirmed it’s Helico bacteria! Unbelievable considering the unnecessary treatments I have had! The Amitriptyline was the worst of it!

[Hands_1]

That is what I had. I asked you if they had given you the 3 tablets to kill the bacteria with a tail on. You may find later on that you need lanzsoprasole tablet for your stomach. Keep off the stuff that gives you wind.

[Catatvet05 in reply to Hands_1]

At the point when you asked me i didn’t know. On my last meds. Still got the same symptoms which is annoying but will give it a few days to see if it fades? I was hoping it would by now. I’m also using lanz twice a day at the same time, which is also doing nothing. How long until you stopped burping is really what I want to know. Let’s see. By the way what was your symptoms?

[Hands_1 in reply to Catatvet05]

I always had an upset stomach from the age of 16. When I got to my twenties the acid reflus was aweful, but as you know with kids you put off for yourself. Anyway when one lady doc saw how I had bad pains in my stomach are it was always from the stomach area even though the pains where all around my lower stomach. I used to have it so bad that only lying infront of the fire on my stomach helped. It reduced the gas a bit, but I had tree weeks of pain when it started. anyway this doc said you have a bug in your stomach with a tail on it. She gave me 3 pills which I think were penicillen type. and it didn't work straight away. I had a tube in my stomach twice which only proved to them that I had a red spot on my stomach so now I take lansoprozole. They are fantastic shifts the wind and now I only get a poorly stomach maybe once a year.

[Catatvet05 in reply to Hands_1]

I came of the antibiotics on Thursday and I’m still burping and have the same symptoms. The landoprazole is doing nothing to prevent the burping and all the reflux symptoms. I have to wait at least 6-8 weeks before I get tested again to see if it’s still there. Do you think the bug has been in your stomach for that many years? Who would have thought?! I’m just frustrated with it all and want to stop burping. When you say not straight away? Did the antibiotics eventually help or was it just the landoprazole? Yes I’ve had an endoscopy but nothing showed and neither did my first stool test! I either didn’t have it or was very unlucky it never showed up?!

[Hands_1]

Did you have 3 different tablets (antibiotics) not a weeks supply? It was luck that a new young doc had looked at how man times I had complained of pains in the lower left and right of my tummy. It did not as I remember have any effect, but the wind stopped when years later I was put on the lansoprazole. my wind isn't from burping. But it gets rid of the wind lol.

[Catatvet05]

The doctor only gave me a weeks’ supply, which I think is not ideal. I’ve had it for 3 years and have been complaining of burping and acid reflux issues, regardless of the previous results. I should of been on a longer treatment. They only gave me 2 antibiotics and landoprazole which now, after 30 days is irrating my stomach and Giving me more reflux issues. It seems antibiotics didn’t work for you?

[Catatvet05]

That’s awful. Have you had an endoscopy or ph test? If you had an ulcer you, did you get antibiotics to treat the infection that caused it? This is my worry, and the fact that it could quite possible be that the tests have missed out on what is actually wrong with me; whether I had the infection all along? Nothing has worked to get rid of my reflux. Yes I vomit too. Feel for you . NHS just too slow !

[Catatvet05]

I’m not actually sure? I think they work similar to lower the acid in your stomach? With the esomeprazole, I think it’s targeted specifically more for ulcers?

[Jeff1943]

Or to suggest the obvious (since you raise this issue on an anxiety forum) it could be anxiety. As Claire Weekes once wrote: " the stomach is the organ most sensitive to anxiety." And we all know how a sensitised nervous system can imitate real organic illness. Maybe this is why no solution has been found yet, you and your medics are treating this as if the cause is organic rather than a symptom of health anxiety.

If it was me I would suggest this to my doctor as a possibility and ask for a small once-only prescription of 5mg diazepam or xanax if you're an American. Then take one three times a day for 4 days and see if there is an improvement in the reflux. If there is then 'Bingo!' you know what the problem is caused by. It's only a suggestion.

[Catatvet05 in reply to Jeff1943]

I was on Amitriptyline for several months to treat chest pain caused from “stress” which meant ease the reflux symptoms over 2 months - it didn’t. Turns out I have bacteria infection in my stomach, which wasn’t detected at the start when I had a few other tests. Unless I was just really unfortunate (doctor put it) and it wasn’t seen then?

[Catatvet05]

It’s an bacteria infection in the stomach. I believe it’s tested using stool or mouth swap test?

[Catatvet05]

Ulcers and hernia can cause reflux symptoms and it’s hard to stop the symptoms with any medication. Your best chance would be to introduce a new diet. And maybe start yogo or meditation? Just to add, with ulcers it’s normally caused from bacteria infection? And it’s treated using antibiotics, which doesn’t always work. The doctor would also give you acid reflux medication during and after the antibiotic treatment to ease it. My uncle has the same symptoms; it’s been difficult for him to managed.

[Jeff1943]

I thought amitriptyline was more an anti-depressant than a tranquiliser, it increases the flow of happy hormones like serotonin. Diazepam works in a different way, it's a true tranquiliser, and gives immediate relief from anxiety. So although the amitriptyline didn't help your reflux (or the muscular tension in the chest, another common symptom of anxiety) I wouldn't entirely rule out the ability of diazepam to indicate whether this is anxiety related or not.

Can a bacteria infection in the stomach cause reflux? Never heard of that but if so a simple task to eradicate the bacteria with anti-biotics?

[Catatvet05 in reply to Jeff1943]

Yes. It can cause reflux symptoms such as burping , chest pains, stomach pain, fullness, etc. Anything I try immediately or after 20 days such as supplements and even reflux medication irritates my stomach including sugar, well most foods - it worsen my reflux symptoms. The bacteria feeds of sugar.

The doctor said it’s not an antidepressant as such more of a pain killer to treat your pain. It’s rubbish! Anything to try to “resolve“ the issue.

[Sillysausage234]

Hi ..mine was determined by a biopsy while having an endoscopy.....like catavet said it’s a bacteria ....untreated can cause stomach ulcers....omeprazole reduces the conditions in the gut this stuff thrives on ie highly acidic

[Catatvet05 in reply to Sillysausage234]

I’m not sure what on earth is going on with my stomach but I cannot tolerate anything including the reflux medication - I was put on Omeprazole and with in 20 days I got serious acid reflux issues. If it’s the bacteria working overdrive?!

I had an endoscopy and only showed Candidas. Really don’t understand what on earth is going on with my stomach because previous tests has shown in the past to be clear?

The bacteria is highly acidic? That explains why I keep tasting and burping up acid.but my ph test showed stomach acid is normal? Baffling.

[Sillysausage234 in reply to Catatvet05]

What was the anti biotics you had for pylori ?.....i think I had had it for ages untreated but everything did calm down after the 2 anti biotics......then same as you I got the candidiasis through the anti biotics 😅....similar symptoms stomach bubbling waking me up through the night

[Catatvet05 in reply to Sillysausage234]

I think I had the same antibiotics as you? Hasn’t worked! I’ve just completed the antibiotics nearly 2 weeks ago and nothing has calmed down, which is a shame. I just came off the Omeprazole because of the reaction i get as mentioned. Well, it could be that I’ve had it for years? The Candidas was detected two years ago but not after the antibiotics. I’m not even sure if I have it again? Contacted my doc on Tuesday so hopefully get some more answers about that and why I’ve still got my symptoms! 🤦🏻‍♀️

[Sillysausage234 in reply to Catatvet05]

One thing I’ve learned along the way you have to keep on complaining about stuff until you get the all clear ....hopefully.......my reflux was diagnosed by a camera up my nose into my throat by ear nose throat people said my mucus lining was scarred with reflux......then I think you become susceptible to all this freaky stuff 😃......keep going back until you get answers.....coffee is bad for spasms in the esophogus for me

[Catatvet05 in reply to Sillysausage234]

I’ve been going back and forth for 3 years! Because I’ve had a PH test, I’m not quite sure they will do more? They keep saying we have covered all tests needed! I’ve never had a camera (yet) up my nose apart from tubes to test my acid levels in my stomach. Seems you been through the mill as well! NHS is really under service.

[Catatvet05 in reply to Sillysausage234]

I wanted to ask. Was your reflux symptoms caused from the infection or before?

[Sillysausage234 in reply to Catatvet05]

Think by the time I got to a doctor the pylori had got itself quite comfy in all the excess acid.....I only knew was there when I had pain from an ulcer hence the endoscopy and biopsy

[Catatvet05 in reply to Sillysausage234]

Oh wow, ulcer? How long you had it for? That’s worry me because if I’ve had it for 3 years then maybe I’ve developed an ulcer? But I don’t have pain, really. It’s just a case of really bad burping and acid coming especially when I lay down. Anything I eat just comes back up. I taste alot of acid! Which is annoying because of my ph is good!

[anon2508 in reply to Catatvet05]

you sound very similar to me.and it has been a few years now i have been battling with it aswell.

[Catatvet05 in reply to anon2508]

It’s strange - no one can figure out what it is? But with mine...it could be a case of they missed the diagnosis? You just need to keep talking with your doctor as I do. They ask now what do you want to do but you will need tests to determine the next step, I.e to get an endoscopy. I do feel for you - fed up with it all myself.

[anon2508 in reply to Sillysausage234]

mate what is pylori ?

[Catatvet05 in reply to anon2508]

Bacteria infection

[anon2508 in reply to Catatvet05]

different from heliobacter ? not sure if thats correct spelling.

[anon2508 in reply to Catatvet05]

what is reflux medication ? and what is candidas ?

[Catatvet05 in reply to anon2508]

Yeast infection can be caused from steroid medication (asthma pumps) and antibiotics, high sugar diets, etc. Omeprazole is one example of acid reflux medication.

[anon2508 in reply to Sillysausage234]

been on esomeprazole for ages.my dosage was doubled and also added in sucralfate aswell as peptac liquid.still i am regurgetating bolking n vomiting quite a lot.

[Sillysausage234 in reply to anon2508]

What’s the diagnosis they have given you ?

[anon2508 in reply to Sillysausage234]

was diagnosed with ulcers hiatus hernia etc a while ago.been on these meds for ages.sucralfate only added recently.to give it a coupla month and see how it goes.if still bad be back in again more tests etc i assume.

[Catatvet05 in reply to anon2508]

It’s a tricky one. Sound similar to my uncle who has same symptoms. His burping seemed to have calmed down since taking Antibiotics? But is on sane meds as you because he throws up.

[Catatvet05 in reply to anon2508]

How long have you been using each medication? Seems you are trying a lot at once? Medication normally kicks in after at least 1 -2 months - 6 months is efficient time.

[anon2508 in reply to Catatvet05]

been on esomeprazole for ages.dosage doubled not too long ago, and sucralfate added also.told to give it a coupla month n see how i am.

[Catatvet05]

From what I’ve been told, eliminating wheat, eating greens, etc. I’ve cut out meat because it gives me serious reflux issues. And not fry food! Try lemon palm tea - I’ve just tried it. It’s meant to be very good for calming the nerve.

Medication from what I’ve been told helps to ease the body from stress and should help with symptoms? Hasn’t for me as much, but has for some one I know who has hernia. Takes about a year of so, lots of therapy, etc.

It’s about trying out and see what works for you?

[Jeff1943]

I'm no doctor but in your shoes I'd take 3 x 5mg a day for 5 days as an experiment. But do talk it through with your doctor.

[Catatvet05]

I’ve never taken diazepam. The doctor has asked me a few times to take medication for anxiety- rather not