Antacids

[Kiram]

I have been struggling a lot with acid reflux and other digestive problems , and have stayed away from prescribed meds because of RLS , Gaviscon has been my go to, but lately it’s not helping , I’m having awful pains in top of chest which radiates down my arms , especially after food , it is being investigated by my GP , but if he approaches the subject of gastro meds I like to be armed with right information, so my question is , is there anything he could prescribe that will not aggravate with my RLS ? Thank you

[ChrisColumbus]

Unfortunately most antacids that your doctor is likely to prescribe -Proton Pump Inhibitors - worsen RLS: Omeprazole, Lansoprazole, Pantoprazole, Rabeprazole, Esomeprazole.

Simple Gaviscon is unlikely to help severe reflux etc: have you tried liquid Gaviscon Advance, the most effective form of Gaviscon that doesn't trigger RLS? (Avoid Gaviscon Guardium as that contains Esomeprazole).

[Kiram in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Thank you , yes the advance is what I use , I have also made changes to diet and included ginger but unfortunately the chest pains are getting worse, but definitely rather that than RLS 🤦🏼‍♀️😞

[ChrisColumbus in reply to Kiram]

Clearly the pains that you're suffering need more investigation with some urgency: hopefully your doctor will refer you on to specialists quickly if he can't come up with a solution.

[Kiram in reply to ChrisColumbus]

I have had ECG, showed fast heart rate but nothing else , he’s run blood test , and I have an appointment Friday for results , but it does seem to be worse after eating , that why I’m thinking for of a gastro problem . Thank you

[LotteM in reply to Kiram]

I hope your doxtor is well aware that heart problems very often of not always present differently in women than in men. And men (male bodies) are still the standard in medicines and the basis of the current knowledge.

[Kiram in reply to LotteM]

Thank you More I’m reading the more I’m concerned that this could be more angina , I will insist that I have further investigation x

[Typicallygaslit in reply to ChrisColumbus]

As I have tried to point out a few times here, Gaviscon contains aspartame (hidden in a list of inactive ingredients) and that could trigger both RLS and increased indigestion in many people, clever marketing tactics haha, keeps people hooked on their product! Please don’t use sweeteners. No the doctor won’t prescribe any safe treatments, the only one that’s somewhat reasonable is. Rennie (not sugar free), you have to buy it yourself but you can always ask if they can.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to Typicallygaslit]

I've amended my original reply to specify liquid Advance which is what I take: this contains saccharin rather than aspartame, and doesn't trigger my RLS symptoms. I'd wish that it didn't contain any sweeteners, and yes there may be people who can't tolerate saccharin - but proton pump inhibitors are much more of a problem. As to chewable Advance: I hadn't realised that this still existed, but yes it does contain aspartame which I can't tolerate. I must make this clear on further posts.

[Typicallygaslit in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Good, I haven’t studied all their products as I was just interested in the fact that they hide the sweeteners in lists that you have to dig up online or wherever and people are lead to believe that ‘sugar free’ means they are harmless. Whenever a product is labelled ‘sugar free’, it means it contains sweetener. I would never consider taking saccharine and I stick to Rennie which works ok for me. A bit of sugar doesn’t cause me any kind of issues. I have IBS and all sweeteners cause me serious stomach problems with increased acidity, go figure. I think I once managed to get a product at a hospital that wasn’t sweetened at all, but it was a rare gem and sadly I don’t know what it was. It just tasted of clay. I hate that manufacturers patronise people and think they won’t use something that isn’t sweet. Ridiculous.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to Typicallygaslit]

Agreed: I was in hospital being treated with radiotherapy for prostate cancer and was having bowel problems so was given something to (supposedly) help. This came in flavoured and unflavoured forms: the hospital only had a sweetened flavoured version, but even when I tracked down the unflavoured version in a pharmacy this too contained aspartame so I rejected it.

Why oh why does (adult) MEDICINE have to be sweetened! Are we all children?

[Typicallygaslit in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Exactly! I feel deeply infantilised and it angers me so much. When you ask for supplements via prescription, what you get is always flavoured and sweetened. Now when I think about it it was not an antacid, it was a laxative, and they had to source it especially for me. I had to wait for an acquaintance to bring me Rennie, thankfully someone was willing.

[ChrisColumbus]

Hopefully you're already avoiding - or have found alternatives for - other prescribed and over-the-counter medications that can trigger RLS:

rls-uk.org/medications-avoid

[Joolsg]

Have you asked for blood tests including liver function?I ask because I had what I thought was excruciating indigestion. Gaviscon didn't touch the pain. My MS meds require regular liver tests & my AST & ALT were OFF the scale.

Turns out I didn't have indigestion at all. It was gallstones. I passed out at a wedding & St George's diagnosed gallstones passing.

Gallbladder was removed privately in Sep 24 & zero pains since then.

If gallstones are ruled out- you could try a really good pro biotic. Symprove or VSL. That can really improve acid reflux etc.

[Kiram in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you , he has run full bloods , something has flashed up and I have an appointment Friday to discuss it with GP

[Jumpey]

I had such severe acid reflux that it caused permanent damage to my lungs and lung disease. I had severe breathing difficulties could barely walk and vimited constantly. No medication helped and I awaited surgery.After months of a strict alkaline diet I settled my symptoms down.I avoided surgery. I take gaviscon advance now when I need it.Read Dr.Jamie Kaufman's book Acid Reflux Diet. She's a leading expert. The arm pain definitely needs further investigation. Good luck.

[Kiram in reply to Jumpey]

Thank you , I’m only guessing that’s it’s acid reflux, because I get pain after eating , and 1st think in morning , although I do get it when I’m feeling stressed, walking fast etc . Hopefully Dr will have some answers Friday , I want to be armed with information on what meds I can take , I can’t have my RLS being aggravated, I don’t think I’ll be able to function at all x

[Mickswhiskas]

Hi Kim, I have had rls as well as severe acid reflux for over 20 years. I have to take a PPI to keep the acid reflux at bay. I don’t find it affects my rls. I have tried to come off the PPI and go with Gaviscon Advance but it doesn’t help at all. I would go to your GP and discuss it further.

[bookish in reply to Mickswhiskas]

Hi, I hope that you are treating the inevitable vit B12 deficiency that a PPI will cause over such a long time. Often the problem is too little acid, not too much. Cheers

[Merny5]

If you do have acid reflux you could try a shot of apple cider vinegar. Your case may be too severe. It does work for me but mine is not that bad. It’s worth a try if you have some around the house🤷🏻‍♀️

[amrob123]

As others have said, most importantly, keep investigating whether it's heart related as my understanding is that radiating pain can be heart related. There are a number of different heart tests that can be done, that each measure different things.

That said, i have acid reflux (and LPR) and one of my main symptoms is chest pressure. I don't get a burning sensation, or acid taste in my mouth. When i get on top of the acid reflux, the chest pressure goes away.

I have done the Acid Watcher Diet (Dr Jonathon Aviv) and found it really helpful. Taking PPIs for a week or so can settle a flare but they're definitely not good long term. Diet and lifestyle changes can really help.

[Kiram in reply to amrob123]

Thank you , I will definitely be asking more questions

[Birdland]

I agree with Joolsg. If they rule out any medical issues causing this, try a good probiotic. Couldn’t hurt to try them anyway. They make a big difference for me. Hope you can resolve this soon.

[Kiram in reply to Birdland]

Thank you