Heart medicine causes acid reflux

[Jimmygallo]

Hi All,

I had a stent about 2 weeks ago after an angiogram showed an occluded IM. Feeling absolutely normal again and don't seem to be getting any serious side effects from the meds. However, I do seem to be clearing my throat every 30 seconds (my wife is going nuts but trying not to show it!). I am taking 75mg Aspirin, 75mg Clopidogrel, 80mg Astorvastatin, 1.25mg Bisoprolol. I wondered if this is a symptom of acid reflux. From a previous post, a CT scan also showed a thickening of the distil esophagus. Anyone experience anything similar? Thanks for the help as always.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Are you taking your Aspirin after food? Many here are prescribed a drug like Omeprazole to reduce acidity. Have a word with your GP.

[Jimmygallo in reply to MichaelJH]

Hi Michael,

Yes, I usually take aspirin first thing in the morning after breakfast. I will chase up my GP (which is like trying to catch a chicken, Rocky style!). Thanks for the reply.

[cowparsley in reply to Jimmygallo]

Hi Jimmy,had the same problem.Omeprazole sorted it as Michael advised.Dr.friend told me it`s also a very safe medication to take.Hope you get sorted before the divorce!!!

[Jimmygallo in reply to cowparsley]

Haha, thanks Cowparsley! I am on to the GP and have a bottle of Gaviscon, red apples and chamomile tea to hand as we speak. Anything to stop the sideway stare from the Mrs!!

[Modeller3]

Hi just had the same diagnosis my consultant put me

On gaviscon doing the trick

[Jimmygallo in reply to Modeller3]

Thanks Modeller, I will get some today and see how I go!

[NorthantsSteve]

Hi Jimmy. Your Doc could prescribe a proton pump inhibitor like Lansoprazole (or any drug ending prazole) to counteract the effects of Aspirin & Clopidogrel. While you’re waiting to catch him (like the image) Gaviscon will do the trick. There’s been a move against PPIs recently but I took them while I was in anti platelet therapy for the first year and (despite a stomach prob early on) managed OK with them. Good luck.

[Jimmygallo in reply to NorthantsSteve]

Thanks Steve, appreciate the feedback. It looks like Gaviscon is the way to go in the short term.

[Tinker2015]

Hi Jimmy a lot of meds can cause this I have LPR which is silent no heartburn but throat issues I use gaviscon advance mainly at night also chamomile tea nutrilises acid too you know. Hope it improves soon

[Tinker2015]

By the way the constant throat clearing is phlegm nature trying to heal it

[Jimmygallo in reply to Tinker2015]

Thanks Tinker. Glad to hear I have not been the only one to get this. I will give the tea a shot too.

[BillyMct]

As a previous sufferer of acid reflux long prior to my cardiac issues were uncovered I had been on long term proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole) I found that the worked for a while then their effectiveness tapered so I looked for more homeopathic based alternatives and after some internet research and experimentation I came across sweet red apples as a good gut calmer. I have since tried to have at least 1 sweet red apple per day and my stomach acid reflux is a distant memory I also found anything remotely pastry based (savoury pies etc) would be a ready trigger for stomach acid so its handy that I'm not advised to consume such foods in the name of avoiding fats in the bloodstream. the SWEET RED apples I swear by :). note not anything green golden and definitely not sour. & the juicier and sweeter the better it feels as it goes down my throat :).

[Jimmygallo in reply to BillyMct]

Hi Billy, sounds like a great and natural way to treat it. I am doing very well at the moment!!

[Maisie2014]

Sounds like it Jimmy I am supposed to take Esomeprazole daily for this. GP says heart meds are notorious for tummy trouble and heartburn.

[Jimmygallo in reply to Maisie2014]

Thanks Maisie. I thought that this ws the case. I did suffer from some acid reflux prior to the meds but this seems to have kicked it into overdrive!

[Platypus6 in reply to Jimmygallo]

I had dreadful stomach problems with meds’ go changed my meds and took me off aspirin! esomeprazole I found the best to help acid reflux and stomach pain. Best wishes

[Jimmygallo in reply to Platypus6]

Thanks Platypus. I will see how I go over the next week or so.

[Imin]

Just bumped into this post. I think I am suffering with GERD but not diagnosed as been ‘chasing that chicken’ for two months! (Resorted to writing a letter explaining symptoms to GP in the hopes I’ll get an appointment!). However, I am on Omeprazole as prescribed as a result of a trip to a&e. I’m just wondering if anyone else feels acid reflux as a kind of bruise from within along the middle of chest from throat to just above the stomach and like you’ve something stuck in your throat?

[scotsrish in reply to Imin]

I was diagnosed with Gerd years ago. Took Nexium and years later Tecta both are PPI's. I usually go on them for a month then off for a couple of months. My heart problem began with horrible gerd symptoms, acid and burning in the throat and esophogus. The strange thing is the pain in the stomach, esophogus and throat became literally unbearable with a heart attack. Now that i have had the HA and two stents the heart meds make it necessary to be on PPI's full time. The gerd can definetly feel like the esophogus is bruised and food can be hard to swallow.

[Thismorning]

I changed my bisoprolol for Calvedilol and improved my digestion

[Saladay]

Yes absolutely. Beta blockers like bisoprolol relax the stomach sphincter leading to reflux and that causes inflammation of the larynx leading to thick mucus collecting there resulting in the need to clear your throat. The way to deal with it is to treat the reflux. Leave 3hrs between eating and going to bed so your stomach is empty by the time you lie down and get a prescription for e.g. omeprazole and/or Gaviscon Advance. Also find out if there are trigger foods for you. Worth just checking if you really need the bisoprolol.

[Jimmygallo in reply to Saladay]

Thanks Saladay. I'm still clearing my throat but it is not as bad as it was. Appreciate the advice and will give it a go!