Acid reflux medication

[HazzaJ]

Hi all, hope your all having a relaxing Christmas.

I’ve suffered from acid reflux for the past few months, and I was on some medication. Called:Ranitidine, which I’m sure many of you would’ve heard of. I stopped taking it a few months ago now, because I wasn’t feeling the effects of acid reflux and now suddenly it’s all started coming back.

But my biggest worry is the side effects. Because usually when you start taking some new medication there are side effects that affect you for a few days. But because my body would’ve already got used to the medication when I started just under a year ago ( February 2019 )then stopped taking it in the summer of 2019, and now I want to go back on it. Will I experience those side effects again? If I start talking it again?

Thanks in advance x

[FRreedman]

It is likely that you will experience some side effects, they may be the same ones or different edge us to the ones before. It is important to note and report all side effects, as this could affect your treatment.

[userotc]

My question is why take a medication (with sides) to reduce acid at least until you've checked your stomach acid is too high? Have you? You've probably seen posts from others on this. The best test for acid is HCl pepsin (I can send a link). Most GERD/reflux sufferers have low acid and find improvements by increasing with supplements, diet though doctors dont consider root cause.

[Hikeandlive]

I was on acid reflux medication for over a year. Ironically, I hadn't experienced acid reflux prior to the prescription, but the doctors assured it would help for my gastritis. I questioned taking it every day, but they said "no issue". I went back after a year with still struggling with various symptoms. The doctor wanted me to double my dose. That is when I became concerned with her advice. After thorough research, I stopped taking that medication by cutting the doses very slowly (actually cutting the pills) into 3/4, 1/2 1/4. I listened to my body and switched to lower doses as the acid reflux abated. What I learned is that if you are on these meds long term, going off of them will cause your body to produce more acid causing acid reflux. If you need these meds, take them for no longer than 2 weeks at a time and give yourself a good break. I went the alternate route to deal with any acid reflux, nutrition and healing teas. Good luck with your health journey!

[Owlsbabe63]

Hi I suffer from really bad acid reflux. I’ve tried Ratnitidine, but doesn’t suit me, I’ve tried gaviscon, but that’s not good enough and I have problems with most medication, as I’m allergic too it, any suggestions please

[diww1 in reply to Owlsbabe63]

I am very similar how are you doing now

[xjrs]

For everyone suffering from acid reflux, has your diet been looked into? This can be caused by food intolerances which produce extra gases in the system by bacteria in the colon feeding off their waste, increasing pressure and weakening the valve that sits between the stomach and the throat allowing acid to flow back. All the PPIs do is stop you producing acid which should provide relief for some but is not the whole picture. You also need acid to digest food. If food intolerances are causing your reflux and you are referred to a dietitian to find out what those intolerances are, you stop eating them, low and behold your reflux might disappear. I find it annoying that the first port of call for GPs for reflux is PPIs, when if the diet was sorted out you may not need them. The fodmap diet (available via NHS dietitians) considerably reduce the occurrence of my reflux. In addition the 'home tests' for finding out whether you have low stomach acid are not accurate. I did these myself, took what was needed to increase the acid and it made my heartburn worse. You can also raise your bed by 20cm at the head end using hardy plastic risers from the internet which helps to keep acid in your stomach overnight whilst the valve is weak.

[Cheesecake17 in reply to xjrs]

Thanks for this x

[xjrs in reply to Cheesecake17]

You're most welcome

[RhiannonT]

I've been on Omeprozole every day for around 9 weeks now. I was on it for 6 weeks due to Acid Reflux, Heartburn, Indigestion-GORD (or GERD). After 6 weeks no improvement so I'm now on it continuously. I'm going for an Endoscopy on the 9th of January to confirm GORD but check nothing more sinister going on. I was on Ranitidine before Omeprozole but found it did nothing for my symptoms. X