Decisions, decisions ......

[gillsky8]

And once again appointment with GP who strongly advises the larger dosage of 40mg morning and evening of esomeprazole for a month to 6 weeks to see what effect this has on the acid reflux and what she considers to be the side of effect of the acid, eg. throat clearing. All being well there is then a gradual reduction. She also advised the gaviscon advance after meals and at night before bed.

I come away from the surgery thinking well ok what is the worse that can happen ?

The trouble is one reads so many bad side effects from virtually every medication you take and I am very conscious of them all.

Decisions, decisions ?

If anyone has had experience of this treatment as always I am grateful for your reply.

[meadfoot]

Gaviscon advance is the only way I can get any relief from my chronic acid reflux pain. However it doesnt cure it but does form a barrier. I cant tolerate PPIs like the one you have been prescribed. Best wishes.

[Thursday45]

I’m struggling with acid reflux and having an endoscopy today. My doctor suggested an increased dose of my medication but I did not take it as I already had side effects with the lower dose. Instead I have stopped taking the medication and tried a low FODMAP diet and have to report that I feel much better and my symptoms are much less troublesome. In fact I am now only taking an occasional Gaviscon. I am not suggesting that you do the same, you may need the medication as prescribed by your GP. I’m just explaining my situation.

[BC4ever in reply to Thursday45]

Could you tell me what a low FODMAP diet is please?

[Thursday45 in reply to BC4ever]

Low FODMAP is about cutting out foods that might cause intolerance. It was a long shot with me but I’ve actually found that I feel much better and have less reflux and burping now that I have reduced the amount of wheat and diary and other foods on the FODMAP list. It’s a bit drastic but the idea is to reintroduce the foods gradually. You can find lists of low FODMAP foods on Google.

[BC4ever in reply to Thursday45]

Thank you.

[Jumpey]

Read Dr.Jamie Kaufman's book Acid Reflux Diet. She's a renowned expert.

[Chopper99]

I have bouts of sickness, and also bad chest pain that feels like a heart attack (it isn't). I was diagnosed with acid reflux and put on lansoprazole and then omeprazole. Omeprazole worked for a while and then stopped working (not sure why). It was only when I was put on esomprazole that things vastly improved. Not noticed any side effects (I get nausea but was doing so anyway). I wouldn't be without it!

[gillsky8 in reply to Chopper99]

I am beginning to find esomeprazole working for me as well, but the dosage is difficult. I don't want to take too much as I understand it can have some bad side effects. However I am thinking that the benefits might outweigh the risks. What dose are you on ? I am on 20mg morning and night atm but not sure it is really sufficient as I still have symptoms.

[Chopper99 in reply to gillsky8]

40mg once a day.

[Chopper99 in reply to gillsky8]

The GP is happy to prescribe it indefinitely. A specialist at a hospital suggested gaviscon as I shouldn't be taking PPIs long term. But I was sick so many times on it that the taste of gaviscon makes me feel nauseous.

[gillsky8 in reply to Chopper99]

I first tried Esomeprazole as Guardium otc meds and it seemed to do the trick but yes it is not recommended for long term use but then what is ! ? I try to stick to the minimum dose and then top up with Gaviscon advance after meals. The problem is I am never the same from one day to another even though I try and eat small meals and stick to the same diet. Very annoying!!! 😫

[Chopper99 in reply to gillsky8]

Yes I did a food diary over a year. Cutting out alcohol, spicy foods and fizzy drinks definitely helped. But apart from that it seemed completely random! One type of food would set it off one day and be fine on another!People have suggested stress is the trigger but I haven't found that. I'm currently going through the most stressful period of my life and my acid isn't that bad!

[Pinkcatfairy in reply to Chopper99]

I agree about how some foods can be triggers one time and the next seems ok,quite confusing

[Angela124m in reply to Chopper99]

I've also had acid reflux for years. I've tried lansoprazole and then omeprazole. And also famoditine. None worked for long but I'm now taking esomeprazole and it works! I also drink a lot of water. I think that also helps.

[SHEPHER in reply to Chopper99]

I have acid refux and discovered I have inflammation and 7 ulcers every morning my nausea is horrendous any tips appreciayed

[Desertexplorer]

I was given pantoprazole,omeprazole,lansoprazole and gaviscon - none of these work for me I’m afraid, had awful side effects from the ppis. Low fodmap helps, so does Paleo diet with addition of rice (no wheat). My biggest triggers are wheat,dairy,tomato based sauces,spicy foods,chocolate and eating fruit after meals. Alcohol also bad. Having endoscopy next week.

[gillsky8 in reply to Desertexplorer]

I have not been too bad on the esomeprazole and it certainly seems to contain the reflux, and acid. It's just the gas and feeling the need always to belch after eating (excuse the phrase ) . and the throat clearing which is pretty much constant and very irritating !!

[gillsky8 in reply to Desertexplorer]

All the best with the endoscopy mine found nothing sinister but a hiatus hernia which they say likely accounts for the acid reflux.it is small and therefore not likely to be operated on .my mother had Barrett’s oesophagus and my brother died from oesophagul cancer so at least that was reassuring to know there were no signs of any cancer but I’m very conscious of it and to keep it that way.

[Notknowmuch]

End 2024 I had a gastroscopy and was diagnosed with GERD/GORD (with inflammation, slght burping occasionally but with no acid reflux burning sensation). Was then prescribed 40mg pantoprazole one tablet in the morning. After being on this dosage for 4 months, my burping stopped but not sure about the inflammation which was only seen in the gastroscopy report.

Knowing the side effects of taking PPIs long term, I asked doctor if my medication can be reduced to 20mg for a month and if I’m feeling well, I’d like to stop medication and go back to it if I have any recurrent issues. Doc agreed to my request so eff April I’ve stopped taking pantoprazole.

The doc assured me that there are no reports of side effects from long term taking pantoprazole 🤷🏻‍♀️! However, I would still prefer to stop meds and change to healthier eating habits.

My late husband passed away from oesophageal cancer mid-June 2022. He had Ivor Lewis surgery but 18 months post surgery, that cancer metastasised and had chemoimmuno therapy and radiation but the cancer came back too strong and spread to various parts of his body. He lost the battle within 6 months.

[gillsky8 in reply to Notknowmuch]

So sorry to hear about your husband, my brother had a long battle as well which he ultimately lost. I have a feeling that this is a runs in the family issue . I am still trying with esomeprazole 40mg per day. I sometimes feel it is working and other days not. I have gaviscon advance on standby as well when needed, but again am never sure if it really helps.