Severe Acid Reflux - Please help

Besides my asthma,I have just found out that I have oesophageal erosion (ulcer) and am taking domperidone and omeprazole. I am seeing gastro surgeon later this month to talk about having surgery to tighten the valve that is allowing the acid to come in to my gullet. The gastroenterologist who referred me said the operation would probably better than to have to take these 2 drugs for the rest of my life but was told that it can result in difficulty swallowing and the feeling that food is stuck. I also have osteopenia and take alendronic acid and colecalciferol. I have read that alendronic acid can cause acid reflux and have that injections are now available. It's a vicious circle. I have read about foods to avoid but any hints would be great.If anybody is in the same situation or has any advice it would be gratefully appreciated. Regards

[KateMoss]

Hello Carla,

I used to take Alendronic acid until 2009 when it started to cause me severe gastric problems. I had an endoscopy and fortunately it ruled out any physical damage. I was changed to Strontium ranelate which comes as a sachet and drunk each night. It doesn't cause any oesophageal issues... perhaps you could ask your doctor / GP / cons about changing to this

Kate

[yaf_user681_11160]

I've had Acid Reflux for the last 2 years, following on from a return of my asthma.

I had asthma as a child but it went away, only to return after 40 years.

My acid reflux seems to be as a result of the volume of steroids, both Prednisolne and Seretide 250, plus antibiotics I have been on. Started with numerous chest infections, asthma attacks and a ride in the amublance for a few days in hospital, before I got the asthma under control. The reflux then seemed to start after that.

There is no definitive list of what foods to avoid and what to eat, as each person can be different. Have a look at this link as a general guide to what Foods to Avoid. The Internet was my best source of advice, so Google can be your best friend.

From experience, I went onto a restrictive diet eating things such as chicken, turkey, boiled / jacket potatoes, green beans, peas, bananas, apple pie, custard and drinking plenty of water. A few months of sticking to Alkaline foods eased the pain from the acids and once this happened, tried one thing at a time to see what the effect was.

I've got to the stage now where I have halved the Omeprazole dosage and understand which foods I can eat, which I can't eat and those which are now only eatable as small amounts on a good day.

Tight clothing around your stomach area can cause the acid to flare up.

Sleeping with your head raised in bed, such as extra pillows, can help at night.

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Besides my asthma,I have just found out that I have oesophageal erosion (ulcer) and am taking domperidone and omeprazole. I also have osteopenia and take alendronic acid and colecalciferol. I have read that alendronic acid can cause acid reflux and have that injections are now available. It's a vicious circle. I have read about foods to avoid but any hints would be great.If anybody is in the same situation or has any advice it would be gratefully appreciated. Regards

Carla PLEASE please raise this with your GP. Alendronic Acid is absolutely contraindicated if you have dysphagia (difficulties swallowing due to any part of the throat or oesophagus) or gastro-oesophageal reflux. It can badly damage your oesophagus, and has done mine, as I didnt think about my swallowing issues before I went on it. I later had it again, putting it through my feeding tube, but due to severe reflux, I only had one dose before being told to stop it. see additional info below....

You can have something instead called strontium ranelate, which is a sachet you mix with water and take every day. It tastes fine and looks kinda milky once dissolved. Alternatively you can be referred for intravenous infusions but this is unlikely unless you cant have the strontium for some reason. Im awaiting an appointment with rheumatologist for yearly bisphosphonate infusions as I am unable to take the strontium now.

Lynda

Alendronic acid can cause local irritation of the upper gastro-intestinal mucosa. Because there is a potential for worsening of the underlying disease, caution should be used when alendronic acid is given to patients with active upper gastro-intestinal problems, such as dysphagia, oesophageal disease, gastritis, duodenitis, ulcers, or with a recent history (within the previous year) of major gastro-intestinal disease such as peptic ulcer, or active gastro-intestinal bleeding, or surgery of the upper gastro-intestinal tract other than pyloroplasty.

Oesophageal reactions (sometimes severe and requiring hospitalisation), such as oesophagitis, oesophageal ulcers and oesophageal erosions, rarely followed by oesophageal stricture, have been reported in patients receiving alendronic acid. Physicians should therefore be alert to any signs or symptoms signalling a possible oesophageal reaction and patients should be instructed to discontinue alendronic acid and seek medical attention if they develop symptoms of oesophageal irritation such as dysphagia, pain on swallowing or retrosternal pain, new or worsening heartburn.

The risk of severe oesophageal adverse experiences appears to be greater in patients who fail to take alendronic acid properly and/or who continue to take alendronic acid after developing symptoms suggestive of oesophageal irritation. It is very important that the full dosing instructions are provided to, and understood by the patient. Patients should be informed that failure to follow these instructions may increase their risk of oesophageal problems.

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Thank you all so much for the vital information in your replies. I will ask to be changed from alendronic acid. The gatstroenterologist knew I was on alendronic acid wouldn't you have thought he would have known that it causes these problems? Best wishes to you all.