Not again!

[Judipat]

Two nights in a row I've had one of my gerd/gord attacks. Dreadful reflux, my mouth pouring with saliva and an intense burning pain from my throat to my belly button. I've had chronic gerd and a hiatus hernia for years now and it has always be quite well controlled with omeprazol. However, the last few months I have been having more and more of these attacks. I've had a recent endoscopy and there was no significant change.

Anybody experienced this?

Take care all

Judi

[SteveJ]

Hi Judi

I used to go through phases of this happening but now I have 3 teaspoons of Gaviscon Advance before bed and it really helps. I don't eat after my main meal at 6.00 pm either. Hope this helps. Kind Regards

Steve

[Judipat in reply to SteveJ]

Thanks Steve,

We'll, I did eventually get to sleep, think I've had a few hours at least!! Feel like I've smoked 80 cigarettes and drank a bottle of whiskey this morning!!! (I haven't lol)

When I saw my consultant last, he said I could double up on the omeprazol when it happened so I guess I'll do that for a few days until I get it under control.

I too do not eat after 6.00ish and I think I should buy shares in gaviscon!!!!

Thanks for you reply.

Take care

Judi

[Hidden]

I hope that it gets better soon. But if not, it might be worth getting your hiatus hernia reviewed for surgical repair. Long term exposure to reflux is not healthy. And some people do not respond very well to Omeprazole for some reason. It might be that you need an alternative PPI like Esomeprazole, but there is a trend starting to try and avoid long term use of this type of medication if it is possible (which sometimes it is not).

[Judipat]

Hi Alan

Thanks for you reply

I do worry about long term exposure to reflux and long term use of omeprazol........I think I've been on it now for about 10 years or so. It is only in the last 6 months I've had these attacks. I saw my consultant about a month ago and had an endoscopy.......there were a few small nodules which he took biopsies from, however, they came back clear.

I think I will have to cut back on even more of my diet and closely monitored what I eat......if it keeps happening, I will go back and see what they can do.

Thanks again

Judi

[AlanWare]

I have been suffering similar problems for 3 years. I recently found that eating spicy curries greatly reduced my bile reflux. I know this is counter intuitive but it has worked for me. I also take bicarbonate of soda in a soft drink if I start to feel sick during the day.

[Ninja83]

Hi Judi

I know how you feel as Im experiencing the same. It really does impact on your quality of life. I've been compiling research and have read about a procedure called Stretta which Im considering. It involves passing a catheter, a tube which is roughly 16-18 mm in diameter, down the throat. At the end of the catheter are tiny prongs that fire radiofrequency waves — a low voltage electrical current — at the valve. This damages the tissue and causes tiny scars — as these heal, new tissue forms and the valve becomes bulkier and stronger. I've read quite a few success stories about how this very quickly "fixes" the problem, with patient's returning to a normal diet, medication free. I gather it cam be expensive but sounds worth it. If I go ahead with it I will let you know.

[Judipat]

Hi,

Yes, i too have read up on all the different procedures. However, I am trying to control mine with diet and omeprazol at the moment. I know there are some concerns over long term use of ppi's as well as long term reflux but you need one to control the other. My main goal is to avoid the flare up/attacks........that I think, has to do with diet. If these attacks start happening more often, I think I will have to consider surgery.

Take care

Judi