reflux

[Opelcorsa]

I take nexium 40mg daily. Yet I still have burning and reflux. Alcohol really triggers an attack. Any advice would be appreciated

[petercaron]

Have you had surgery on your Esophagus or been diagnosed with an issue with your esophagus?

If Alcohol triggers an attack. Don’t drink!!

Are you taking prescription strength Nexium? What time are you taking it and what time are you drinking?

Have you tried drinking some liquid Gaviscon when you get your burning?

Is the reflux when you lie down? Are you sleeping with the bed raised?

[Opelcorsa in reply to petercaron]

No I didn't have surgery. Just told I have hiatus hernia and stomach ulcer. I take nexium 40 before breakfast, sometimes my food rests in my chest like a golf ball. Can't drink alcohol now , if I do it feels like my insides are raw

[behcets]

so sorry you are having a rough time. I switched to alkaline water for most of my liquid intake for the day and it made a HUGE difference. I no longer have to take prescriptions for my reflux. I also sleep on an incline,

Good luck!

[Dannymo]

Morning, on holiday a friend from Holland introduced me to Sucraphate which I now take after my evening meal and reflux has reduced dramatically.

[focused1]

Unsure what you have been diagnosed with . I insisted on tests to actually find out if something was wrong. I was found to have hiatus hernia and only surgery cured this as certain foods I couldn’t digest .I had to cut out all alcohol and some fruit juices triggered pain and discomfort. Medication for me didn’t resolve anything. I met patients in hospital clinics that told me long term meds caused secondary issues like ulcers . My weight was also discussed that before then after surgery I was to be mindful about being over an average 25/26 max BMI just as guidance . After surgery in Jan 2018 all symptoms went . I still find it difficult to digest dense meats and actually my appetite isn’t what it used to be portion wise I do drink alcohol with no problems but limit it to no more than once a week then moderation.

[Opelcorsa]

Thank you

[Foxbat1]

Hello Opelcorsa,

Some points below may help.

I too was diagnosed with a 3 cm long hiatal hernia (HH) and a significant ulcer when I was 38 years old, having previously suffered long bouts of indigestion and feeling of lump in throat for many years.

I was put on cimetidine at the time in 1980s. This course did have a limited benefit but I always had difficulty with digestion, abdominal pain, excessive wind and many occasions of severe reflux, sore throat and difficulty in swallowing, choking often suffering episodes of vomiting. Cimetidine had many side effects. Doctors could not offer any solution over the next 35 years. I also tried ranitidine /Zantac and barium meal tests.

Gastroscopic tests revealed my condition had not improved. but had some positive effect after I was later prescribed omeprazole. The HH remained the same and the ulcer reduced a little in size, but other symptoms remained. I developed swallowing difficulties from acid reflux and even had nasal blockages. unable to sleep at nights. I felt miserable and my work suffered. I decided that I needed a drastic re-evaluation of my condition and embarked on self medication outside the omeprazole route. The gastro consultant would not recommend surgery for HH (fudopulation) and I was not keen on it either. My research showed that good quality Manuka honey was of benefit, which I took before bedtime. Further gastroscopy revealed that the ulcer was cured but HH remained. About 12 years ago I went on strict 6 month long diet of abstaining totally from dairy, tea, coffee, citrus fruits, chocolate, alcohol and heavy spicy or fried foods. I limited the portion sizes, lost 2 stone in weight and undertook daily exercises and jogging to bring my BMI down to 22.5 from 26.0. I used probiotics from Kombucha and sauerkraut. I ate raw cabbage, half ripe bananas and apples. I slept on a wedge to raise my head/chest and lie on my left side. Avoiding bending and tight clothes helped. I drank warm water to weigh down the stomach before going on a 30 minute run early morning before breakfast and used button/string exercises which I later modified by using a spoon to strengthen the throat, esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) with some success. From my research I found that a certain food hormone is beneficial. I used this hormone* to aid the process to tighten the LES which helped enormously. This was one of the most beneficial items on my programme. I no longer have swallowing difficulties, no reflux (or silent reflux) and sleep well. Two gastroscopy tests (6 months apart) revealed my ulcer is now cured and the 30 or so year old HH has now completely reset below the diaphragm where it should normally reside. It appears my LES was weak which resulted in a HH. This happens to some people particularly as we age. My doctor was amazed at the results from my gastroscopy, which prompted him to ask for details of my self medicated 'therapy' - he says he will recommend to his patients. I can say that I am 95% cured and now have a normal diet including coffee, alcohol (weekends only) chocolate, spicy food, etc without any detrimental effects. Its the best I have felt in decades. My life has changed. I feel great. I still continue with my therapy, apart from food which is now diverse.

* The hormone I used is available on prescription but caution is needed when used if people suffer from auto immune problems, hence I am reluctant to name it in public.

Perhaps you could use some of the ideas above as I had the same symptoms as you have. I would like to share these ideas.

[Opelcorsa in reply to Foxbat1]

What is button/string/spoon exercises. Thank you so much, I'll try the manuka honey and I don't have an autoimmune condition. Your advice is very helpful

[Foxbat1 in reply to Opelcorsa]

Hi Opelcorsa,

I thought there would be a few questions you may want to ask.

I could not detail everything on that post. You can imagine how much there is to write on a problem that is ongoing over a 35 year span.

The purpose of the exercises is strengthen the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) which overtime loses its elasticity and gets slack allowing the upper part of the stomach to 'slide' into the esophagus. That is when the hiatal hernia occurs and becomes a problem allowing gastric contents to rise into the esophagus.

The exercise is similar to the iQuoro device, but it is very expensive. This is the link for your leisurely read: iqoro.com .

The method used by some US physicians is to use a large button the size of a 2p coin or smaller . You thread a strong cotton or nylon thread/string in the button holes, insert the button vertically into your mouth between the lips and teeth, hold the button from falling out by pursing the lips and pull the string outwardly. The idea is to compress your lips together to hold the button. You start gently and as the lips get used to the outward pull, you can increase the pull force overtime. Hold the button for a count of 10 seconds, relax for 3 to 4 seconds and repeat the exercise 2 times - a total of 3 altogether. Do this 3 times a day. I have used a table spoon to get the same effect - like iquoro. Read the contents of the iquoro link above, which will give you a good idea. The device iquoro use is shaped like 2 spoons back=to=back, but I have used the tablespoon method successfully at home. Iquoro charge £145, but seriously a spoon does the trick. This exercise strengthens the LES and throat and is proven to work.

Manuka honey will cure the ulcer in conjunction with Omeprazole initially. Its worked for me.

The hormone I was referring to is Melatonin. This hormone is produced by our body in the stomach lining and the pineal gland. Overtime, this hormone gets depleted and the sphincter gets weak. So we need to supplement it. Several institutions have researched the efficacy of melatonin, and found that it cures ulcer and also tightens the LES. Use between 3 to 5 mg in conjunction with omeprazole. After 6 weeks reduce omeprazole. In the UK, melatonin is only obtained via prescription and only in 2 mg tablets. In US and Europe one can buy it over the counter. I have used 2mg to start with and it worked extremely well. You will also sleep well!!

Contact me if you need any more info. Glad to share my experience.

[dix99]

Do you have a prescription for nexium? Prescription better than over the counter & cheaper. If you have prescription maybe you need Prevacid instead? Or if prescription maybe a larger dose? I have large hiatal hernia & Barretts. I take Prevacid-40 mg in the morning. BUT I also try to never eat or drink things I’ve learned that bother me. Such as black pepper, sage, orange juice, bacon….etc., several things I stay away from. And do not eat after 6 pm in the evening. I sleep on a wedge (elevated) at night with a pillow.

Learn to do all this stuff cause you do not want to get Barrett’s.

[kiddy]

hi,

What tests have you had? Food resting in chest doesn’t sound right.

Best Wishes

Debbie

[Foxbat1]

Opelcorsa,

How are you feeling now? Did you get any benefit from the advice from posters on this platform?

[Opelcorsa]

I had an endoscopy and doctor prescribed nexium 40mg twice a day. I'm watching what I eat and drink, so I'm feeling good at the moment. I found the advice here very helpful