Hiatus hernia

[Davies3112]

I've been on PPIS eg omeprazole and lanzoprazole for about 25 yrs. I'm worried because I started on a low dose but at the moment I'm on 30mg twice a day and gaviscon med 4 times a day. I'm so worried about the long term effects. I had a gastroscopy 2 weeks ago which shown there was no sign of cancer (,my father died at 58 of cancer of the oesophagus) I feel really ill at the moment at first this high dose worked but now I've got permanent heartburn and nausea. My doc is now adding famotidine at night to my meds but is it ok to take all these meds? I have a lot of stress in my life and wondered if this has caused a flare_up. I'm terrified to eat but feel worse when I'm hungry. I despair sometimes as now I cant even go out with friends for a meal. Any diet suggestions please 🙏

[Jumpey]

I'm so sorry you are suffering. And please have hope.Things can get better. I've had Gerd for over 50 years.I have a hiatus hernia.About three years ago I went into a crisis of pain, vomiting etc..It was so bad my lungs became damaged from acid aspiration .I was very ill,breathless and unable to do very much at all.Meds didn't help.I read Dr.Louise Kaufman's Acid Reflux Diet.She's an internationally renowned expert. I went on a strict alkaline diet for months. It's not a quick fix.But over time I healed myself and now can eat a fairly normal diet and am back to better health-although there is permanent lung damage. Stress of course can make things worse. Could you afford some therapy?

[Davies3112 in reply to Jumpey]

Thank you so much for your very helpful advice. I will certainly look at this book.

[Gaslo]

I’ve had similar problems. Saw consultant last week and she said take famotidine 20mg twice a day and gaviscon advance four times a day. I’ve been doing that but don’t feel much better. I’ve been on Dr Jamie Koufmans website who is a specialist in LPR. She explains everything about this and her site and books are fantastic and very reassuring.

She advises famitodine 20mg in the morning, before dinner and 40mg before bed as well as gaviscon advance after dinner and before sleep making sure there is a 30min gap between famotidine and gaviscon. Been doing this only for two days but I do feel a difference already so I’m going to carry on with it. I also feel my reflux is stress related so spoke to the consultant about anti depressants as I’ve read that this works for some people. She’s agreed and has written to my go to say that if I feel I need these in 4-6 weeks time then it’s ok to prescribe them for me. I think they are very mild and have proven to work well for ibs.

I’m also following a low acid diet and again, Dr Koufmans site help massively with this as well as her books. If you have a kindle then download a sample and see what you think.

Hope this helps

[Davies3112 in reply to Gaslo]

Thanks very much for the advice I will give it a go

[Pinkcatfairy]

I'm so sorry you are suffering, I too have a hiatus hernia and up to now didn't cause too many problems,but since covid at the end of last year I have suffered silent reflux/lpr since January. I have been using the IQoro device ,not sure if you have heard of it? I did purchase it and it is quite expensive for what it seems (plastic) but the science behind it makes sense,it is a neuro muscular device which strengthens the slack muscles ,the splincter muscles. I have been using it for nearly seven months(the duration to help hernias is 6-8 months they say. I feel that it has helped as I can eat certain things now without the horrible throat symptoms,I am drinking coffee again without any symptoms,I won't say it has totally cleared up but it seems to have gradually made me eat more things that I couldn't before. I stopped taking ppi's as I think it made the reflux worse, just mentioning it as an option . I plan to continue using it ,until hopefully I am symptom free.

[Davies3112 in reply to Pinkcatfairy]

Thank you so much for the advice I'd forgotten about that device. I'm finding it hard not being able to go out for meals with friends. I miss my decaf latte so much 😢

[Windowview in reply to Davies3112]

If you put a little bicarbonate soda in a cup of coffee it neutralises the acid. Use skimmed milk and you can have your latte. Works with tomatoes as well. Google to find doses.

[zendo]

IQoro is covered by insurance if your GP is willing to prescribe it. It is worth a try. The IQoro website is very informative and there are webinars where you can get additional advice. The customer service is excellent. IQoro is medically sound.

[treecalm in reply to zendo]

I have also been using iqoro for just over three months, combining with a careful diet and raised bed and Gaviscon advance before going to bed and slippery elm in the morning, no ppis for 8 months. It has definitely helped my quality of sleep.

[Pinkcatfairy in reply to treecalm]

That's good news it is helping you, the reflux only ever affected me in morning and after evening meals and not when I am in bed , I hope with continued use it will help to go symptom free totally

[treecalm in reply to Pinkcatfairy]

Thanks I hope so. I'm going away on holiday soon at that will be a test of not being able to control everything and hopefully I have built up some resilience.

[Pinkcatfairy in reply to zendo]

I showed the IQoro to my doctor and she had never heard of it ! I'm quite surprised that she hadn't, yes I agree the customer service is very good,

[Gaslo]

hope you’re doing well. I also used I Quito for just over 6 months but unfortunately didn’t help me at all even tho I used it consistently as directed every day including taking it on holiday with me

[Davies3112 in reply to Gaslo]

I've ordered iquoro, I didn't know it was so expensive, anyway I hope it works. I'm just so confused now as to what I can eat! I'll be so disappointed if it doesn't work!!😪

[Pinkcatfairy in reply to Davies3112]

It does state that it should help hernias after six to eight months ,I think worth trying it as long as possible,yes it can get confusing

[Gaslo]

well hopefully it will work for you. This site helps when you read others having similar problems. Gastritis and reflux is isolating, eating out and socialising is nearly impossible not just because of menus but fear of making symptoms worse

[treecalm]

I think eating is a personal journey of trial and error. For example I can drink coffee but not tea. I only have bread for breakfast and eat much smaller but frequent meals which are quite protein rich. I have lost about a stone in weight but it has stabilised. It is more difficult eating out but I now know I can usually find something. I think it probably helps if you like cooking 🥴 you need to experiment with spices. I avoid anything hot and spicy but middle eastern flavours seem ok. I find fermented things like kefir and mild miso good. Quinoa and egg pasta. Moist foods, stir fries.