Operation or not?

[HappyD34]

Hi

Hope you can help. I have a small sliding HH diagnosed a few years ago, I’m on omeprazole. I overindulged over Christmas but was fine, however on 2 jan my upper abdomen was so painful, I felt nauseous and that prompted me to do dry January. I have burning sensation in throat and increased my omeprazole to 40 mg . Had a phone consultation with GP who said bloods then maybe another referral. I feel rotten, weepy and in discomfort. I feel because of the pandemic that to increase my meds isn’t the answer, and this has been going on for months. I don’t understand the sudden change in pain and what has caused it. I am considering going private and having an op but no idea of real success rate etc etc. Has anyone experience of this or general thoughts? Many thanks 😊

[Bellaowl]

U said it yourself, u over indulged. HH will gradually stretch but will not be happy. I wouldn’t increase meds a lot unless asking GP.

The lesson is u cannot over indulge without consequences. Your body will gradually calm again. But an ultra sound or endoscopy may help to know what is happening.

People seem to assume they can continue the same life style with this diagnosis. You can’t. The same u wouldn’t be able to if u had developed type 2 diabetes.

It’s important to treat this with respect, it can have long term consequences. 🦉

[HappyD34 in reply to Bellaowl]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I think maybe GP’s don’t talk about what to do and not, just give more meds. But I will take it seriously and have already cut down . Like the owls , into birds of prey big time - my happy go to place 🦅🦉👍

[Bellaowl in reply to HappyD34]

I’ve seen 3 different surgeons over the yrs before my heart condition happened. All were against operating on small HH.

All said it was not a successful op.

If it gets much bigger then think again.

I find that certain foods will calm the situation. Eg skimmed goats milk- often warm with a cardamon pod. Banana- not too ripe. Stewed apple with a hint of clove or cardoman without sugar of any type.

I suggest u make notes of what simple things soothe.

I never drink alcohol or have much in the way of spice- never chilli or peppers. I can’t oxidise sulphur so no onion or cabbage family. If I’ve eaten onion by mistake eg at a friend’s house, it always sets off the burning

Reduce down to find out what helps and more important what aggravates.

I’m now 73. I’v had this for 20-30 yrs, probably longer bc the final straw for the HH was caused by a terrible asthma attack in 1997.

I’ve been asthmatic since 10months of age due to whooping cough in the days before the NHS and antibiotics.

A useful info I was told by 1 doctor was: the stomach produces only a little acid when u don’t eat. So if u are getting a lot of acid, stop eating.

That’s really hard to do because your brain seems to want to eat to stop the acid-use it up. I assume it says, ‘give it something to use up the acid’.

That’s very logical, but seems to be the opposite of what the body needs. If the stomach is less stimulated by having food, even a sweet, in it, it produces less acid.

It never completely goes away, the only thing u can do it control it, the same as I do my diabetes.

Thank u, my Knickname since Uni days was owl. 🦉

[Hidden in reply to Bellaowl]

The info that doctor gave about not eating is an interesting one - and would be a disaster for me. What weight I have (not much) I lose easily and that can be a huge problem, because when I get flare ups of reflux I very definitely “go off” certain foods (all known trigger foods) and can lose my appetite altogether. In the past that has resulted in a lot of weight loss in a fairly short space of time; I’ve ended up clinically underweight twice.

[Bellaowl in reply to HappyD34]

People tell me peppermint tea helps. I find the opposite. In theory it should help but it’s too stimulating for my gut. That’s why it’s really important to make lists of what helps and what makes it worse so u can take action quickly.

Omeprazole TABLETS usually help. Also Gaviscon tablets sucked. Y

[HappyD34 in reply to Bellaowl]

Hi there, gosh you really have suffered haven’t you. I do hope you are feeling better these days. Thanks for all the advice and your thoughts, much appreciated. Apparent I’m obese, at 5.4ft and 10.11 stone I find that hard to digest 🤣, but losing weight around my stomach where I carry most of my weight should help. Unfortunately I love a glass of wine or two, love spices etc etc so just got to get over it. Everything in moderation but for me a tad less than that. I’ll keep a diary 👍. Enjoy your Sunday

[Bellaowl in reply to HappyD34]

Sometimes on the food and drink it’s best to go cold turkey. I had E.coli in 1971 so I’ve had yrs of practice.

I think u may need to aim at cutting something out a week at a time of the things u like and other less important items , go cold turkey.

Your gut will thank u for it.

I keep forgetting to say to people: WATCH YOUR TEETH.

the acid from your stomach will etch away your teeth day after day.

I have a dental consultant and she gives me a prescription for duraphate 280. It’s only on script, but there is another u can get over the counter.

Remember if u have reflux there is always strong acid coming into your mouth straight onto your teeth. So clean and rinse regularly. But no harsh brushing because it will take the enamel off. 🦉

[Hidden in reply to Bellaowl]

I find the opposite too! I’m surprised people say mint helps: mint is one of the more common triggers!