indigestion from meds: hello, So... - British Heart Fou...

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indigestion from meds

LiamHam profile image
20 Replies

hello, So 3 weeks ago I had a very unexpected HA, I’m 51 fit strong, rest HR was 41 now 39 , own a gym. Don’t smoke etc but didn’t factory for genetics from my mums side.

Had a stent fitted super fast like within an hour of the ambulance leaving my house. THE NHS is amazing. Said their was no or little sign of damage to the heart so should be ok. Start rehab in September.

Anyway I’m on many many drugs that I think are giving me bad indigestion on a regular basis.

Anyone take anything to help this ? Probiotics or something like that ?

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LiamHam profile image
LiamHam
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20 Replies

I was on antibiotics for quite a while and probiotics helped me.. What have you to lose by trying some.

22alfie profile image
22alfie

Yes seems unfair but unfortunately it happens to many people that keep themselves fit healthy none smoker and drinker. I'm also one then people but genetics in the family. Still mega shock and your here right now . Adjusting is the big thing now changing some things for a while and then hopefully you'll be back doing the things you love. Remember slow and steady wins the race 💓 rushing in might set you back. Be sensible about it. Good luck.

BridBoy profile image
BridBoy

Has you been prescribed Omeprazole, Lansoprazole or something similar for your stomach?If not worth having a chat with your GP.

Its a common issue.

Best wishes

Jako999 profile image
Jako999

I’m on all new meds following my out of the blue Heart attack and quadruple bypass at 55. I’m also very fit and do everything right.I take lansoprazole and I have no problems. Speak to your HP and try and get some.

LiamHam profile image
LiamHam

Thank you for all the lovely replies, I’m on Omperozol ( spelling ) Asprin. Ramipril, Bisoprolol, prasugrel and Astrovastin 😜.

In 51 years I’ve never taken anything more than pain killer and maybe an antibiotic once and slowly getting used to the drugs.

Some days I feel 100% and some days I feel like the weak and anxious.

Shellac profile image
Shellac in reply to LiamHam

Hi I had the same as you I'm 50 all out of the blue I'm on so much medication also but I seem to be tolerating them all just tired please dont try and carry on as normal take it slowly and recover from this shock speak to your doctor ❤

seniorita profile image
seniorita in reply to LiamHam

Everyone is different, but Ramipril gave me horrendous indigestion, heartburn and reflux. I was taking an H2 antagonist as I'm allergic to the PPIs.

jeelpie profile image
jeelpie in reply to LiamHam

hi I was 51 when I had my HA like you i was a gym regular, my HA was purely down to genetics! I'm 11 months out from mine, it's been quite a journey, the first few weeks I was terrified to go to sleep in case I didn't wake up! I was so emotional and could not do much in the way of exercise, I honestly didn't believe i would ever be me again, I started to do yoga and that really helped me with my emotions, slowly but surely I got stronger, my body would tell me if I pushed myself to much as I ended up feeling horrible anyway to get to the point I'm now back to doing the exercise classes like before HA body attack and body pump, in thise first few weeks I never thought I would but here I am loving my classes again! so my advice to you take things slowly but continue to push yourself, you will get there, you are a survivor, I wish you all the best on your journey ❤️‍🩹

Captain_Birdseye profile image
Captain_Birdseye

I was prescribed Peptac to help with heartburn and indigestion... I didn't need to use it much thankfully, but it worked a treat when I did need it. It's similar to gaviscon I think.

Jonathan6766 profile image
Jonathan6766

Its a common issue. The aspirin is usually the culprit. PPIs are commonly prescribed and they help. Be meticulous of having the aspirin just after breakfast and lining the stomach with a probiotic like Kefir.

Ruby300 profile image
Ruby300

Good morning, sorry to hear you HA it is a shock. I had massive one last March my consultant put a stent in but was really puzzled why I had it because no one in the family have heart problems etc. I am older then you 68 but I go to the gym and I walk miles. As for the tablets oh my goodness when I saw what I had to take I could have gone into a depression because I never took any before but it is what it is. I had days like what you said what I used to do just rest by certain time it passed you are lucky you are having rehab I never had one so I had to do a plan for myself walking etc just take it slow at first get used of the idea you had it take your pills but I would ask that question to your GP. I wish you well where I am now in a very good place and you will also. I have to say the people on here are brilliant there is always someone to help. Best wishes to you.

Batty55 profile image
Batty55

Hi LiamHam, I was given Omeprazole but that didn’t help. Landoprazole next - not looked back. Chat with your GPS surgery as a matter of urgency or maybe they have an in-house pharmacist. It’s a miserable pain. Good luck. 👍

Ewloe profile image
Ewloe

I’m sorry you’ve had this shock, it’ll take time for your mind and body to adjust. And ohhh the medications!!! I take a symbiotic ( pre and pro), I’ve read somewhere they help with all sorts of systems in your body. But i take them every other day otherwise they give me abdominal cramps 🤷🏼‍♀️ . I’m on lansoprozole Think about when you take your tablets omoprozole or lansoprozole should be taken a half hour before food. Also what dose of omoprozole are you on? If tweaking things don’t help you may need a higher dose for a short while until things settle down.

If you read the potential side effects of all the medications you’ll go bonkers 😂😂. But remember that doesn’t mean you’re going to get side effects and there’s side effects/ consequences with everything in life you just have to weigh up the pros that go with things.

LiamHam profile image
LiamHam

thank you to all the people who took time to reply. If it doesn’t clear in a few days I’ll chat to the GP pharmacy and ask what can be done. I gave in last night and took some Gaviscon which seem to help.

All the other signs point to everything is ok, BP is as boring as can be at 102/67 ( was 160/120 🤪) and RHR is 40. Will have my cholesterol checked in few weeks. Was up at 7.2 in the hospital.

Reading everyone else’s stories has really helped me relax and accept what’s happening.

Thank you

busybee64 profile image
busybee64 in reply to LiamHam

Hi LiamHam, I had bad feeling of nausea every morning in my second week after the HA and one stent fitted. Also had many twinges and little pains and soreness in my right arm and chest were they inserted the stent, all normal I have been told by my GP and members on this site, they will go in time. The best thing I did was to join this forum, the support and info they give is in my opinion better than my GP. My nausea has decreased and most days I am okay still get the occasional twinge and like most here it just keeps your anxiety level going thinking am I having another HA. They are giving me another anagram at the end of September with a chance I might need another stent. Like you I was fit and I have my own gym in the garden, trained all my life, I am older at 68 but having a HA out of the blue knocked me for six and having to take all the meds goes against the grain after never needing or taking meds before, it's been the meds and the side affects that have given me the most problems so far. Like you I have a family history on my father's side in my case, so genectics was the cause of my HA. I had a assessment last Friday it should have been a stress test but because I will be having the procedure in September they decided to delay it but they asked me questions on my life style like do you drink or smoke no I don't do you have a good diet yes, do you exercise yes, in other words I am doing everything right already. I am walking a lot as per the instructions on the leaflet they gave me, also I am back doing light training after getting the okay from the consultant. I hope everything goes okay for you and they sort out your indegestion. just one last thing as Ewloe stated the omoprozole should be taken 30min before food with a glass of water I was taking them with the rest of the meds and when I change to before food it helped.

Compas profile image
Compas

Hi LiamHam, I don’t normally post here but I saw your post which reminds me of my own experience and would like to try to give you some context and encouragement.I was 50 when I had a heart attack ‘out of the blue’ as people say. The timing however is never anything else! Genetics take no account of fitness levels and that in itself takes a little to get your head around. When I thought about my own family history it all seemed pretty obvious, but up till then I had blissfully ignored any possibility by applying the age old male attitude that ‘things like that would never happen to me’. Honestly, it never even occurred to me that there could be a issue. My mother suffered from Angina from her mid forties - to put that in context, that was in the 1970’s - knowledge and treatments have improved dramatically since then. Stenting and the sophisticated medications we now have were just not available! What you are experiencing at the moment is the beginning of a path you never envisaged. It comes as a shock because you never saw it coming - but when you think about it no one ever does. Hopefully you will come to terms with it but it takes time - and usually a lot longer than you initially think to be at peace with your new found ‘life long’ situation. These are the terms and realty we all struggle with initially. Difficult to believe at the moment but for most of us the anxiety does settle and we live our daily lives with barely a second thought to our heart condition - just pop a few pills on a daily basis.

For me, my heart attack and journey started 15 years ago. I had one stent fitted at the time of the heart attack and for most of the time since, at least 10 years, everything was very stable. I cycled, walked and played golf a couple of times a week. I have also been taking lots of meds since that time. A few years ago I became aware of some angina symptoms when I was exercising. (cycling) - since then I have had a further stent fitted and various adjustments to the meds. The latest position is that the issues would only be fully ‘fixed’ by a bypass. My own considered position, and after discussion with my cardiologist is that I don’t think my present condition warrants such an invasive solution. I still cycle and walk and now use a heart monitor to try to keep my heart rate under the threshold that starts the Angina. I’m ok with this.

As for the medications - these can take some time for your body to get used to them. And certainly some of them have effects that we are unfortunately stuck with if we want to get the benefits of the particular drug. Individuals react differently, so there is no ‘one size fits all’ to manifestations and complexities of side effects. Also side effects caused by combinations of different drugs vary from individual to individual. I would urge that some patience is necessary before reaching a conclusion that a particular drug or combination is not suitable. I see a lot of posts here that look like some people are unhappy if a particular drug does not yield the desired effect almost immediately. Again, some patience (sometimes a number of weeks or longer!) are required before reaching a conclusion. My own experience is that my GP’s and cardiologist are willing to assist in trying different drugs and dosage levels to minimise side effects, so it is always worth discussing with them if you have any concerns.

Hope some of this helps!

Sizzlerman profile image
Sizzlerman

Hi, I know how you feel. I was 55yr old healthy male and after mild heart attack had two stents fitted and just like you my father had heart disease and I inherited it. Narrowing of the arteries and high cholesterol, I felt fine for three weeks then in agony with my stomach I can honestly say I thought I was dying I felt that bad. Went to hospital they checked me over and said I have GORD due to all the acid medication I was taking and told me to take Lansaprozole before breakfast and all the meds after and I was fine. I found night time was also an issue and used Peptac (basically gaviscon) before bed. If that don't work they can tweak your medication.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

You should have been given medication to prevent that; either a PPI like Omeprazole or Lansoprazole.Possibly famotodine. speak to your GP. The dose may need to be increased or even change one of your tablets.

Hi Liam Ham, I had similar HA 2 years ago at 57, stent fit after a delayed week in hosp cos of covid which I caught in there :( on virtually all the same meds except aspirin and now also Lansoprazole, was on Omeprazole but it wasn't coping. Ask doc about Lansoprazole. Hope it works for you.

LiamHam profile image
LiamHam

Thought I’d give a little update : I’ve started taking my PPI (omeprosol) when I wake up then take rest after breakfast. This seems to have solved my indigestion problems but I still have wind gurgling around my tummy that I can live with for now.

Thank you again for all the amazing supportive comments

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