Cured by Meds?

[JaffaNut]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum. For some time I had what felt like burning in my sternum and what seemed to be a heartbeat in my stomach. I thought I had either an ulcer or anxiety. Felt silly saying this to GP but I had been anxious about work. Following an examination of stomach by GP, he said he was not happy and that he was referring me urgently to surgeons for CT scan and a colonoscopy. I was beside myself with worry for 4 weeks then I was referred for an Endoscopy! Endoscopy came back clear apart from 5 stomach polyps. 2 were biopsied and found to be benign. Note, I have never had PPI's. Anyway, I don't recall acid reflux being mentioned at any point, but prescribed Lansoprazole 4 weeks ago. I can honestly say I feel worse and have symptoms that I never had to begin with e.g. globus sensation, feeling that food has moved up towards my throat and general discomfort in my stomach. I am not overweight, have never smoked and used to have an occasional drink but I am veering towards ditching the meds to try to control this through diet. Unless there is anyone out there who can say the PPI's have cured them?

[Pinkcatfairy]

To be honest after eight weeks on Lanzerpole I felt worse,ok it perhaps lessened some symptoms but what with on and off headaches and neck pressure I felt better when using the gaviscon for silent reflux ,I'm currently not on anything but feel that the silent reflux hasn't totally gone but wary of ppi's because of the side effects

[JaffaNut in reply to Pinkcatfairy]

Thanks for sharing. I have had headaches on and off too. I read a medical article which stated that PPI'S don't have any impact on 30% of those taking them. I guess I'm one of them. It also seems to be the case that no one should be on PPI'S long term yet many are without a review. Of course, there would be an impact on the profits of the pharma companies if we all got better...

[Jumpey]

Read Dr.Louise Kaufman's Acid Reflux Diet. She a renowned expert. Her advice helped me.I no longer take PPIs.

[JaffaNut in reply to Jumpey]

Thanks Jumpey. I noticed in other posts that you recommend this book. I have googled it on Amazon but it's not there. Is she a renowned American expert on GERD? Have any British experts penned an acid reflux diet? The foods may be more accessible to those of us in UK.

[ReallyWondering]

I had heartburn and pain at the base of sternum for 6 months. I was on PPI's on and off the whole time and they did not help at all. Finally had an endoscopy and was diagnosed with autoimmune atrophic gastritis and pernicious anemia. It took several months of injections before the heartburn stopped. These diseases leave the stomach with low acid, so any acid reducer will not work. When I occasionally start to get it now, I take Vital Heartburn RX and it always works. It has zinc in it.

[JaffaNut in reply to ReallyWondering]

Thanks for this. So, they were able to diagnose pernicious anemia from the endoscopy? That's interesting as pernicious anemia runs in my family! What is atrophic gastritis?

[ReallyWondering in reply to JaffaNut]

They found anti-parietal cells in the biopsy. These occur in conjunction with intrinsic factor antibodies which means you have PA. I also blood tested extremely low B12 (63) and positive for intrinsic factor. Google Autoimmune Atrophic Gastritis. Typically people who have pernicious anemia also have AAG. Many have other autoimmune diseases, as well, like Hashimotos, which I also have. I was misdiagnosed with acid reflux for 6 years prior. I'm finally feeling better after 6 months of self injections.

[Deb2314]

I'm on Lansoprazole and it took several weeks to see an improvement. Stick with it, my reflux eased dramatically but I still have a slight outbreak now and again, abd I'm still taking lansoprazole

[JaffaNut in reply to Deb2314]

Thanks Deb. I have felt quite good these past few days but I don't know whether it's the Lansoprazole or my trial diet of porridge and banana smoothies. (Not exactly sustainable though!)

[Beanlover]

There are different PPIs. Lanzoprazole didn't suit me. I was changed to Pantoprazole which I have been on since, along with Gaviscon for acid reflux.I did take PPIs to begin with to protect my stomach lining when I was taking anti inflamatories for arthritis, but carried on when diagnosed with a hiatus hernia.

[Columbo70]

I developed burning in my throat, globus sensation, throat clearing issues and also lost my voice for several weeks. Then developed reflux symptoms in my esophageus. Subsequently diagnosed with muscle tension dysphonia and hiatus hernia. I was already on Pantoprazole PPI for three years prior, it was prescribed alongside cardiac medication following a second myocardial infarction. Made no difference to my symptoms. Felt bit better when I stopped taking them altogether. There are a large number of legal cases in US concerning kidney issues arising from long term use of PPIs.

[JaffaNut in reply to Columbo70]

Thanks Columbo70. I'm now 5 weeks in from starting Lansoprazole and beginning to feel a positive impact. I can sleep at night! However, I have also been very careful with my diet so could be that! I certainly do not want to be on PPI'S in the long term and will ask GP for a medication review shortly.