I have been suffering with excess acid causing me to be sick in the night while sleeping for months now. I was on a cocktail of meds for chronic pain and came off them all because I have anaemia from low folate and B12 despite taking supplements. I believe the Omeprazole I was taking could have caused malabsorption of those vitamins. My GP is useless and wont help me...gave me ranitidine and lansaprozole for a couple of weeks then nothing, now its impossible to get an appointment so ive given up! Im still taking lansaprazole daily but things have gotten worse...being sick every time i bend down or lie down....bad chest pain and coughing if i recline.....I've upped my supplements to address my nutrient deficiencies but can't get this acid to settle. My stomach is constantly bloated and painful. Any advice please? Also is there a good GP/specialist in the Midlands please? What can i buy over the counter to help? I'm taking gaviscon and buscopan.
I also have undifferentiated connective tissue disease, fibromyalgia and IBS. Im sleeping on a wedge pillow at night and I don't eat many of the triggers such as tomatoes, onions, alcohol etc.
Thanks
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moneyangel22
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Omeprazole and lansoprazole are both members of the drug group, protein pump inhibitors,PPIs, and are very similar. They work by stopping the stomach secreting acid and are very good at that. However the acid is needed to absorb certain things, most importantly the vitamin B12 vitamin.
If the PPI, is used for a long time the patient may develop vitamin B12 deficiency and all that goes with it (mainly neuropathy ) but also they may get ostteoporosis from malabsorption of other substances as well as other problems. Not only does the patient develop symptoms, the blood level of b12 maybe normal, which is very confusing . The only true test of B 12 deficiency is a trial of vitamin B12 supplement to see if the symptoms recede. These things are not well known in the medical profession and so misdiagnoses occurs.
Once regular replacement of the missing vitamin B12 begins (by injection or tablets) the routine PP I medication can be started alongside the PPI with, hopefully, a relief of indigestion type- symptoms.
Sorry to hear all ,this.I had G.E.R.D or G,O.R,D a long time.Also,Barrett Esophagus.Am on 20 milligrams of omeprazole.Am well,aware that there is a concern that P.P.I may interfere with the absorption of vitamins.However,Bartlett can become cancer,so some like me,may need them.However,are you aware that they were concerned rantidine,may cause cancer?If fact,Zantac was once took off the market,for just this reason.It is back,now.New ingredient.Actually,if you read the warning label on the ppis it actually say not to take the ppis longer than 2 weeks,unless directed by a doctor.The first thing you should do is make sure you do not have a serious condition,like Bartlett Esophagus or erosive esophagus.Unfortunately,you will, need a camera inserted down your esophagus,for that.It won,t hurt.Will sedate you.Can be costly,however.If you are lucky,and there is nothing serious.My advice would be to be careful with ppis.No longer than 2 weeks.If you go on the internet there are a lot of ways people can eliminate heartburn.For example I chew gum after a meal and take aloe vera juice,along with my ppis.Also ,do not lie down.after a meal for as least 3 hours.Gravity should keep the food down.Also,it will help if you keep a food diary and see what foods trigger your heartburn.
Ranitidine has been withdrawn so you won’t be able to get that anymore. Cimetidine, which is in the same class of medication, is still available. It also goes by the name of Tagamet. Also, do you take Gaviscon Advance?
Connective tissue disorder - hmm. Have you been checked for a hiatus Hernia? I have a mild form of EDS myself, including history of hernias elsewhere so it’s something that has been checked with me? Not that anything has been found - yet.
I know it’s very hard to do, but try not to get too stressed. Stress is known to make reflux worse and it won’t be helping you now.
If, as you say, your current GP is useless, seek a second opinion from another doctor, and ideally get a referral to a gastro specialist.
Thanks for the replies everyone. My GP has put me on Lansaprazole and Famotidine for a few weeks and it seems to be helping a little. The problems I have are mostly during the night, if I don’t prop myself up to sleep I end up vomiting...but it really hurts my hips and joints so I’m struggling with that at the moment. I slept flat last night and woke up feeling like I’m having a heart attack! I guess the acid came up and is sitting on my chest. I’m being referred for a camera test to see what’s going on but the wait is usually a few months. I had party food and some really strong wine last night which didn’t help, but generally I have been eating well. I will try chewing gum and aloe Vera juice. I do take gaviscon chews. Is there anything else I can do? Particularly to prevent the nighttime episodes?
Help! I’ve finished my course of famotidine and lansaprazole now and still having problems, especially when sleeping. I can’t get hold of my doctor today for advice. I’m taking gaviscon today and having small regular meals, is there anything else I can do? I can’t bend over without it coming up. Im on the waiting list for a gastro appointment but in the meantime what should I be doing/looking for?
And inform yourself about the acid reflux and things that can be be done to help yourself.
Iifestyle adjustments are needed for now, given the ppi not working and GI investigation appointment not coming through. There are backlogs in the NHS everywhere.
Because of your complex health history you will need accurate and precise diagnosis to focus root cause treatment or management.
AS maggieHP mentioned, mental health is a key trigger and needs stability. This is something you have to do fpe yourself.
More pills you going to pop, in the overnight situation will be worse off.
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