Gerd and Sore Throat

[Spaceboy]

Started getting worse reflux for no apparent reason about 10 days ago, including nausea and sweating (may be my ibs, anxiety or one of my meds for all I know). I was on 900mg Ranatidine at the time, but decided to try lansoprazole . Gave up after 5 days of itching, increasing flatulence, very loose stools and it wasn't helping a jot. Ended up going back to ranatidine, now I've got a bad sore throat and tongue has gone a blackish colour (maybe to do with dry mouth, not sure).

Anyway at A&E they told me to take domperidone to stop the acid coming up my throat. This hasn't helped much if at all, just giving me diarrhea.

Where do I go now in terms of my throat and reflux?

[Kilgh]

Hey there,

Domperidone can change gut motility to make it faster so it isn't the best drug for IBS.

PPIs like Lansoprazole can cause multiple gut issues that worsen IBS. So unless you have an ulcer I would stay away from them.

Common side effects of Ranitidine can cause the symptoms you are having too.

Anxiety can definitely cause indigestion.

Have you been diagnosed with a reason for your acid reflux? Doctors seem to like throwing drugs at you but if you can find a cause it will refine any treatment you need.

[Kilgh]

Also black tongue can be caused by yeast or bacterial overgrowth. If your anti-acid drugs have caused SIBO this can also explain your symptoms. And yeast overgrowth seems very likely given your symptoms. You should ask for a breath test/swab to rule this out. SIBO is a side-effect of long term use of antacids like the drugs you are on. The gut depends on a certain amount of acid to keep itself free of pathogens. These drugs lower your acid too far so all those nasty guys can set up shop where they never could before. You might need some antibiotics or anti fungal medication.

[Spaceboy in reply to Kilgh]

I've had a stool test that shows overgrowth of 6 types of bacteria. And a parasite. Naturopath wants me to take a months worth of antibiotics.

Yes I know ppis 6 are bad for ibs, but I've Hiatal hernia and acid is pouring up my throat constantly on 900mg Ranatadine. What choice do I have. If I stop all acid reducing drugs I'll have a very damaged esophagus.

[Kilgh in reply to Spaceboy]

Fair enough. Sometimes you gotta take drugs for a condition more dangerous than IBS even if they are IBS irritants. Have you been offered surgery to fix the hernia? Is that an option for you?

[Spaceboy in reply to Kilgh]

I've got to have a 96 hour ph s

Test (bravo test) and if that's positive then surgery should be an option.

On a lot of meds so not sure if any of those are making things worse :

• Zolpidem*

• CLONAZEPAM PRN Daytime

• Lorazepam PRN daytime

• Pariet 30mg OR Ranitidine 900mg

• Alverine

OR Buscopan

• Baclofen

PRN

• Trazodone

• Resolor

PRN

• Laxido

PRN

• Gaviscon

• Domperidone

[Kilgh in reply to Spaceboy]

That many drugs there could be multiple reactions. I hope you get okayed for surgery as that would make your life a whole lot more pleasant. Right now you are just chasing symptoms. What does the test involve?

[Spaceboy in reply to Kilgh]

They put a probe into your stomach and for the next four days monitor how much acid is going into your throat. The probe comes out naturally through faeces. You've got to stop 6

acid reducing meds for the whole test.

[Kilgh in reply to Spaceboy]

Sounds fun! I hope all goes well. I think you are doing everything you can right now so I think surgery is the best next step.