Positive Pepsin test

[Redpanda8]

Hi all

Received a positive Pepsin test today from an online company, which said I had high levels of Pepsin in my salvia in the last week. I've been on esomeperzole since July last year and nortriptyline (for esophageal dysmobility) since early last year too. All of my tests so far (and I've been thoroughly tested) have always shown no reflux. Although I have always suspected that I've been suffering from silent reflux for sometime now, I feel pleased that I finally have proof that it's been happening.

Feel now that the esomeprezole hasn't been working at all and im now a little concerned that I may have done some damage to my throat. Just wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience and is there anything else I should be taking or doing to help present Pepsin damage. Have started to take gaviscon advance now after each main meal...so far not much difference

Many thanks

[phil]

Could I ask what your symptoms were for your Doctor to prescribed Esomeprerzole. This medication with Gaviscon should protect your Throat from Pepsin Personally I would be cautious with online testing kits.

Phil

[Redpanda8 in reply to phil]

Hi Phil

Thank you for replying. I've suffered from on and off sore throat, chest pain, sinus pain, left side pain, throthy spit and a few other symptoms for the last 16 months. I had a barium swallow done Jan 2017 and that picked up that I had esophageal dysmobility. Prior to the barium swallow test I had two endoscopies done and both came back clear of reflux damage. My gastro specialist was adamant that I wasn't suffering with reflux so I stopped all medication. But after 7 months of still having problems I spoke to my GP and he said that having the dysmobility would make me prone to reflux so I started to take the esomeprezole as a precaution. But to be honest I'm still having all the same problems another 7 months on.

I am also unsure of the online companies but to be honest I'm so confused by all the conflicting advice from the professionals that I'm now a bit desperate for answers

Just not sure what to do next. Feel that the doctors are now seeing me as a nuisance. Any advice would be much appreciated

Many thanks

[Mary-intussuception]

Gaviscon Advance at night might work better and after main meal of the day. Last meal no later than 2 hours before bed. With silent reflux, I understand that damage can occur overnight . While lying down the stomach juices/acid 'pool' in the throat. According to my ENT Consultant - it's the rising pepsin vapours that do some damage as well and Gaviscon Advance is supposed to stop that with it's 'protective layer'.

I take Zoton Fastab orodispersible Lansoprazole tablets. The only ones that do the job in my opinion.

[Redpanda8]

Hi there!

Thank you for your reply. Started taking gaviscon advance about two weeks ago now but had to stop for a few days to do the Pepsin test. Have started again now though. I think it might still be early days to see any significant difference but so far there isn't much. Also changing my diet too to a low acid diet with the hope that they will allow things to heal

Thanks again for replying

Best wishes to you

[Gobaith]

Hi Redpanda - u needto be patient with this condition - I found Nexium best - take 1 -20mg in morning and one before evening meal . Gaviscon Advance after anything u eat . It took me 9 months to get better - a year and a half before I was able to come off the regime . 4 yrs on still doing well . So stick in there . There is hope . I too had throat , nose, mouth , ears affected and reflux laryngitis . By the way the testing does give false negatives for silent reflux - it doesn’t mean u don’t have reflux if the tests are negative. Hope this helps .

[Redpanda8 in reply to Gobaith]

Thank you kindly for your reply. Are you able to eat and drink as you please now or do you still need to be careful and avoid the usuals?

Best wishes to you

[Gobaith in reply to Redpanda8]

I do not smoke or drink - I am able to have a celebratory drink on an occasion . I can eat everything in moderation by now . I am not a lover of spicy food anyway but am able to eat a mild curry occasionally and fish and chips on an occasion . Just to add - Just to add I have never been overweight.