acid reflux

[prissymissy]

Hi there,

I had an oesophagectomy 3 years ago. I take Lanzoprazole 30mg twice daily. I am having the most vile acid reflux, it wakes me up and then I am unwell for 2 - 3 days afterwards. I have had a barium swallow, and a chest x-ray, nothing was found on these. Has anyone any tips for stopping the acid.

Many thanks

[1960finas]

Hi my daughter had terrible acid reflux and oesophagitis she was coughing all night taking umpteen ppi and also antihistamines every night she is off all medication no coughing and also took off waiting list for op had endoscopy to make sure what I was giving her wasn't masking the problem it took about 1week and we seen changes,now 8months on still no problems Dr can't believe it there is no inflimation no nothing.If you think you might want to try this message back. Cheers 1960finas

[ellieq in reply to 1960finas]

I would!!

[1960finas in reply to ellieq]

Hi Ellieq I'm out of my house I'll get back to you later today Fina's

[1960finas in reply to ellieq]

Hi Ellieq let me start with acid reflux is not caused with too much acid,its caused with low strength acid,and by taking ppi and antacids you are keeping the problem going it will never get better.when your acid is weak the lower oesophageal sphincter has to relax because the food you eat doesn't get fully absorbed and starts giving off gas that's why you get acid reflux if the acid was Of The right ph and the sphincter opened it would kill you ,the oesophegic has no protection like the stomach has.So what I use goes against the grain

So if you think I could help message back 1960finas

[ellieq in reply to 1960finas]

Yes I am still interested, but I do not have the sphincter as I have had the lower part of my oesophagus and the upper part of my stomach removed!

[1960finas in reply to ellieq]

Did you have the nissens fundoplication operation?

Cheers colin

[ellieq in reply to 1960finas]

Sounds painful!! I don't know they didn't give it a name!!

[prissymissy in reply to 1960finas]

Hi there,

many thanks for your reply. I will have a word, with my Mcmillan nurse, and see if she can do anything. I have been thinking of coming of the ppis anyway as they have had a bad write up.

Thanks once again

[haward]

Morning. Are you using Gaviscon at night? That's what my doctor and my surgeon recommended.

And do you sleep propped up? I struggle to sleep on my back but a wedge helps. The OPA has discounted wedges available.

Haward

[prissymissy in reply to haward]

thank you haward. I have just been put on gaviscon, by my McMillan nurse. it probably takes some time to kick in

thank you for your help

[Magpuss]

Could it be bile reflux? This is particularly vile - and I think ppi's only work on acid. I've avoided ppi's since having my op' and 'when necessary' taken Gaviscon instead, this has worked for me, on both acid and bile reflux. (Before being diagnosed ppi's were causing bone and joint pain, this is why I've avoided them since then).

[prissymissy in reply to Magpuss]

hi Magpuss, I shall try that. the McMillan nurse has just prescribed gaviscon for me anyway. Thanks for your help

[Magpuss in reply to prissymissy]

Hope it works for you.

[Spikey]

From what you say, it does sound more like bile reflux than acid, in which case the best advice is to avoid foods that create bile, namely high fat foods like pastry, crisps, ice cream, etc. and red meat. Good luck. I had an attack of bile reflux last week (the first for nearly a year) and was up most of the night after eating lamb shank and drinking red wine.

[prissymissy in reply to Spikey]

Hi Spikey,

I shall try that, I have a problem with sugary foods anyway, so I tend to avoid them, and since having the operation I find I cant drink wine anymore. (boo-hoo)

Thanks for your help

[worthbanner]

Ranitidine and gaviscon are over-the-counter products that work well for me (but for relatively short periods of time). I also chew sugarless gum much of the time, particularly right after eating, and have found that to be very helpful as well--it almost always quells the reflux completely during the time I am chewing. I had my Ivor Lewis in August of 2015. Hope this helps.

Worth

[prissymissy in reply to worthbanner]

thanks for that, I shall try the chewing gum

prissymissy

[phil]

In my experience is there are 3 main ways to stop this happening

1.Do not eat for three hours before you go to sleep.

2.you must be supported by at least 3 pillows.

3 Try gasviscon before you go to sleep.

This works for me and hopefully it will help you.

Phil

[prissymissy in reply to phil]

Hi Phil,

thanks for your help I will try that

Regards, Prissy missy

[HDMIBENQ]

Try Gaviscon high strength

[kierank]

Hello

I notice you have not said if you use pillows or if your bed is raised ? This may not solve your problems but will surely help . I would not certainly not chance sleeping "flat" . I am absolutely convinced that a raised bed is a much better solution than pillows . I found pillows become rearranged and it is difficult if not impossible to sleep comfortably on my side with them .

[prissymissy in reply to kierank]

thanks for your reply. Yes I sleep on a wedge pillow,

[tallbear]

Hello there,

Sorry to hear you are having a bad time this far on, I think most of the advice you receive on this site is sound and I agree with the propped up sleeping, it really makes a massive difference.

My small piece of advice would be to rely on the advice of the medical personnel first and do your best to avoid the people who try to intrigue you with 'Quack' cures which are not proven and can be dangerous.

Most of us who are post operation will recognise the real answers from helpful co-sufferers.

Good luck with it all

[prissymissy in reply to tallbear]

Hi tallbear,

thanks for your reply, and your words of encouragement. I sleep with a wedge pillow, I find it absolutely essential