Micardis 40mg Telmisartan and acid reflux

[SonofGod]

Hello Everyone,

Does anyone have an experience of Micardis 40mg causing acid reflux and stomach rumbling? Gastroscopy came out fine no ulcers no Pylori.Seems to start when I take the medication at night had to go on PPI to calm the symptoms of the reflux.

I find this disturbing .

[Blearyeyed]

Acid reflux and stomach upset can be a common side effect with many drugs which is why many people need a PPI.Is the PPI helping?

Taking the medication with a few spoons of natural yoghurt or dairy / dairy alternative food or drink can help reduce the acid reflux as well. You may want to take the Micardis and PPI at least an hour before you lie down in bed.

Avoiding foods and supplements high in potassium with Micardis is also helpful. Drink the recommended amount of water each day, especially during meals and physical activity as this also reduces effect of stomach acid.

Peppermint flavour and Peppermint tea can sometimes make acid reflux worse.

If you take the dose at night , and to help reduce acid reflux in general, sleep with both your head and shoulders comfortably raised on supportive pillows .

If you feel the need sleep to the side; sleep to the left not the right ( still with upper body elevated) this helps prevent stomach acid from entering your oesophagus during sleep and causing more pain , burning , and sourness in the throat.

Hope you feel better soon , Bee

[SonofGod in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thanks so much dear.Yes the PPI has helped.Been new to these symptoms is kinda strange .The biopsies from the gastroenterologist came back all clear .He said I should ignore the stomach rumbling as it is of no health concern.Advised I take the PPI for 6 weeks or 8 and stop it and see what happens.

I don’t want to jump around medication’s since the Micardis is doing the job apart from the reflux which I am not 100% sure yet might be it .i am still observing though and time will tell .

Thanks 🙏

[Blearyeyed in reply to SonofGod]

I suggest that you start getting used to taking your Micardis after a few spoons of natural yoghurt and honey , or a dairy or oat based milk drink , while you are still using the PPI . Then continue that as a routine after the PPI to see if the natural stomach protection will be enough for you. Don't stop the PPI full dead stop either , that can cause uncomfortable acid reflux for several days becausecyou stomach has to adjust to rapidly.

It's better to alternate every other day for a week , then every two days for a week before you come off a PPI entirely. If you find the symptoms come back and keep getting worse after several days you may still need to take the PPI long term. Many people need to protect their stomachs with the PPI long term.

So you could start doing this taper at the end of week 6 for weeks seven and eight before you stop them completely.

Then you keep using the yoghurt before medication , and it can help to have some before meals too to reduce acid after eating . And drink more water each day , especially during meals.

Good luck with it , Bee

[SonofGod in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thanks dear that was quite informative.I am saving that as an instruction manual lol .

Hopefully I taper off smoothly at week 6 as you have mentioned

Thanks 🙏

[Lowerfield_no_more]

I have reflux disease, and have taken PPIs to control it for over 25 years. I also am very careful with what I eat. You could try modifying your diet to see if that helps, perhaps keep a food diary and then see if eating or drinking anything gives you worse symptoms. Certainly citrus fruits are to be avoided, and other acid containing foods like tomatoes. Then other irritant foods like spicy curries. Onions too because they cause gas. And lots of coffee and perhaps chocolate which relax the valve at the inlet to the stomach which allows back flow. If you drink alcohol avoid spirits. And don't eat for at least three hours before going to bed. And as you suffer at night avoid sleeping on your right side.

[Winter4519]

Yes I was sent a letter very recently stating that I had mild Acid Reflux. Test showed an all clear. Just started it makes me very gaseous and makes me want to go to the toilet when there is nothing to pass.