Acid reflux post H pylori eradication

[AMerchant]

I went on antibiotics plus PPI triple therapy treatment in January for helicobacter. Had my stool test in March which came back negative and had another one in May which was also negative. I have been off omeprazole since 28 February

However I keep getting episodes of acid reflux with varying intensity. Most common symptoms are tightness in the back of the throat when I sallow saliva, burning feeling in the upper middle abdominal and lowe chest and sometimes pain in the upper middle abdominal.

I could go for days with no symptoms but the from nowhere it comes up and lasts for a week or 10 days before subsiding

I try to manage with Gaviscon Advance and don't really want to go on omeprazole again because it takes a few days to have an effect and gives the acid rebound effect when I try to stop it.

Has anyone suffered from acidity even after successfully eradicating h pylori and how did you manage the symptoms?

Note I never had acidity issues before being diagnosed with H pylori in October last year

[sl0J0n]

Hello, "AMerchant";

The first thing to know is acid reflux is caused by LOW stomach acid.

The esophageal sphincter is closed by the normally high acidity of stomach acid.

When stomach acidity is not acidic enough the esophageal sphincter won't close completely which produces acid refluxe.

To counter that use apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons in 6-8 oz water.

That will usually solve the problem.

(At the moment, you may need to improve your digestion.)

Recently I was in hospital again (asthma, COPD, asbestosis exacerbation).

They gave me antibiotics "prophylactically" which is beyond stupid.

(You cannot treat an ailment you don't have.)

So after returning home I had a few spells of reflux, the vinegar resolved it.

Along w/ some probiotics to restore my microbiome.

Hopefully helpful.

PS

Don't bother asking a "doctor" about this they literally have no clue.

I learned this from youtube videos, Dr. Eric Berg is pretty knowledgeable.

[pen5377]

Yes, i had been taking lansoprazole/esomeprazole for more than 10 years because of silent reflux, when I developed symptoms of discomfort in my stomach if I left a long gap between breakfast and lunch, and also frequently in the late evening. I tested positive for h pylori, had eradication therapy. GP's test came back negative, referred for gastroscopy. I had to stop lansoprazole and ranitidine for 2 weeks beforehand. I had a small ulcer and erosions in the duodenum and gastritis in stomach. Biopsies confirmed I was negative for h pylori. Several months later had another gastroscopy, this time without stopping meds, ulcer and erosions healed, still some mild gastritis, but again confirmed negative for h pylori. Consultant said no further investigations needed. Since then I have continued on esomeprazole, double the dose since Ranitidine was withdrawn from the market. I have a hiatal hernia. I am slowly losing weight and watch my diet to avoid my known triggers for acid reflux, as well as following the advice about not eating within 3 hours of bedtime and raising the head of my bed. I also use peptac liquid (on prescription) to relieve occasional discomfort and most nights to help stop acid moving up to my throat. As long as I maintain the medication I keep symptoms at bay.

I find it frustrating that none of the trusted sites I look at for health information seem to recognise that problems post h pylori eradication is an issue for some people, but my doctors told me to carry on with the medication as developing ulcers is potentially dangerous (internal bleeding, perforation) as well as uncomfortable.

I would suggest you speak to your GP about what to do for long term control of symptoms. Good luck.

[AMerchant in reply to pen5377]

Thank you Pen5377.

I very rarely get acid or food come up my throat. I just get this tightness in my throat or tightness in the upper middle abdominal.

What is peptac liquid you take. Is it similar to Gaviscon Advance?

[pen5377]

I was never aware of acid coming up into my throat, and certainly not food. My initial symptoms were sore throat, hoarseness and cough, after ruling out other conditions I was put on a trial of lansaprazole which solved my problems for many years. In recent years, a camera to look at my voice box showed inflammation from acid reflux - I was just aware of hoarseness and a weak voice. Neither did I get heartburn, more a discomfort in my upper abdomen, a feeling sometimes of a bubble of gas that wouldn’t move.

Peptac liquid is a generic version of Gaviscon. Taken at night it forms a barrier over stomach contents. Hospital ENT initially prescribed Gaviscon, GPS the peptac liquid which I think works as well for me.