Anybody tried the lower esophagus sphincter strengthening exercises?

[Jeromekjerome]

I had my first gastroscopy this afternoon, they found my lower esophagus sphincter was lax, allowing the stomach acid to enter back into the esophagus causing the familiar symptoms I'd seen drs about over the last 4 years.

I have been recommended 20mg of omneprozole per day but I do not want to get on that treadmill.

I tried 2 weeks of eomneprazole a few months ago and everything became much, much more painful. I also don't see the point of lowering stomach acid when the problem sphincter will continue to be the cause. Does this sphincter ever heal? Is that what the ppi is for?

I came across this account from someone who cured his LES by retraining it, anyone have any info on this at all?

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[dinahdough]

Couldn't agree with you more about not taking omeprazole. They only treat symptoms not the cause of the problem. And if you don't treat the problem you'll still have the symptoms so you'll still need the omeprazole and it just becomes a vicious circle. There are many reports online about negative long terms effects of taking PPIs and my opinion is that they are definitely best avoided. Having said that fixing a lax LES doesn't seem to be easy. I have seen the article you refer to before and wondered about it but it seems a very extreme thing to do, I would be wary of doing it myself without some kind of medical advice. But there is quite a lot of information online about other exercises you can try that aren't quite so extreme which you may find helpful. Good luck.

[Jumpey]

Not tried the exercises. But have been offered surgery.The options are Nissen fundlopication or Lynx surgery.

[Devlin26]

Hi Jerome, have a look into the Iqoro device. I am nearly six weeks in to using it but have not noticed any difference yet. They say it is available on the NHS if in the UK of course but I had to pay for mine. It essentially does the same as your exercise mentioned, it strengthens the LES and other muscles in the swallowing chain. I have reflux and have been on PPI's for years but they have just decided to stop working so I am pinning my hopes on this device. It seems a lot of money for a bit of shaped plastic, but if it works, then it will be worth it's weight in gold. It seems a bit less extreme than eating your tea upside down. Good luck, Dev

[welsh12 in reply to Devlin26]

Hi I would be interested to follow your progress just looked up this device and a lot of nhs areas have statements on it. I have emailed the company as there was something about caution if you have bells palsy. I have a long standing weakness so will see. Did you have any other links to the exercises on line can Google if not. Thanks Fed up of Ppis.

[Devlin26 in reply to welsh12]

Hi Welsh, no other links other than a dedicated facebook page but you can only get access to that if you have bought the device. I am pinning my hopes on it, I know I shouldn't, and I realise it is a long term solution. I messaged the Iqoro customer services and the said I should start to notice a difference about 8 weeks in, so if you want to DM me in a couple of weeks then you're welcome to. They are normally very good at getting back to you on week days. Cheers Dev

[welsh12 in reply to Devlin26]

Best of luck with it will do

[ReallyWondering]

Wow that's really interesting. Definitely worth considering.

[zendo]

Try IQoro. It was developed in Sweden by professional. It is based on the concept of a neuromuscular training effect. It is also covered by health insurance in the UK.

iqoro.com

It might well be what you are looking for.

[Debslosjoe]

Ive used the Iquoro for several months and it halfed my symptoms to the point I was able to half my PPIs. Its also very easy to use. That said Im currently having an acute attack of bile reflux but I will continue with the Iquoro. I would definitely recommend it.

[EctopicAnnie in reply to Debslosjoe]

that’s interesting.Do you mind saying whether or not you have a hiatus hernia?l can see why it might work then.

[Debslosjoe]

I was told many years ago that I had a hiatus hernia but when I had a gastroscophy last year they didn’t mention it on the findings which confused me. I was hoping it might be because of using the Iquoro.

[Eton in reply to Debslosjoe]

Hi Debs,

How long were you using the Iquoro before your endoscophy? Have you found it effective? I ask because I also have a Hiatus hernia? Thank you

[Debslosjoe]

Hi Eton I was using it for 4 months before the gastroscopy. I think the Iquoro is supposed to help with hernias and reflux in general. I feel it has helped me. you should be able to get one prescribed through the NHS but I bought mine.

[Eton in reply to Debslosjoe]

Many thanks Debslosjoe. I did mention the Iquoro to my GP some time ago. She has never heard of the device, said she would look into it and let me know but I nver heard another word!

[Debslosjoe]

Hi Eton the GPs dont seem up to date on any new treatments. I printed out the information for the GP but he refused to prescribe me one. I was also under Speach & Language for 6 months and they had never heard of it either.

[pinkgem1]

My dad's chronic, years-long night-time acid reflux went away after doing the LES strengthening exercises I taught him back in Dec. He's had a couple times where it kind of came back, but it quickly went away again with avoiding triggers and doing the exercises again. However, I looked at other studies and accounts, and water is safer to be used in my opinion, and that's what me and him have used.

My case of reflux has been more severe and needing a more multifaceted approach and I've had some symptomatic relapses so I'm probably going to be very careful for a 12 week timeframe, but I HAVE definitely found benefit in doing the water drinking LES exercises, and even more so with preceding it with dry swallowing (only saliva) with my lower half resting upwards (i have a steep incline pillow so i basically lay on it, stomach above my esophagus) for 5-15min (I go on my phone so I lose track of time), and then I follow up with water exercises- propping myself up on my elbow, taking a sip of water, swallowing, then quickly reverting to a bridge position (no pillow used), and i do 10-15 sips. Also, the head of my bed is inclined with bricks under the leg posts lol; truly last resort method for me