Silent reflux

[budley19]

Hi I have just been diagnosed with silent reflux and prescribed 49mg of omperzole I have been taking this for a week and a half but no improvement- how long for this to kick in, my main symptom is excess saliva production and tightness in my breast bone which makes wearing a bra unbearable does anyone else have similar symptoms

Thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I'm not sure how long it takes but I would have thought you should have noticed some improvement by now. Have you tried using gaviscon at the same time to soothe the inflamed tissues? And have you made lifestyle changes too?

However, maybe you need a higher dose - you are taking it 2x daily I assume? Or maybe you are one of the people for whom omeprazole doesn't work.

Was it diagnosed by the ENT department or is it on the basis of symptoms?

[budley19 in reply to PMRpro]

Hi it was Diagnosed at ENT via endoscopy, and no I haven’t tried gavisvon I don’t have the typical heartburn but so much saliva

In terms of lifestyle changes yes I have been watching my diet I’m not overweight and rarely drink alcohol hopefully meds will kick in sooon

Thanks for replying

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to budley19]

Have you asked your doctor? Did they not give you any timescale for relief and say come back if after x time it isn't better?

[budley19 in reply to PMRpro]

They said give it a couple of weeks so I’ll wait and see I just know from reading online people get relief a lot quicker

Thanks

[Blearyeyed]

Are you actually experiencing the sensation if burning in your throat , especially after food or lying down?

Are you experiencing indigestion feelings and burning or pain in the stomach?

Or , is it mainly pain in the breast bone and chest and saliva production?

Realistically , the Omeprazole should have begun to reduce your symptoms by now even though it can take up to a month for the medication to get gastric or ' silent' reflux under control.

Did they also suggest you make any changes in your diet or how you take your steroid medication as often if you do not make these changes the medication alone won't cure the whole problem.

Cutting out coffee , alcohol , fizzy drinks , sugars , spicy food, acidic foods, processed food and sometimes gluten are needed with reflux issues. Going Lactofree with your dairy products reduces saliva and mucus production and definitely makes a difference , it can reduce stomach acid problems.

Increasing the amount of water or green tea you drink , especially when eating , and having smaller portions helps too.

Taking your medication with probiotic yoghurt and a little honey stops the digestive system spasming or reacting when you take it. And using enteric coated tablets for all medications helps.

Using a gentler toothpaste , and checking that your mouthwash ( if you use it ) is alcohol free it isn't something that irritates you makes a difference.

If , however , it is mainly chest pain it may not just be reflux of any type , but some mild inflammation in the muscles too , like costochondritis .

For this , and reflux , drinking more cool water through the day helps.

Also doing deep but gentle breathing exercises help reduce the chest pain .

Sleeping in bed with more and gently graduated pillows so that you have some cushioning for the shoulders and chest , but also so that you lift your head above the stomach so any acid from the stomach doesn't move up the oesophagus at night reduces symptoms.

Gentle stretching and keeping good posture also stops the symptoms.

Reflux or Costochondritis can both take months to get full relief from even with medication , it can take time for the body to settle down and repair itself after the symptoms occur.

[budley19 in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thank you that has been really helpful

I’ll take on board all your suggestions