Acid reflux and hiatus hernia diagnosis

[Catloveruk]

Hallo, t am looking for advice please. I have been on omeprazole for reflux for several years (20mg twicedaily) but in November it was getting worse and to cut a long story short i was diagnosed with a 2cm hiatus hernia.

For about 6 weeks Omeprazole was increased to 40 twice daily but now I'm back to 20 and 20.

I have 3 questions:

1. Should I go back for check ups? I have never had any appt or discussion with a doctor about it.

2. I still have trouble with reflux when lying down in bed..is 20 and 20 a normal dose?

3. Is constipation associated with this condition?

Any comments welcome, thank you.

[Jumpey]

Long term use can cause problems with bone density so be careful.Do you raise your bed? A low acid diet helped me after several months.Dr.Louise Kaufman's Low Acid Diet is a great read for advice.

[ParkSchool5]

Hi, I also have 2cm Hiatas hernia and acid reflux especially at night. I have been on them for five years. I started with 20mg daily, now 10mg before lunch and Famotidine evening. You could ask your GP maybe to reduce Omeprazole to 20mg and Famotidine 20mg daily as these don't have long term side effects. The long term Omeprazole has caused some anemia, but I try to replace it with supplements and extra green veg. I have to sleep propped up every night (I bought a Batwing pillow from Amazon, which works better for me than a wedge pillow) and take Gaviscon before bed. I suffer with constipation, so take Lactulose when I need to. Best of luck.

[Catloveruk in reply to ParkSchool5]

Thank you, very helpful. So we're you told that 2cm was OK, not serious? Also the Gaviscon,is that over the counter or prescribed? So I assume that there is nothing like regular check ups, I would only go to doc if getting worse?

I gave no problem in day, its the lying down, thencoughing forr 10 mins even though i am on 29 and 20.

[ParkSchool5 in reply to Catloveruk]

Hi, I think 2cm is considered a small HH. I am recommended to have an endoscopy every 2 -3 years, but have not had one since 2019 as my last one was a bad experience. Yes, overnight is when my acid comes up, sometimes into my throat, leaving it red and sore. I do find it worse during anxiety (which I suffer from, unfortunately). You could try Gaviscon double action or advance, personally I find Waitrose own brand is best for me (it's about £6.70 for a large bottle) I take 10ml before bed. Regards.

[Catloveruk in reply to ParkSchool5]

Thank you, I will try Gaviscon too. Its such an annoying condition. Thanks so much

[Golfer217]

Hi Catlovruk

Like yourself I have been on Omeprazole for several years one 20mg tablet each morning rarely having to take a second tablet and for 90/95% of the time they work well. Occasionally I have a more severe flare up but I have found that taking Gaviscon advance aniseed after my meals and just before going to bed helps to calm things down again. I know we all react differently to medication but I hope this helps

Golfer 217

[Catloveruk in reply to Golfer217]

Thank you very much, very helpful !

[Cornflower9]

Hi catlover I like you have a 2cm Hiatus Hernia & acid reflux.I take Omeprazole once a day 20mg but if I have a flare I can take two.

I too suffer from constipation & have to take Dulcolax or Dulcoease to help

With this.

I find it I eat cream, chocolate that makes me worse.

Try to find out what sets you off, always have a bottle of Gaviscon handy

as that is a great help.

I hope this helps take care.

[Catloveruk in reply to Cornflower9]

Thank you so much

[Heartfelt1957 in reply to Cornflower9]

I looked up recipes for this and a website that has some good info about it. Cut out any fatty foods and they say chocolate is a no go

[Heartfelt1957 in reply to Heartfelt1957]

Do you have Pinterest on your phone I have had some good ideas from there please let me know what you think

[SHEPHER in reply to Cornflower9]

I'm on lansoprszil is it safe for me to take gaviston. I have inflammation in lining of stomach and have several ulcers every morning I wake up to nausea which is horrendous gp put me on 30mg x 2 for 14days but not helping

[Cornflower9 in reply to SHEPHER]

Hi ShepherI too suffer at times with Gastritis which is inflammation of the stomach lining, the pain can be awful.

I always ask for an increase in Omeprazole to 40mg, a day but I change

My diet for a few days as well soft foods like rice nothing spicy more fish & chicken. I find this helps with the burning pain & nausea.

I do take the Gaviscon at night.

I hope this helps.

[HappyD34]

hi there. Sorry to hear you’re going through the mill. I suffered for years with what I think is silent reflux. Personally I was fed up with treating the symptoms and not getting to the cause. All GPs wanted me to do was increase dosage. I was on omeprazole. Long term use of PPIs is not good and there are links to dementia. I don’t wish to alarm you or anyone else but it made me have that conversation with my GP. I had 24hr stomach test for reflux and it came back negative. I had ultrasound and yep there were 2 large gallstones which was the cause of my abdominal discomfort , and it made me feel so unwell. I also have a small sliding hernia. It has taken me such a long time to wise up and rethink my diet. No help from GP but I went private paid for gallbladder removal, and changed my diet. I still have treats but I feel so much better . PPIs can cause constipation . I personally would go back to GP or if you’re able to, consider private consultation. Keep a food diary too .

Hope my story helps and good luck 🤞

[Reflux1]

Hi I have suffered from acid reflux and a hiatus hernia for about 3 years. I took omeprazole at first but it gave me bad constipation, so changed to lansoprazole and constipation went. I also have a 2-3 centimetre hiatus hernia that was diagnosed during an endoscopy, I wasn't told about any follow up tests to check if it gets bigger, to be honest I don't know if I would consider another endoscopy as I suffered terrible stomach problems for quite awile afterwards. I also take famotidine at night time. Hope your condition gets better.

[Hidden]

I wouldn't touch them as they and Lansoprazole have caused multiple stomach polyps. I've been bringing up froth and food which has almost stopped since stopping the drug. I'm taking Boots version of Gaviscon and it's been great.

There is also a herbal med to try called Slippery Elm.

Another cat lover. 😻

[Robfromwales]

can you good people describe what your gerd feels like. Mostly mine isn’t the warm feeling behind breastbone although I do also get the acid reflux up in the throat sometimes at night. I am thinking more about other chest pain?

[Hidden]

My reflux was getting worse and I was being sick. I'm now taking liquid antacids and am much better.I would try an alternative to Omeprazole. There are lawsuits going on in the USA.

[Beanlover]

I have a hiatus hernia, and silent reflux, (no heartburn, just acid in throat). I take pantoprazole which suited me better than other PPIs.,I went throught a really bad time last year, with coughing choking, sore throat etc. Had a lot of help from a Speech and Language Therapist who helped with swallowing issues, and also discovered that I had a Vocal fold that wasn't working properly.I was advised that Gaviscon last thing at night was best if you had Silent Reflux.

Chocolate and Peppermint surprisingly are not advised as they relax the sphincter at the top of the stomach.

My issues have calmed down, and are manageable because I know what the problems are. I do get constipation but currently taking a range of medication any of which can cause constipation. I take Laxido when necessary.

[Catloveruk in reply to Beanlover]

Thank you! My reflux is silent and I also have Laxidol when I need. So many have recommended Gaviscon Advance and I got some yesterday. I don't really notice itin the day, just bedtime but saying that it is random. Can be 2 nights nothing, 2 nights a lot! I take omeprazzolebut am wary of changing as idont know what bad affects it may be having,if any.

[treecalm]

Can I suggest a few spoonfuls of Kefir yoghurt first thing in the morning for constipation. Works for me after years of issues. Also worked while taking PPI. Constipation is linked to hiatus Hernia. Best wishes