Not sure what to do..

[Minniemouse22]

Hi all,

I have been on Lansoprazole 30mg x twice a day for 8 wks now and am due to cut back to just one a day but over the w/end and today I have had reflux attacks despite raising the bed,eating correctly etc. The one over the w/end was with regurgitating food in the same form as I ate it 12 hrs before. I can't get an appt with my GP for 3 wks and wondered if anyone here had any advice to offer. Should I remain on the higher dose until I can get to speak to her or should I cut the dosage down despite having the attacks.

Almost all attacks I have are "silent"..I have little to no warning of them other than waking up either choking on fumes or being sick. My mouth,throat and lungs are painful during all these attacks too.

I was dxed with a sliding hiatal hernia (5cm) and Barretts' Oesophagus.

I know none here are medically qualified but I wonder if anyone else has had the same problem and what did they do about it.

Thank you all in advance

[Hidden]

Have you started to cut back on your Lansoprazole? Sometimes there is a 'bounce' effect for a couple of weeks when the body produces a reaction to the acid-suppressant no longer being present. These medications do take a week or two to settle down. Meanwhile Gaviscon can help because that works in a different way; it creates a temporary protective raft at the top of your stomach.

If you have not already started to cut down I would feel inclined to leave it unchanged until the doctor has seen you.

If the food you regurgitated is in the same form as you ate it, it seems that it has not entered your stomach for some reason, possibly associated with your oesophagus and/or the lower oesophageal sphincter by your diaphragm, which is round about where your hiatus hernia is located.

And if your lungs are affected, this may be because you are aspirating the reflux into your airways. This is a potential cause of infection, so it is quite a serious development.

My guess is that your GP would, in any event, have to refer you on to the hospital, depending on how long ago your last endoscopy was. I would feel inclined to ring the surgery, explain what is happening, and see whether they can bring the appointment forward.

There are some people, a small minority, for whom PPI medication does not counteract their reflux, and in these cases, the options of repairing a hiatus hernia, or thinking about anti-reflux procedures becomes more relevant.

[Minniemouse22 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply. I will do as you suggest and try to get to see a GP earlier although seems may be easier said than done.To be honest I think all of my symptoms have been worse since the two scopes ( July this year) Sometimes I get overwhelming sickness after eating..its like the food ( porridge and one cup of coffee) hasn't gone down. I tend to sip lemonade when this happens in the vain hope I can burp ( always have trouble with this ) and this helps a little.

I wonder if other PPI's might suit me more but also wonder if this will occur to my GP..I know I make her sound like an idiot but on this subject she certainly seems at a loss as to what to do.

I don't know whether this symptom is related to anything oesophagal but have a hugely distended stomach which comes and goes too..when this happens I have pain in the middle rib area.

I've read all the foods to avoid,raised the bed,don't wear restrictive clothing etc and take the meds regulary but am feeling a little despondant at the moment.It seems ,certainly for now,like a neverending problem.

Thanks again

[Dogday20 in reply to Minniemouse22]

If you can’t get an appt with your GP try for another doc in the practice, this will give you a second opinion at the very least! Good luck