PPI stopped working mixed with worry

[AlexMac83]

I've had reflux & IBS problems now since Dec 19 when I started with extreme bout of wind followed by reflux & generally feeling strange.

I've had an abdominal ultrasound Jan 20 , last lot of blood tests March 20, various poo tests through out 2020 and endoscopy November 20 & discharged by Gastro department Jan 21 with "acid issues"

Things generally ok apart from odd reflux attack here and there, currently on 20mg Omeprazole & gaviscon before bed, one strange symptom I've had all is a burning feeling under my right rib & suffer lots of wind.

However for the past 2 weeks I've had horrendous acid reflux during the night & more wind then normal, odd bit of backache aswell, mainly right shoulder blade, rang docs Thursday just gone & just advised to take 40mg omeprazole & gaviscon and see how it goes for two months!!! Or ring back if gets worse.

I'm now on day 6 of 40mg and had no change, which I know isnt too long but I cannot help but feel fobbed off with the advice of "double up" and have crazy things running thru my mind like thinking I've definitely got pancreatic cancer etc!

I've no idea what had triggered this & wondered if anyone else has had this problem of PPI just randomly stopping working or id it a case of trusting the docs & perseverance with the meds.

Just feel really down with it all & definitely need to stop Dr Googling

[RoadRunner44]

Hi, Well I sympathise with you as I'm in the same position as you. I have taken 20mg Omaprazole for 10 years but 2 years ago was asked by a new doctor to come down slowly to 10mg. It was horrendous! Apparently as soon as you decrease the strength the body makes even more acid. I did manage to do it though over 4 months by taking one 20mg capsules on one day and 10mg the next. I used Gaviscon extra to help with the burning throat. Up until recently I was fine for 3 months just taking the 10mg. Then suddenly I had what I can only call a flare up! It was very worrying and painful. My doctor suggested I double up the dose until the flare up settles. If it doesn't after a week,I have to ring back.

I want to stay on a low dose as I acid can reflux and get into your lungs and damage them. I also have post nasal drip which has caused a dry cough but don't know if its this or the acid reflux causing the problem. I hope this is just a flare up and isn't going to be a regular problem again.

I need answers just like you. If mine doesn't settle ill have to contact the doctor to see what the next step will be.

Best wishes.

[Ivor1]

I find that the PPI capsule itself csuses severe heartburn for me.. so for me it's better if I take it earlier like one hour before eating. By putting food on top of it I don't get the burn.

[hunsdon in reply to Ivor1]

Hi I have the same issues regarding acid reflux , I take esomeprazole each day during the day plus one gaviscon at bedtime , it has helped but not stop it completely this now happens at least every three weeks , I so wished there was a cure as going to bed with out the fear of acid reflux would be wonderful , I would sooner put up with dumping syndrome.

[kiddy]

Hi there,

Have you still got your gall bladder? Could be gallstones.

Best Wishes

Debbie

[AlexMac83 in reply to kiddy]

Yeah still got mine, my mum & sister both had gallbladder problems, well my mum has had reflux issues 50 odd years aswell! Just seems because I had a ultrasound Jan 20 which was all fine that's it regarding anything like that & only advice I'm getting from docs is take more drugs!

Bearing in mind the scan was 14 months ago

[AlanWare]

A teaspoon of bicarbonate in an egg cup of warm water, an hour before bed.

[Mauser1905]

winds s caused by excessive suppression of the stomach acid.

flare ups are with a anxiety/stress or sleep deprivation, diet change and/or combination thereof.

Your worrying is also a contributor to greater extent.

Many a times 24hr pH test can turn out false negatives due to the awareness side of mind thing. most if not all clinical tests forget they are testing human bodies with their individual minds behaving differently, and not mechanical things.

any sudden change of doseage is going to be big issue for the digestive system to cope up with. even doubling will increase the wind issue and if thats the case its clear that your stomach doesnt need that much suppression.

[meadfoot]

Where to begin, i share your pain quite literally. Perhaps you need more in depth tests to try to get to the bottom of your concerns. Goodness i have had just about every test in the book. Gastric emptying test, bile acid malabsorption as i had my gall bladder removed, i have to say gastric issues have been worse since gall bladder removal. Manometry ph acid test twice, endoscopy with biopsies, bravo capsule insertion, colonoscopy, barium swallow, even referred to a rheumatologist to see if there was an autoimmune connection.

Still i suffer. I cant take PPIs due to another condition and when i had taken them years ago they stopped working and made my acid worse. I find them an awful drug. If you havent had tests try asking your GP for a referral to a specialist.

A fundoplication op helps some people and may be worth investigating. Also a lynx procedure may help but you need to get in front of a a specialist to progress tests and any procedures. Sadly i cant have either procedure due to other health conditions and manage as best i can on gaviscon advance.

Its a vile daily condition which badly affects quality of life. I assume you have tried all the good old favourites like raising head of your bed, a wedge pillow, bland diet, small meals, not eating past six pm, keeping off spicy food and alcohol. Stress is a biggy i find and wondering if something sinister is going on adds to the stress. So sorry you are suffering, hope you can find a resolution or reduction in symptoms at the very least. You have my empathy. Best wishes.

[Ivor1]

Gall bladder issues?

[Mindcrazedbanjo]

Hi, I recognise the symptons you describe because I had the exact same ones. I started on Gaviscon and was getting through a lot of bisodol through the nights as well, I actually found that Gaviscon made things worse. I realised there were other PPI's available, so I went to my doctor and he changed my prescription from Lansoprazol to Rabeprazol, since then I've been fine. I'm four and a half years post Op. Hope this helps.