Mini pill causes acid reflux/gastritis?

[Jessieb92]

I've been on the progesterone only mini pill (desogestrel) for 18 months now to help with endometriosis pains before I have surgery (hopefully early next year). 2 months after taking it, I noticed I was getting recurring acid reflux, lots of burping, and a bloated gurgling stomach so went to the GP and they prescribed a PPI (15mg lansoprazole) and diagnosed gastritis, saying this was likely stress-related (I'd just started a new job). This improved the reflux slightly but for the past few months my gastritis keeps coming back. It's making me feel so depressed and hopeless; I've tried everything to help - I have regular therapy which has improved managing stress and anxiety greatly, I've tried different diets, don't drink alcohol or coffee, don't smoke, eat small meals and avoid fatty greasy foods. I've been so miserable this weekend as the burning pain and bloating in my stomach is constant. I eat a small bowl of porridge in the mornings and even that sets it off. After some Googling I found some people on Twitter shared my experience and said the mini pill gave them constant reflux and a few articles suggesting this. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm terrified of coming off the pill and my horrendous cramps returning, but this is too unbearable. I feel like all the joy's been taken out of life as I can't enjoy any food or drink. Could this even been linked to endo?

Any advice is greatly appreciated ❤️

[Dee286]

A couple of things. Firstly your desogestrel isn’t a real progesterone it’s a synthetic progestin and this is messing with your body. Second thing is the PPI is only good for ulcers and for short term use like 4-6 weeks max. Lowering stomach acid serves to increase reflux over time due to a number of reasons, one being the fact you need your les valve to close and if it doesn’t the reflux can happen. So what to do? Look into natural progesterone. Stop the PPI. Look at soothing foods and I’d try avoiding gluten as it’s a huge trigger for just about everything-are your oats gluten free if not buy only gluten free. I hope this has helped you, I hardly ever comment but can see your starting on a slippery slope.

[ParkSchool5]

Hi, so sorry to hear you are suffering so much with this awful problem. I have had Gastritis/acid reflux for several years which was fairly mild to start with. I last had an Endoscopy in 2019 which worsened all my symptoms by far, to the point I have to sleep sitting up, cannot eat or drink anything after 6.30 pm. and have to take more meds to help relieve things. I would never have another Endoscopy, it has ruined my quality of life. I told my Gastro consultant and he said that some people do find Endoscopy makes things worse. I wish they would inform us of this before we sign the consent form. Hope things start to improve soon for you, I know how depressing it can be.

[Alfish46 in reply to ParkSchool5]

😳 😱 OMGEndoscopy's made you worse? That is so horrible 😭😭. I'm so sorry. I'm dealing with Acid reflux and on Pantoprazole 20mg. I'm bet this makes your system get worse after time. I want off of it. Sending big hugs 🤗

Amy