silent reflux better

[Janouska]

I thought it about time to offer something positive about my reflux issues.

You can skip to conclusion but thought history would help:

. I posted months ago about how a cardiologist said my upper chest pressure probably reflux. I spent weeks on PPI - helped sensation in throat but gave me awful regurgitation/reflux! Straightforward oesophageal Endoscopy didn’t show reflux but was told the endoscopy was only really to rule out tumours etc but I coukd still be suffering from reflux. I tried an ACE inhibitor - same problems.

I decided no more PPIs but it took weeks to adjust. Then I read about IBS ( again as gp thought I had it years ago when I upped my fibre and developed diarrhoea ).

My issue is I wasn’t getting indigestion with my reflux or pain - and IBS diagnosis requires pain. I just had lot of bloating and discomfort. I found I could not eat things I have enjoyed- eg my homemade chicken pie. Lasagne etc and found myself eating less in evening and nothing after 7, using bed risers which helped a bit but still had discomfort.

Conclusion/solution?

I decided I’d look at diet and have taken on LOw FOD map since September. In a way I was already getting there as know the things that are ok- like oats bananas etc.

I also knew I have difficulty with milk for years. So it was logical to cut out dairy from cooking too- no more sauces! But also cut out leeks ( onions give me migraine so use to eat leeks instead) . It means No wheat or gluten but also cut out vegetables I love like mushrooms and broccoli. I was sceptical but the results quite amazing - at least for now- after just couple of weeks the bloating reduced. I am eating lot of potatoes ( didn’t before) but have lost nearly a stone without even trying. I wasn’t trying to lose weight as not overweight but great to get rid of the bloating. I have less sensations in chest and probably some reflux still there but I feel so much better!

I have started to reintroduce foods- avocado fine, small it if sourdough bread. Pearl barley a big no no! So I’m posting this to say it is worth trying - everyone is different. There is loads on line about this approach. I found information on nhs website- happened to be Gloucestershire.

I now need to adapt to statins and find out why I have developed hypochromasia ( strange blood cells but that all happened in July after the virus and before my diet change).

I hope this helps some of you. Of course I don’t know whether I will relapse or not but am living in hope. Take care all

[hjskev]

Thanks for posting. It is always good to hear that someone has managed an improvement. My solution has been to eat more fibre. Its not a perfect solution but I feel better most of the time.

[Hidden]

Thanks for sharing. It's great you've found relief that doesn't involve medications. Many of my symptoms resolved on the acid watcher diet. I now follow an anti inflammatory diet and remain symptom free most of the time. I enjoy the feeling that comes with eating well (not that my diet was ever bad) and also have maintained the exercise recommendations of the Acid Watcher diet. I found the weight fell off on this diet (I dropped nearly 2 dress sizes) which was an added bonus.

[welsh12]

I think diet can help had to change mine not given up everything but not on meds at moment after many years. Since I did some of the changes you mentioned. I did it not only for acid reflux but ibs and rheumatoid arthritis all seemed linked as important for me to take RA meds and difficult with timing to take PPIS.