I was diagnosed with acid reflux a couple of months ago. I have had it on and off for the past few years and it was previously mistakenly diagnosed as anxiety! By my GP. Anyway it seems to have gotten worse with my throat feeling sore and feeling as though something is in my throat and I cant breath, I cant swallow properly and it feels really dry, my voice is hoarse at times, most mornings I wake up with a really bitter metallic taste in my mouth. I woke up Coughing and choking a few days ago. I am on lansoprazole been on it for about 3 months also take Gaviscon advanced and have nasal sprays on prescription but don't see much relief from anything. I have also implemented some lifestyle changes e.g not eating after 5pm changing my diet. I also sleep upright almost in a sitting position. Haven't been sleeping properly really affecting me. I know everyone is different but does anyone have any advice or tips on what else I can do to get this under control? at my wits end. Your responses will be much appreciated.
Reflux issues: I was diagnosed with... - Oesophageal & Gas...
Reflux issues
Sorry to hear you are having acid reflux issues. I have the same and it can be hard to keep under any control. There is so much i cant eat and cant take ppis like lansoprazole as they affect my cardiac arrhythmias. Have your medics discussed the possibility or suitability of performing a fundoplication procedure which helps some people substantially. May be worth having a discussion with them.
Have you kept a food diary and stopping anything you think exacerbated your reflux. For example i cant eat tomatoes which might seem a simple enough food but can be known to be reflux no no’s. Have you spoken with a dietician regarding FODMAP diet, may be worth a try.
I too have to sleep sat up and it helps somewhat as does gaviscon advance but its a daily hassle, i am sorry you are having such struggles. Sadly no magic bullets it would seem. Best wishes.
Hi thanks for your response, yes I am currently following a fodmap diet I have cut out a lot of food and like you, lots of things I cant eat. I spoke to my GP this morning and they are going to try me on another ppi, so I am going to see how I get on with it. I have never heard of a fundoplication. But I will research more information on this and see if this could be a suitable option for me. Thanks and best wishes to you.
"ACID REFLUX IS A DISEASE, NOT A BAD MEAL CHOICE"
Anxiety is a trigger. So GP's finding was close on the trigger but root cause is GORD. GORD is formally confirmed by the Hospital GI team andnot GP per say.
Also there is a lot of information about what you are asking previously discussed and suggest using the "Search" function as well.
I said nothing of the sort that Gord is a bad meal choice. But diet /foods that you eat can exasperate the issue. And maybe anxiety could be a trigger but I do not suffer from anxiety. The 2nd GP I had seen was able to confirm it was GORD as he was able to diagnose it unlike the first GP (GPS can and do confirm GORD in patients but some also refer you to hospital consultants if symptoms are severe). He said it was very unfortunate that I was misdiagnosed and being in pain for a long period of time. I was also seen by a hospital consultant too who also confirmed it was GORD. Anyways I'm glad they have now been able to confirm it is GORD so I can try and treat it, I have done many 'searches' and looked up a lot of info into this issue just thought It maybe beneficial to know what others have done if I can stumble on something I have not tried to relieve these symptoms.
Hi I can relate to you. I get the the reflux cough and has been totally disabling at times. I found that H2 blockers were a life saver while I sorted my diet out. They really help if you have any food intolerance. Mine was wheat and corn. Zantac and ranitidine have now been discontinued but you can still get other H2's! PPI's just don't work for me. All the best.
Thanks for your tips on H2 blockers. I am currently on ppi's but will be switching to another as the current one I have been taking is not working. But this is something to add to my list of things to try untill I am able to find a long term solution to this issue.
Good luck.
Hi and thanks for your reply. Can I ask what PPI you are on? I found years ago that Lansoprozole made my body ache and didn't stop my reflux cough. The 15mg size with the yellow capsule caused me to have a red rash over my body. Omeprozole just makes me feel ill and gives me a tummy ache and forever burping. Sometimes it is the pill that makes you ill. All the best.
I was on Lansoprozole but it just wasn't working for me, but now I have just started taking omeprazole hopefully it will work.
Hi Sableheart. I have just come off Omeprazole after 4 months as they made me feel awful. I was taking 2 x 20mg morning and before evening meal. Hopefully they will be fine for you though. Now I am on H2 Blocker Nizatidine. They are much kinder to the body and I feel so much better already. If you want to know what side effects I had I can tell you but I won't now as the power of the mind is so strong. See how you get on. All the best. Sue
Hi Doris22 Sorry to hear the Omeprazole didn't work for you but at least you have found an alternative thats giving you some relief. Yes for me its early days with this ppi but hopefully it will work fingers crossed.
Hi there. Just to say it did stop the acid but the side effects were awful. Trouble is I thought it was part of my illness and just lived with it. I understand we are all different. It wasn't until I was reffered to a Gastroenterology clinic that they said to stop taking Omeprozole and offered an H2 Blocker as an alternative. My doctor never did and in the end said to take an antidepressant for my anxiety. Beware it was the Omeprozole that was causing my low mood. Thank goodness I didn't take the antidepressants! My mood is good now and I no longer-feel like crying all the time. There were other things too but you might not get any of them. Take care and all the best
It was not meant to you but rather copy paste of the webpage header. That's why it was in comas.
Having said that have you visited the webpage and used the symptoms checker tools etc?
It's good to know that you have done your searching, what was suggested was same function on this forum as well. This is very common and repeated question, hence a lot information by users already discussed if it helps. Definitely people currently scrolling the forum will be kind to share their feedback as well.
Good luck with your search
I've tried loads of things since my reflux started Dec 19 , recently thing I've started to take before bed is Mastic Gum tablets, they seem to be helping a bit alongside omeprazole.......I ditched gaviscon on a night as for me I thought it seemed to make things worse.
Trail and error unfortunately as I've tried charcoal tabs, apple cider vinegar, milk thistle etc etc
Good luck
Thanks for your response and tips, I haven't heard of mastic gum but will look into this. I have a full bottle of apple cider vinegar sitting in my kitchen cupboard but I'm scared to try it just in case it makes matters worse. I am taking Gaviscon but doesn't seem to be working as I don't feel any relief after taking it. Hopefully something will help.
Good luck to you also and best wishes.
I have had reflux for a long time and find certain foods will cause it to flare ie spicy foods, alcohol or coffee, not always, it's a bit like a hangover after having a drink you know it might be awful but you might get away with eating it without the pain. I find fresh ginger in hot water as a tea type drink can help, as can eating crystallised ginger or ginger in syrup. Aniseed twists can help, I use sugar free ones to suck if it wakes me up at night. I use gaviscon, sip cream or natural youghurt (has a cooling calming effect).
Others have suggested chewing liquorice root which works for some, a friend swears by peppermint cordial in hot water. Sometimes sips of something fizzy help, I like ginger ale, another cream soda, these are all of them old fashioned remedies but they do help some of us and we are all different.
I have bought an electric bed and find it helps lots. You can find them 2nd hand
It's a matter of experimentation and finding what works for you. I also take my prescribed PPI's
Good luck cheers. Lizzy
Thank you, for your tips they are much appreciated. I think some of these remedies will be great for me short term along side my ppi's to help keep me going untill I'm able to get to the underlying cause of this nightmare. But the ginger tea my grandmother swears by it, she has it on a regular basis and other old fashioned remedies, needless to say she has never had any serious medical conditions, she is in her 90s and strong. Yes indeed experimenting to see what works for me is a must. Thanks and good luck to you also.
Sorry you are in such discomfort. Maybe you need to increase your PPI. How much do you take? I was wondering if your consultant suggested an endoscopy to see what was going on inside and also to see if you have a hiatal hernia. This would allow stomach acid to reflux back up.
I am taking lansoprazole but I will be getting a different ppi and GP has up the dosage to 2 a day instead of 1 a day. Hope it works. The Consultant did not suggest an endoscopy but if this ppi does not work I will be getting back to them to persist for an endoscopy. Thank you.
Chocolate alcohol fizzy drinks acidic fruit and juices and tomatoes definitely set mine off. I also have a hiatal hernia which makes it worse. Try DGL deglycerated liquerice and slippery elm to sooth the throat and cough and help to line the oesophagus.
Yes thanks I have seen the DGL chewable Liquorice when out shopping but didn't get them because I already bought the Gaviscon chewable tablets and thought they did similar things. But I think the Gaviscon chewable deals mainly with the stomach than the throat. I am going to try the Liquorice as so far everything else I have tried to soothe my throat hasn't worked.
Make sure it’s DGL otherwise it can give you high blood pressure. I definitely recommend slippery elm as a drink as well.
Thanks for the suggestion! I have started taking the DGL, I have the slippery elm but not had any as yet. But so far see a difference in my throat some relief at last DGL alongside the other things I'm trying seems to be making a difference.Once again thank you and best wishes.
I had to persist to get endoscope but seems like you need one . Mirrors my symptoms and don’t be fobbed off with Lansoprazole tablets as long term they do you secondary harm as I chatted to several patients I met during out patient visits . I had op fir hiatus hernia in 2018 and now aged 61 I have never been fitter. I had to shed weight , have better diet and exercise but the misery I had with my stomach and horrid burning throat plus no sleep was making me mentally ill tooAll I can say is nag them . Keep going back and explain you can’t thrive properly. Please let me know how you get on and ask me anything
It is reassuring and good to know you were able to get the medical care you needed and now striving & well. After getting back to my GP about the lansoprazole not working they have given me another ppi to try which I will be getting from the pharmacy today. I do not plan on staying on these medications long term. And I think you are right about persisting with them and not allowing them to fob me off. I will be taking this ppi as a short term measure and if I see no improvement after a short time frame I will be back to the GP insisting they refer me to get an endoscopy. Thanks for your advice means a lot as what you have said mirrors a lot of what I was thinking.
Best wishes
I would push on the sleeping too as if you work it can be dangerous if you are surviving on limited rest .
I'm 73 and 2 years post Ivor Lewis. My solution will probably sound too radical for most of you but it works for me. Along with the acid reflux I used to have, I also have gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying) which is more pronounced in the evening. Food would stay in my stomach well past my bedtime contributing to acid reflux. After considerable experimenting, this is my solution for both conditions. My last solid food intake is around 2:00 PM, mid afternoon snack. For my evening meal I make a light smoothie for easy digestion. Just before bed I flush my stomach to get rid of the remaining bile. I take half a glass of cold water and bend over. I do this 2 to 3 times. This empties the stomach completely. I then take an antacid usually 1 Tum. I then brush my teeth. I'm good for the night and in the morning I take one 20 mg of omeprazole. I haven't had acid reflux since I started this routine about 8 months ago. With the Ivor Lewis the lower sphincter has been removed. So our esophagus and stomach are like a flower vase. When you put water in and tip it over it all comes out. I would not recommend this for anyone suffering from hiatus hernia or any other hernia. I researched on line to see if there could be any long term consequences from this type of stomach flushes. I found there could be problems if retching is involved or forced vomiting. In my case, there is none, no straining whatsoever, just slight stomach squeezing. I was quite surprised the amount of bile remaining in the stomach 4 hours after the smoothie was digested, which no doubt was contributing to the reflux. It sure feels good after the flush with nothing in the stomach. I just had my 2 year CT scan and everything is fine. I have not lost any weight. This is not for everyone but if you do not have any surgery complications, it may be worth a try or a modified version.
Hi sorry to hear about the path your on , as you can see loads of us suffer the same or similar have you tried or heard of esomeprazole or acidophilus that one is from Holland and Barrett the other from the doctors it could help in some way , all the best
Thanks for your reply Yes I have just switched ppi to omeprazole but I have to wait and see how i get on with them As I have justed started taking them. I started taking acidophilus recently also, so still early days but I do feel a lot better since putting up my post thanks to everyone's suggestions on here that I have tried and the research I have done.
Hi sableheart, I feel for you. Acid reflux is awful. Firstly you must get an endoscopy to check for damage in the oesophagus. Don't touch the acid cider vinegar until you know whats going on inside as it will make any damage, worse. Your awful throat symptoms are caused by LPR. have you read The Acid Watchers diet book by Dr Aviv? I strongly recommend it. it explains how we have pepsin in the stomach which is activated when it comes into contact with meat/protein and it digests them. It doesn't damage our stomach lining though as this is toughened to protect against pepsin damage. When you have reflux and acid/bile moves out of the stomach into the oesophagus/throat the pepsin goes with it. Once it settles in our throat etc the pepsin gets to work again digesting but this time it is damaging the lining of our throat and oesophagus. It's even been found in ear canals! As these areas are not toughened to withstand the damage like our stomach, we get the awful LPR symptoms. Hoarse throat, sensation of lump in throat, post nasal drip, coughing/ choking in the night etc. Pepsin thrives in an acidic condition. However it is denatured at pH above 8 or in an alkaline environment. So read the book. A low acid diet and drinking alkaline water will help massively with your throat symptoms. I know as I have been there. It's a really good place to start. My terrible LPR symptoms went after a couple of weeks after eating a low acid diet etc. It's not necessarily a cure for reflux in every one but it will certainly get rid of throat problems and improve the heartburn etc. I have a weakened gasteoesophageal junction diagnosed with manometry and 24hr pH testing so will have to take a low dose ppi forever but this combined with a low acid diet has been life changing for me. I also need to lose some more weight which I am working on. My reflux originally started when my thyroid stopped working and I put on a lot of weight which pushes on your stomach supporting your stomach to push contents up instead of down into our intestines. I really hope you find something that helps you. I was sceptical about the low acid diet but was over the moon with the results for my LPR symptoms. Good luck! X
Hi Sable, i have recently come across your post.. and have similar to you( for approx 6 months) but have already had an endoscopy recently.
I just wanted to say hi and ask how your getting on now ?
Jb
Hi Jezburg, Thanks for your response. Some of The home remedies and advice that everyone has recommended on here has helped me a lot. Like you I have just recently had an endoscopy also. The consultant said my throat looks normal but My airways has become smaller for some reason affecting my swallowing and breathing. He diagnosed me with obstructive sleep apnea to be honest I'm not totally convinced I have sleep apnea as this issue with my throat is constant and affects me also during the day when swallowing. Anyways I have rebooked to be seen by another Consultant for a second opinion and hopefully he can address my acid reflux issues too. This is all so confusing the main problem is the discomfort and pain in my throat, my bloating problem is still there but has improved quite a bit I have been exercising, and doing a lot of jogging this has helped immensely.
How is everything with you now since your endoscopy? Are you on any meds or treatments. Do you experience bloating?
Sableheart
Hi Sable..
Thanks for your reply, my problem/s are my local Gp's will only do a 10 minutes phone call at any one time, so i cannot even explain all my problems in any 10 mins..
I do also have sleep problems with all this, cannot sleep on my right side as sometimes wake from iffy Lymph nodes from a previous iguinal hernia , but sleeping on my left hurts my esophagus + a few blood abnormalities from having radiotherapy in my 20s.. when i call Gp i do not know where to start to be honest with you .
My endoscopy has shown no cancer, but irregular z line + no follow up appointment from gastro doc.. just sent home with a different ppi and told you that you've gastritis...
Apparently it's early Barratts.. not at all comforting, just wish i could afford to go private.
I'm living for today really, aged 47, and as a vegan i'm eating well .. making some nice smoothies 
I don't suffer from bloating at all, can't ride my pushbike or exercise bike as too much chest discomfort, but do try to walk 3 to 5 miles everyday..
I know my voice is weakened, so i drink boiled kettle water everyday and have just bought the Acid watchers diet book ..but with the power of Google and YouTube and this site i am learning something new everyday!
take care 👍
Jb
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