Had two stents fitted in October 2010, and given Ramipril, Bisoprolol, Atoravastatin, Aspirin and Ranitidine. Everything went well, but Ranitidine was withdrawn, so was put on Omeprazole which caused indigestion, and subsequently given Famotidine instead. Everything was fine, until July this year, when suddenly I developed intermittent episodes of missed beats with heart rate of around 45. Went to A&E, by which time heart had settled down to about 50 bpm. Sent home and put on Rapid Heart and Chest pain Referral clinic waiting list - still waiting, but understand could be a year. A few days later back to A&E but again settled down. However at the end of August, felt quite ill, back to A&E, found my potassium blood level was quite high, so admitted me overnight giving me an infusion of glucose and insulin plus something in a nebuliser. Potassium level back to normal. It was decided that potassium level may have caused the arrhythmia, Stopped Ramipril which could have caused high potassium level and changed to Amlodipine. Cased mild indigestion. Fitted with a Holter monitor for 3 days which showed Atrial Fibrillation. It was decided to double Bisoprolol, and add Apixaban blood thinner. Almost immediately got bad indigestion, so changed to Edoxaban, and added Esomeprazole to Famotidine to be taken twice daily which I have been taking for about 7 weeks. Still get bad indigestion, acid reflux and am feeling really depressed. Has anyone else experienced this? Am going to see GP on Monday and really hope she can help me. Good thing is blood pressure is good around 128/70 and fewer missed beats with 48/50 bpm.
Acid indigestion: Had two stents fitted... - British Heart Fou...
Acid indigestion
- Insulin
- Aspirin
- Bisoprolol
- Anticoagulants
- Nebulizer
- Omeprazole
- Apixaban
- Ramipril
- Ranitidine
- Esomeprazole
- Edoxaban
- Famotidine
- Dextrose
You may need to treat the reflux more aggressively with both meds and diet. How much Esomeprazole are you taking a day?
Jim
At the moment am taking 20mgs Esomeprazole and 40mgs Famotidine first thing in the morning on waking, with warm water, and the same again mid evening, and sometimes Gaviscon during the night. Thank you so much for replying to my post - I am so grateful, as it can be a lonely old world out there sometimes…..
20 mg of Esomeprazole is a starter dose. I was up to 40 mg twice a day. Then I switched to Dexilant 60mg which even worked better. Now on a new drug called. Voquezna. Famotidine Help some people, but it doesn't help a lot of people at all. Speak to your doctor about getting more aggressive with the PPI's.
Jim
Your GP is best placed to help you perhaps with the assistance of a pharmacist who in some cases are more skilled in understanding medication and how it affects us all. There are a number of options still to pursue such as substituting medication, adjusting the doses, and taking it at different times. And if you are taking aspirin in its dispersible form a change to gastric coated might help. And as a long term sufferer of reflux disease who has been on PPIs for over 15 years, diet can help by cutting out trigger foods, not eating large meals which will bloat, and avoiding bending over which squeezes the abdomen. Hope you get sorted.
Thank you so much for replying to my post, which has been really helpful. So far have only talked to GP about it, but hadn’t thought about the pharmacist, which is a good idea, perhaps actually making an appt. So far, have substituted Apixaban with Edoxaban. Trying taking antacids at different times i.e. before or after meals. Cardiologist, via the GP, suggested stopping gastric coated Aspirin and now on Edoxaban. Thank you for saying about diet - you have given me a lot of helpful information to think about! Have a better understanding of how to go forward when seeing GP on Monday, and perhaps the pharmacist too later in the week. Many thanks!
The starting point for all those who have reflux disease or possibly a hiatus hernia should be to see what acts as a trigger food for them, even if they are on medication, perhaps by keeping a food diary. Food and drink can fall into trigger groups as in bloating/gassy like fizzy drinks or gas making like onions, irritants like spicy and alcohol, muscle relaxants like tea and coffee, and acidic food and drink, such as tomatoes and citrus. Oddly one of my triggers are green sweet peppers although I can tolerate spicy food quite well. Lager (not that I liked it much) is a no-no for me whereas I am OK with other beers and also wine, but never touch spirits in any form. But we are all different so you just have to experiment. And if I have a rare relapse I just go back to basics with bland food for a week or so whilst my insides heal. And whilst much of this may not be relevant to someone who is struggling with gastric upsets caused by medication alone, there might be something in there which might help.
I’m going to start doing that - so often you think you can remember things that you eat which didn’t agreed, but by doing it your way, you can begin to see a trend. Thanks for the suggestion. I too, by the way, don’t get on with peppers - red, green or yellow, but also dislike garlic, although I think it is supposed to be good for you. Trouble is, it is in so many foods these days and every savoury recipe you look at. At least you have the choice when cooking your own!
I was put on Ranitidine found I was allergic to it so straight off it. Was on Amlodipine but was taken off it by AF clinic nurse as it caused my lower legs and ankles swelling .
I have had problems with my potassium levels and been following a low potassium diet for well over 10 years . Ask your GP for a low potassium diet sheet. You will be surprised what things are high in potassium eg tomatoes and mushrooms plus many more . But the sheet shows what foods you can safely have .
I miss heart beats never felt them in my chest but I had jaundice in 2017 caused by 2 tablets I had been taking since 1992 to help with my neurological condition. Left me hearing my heart beat in my left ear. On Flecainide which helps and Apixaban. Still miss heart beats but not so often . I do get palpitations and heart flutters occasionally so just rest and soon over. I do get breathless especially if it's very cold or hot. But I was born with a small hole in the side of my heart found out in 2020/2021 . But it's safer to leave alone unless I get chest pain which I don't .
Jaundice left me with acid reflux and was put on Lansoprazole but had to come off it as it lowered my sodium levels to much . So I take Gaviscon if I need it. I found foods that trigger it like spicy or acidic so am careful the amount I have and have foods with it to cut the acid. Coffee gave me palpitations and caused acid reflux so stopped having it about 8 years ago . I won't even have cake with coffee in it.
Thank you for all you have shared, and found it so reassuring to hear that you have had the same drugs from time to time. I am gradually working through different combinations of these drugs, as I think you have, but it is a bit of a rollercoaster!
My husband had terrible acid reflux which increased to most nights. He was living on Gaviscon. Some nights the pain mimicked a heart attack which resulted in A&E twice. The GP changed his prescription from 1 to 2 x 20mg of Omeprazole in the morning. We also asked for his aspirin to be changed to the enteric coated aspirin. He has now been on this a month and hasn’t had any acid reflux since (I touch wood as I say this). As he changed 2 things at the same time I’m not sure if it was one or the other or the combination of the two that worked, but you can buy the enteric coated aspirin over the counter to try. I hope you get it sorted because I know how miserable it can be.
Did he use ordinary gaviscon or gaviscon advance? The advance is the one to use as, like a ppi it forms a raft. Having said that, I still struggle! Ppis make me worse, too!
Just the ordinary Gaviscon - I didn’t know about Gaviscon Advance till recently. Fortunately now his meds have been changed he doesn’t need it.
There is no 'raft', that is confusing marketing speak to sell the product. PPIs work differently to antacids in that they inhibit the activity of acid forming cells in the stomach lining, so that if there is any backwash of stomach contents into the oesophagus it is less acidic therefore less irritating to the oesophagus cell walls, unlike those cells in the stomach which are 'designed' to cope with an acidic environment. Antacids contain alkalis which simply neutralise the stomach acid, and if they contain alginate that is intended to act as a sticky coating which lines the oesophagus wall hopefully protecting it from any acidic backflow from the stomach. And long term use of antacids like Gaviscon is not a good idea since it can inhibit how some medication works, and contains high levels of sodium which has blood pressure implications, so it is good that your husband has managed to stop taking Gaviscon.
Are using Gaviscon Advance. Have tried both, but Advance is so much better. In the last few days, he’s beginning to feel better, and perhaps the Famotidine and PPI’s are beginning to work. People do say that your body needs time to work and adjust to new medicines - I do hope so. Thank you so much for sharing your ideas - and hope you don’t have to struggle too much!
Thank you so much for saying what has happened to your husband. I think I am beginning to get somewhere, and must be prepared to give it time. We have been to A&E three times with missed heart beats, but all these different medications causing bad indigestion, have almost made me forget about my original heart condition. I am learning to live with my heart, as am not feeling lightheaded etc. Gaviscon is really helping a lot, and am beginning to feel a little more confident now, thanks to so many kind and thoughtful people on this forum. It really does help sharing worries!
My husband discovered that aspirin was the cause of his issues. The consultant took him off them and he now just has clopidrogel instead and a low dose of lanzaprazole. He rarely gets indigestion now although the effect of the aspirin left him with diverticulitis but that’s a whole other story.
I’m so sorry your husband has problems as a result of aspirin - these drugs are wonderful when they work for you, but awful when you develop these problems, which often take so long to resolve. My husband was on aspirin for 14 years quite happily, but when he started with arrhythmia, this was changed to Edoxaban, which he thinks is causing the trouble. Sadly once started on these drugs, it’s very difficult and unsafe to come off them suddenly - got to do it gradually. However I hope he is feeling alright inspite of everything.
He’s fine thank you. Hope things co to he to improve
I was put on lanzaprazole over 4 years ago as well as all my other meds I've never had any problems with indigestion in fact I can eat things now that I couldn't before...hope you get things sorted out
Really unhappy to advise this but consider a private referral to a cardiologist of your choose if you can afford it. It will probably not speed up any treatment but will help remove the anxiety of waiting. I have intermittent chest pains and a smart watch showing Afib. Paid for consultations can guide your GP.
Please don’t be unhappy about suggesting a private consultation. We have considered it, but would not be able to finance any surgical procedures. But to see a Cardiologist to discuss and learn about what is wrong, and how best to go about it, we feel could be really helpful. So far, we have only been able to see our GP who communicates with the cardiologist on our behalf with recommendations - which isn’t quite like being face to face to ask questions to help us understand. I think our GP would refer us just for a consultation, if and when we would like. The waiting is the stressful part!
The advantage that I can see in a private consultation is a diagnosis and action plan if required. This remove the time waiting for the diagnosis, and gets you on the NHS waiting list for any treatment. And face to face is also important- during my latest consultation ( I have extra heart beats not Afib) my cardiologist had reassured me further treatment wasn't essential but after taking my BP changes his mind and that maybe a little extra medicine would be beneficial. Hope it all works out for you.
Your situation looks a lot more complicated than mine. I started getting abdominal and chest pains, phoned the GP and after hospital advice, doubled my dose of omezaparole. That did the trick, the pains went away! I'm now on omezaparole I tablet daily.
Thank you for sharing your experience - he thinks the drugs are beginning to start working. Apparently the GP would like him to be on them for a month, and then hopefully start tailing some of them off.
Sounds good then!
Atoravastatin, Aspirin, was the cause of my acid reflux
Did you change any of the drugs, and were you given anything for your acid reflux?
Yes I am now taking rosuvastatin and clopidogrel (blood thinner),I take lansoprazole 30 mg daily.
I have been on several ppi over about 20yrs, for acid reflux. I was admited to hosp after a gastric bleed 2yrs ago & had a gastroscopy which showed ulcerative esophagiatus increased by omeprazole to 80mg ( 40mg morn/night) for 3mths, had repeat gastroscopy & everything had healed, so reduced meds down to 20mg morn & 20mg night. I also have a sliding hiatus hernia which i have known about for years. I cant eat spicy foods or any citrus & never had any alcholol for 2yrs. I was concerned about taking the 40mg daily of omeprazole ( re thinning of bones & also dementia risk) which i discussed with gp, so we tried reducing dose still20mg morn but alternating 20mg one night & 10mg the next. Had terrible reflux after less than 2 weeks & then another bleed after 4wks.Went to hosp had blood tests etc but sent home & told to go back on 20mg morn/ night & would be referred for another gastroscopy as outpatient. I had this procedure done again & no sigh of any bleeding but by that time had been back on higher meds for 4wks, they suggest i stay on this dose as when i reduce it cause flare ups. Very careful what i eat as donot want anymore bleeds.
You have had a really hard time over these last few years - but I guess all you can do is to manage these flare ups when they happen. It’s not easy for you having to be careful all the time, but best if you can. Stay safe, and thank you for sharing
Acid reflux is a nightmare. Found eating small amounts solved the problem. Particularly early evening. Avoid chocolate and tomatoes! Good luck.
Really is a nightmare. For months after 2 stents fitted I had all the chest pain symptoms which were ruled out as ha related by a couple of trips to A&E. Cut down on portion size (and common triggers like chocolate) and almost overnight I started to feel normal again. Just a shame I had to work it out for myself as it seems to be a common issue. You'd have thought that it'd top of the list of things to tell patients to try!
Give it a go OP and good luck 🤞
Hi you've had some lovely people answering your question with there own experiences. I'm another one who suffered with indigestion but a few changes and tweaks I'm ok. But a piece of information my chemist did give me was you should not take Gaviscon with beta blockers (for heart problems). So get professional advice before you do anything. I wish you well.
I have a large hiatus hernia so have been on pantoprazole for years with added Gaviscon because of silent reflux. Heart problems more recent and am on Bisoprolol and Candesartan. I get Peptac prescribed, which is weaker than Gaviscon which works on the same principle. Neither chemist, nor GP have ever mentioned problems about taking both.. Did the chemist explain why?
Hi if I remember correctly, the reason was you would not get the full benefit from your medication.
I have checked up on the internet, and what it says is that Gaviscon should not be taken within 2 hrs of certain medications including beta blockers. .
Yes, I have read that too
i follow your history with HA and stent and sinilsr medication. Was fine on Ranitidine. Did not get on with sny of the “oprazoles” now Famotidene and gaviscon help. I have a histus hernia and acid reflux. To avoid the “ prazoles” I avoid trigger foods( any peppers)only take medication After breakfast , rat my largest meal around midday , light meal evening and nothing after 7pm. I have reduced necessity fir Gaviscon and only use as snd when.
I have also been taken off Bisoprolol. They thought reducing my HR too much! Ended up with a pacemaker and now stabilised HR.
An echocardiogram does not always pick up a varying HR!!! Need to catch it when it is misbehaving!
Keep up the monitoring-you know your bidy best!
Your post was also reassuring to me-someone else having similar experience!-thank you
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It does help to feel you aren’t the only one. It really is trial and error with food, when you eat, and when you take your medication. You feel one day you are making progress, then something sets you back. Husband had a really good today, then this evening indigestion back. Had 3 thin squares of chocolate after dinner, and indigestion started again. Perhaps it’s the chocolate which several people have mentioned. Thank you for posting and hope you are staying well
I think chocolate (and peppermint) tends to relax the sphincter from the stomach making the reflux more likely. It isn't a trigger in the same way as spicy foods or tomatoes. It's all very peculiar. It takes time working out what affects you and what doesn't
Funnily enough he feels that both chocolate and peppermint seem to cause indigestion, but not sure why. I think your suggestion of the cause could well be the answer. Certainly we have stopped having tomatoes and spicy food at the moment. It’s difficult sometimes when deciding what to cook, but will do anything to help. Thank you for your very helpful thoughts on it. It always helps to hear other people’s thoughts and experiences on these problems.
low pulse rate
Beta Blockers Again
Advice for coming off Bisoprolol please
Angioplasty stents
Blood pressure drops by afternoon, fatigue .
