Advice please

[sarahjane12]

Evening all hope everyone doing ok I’ve just been diagnosed with acid reflux my doctor has gave me omeprazole 20mg anyone on them and could give me advice as I haven’t taking one yet thanks 👌

[PMRPete]

"It's usual to take omeprazole once a day, first thing in the morning. It doesn't upset the stomach so you can take it with or without food.

If you take omeprazole twice a day, take one dose in the morning and one dose in the evening."

beta.nhs.uk/medicines/omepr...

[sarahjane12 in reply to PMRPete]

Thank you PMRpete it’s just one table once a day

[PMRPete in reply to sarahjane12]

They give me terrible wind!

[sarahjane12 in reply to PMRPete]

Awwww do they how long do they take to work my throat feels like it’s on fire

[PMRPete in reply to sarahjane12]

Mine were for Barrett's and took about 7 days to become really effective. They also reduced my asthma considerably.

I have taken them for over 3 years now.

[sarahjane12 in reply to PMRPete]

Awwwww thanks for advice PMRpete much appreciated

[reetm]

Be careful with that tablet, if you get a metallic taste go back to docs and ask for Lansoprazole. That is what I am taking currently. Also in the evenings I have been taking Gaviscon which has helped me tremendously so that I don't get the acid taste whilst I am sleeping. Look at your diet, eliminate food which may not be good and try and not to be late in the evenings. I wish you all the best and hope you get it in control xx

[sarahjane12 in reply to reetm]

Thanks reetm for advice am going to start it tomorrow see how I get on with it me acid reflux only started like 3 weeks ago everythink am eating has kicked it off started my diet Monday so hopefully it will calm down with healthy eating x

[PMRPete in reply to sarahjane12]

I was told to take my first one immediately!

[sarahjane12 in reply to PMRPete]

I’ve only just got them from chemist I was gonna start first thing x

[sarahjane12 in reply to reetm]

I also have them lansoprazole 30mg I got them when I was in hospital in November cuz I was taking steroids at the time do u think there better than the others reetm

[reetm in reply to sarahjane12]

It really depends what your body says Sarah, see how you get on but know you have options that will also help you. Good luck x

[QuietChest3]

Very common for asthmatics. Should be taken in the morning before food✅

[selyab]

Hi I take them I,ve just had a trans nasal gastroscopy to make sure it's only acid reflux and that's came back fine take your medication as prescribed you,ll find a big difference they work,i might be on them for life once I see my GP

[sarahjane12 in reply to selyab]

Awwww thanks for advice selyab am going to have one now 👌

[Weejenny]

I've just been diagnosed too in the last couple of weeks I've got ranitidine to take twice daily and gaviscon. I've asthma too I didn't know they could be connected just read that above. I've had a bad cold for a month now and cough getting worse I've got docs this afternoon I'm just getting my head round all of this and losing weight 😕😛 hope you get on ok Jen

[sarahjane12 in reply to Weejenny]

Thanks jen hope your feeling better soon I only got diagnosed with asthma in November am 40 years old and I’ve just got the reflux aswell now not good am full of cold to change of weather

[Lizziep25]

I have acid reflux as a direct result of asthma it's the inhalers that cause it they relax the sphincter at the top of your stomach I found proton pump inhibitors made matters worse they cause your digestive system to slow to a crawl which causes food to hang around and ferment in your gut giving more gas and causing back pressure and more reflux. Did you know that constipation causes reflux I have cured my reflux by eating more fibre & drinking more water keeping my bowels open, taking Gaviscon and sleeping on a wedge so that the acid can't rise into my throat at night. I also eat little and often, I recommend the book "Good Gut Healing" by Kathryn Marsden available on Amazon. Proton pump inhibitors were never meant to taken long term as they prevent your gut absorbing calcium leading to osteoporosis and when you stop taking them the acid reflux gets worse. I also take probiotic capsules which restores the correct flora in your gut as the steroids can cause candida. We asthmatics need to look at our symptoms holistically and not rely on the pill pushers as the NHS doesn't have time to treat us holistically all prescription medicines have undesirable side effects they help one problem but cause others. Hope my advice helps.

[sarahjane12 in reply to Lizziep25]

Awwww thank you lizziep25 for advice much appreciated I had an idea it could be inhalers x

[Hidden]

Sarahjane12, I've had bad reflux issues in the past. I still get them, but they are much improved.

Like you, originally I was put on omeprazole - and it caused chaos. I have quite a tricky bowel and have a very long history of problems with constipation (right back into very early childhood and I'm now in my 50s) so I have to make sure I eat a good amount of fibre daily. The omeprazole bunged me up good and proper. I was switched to Lansoprazole (which was much better) so if you have problems there are alternatives.

My problems with constipation did not cause my reflux. The reflux began when I was in my late 40s. There is still some discussion as to why I suddenly began to have problems: I have my theory, I have yet to convince my consultant. It certainly wasn't down to the inhalers; by the time I started refluxing I'd been on inhalers for nearly forty years, twenty of which involved steroid inhalers. Nor am I overweight (another common cause), nor have I have ever smoked. However, I do have slightly slack collagen (three years ago I was diagnosed with Joint Hypermobility Syndrome), and in my late forties I was entering the perimenopause stage: hormonal fluctuations are known to have an impact on collagen. My own theory is that my reflux issues were caused by the impact of the hormonal swings on collagen that was already a little too stretchy. As I said, I've yet to convince my consultant:-).

I confess I'm not keen on PPIs, mostly because of the rebound that can occur when you come off them. They work, as Lizziep said, by reducing the amount of stomach acid you produce. That's fine, until you come off them, when all of a sudden your stomach, which has got used to not having as much acid, suddenly has to cope with a swift re-introduction of the stuff. If you do come off them, ask for advice on how to wean yourself off them. Some people don't have too much of a problem - I certainly did.

So how am I now? We'll firstly, I am now through the menopause, so if my theory is correct, things should be improving - and yes they are!!! It's not perfect, but it's a lot better. I now cope with one teaspoon of Gaviscon Advance Suspension taken just before I go to bed and for the vast majority of the time, that's it. If I need a booster during the day due to problems,, I can use the same medication if I'm at home, and the tablet version if I'm out (I keep a pack tucked in my bag). It's taken a while to get there, and I had to reduce (or eliminate entirely) certain foods from my diet. I'm careful about how much I eat - eating too big a meal is asking for trouble. I also sleep in a bed which has the head end raised by about five inches (which helps to keep any stomach contents where they belong during the night - gravity is a wonderful thing:-)). I am careful about when I eat (main meal at midday 99% of days) and I don't eat anything for a good three or four hours before bedtime (the emptier the stomach is before going to bed the better).

Will I get back to how I was before it all started? I doubt it. Ageing can be a factor, and that sphincter muscle at the top of the stomach doesn't always work as efficiently as it used to as we get older (although inevitably there is some variation and some individuals will be affected more than others). That said, things are so much better now that I have actually been able to re-introduce some foods that I haven't been able to eat for four plus years, albeit in limited amounts. Sadly caffeine (and that includes chocolate, unless it's white chocolate), tannin (bye bye red wine and tea), spicy food and very acidic fruits are still on the 'no' list.

Sorry this is so long, but hopefully you'll find something of use there.

[sarahjane12]

Thanks for advice maggieHP am also just started going through perimenopause myself am 41 had all test and positive only been on my inhalers since November when diagnosed with asthma fostair ventolin and montelukast could all have somethink to do with perimenopause am also suffer with lots of allergies x

[Lizziep25]

Hi Sarahjane

I agree with most of Maggie's advice however I didn't develop asthma until after the menopause in my mid fifties the acid reflux appeared after I started the inhalers. After trying several different preventers which gave me thrush in the throat I now take Pulmicort dry powder inhaler and salbutamol (blue inhaler) , I suspect my asthma was caused by Sjorgrens Syndrome the major symptoms are dryness of the mucous membranes, dry mouth little saliva, dry eyes, dry nose, it never runs, etc. I have a dry cough, other symptoms are joint pain, extreme tiredness, allergies and increased side affects to prescription meds I was diagnosed with Sjorgrens in my late fifties but looking back I think it came on in my forties. Like Maggie I have cut out acidic foods, chocolate, spicy food, fried food, caffeine, tomatoes and cut down on milk which has lactic acid. I eat smaller portions have lost weight nearly four stone I weigh 10 st and still need to lose weight from my middle I am also trying to tone my abs as that will strengthen my diaphragm and help prevent reflux. I take Gaviscon advance liquid before bed and use the tabs in the day it's effective and gentler than the proton pump inhibitors I used to take ranitadine and an antihistamine but have stopped these as they exacerbate reflux the antihistamine relaxes the sphincter and both of them dry your mucous membranes. Reflux can actually be caused by reduced digestive enzymes so I take a Bromelaine capsule before meals. I really recommend the book I mentioned in my earlier post it has really helped me to understand my digestive system and helped so much I have gone from intense chest pain and a really upset gut to feeling wonderful like a young woman again after a week of following Kathryn Marsdens advice, I'm 62. I'm sorry this post is so lengthy but I hope it helps you, every asthmatic is different but non of us can stop our inhalers we have to learn how to cope with the side effects, do our research and keep carrying on hopefully, things do improve. All the best Lizzie

[sarahjane12 in reply to Lizziep25]

Awwww thanks lizziep25 am gonna keep your advice in mind got a terrible cough at the moment can you get a bad cough with reflux

[Lizziep25 in reply to sarahjane12]

Yes you can but obviously also with asthma, the acid coming up may irritate your airways and you can inhale small amounts of acid some doctors think that acid reflux can cause asthma

[Hidden in reply to Lizziep25]

Lizziep,

Oral thrush is a common side effect of taking steroid inhalers. Did you have an effective rinsing out technique that you used after taking your inhalers?

Sjogrens is an autoimmune disease which in women usually develops between the ages of forty to sixty. I have been tested for that recently (blood tests came back normal but apparently they carry quite a high false negative rate). I was referred after I was found to have very, very dry eyes and also reported waking with a dry mouth at night. I now use sugar free chewing gum after every meal I eat (for twenty minutes, chewing gum increases saliva production) and have found that that has made a difference, particularly with the digestion of bread, which had been causing a problem. Given that my asthma has been around since I was three, there is no way that Sjogren's has caused it even if I had been diagnosed with it earlier this year. I did ask my consultant whether there was any chance that the dryness I was experiencing might be connected to the stomach issues I've been having and was told it was unlikely. One of his arguments was that if the two were connected he would have expected to see many, many cases of sjogren's sufferers coming through his door over the years having been referred to him by the rheumatologists. The reality is that that hasn't happened.

I'm curious to know why you think strengthening your abs will help to prevent reflux. The problem with reflux stems from the sphincter muscle at the top of the stomach not closing effectively and that has nothing to do with your abs as far as I'm. Excessive weight, however, is known to cause issues.

I agree with you that Gaviscon is gentler, but it's also less effective for some reflux sufferers. I learned that the hard way when I refused PPIs during one rather bad time and took Gaviscon instead. On that occasion it did take PPIs (a month's course of Lansoprazole) to calm it down. As I said, things have improved since then which is why I am now able to cope with just Gaviscon.

[Lizziep25 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Maggie

Yes my rinsing technique is spot on, I'm fed up with hearing my rinsing method must be wrong from the medics they bang on about it because it must be your fault and not the medication it's well known that steroids give you thrush I take fluconazole on a regular basis. As I said all asthmatics are different it may start at any age for any number of reasons I had a pony from an early age then went on to work with horses for many years so was exposed to dust from forage and bedding had to stop riding after motorcycle accident which left me with severe leg & back injuries retrained as Careers Officer worked in an office until I retired asthma didn't show itself till I moved to the countryside in my retirement. I manage the acid reflux and thrush through a combination of lifestyle changes and careful choice of food, Sjorgrens doesn't allow me to take ppi's as the side effects are too severe. Also they prevent your gut from absorbing calcium which is dangerous for post menopausal women it compromises your bone strength. Doctors seem reluctant to give a firm diagnoses of Sjorgrens as there is no effective treatment for it and as you say the blood tests are often inconclusive the schirmer litmus eye test is a fair indication of it, most doctors have little knowledge of Sjorgrens its like fibromyalgia and ME some doctors accept they exist some prefer to dismiss them as middle aged women's problems! Exercises targeted at the abdominal muscles are essential to the healing of hiatus hernia and acid reflux, they improve the strength and tone of the diaphragm reducing the possibility of acid back flow. A flabby tum means poor muscle tone and the strong likelihood of poor bowel elimination and sphincter function. I chew gum after every meal as it increases saliva production which as it is alkaline neutralises the acid. As I said earlier the book Good Gut Healing has provided sensible, helpful advice. Maggie your consultant obviously likes the ostrich position I would of thought it was logical that if your mucous membranes are dry then your gut is going to be affected your bowel is one enormous mucous membrane and Sjorgrens causes your immune system to attack mucous membranes drying them out, I'd find a better educated consultant. As usual if you want up to date info look to America try googling the The Sjorgrens Syndrome Foundation their help is invaluable. I am intelligent well educated not given to hysteria about my health I just want to feel better and get on with life to achieve this I have had to help myself as 10 mins with a stressed GP and months of waiting to see a Consultant with a lousy bedside manner don't cut it in my book. Our health service is on its knees and I don't wish to put my precious health in indifferent hands.

[Hidden in reply to Lizziep25]

I'm afraid I cannot accept some of the comments you make here.

Firstly, my consultant is not an 'ostrich'. What he is is a highly trained medical professional with many years (I would guess at least over ten, but it may be as many as twenty) as a consultant gastroenterologist. Prior to that he would have had many years (probably somewhere between seven and nine) training in that area of specialisation; prior to that several more in university and hospital. I would be amongst the first to agree that these days too many specialists are too specialised and perhaps lack knowledge and understanding of other conditions which might impact on their own, but personally I can understand his reasoning. Now, it's just possible that rheumatologists are not referring Sjogren cases having digestive problems on to gastrogenterologists, but if that is happening it is not the fault of the gastroenterologists. Incidentally, the moment I mentioned I had been having problems with dry eyes and mouth and had been told by my optician to get it checked out, he not only named the possible cause of the problem (Sjogrens) at once, but he commended the optician for writing to my GP and recommending that I be checked out for it. At the moment I am down as having Sicca Symptoms (or dryness). Incidentally dryness (particularly dry eyes) is not an unusual in post menopausal women so it is understandable that doctors are going to be a little bit cautious. Putting someone on medication they don't actually need is not a good idea.

Certainly I have not encountered the 'women's problems' attitude. Sjogren's is difficult to diagnose, but I do know someone else who has been diagnosed with the condition. I don't know what treatment she is on (though I do know she has eye drops - as do I) but she reports that she does feel much better now. It is also, I believe, a progressive condition. If I have it, it's going to be in the early stage, when it is going to be even harder to diagnose. It's flagged up that I have a problem which may or may not be Sjogren's connected, but that is as far as anyone can go at the moment.

As far as I am aware abdominal muscle strengthening exercises do not strengthen the sphincter muscle at the top of the stomach. Incidentally, as someone who does a weekly ballet class my abdominal muscles are actually pretty good - but I still have reflux issues. Do be very careful with the exercises you choose to do. Lying down, or bending at the waist will put pressure on your stomach which in turn will put pressure on that sphincter muscle. Whatever you do, make sure that you leave at least three hours before doing them in order to give your stomach time to empty. A weekly ballet class might help you as the exercises are done standing up. There are adult ballet classes to be found.

We have gone rather off topic with this. Apologies to anyone else reading this. An interesting subject though.

[Hidden in reply to Lizziep25]

Ooh, other reasons why ballet is so good (sorry, I love ballet and have done ever since I was a small child):

1) it's one of the best forms of exercises there is for overall fitness

2) the exercises are in short, contained bursts. That means it's great for people who suffer from exercise induced asthma (as I do).

3) it exercises your brain. You have to learn the exercise and then do it to music.

4) it's done inside. That means that even in winter you don't have to worry about getting cold and wet doing it

5) you get to listen to some glorious music whilst you're doing it

6) it's great fun! Whether you are a total beginner, or are doing a class at a more advanced level, it is wonderful fun:-).

[Lizziep25]

Obviously as you have had asthma since early childhood you are an expert on your condition, I was fortunate not to develop it until middle age.

I have degenerative discs and facet joints L2 to S1 a spinal stenosis at L4/5 and a two inch shorter left leg I did ballet and ballroom as child so I know that it would be impossible to take classes now. I exercise within my capabilities and before my accident I was a professional horsewoman I am still quite fit despite my disabilities. I am aware of when to exercise only an absolute imbecile would exercise with a full stomach I find your comments patronising, obviously if you strengthen the muscles surrounding the sphincter it is going to help, acid reflux whilst it can affect any age group is more prevalent in older unfit individuals as part of the aging process. Despite being 62 I have no wrinkles anywhere my skin looks as good as someone 20 years younger as I have always looked after myself and have good genes my father in his eighties looked far younger than his years so I find your collagen theory a bit wacky.

I'm glad you have a "good consultant " as a retired HE careers advisor I am well aware of the qualifications, professional training and experience required of the medical profession but not all medics are of the excellent standard we the public expect some have feet of clay and an inability to communicate effectively.

I realise we have gone off topic and when I posted some hopefully useful comments for Sarahjane all I wanted to do was help her as I know how miserable acid reflux combined with asthma can be I certainly didn't envisage the length of this conversation. I will not post again on this topic as I have realised that you think you are right and feel that you must impose your thoughts on me as you feel that I am misguided.

[Hidden in reply to Lizziep25]

I'm sorry you feel that way.

Inevitably different asthmatics are going to have different experiences. Yes, I've had asthma a very long time, and was undiagnosed for the first five years (not easy, believe me). So I also know what's it's like to have an untreated version of the condition. And yes, I do know my asthma (and other medical issues I've had from a very young age - all inherited, including the collagen problem, as we now know) very, very well.

I don't intend to be patronising. I gave that advice on abdominal exercises in good faith. Not everyone who has reflux issues knows that doing such exercises within three hours of eating can cause problems. That's not because they are imbeciles, they just don't know. And I would still caution take care. I've been caught out in a Pilates class and refluxed stomach contents (bits of what should have been an easy to digest lunch) three and a half hours after I had finished eating it, when I had good cause to think I was safe. It happens sometimes.

I hope you find some exercises that suit you.

Take care.

[sarahjane12 in reply to Lizziep25]

Thank you for advice x

[Lizziep25 in reply to sarahjane12]

That's okay I hope you feel better soon.

Warmest regards Liz

[Lizziep25]

If you have refluxed food then it is more likely to be a hiatus hernia. Please don't reply as I do not wish to continue with this conversation. All the best Lizzie

[Hidden in reply to Lizziep25]

Sorry Lizziep, I know you asked for me not to reply, but that has been checked, and nothing found. That doesn't mean one isn't there, they can, I believe, come and go, but I've had two gastroscopies, and an MRI scan. All showed nothing.

[Sheila_Lily]

I have been taking Omeprazole 20mg (one daily) for quite a few months now and they seem to be working very well. I hope this helps you