Very confused and don't know what to do to help my body heal

[Sparkstar2]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum and up to 6 weeks ago the only digestive concerns I had was Coeliac Disease and a sliding hiatal hernia which was discovered at my endoscopy 4 years ago. The hernia hasn't given me any bother up to this point except for the occasional bout of acid reflux every couple of months (which may not even be related). These were easily managed with gaviscon when required.

Around 6 weeks ago I started to get really bad indigestion attacks. The pain was so bad on one occasion that I was actually crying with it. I took gaviscon on each occasion and whilst it calmed it a bit, it took about 3 to 4 hours for me to feel comfortable and then the next day I felt completely wiped out. This also coincided with lots of burping after the attack and into the next day.

After about 4 weeks of this with the episodes happening twice a week I went to the doctor who prescribed lansoprazole 30mg and gaviscon advance. The doctor also requested a h pylori test. The pain from the indigestion has not returned thankfully and in the first week of taking the meds I did have two attacks which were similar in length and symptoms but without the pain. These were triggered by having a drink of cold water on one occasion and eating half a banana on the other.

I know I need to give the meds chance to work but it has been ten days now and my mind is working overtime trying to find a solution. My main concern is the amount of burping I am still doing. On Tuesday this was hundreds of burps and I convinced myself that I was making myself burp and then got all anxious (too much googling). The h pylori test came back as 'satisfactory, potentially abnormal' so I do not know what that means. It does have no further action against it on my record.

I have drastically cut down the amount of food I eat, mainly because I have a much reduced appetite and I am scared of eating in case it makes things worse. The burps come on as soon as I've eaten something and also when I haven't eaten something for a while. This is then improved by eating something... until they start up again once my food starts to digest. I am chewing each mouthful thoroughly and I am not drinking anything with food. I don't know whether to try to ignore the burps or to try to bring them up. I have reduced my caffeine intake to one cup of tea and one decaf coffee a day. I then have fennel, camomile or redbush for the remainder of the day. Night time symptoms are OK and the head of my bed is raised.

In terms of triggers for this starting I can't think of anything that started it off. The only thing relevant is that I have had more ibuprofen then I normally would between September and January for whiplash. I hadn't had any ibuprofen for about two weeks before this began. This was also a very stressful period due to car accidents that caused the whiplash. My BMI is 25.2, so just into the overweight region (I have lost weight since I went to the doctor though) I am also on HRT for perimenopause.

So as the title suggests I am very confused, don't know what to do for the best and I'm also fed up. I'm thinking of requesting a call back with the GP next week to clarify h pylori result but also to ask what they think is causing all this. Thanks for reading, apologies for length of the post.

[Jumpey]

I'm sorry you are suffering. I empathise I had a severe Gerd crisis a year ago and was very ill for a long time.I have recovered now,mostly, so wanted to give you hope. Read Dr.Louise Kaufman's Acidc Reflux Diet. She's an expert in the field and her book is very helpful.If I were you I would ask for an endoscopy and a referral to a gastroenterologist.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Jumpey]

I was just reading your post. I am having a terrible time with gerd (since Christmas). I have hiatus hernia since 2007 and no real problems and manageable until now. I have been to AE several times with pain. Have been on Omeprazole for years and the hospital have now given me Fomatidine together with this. I have been referred to a Gastroenterologist, but still waiting for appointment. I had barium meal last year. Can l ask you please if you went to see a Gastroenterologist and if you did, how did you get on? I am very ill and stressed out and it has given me health anxiety. Thanks in advance. Christine

[Pinkcatfairy in reply to Cavalierrubie]

I have a flare up of what I presume is lpr, my hernia don't normally give me any problems but I had Covid in December and started getting vague symptoms January,been on eight week course Lanzerpole,it dulled some symptoms but I'm still getting ear and chest pressure after eating,mainly later in day after main meal,it doesn't help that I'm speaking to different doctors and the last one told me to come off tablets to be tested for h pylori, I thought I would have to be tapered off them but she said just stop. I feel in limbo now just taking gaviscon and not sure what the next step is! Like you,I have health anxiety

[westcountry in reply to Pinkcatfairy]

I also had major acid/gastro problems since having Covid... I have a sliding hiatus hernia but this was fine before Covid. It's well known now that Covid can cause big gastro problems. I tried PPIs but can't take them. I used slippery elm and curbed acid food/drinks. Use Gaviscon Advance. More manageable now after 2 years.

[Pinkcatfairy in reply to westcountry]

Yes I think Covid has a lot to answer for , Ppi's have a lot of side affects and on top of the main symptoms,the last thing you want are side affects from tablets thrown in too! I am glad that you have it under control after so long .

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Pinkcatfairy]

Yes, this condition is terrible and very worrying. It has given me high anxiety and destroying my quality of life. They have probably taken you off the tablets because of the long term side effects. If you are having problems you will have to go back to gp. I think you can buy Omeprazole and Lanzoprazole over the counter now, so don’t worry too much as the pharmacist will help interim. . I hope you soon feel better. I am hoping l don’t have to have surgery as l have Atrial Fibrillation and on Warfarin (blood thinner). I get high anxiety with medical appointments and l think stress aggravates this condition. It is all very depressing. Thank for replying and hope you soon feel better.

[Pinkcatfairy in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Yes it does take over your life, I don't like the idea of being on Ppi's long term, I had eight weeks supply ,so perhaps haven't been on them too long compared to some people .I have an appointment to see doctor again after this latest test is done.I do hope that you yourself gets sorted too

[Jumpey in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Yes I did and had an endoscopy.I was referred for Linx surgery to repair/ reinforce my oesophagal sphincter because medication wasn't controlling my acid reflux which was damaging my lungs. However, dietary changes over a long period helped and I no longer needed the surgery. The crisis is over and I now eat pretty normally. Sadly I have some permanent lung damage.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Jumpey]

Hi Jumpey. Thanks for reply. I have bought a book telling me the things l can eat so l have been doing that although l feel nauseated at the moment and much pain l can only eat small amounts. What medication were you on? I know the acid can get into your lungs which was awful for you. Good that you managed to avoid surgery and you have given me hope. What is your diet please? You have given me hope that this will go. I am not coping well with the pain and it is affecting me mentally. Really good to hear that you have come through this thank you for your help.

[Jumpey in reply to Cavalierrubie]

I followed Dr.Louise Kaufman's Acid Reflux Diet. A strict alkaline diet. I now eat normally. I can no longer drink wine .Too acidic.Omeprazole.I still take Gaviscon occasionally. Huge good luck.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Jumpey]

Thanks. I have just ordered this book on EBay. Thanks for all your help and glad l found you on here. I will probably post on here again if l am advised to have an op., but hope l don’t have to. My anxiety is through the roof with all this. Keep well and thanks again. Christine

[Jumpey in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Easier said than done but try not to worry. Trust you will get better. And if you need surgery you will recover. Huge good luck.

[SableBandit in reply to Jumpey]

I just ordered this book Jumpey. Thanks for letting us know. I would LOVE to be able to eat food again.

[Jumpey in reply to SableBandit]

Really good luck.

[Pinkcatfairy]

I took have a hernia which only now and then plays me up ,I think when I took ibrofen it helped towards my gastitis, unfortunately with digestive issues it does seem to take a while even on ppi's for it to clear up as I have found before !

[Pinkcatfairy in reply to Pinkcatfairy]

Plus if you are perimenopause that is when my digestive issues flared too ,I also read that the splincter muscle can get lax at this time x

[Treetop33]

I don't know much about this as I'm not a doctor, but stress from accidents can impact the body quite heavily. There's an autonomic nervous system/digestion connection. In periods of stress I get worse reflux, and I had Covid last year and again had an awful flare up (apparently Covid also causes autonomic nervous system issues - just been listening to a doc on a podcast talking about it). So it may be something like that. Definitely run all thoughts by a doc though.

[Sparkstar2 in reply to Treetop33]

That's really interesting. Which podcast were you listening to?

[Sparkstar2]

I had a follow up appointment with the GP today and she has referred me for an endoscopy as an urgent referral. Bit scared now about the worst case scenarios but at least them looking inside will hopefully work out what is going on. Thanks for the support everyone.