Hello. Hope everyone had a nice Xmas?!
Has anyone experienced serious functional heartburn and undertook acupuncture with success? I still don’t understand my diagnosis. Doctors say it’s not acid reflux (though my records state I have history of it) and that the cause is stress related?! I’m taking Amitriptyline , which is supposed to ease my stomach acid or what ever it is?? Has anyone had any success with any of theses methods?
Thanks
Never had acupuncture for acid reflux but I'd be keen to hear how you get on if you decide to try it. I have had Bowen Therapy which is fine muscle manipulation around my stomach and abdomen which helped, unusual need a good few weeks treatment but it works for me.
Hi, I’ve had two treatments and felt nothing. I guess I may need the full session to get result? Wonder how long Amitriptyline takes to work? I was given it to help with my acid.
i have acupuncture in my stomach for bloating and tummy issues - you need at least six treatments you need to build it up and once you get to the point where it is helping need to do maintenance
What my main concern is acid that comes up in to my mouth , constantly. I think I do suffer with ibs, maybe? The treatment for acupuncture is rather expensive for weekly sessions of six. Do you suffer with acid at all? I’m curious to find out if it helps ? Thank you.
No but talk to a good practitioner who will explain whether or not it can help. It is expensive but once you get to maintenance not too bad, but what cost good health is what i say . I have to cut things out to afford treatments but worth it
As I understand it Amitriptyline is used to treat nerve pain and not acid reflux. For years I was told the pain I felt at night in my lower back was acid reflux. In fact it turned out to be intestinal nerve pain. I was given Amitriptyline and couldn't tolerate it, so I am now on Linaclotide for intestinal nerve pain and IBS-C. It depends on how your symptoms are being being experienced. When I did have actual reflux I used to get pain in the middle of my chest and between my shoulder blades i.e. higher up. However, I believe nerve pain could be experienced in any part of your digestive tract. Nerve pain can very much be related to stress. Severe stress can wear down neurons in pain control centres of the brain, which means that nerves feeding back normal impulses to the brain in relation to the digestive tract are being interpreted by the brain as pain, when they shouldn't be. This is where nerve pain agents come in. Perhaps they have tried you on PPIs for some time and these haven't worked, which is why they are saying it isn't reflux, but may be nerve pain instead? Apologies, I cannot comment on acupuncture though I have heard that it has been used for digestive issues.
This is interesting in what you have said. The doctor was writing in front of me stomach pain and I disagree on this because I don’t in fact suffer with stomach pains. Yes, I do get pains across my chest and actually lower side etc. I have tried everything and every ppi medication possible. I had the ph test done and there was no sign of acid or any acid damage etc. So strange. The consultant put it down to hypersensitive first (stress/ anxiety related) and now it’s officially Functional Heartburn. I’m confused with both because the latar means some form of function acid with out the acid? If I’m correct? I’m constantly burping acid, I can taste it in my mouth and I also suffer with bloating and feeling full at times, etc. Could this really be down to nerve pain? Interesting that yours was down to something different. Could I possibly be misdiagnosed? The Amitriptyline makes me very sleepy and that’s it!
Thank you for your response.
Hi have just read your posts and wanted to ask if any of you have experienced heartburn to the point where it has woken you from sleep, after breaking wind a few times it eased of.
I have never had indegestion or heartburn like this,im wondering if it could be from an Endoscopy i had but that was two weeks ago.
I was rushed to A&E on sat thinking i was having a heart attack .
Thanks in advance
Have you yet been formally diagnosed with acid reflux/GERD? It is common to be woken from sleep with the pain of acid reflux. Please see my comment below about the fodmap diet too. You can raise the head of your bed by 20cm using sturdy plastic risers available on the internet. This helps to keep acid in the stomach overnight. In the interim have you tried Gaviscon?
By the way, how long have you been on Amitriptyline for? I believe it can take up to 6 weeks to work.
Yes I have raised my bed alittle bed. However, I find when I’m raised for example, sitting mid way up in my bath or in my bed gives me acid. Even looking down at my phones is an issue. Sounds similar?
Anything that causes your stomach to crease up such as bending forward can increase the sensation of acid. For my type of pain only sitting bolt upright or standing upright gets rid of the pain i.e. gravity helps.
Does your medication help with the pain? Is there a way to get rid of the problem entirely?
My medication is for intestinal nerve pain, rather than stomach or throat pain (which is separate from the reflux symptoms I used to experience). I have been getting reduced intestinal pain from my medication. As I've mentioned earlier, if the Amitriptyline works for you within 6 weeks and if you stay on it for 6-12 months, it may fix your pain for good when you come off the drug after that time.
The fodmap elimination and reintroduction diet helped to reduce the occurrence of my reflux symptoms.
I have serious “reflux” issues ika always burping no matter what I’m eating or drinking water. It’s not so much the pain I am getting it’s the acid itself that I have all day in my mouth and coming up in my throat. None of the treatments I had diagnosed me as having GERD or acid reflux. Your quite right with having the hypersensitive issues and yes following a form of gerd or fod diet can help very little hence why the frustration. It just a why of maintaining Some of the burping and acid in my mouth. Thanks a lot.
This will confuses things but as far as I’m aware in my files with my gp, I have a history of acid reflux but non of the medication worked . This is way I’m confused but from
What you have stated it’s making sense. 👍🏼
Hello, I had a endoscopy and had no problems. I had really bad heart burn at one point because I eat candy cake which I shouldn’t of.
This might explain everything that you need: aboutgerd.org/functional-he....
It seems in some people there is a normal level of acid, but (I think) the nerves in the esophagus are extra sensitive to the normal level of acid. It's this hypersensitivity to acid that can be caused by stress (similar to what I was discussing above). Part of the problem tends to be doctors not explaining things very well. I was offered Amitriptyline by a gastro some time ago. He said that some people feel more pain than others. Since Amitriptyline is also an antidepressant I thought he was saying that I was being a wimp and here's some anti-depressants to make me feel better, so I refused them. He could have explained that it was nerve pain I was experiencing.
Another big factor might be diet. Where heartburn is concerned the first port of call is medication, when really diet should be looked at. When I followed a fodmap diet for IBS my heartburn episodes reduced considerably. When you are intolerant to certain foods their waste ends up in the colon where bacteria feeds off them generating a large amount of gas. That gas pressure builds up in the system causing the valve between the stomach and the throat to weaken allowing (even normal levels of) acid to flow back. You could ask to be referred to a fodmap trained dietitian.
I have been on Amitriptyline for just over 2 weeks now. I’ve only just started to get really tired from it. I have tried many diets over the past two years- followed books and others who had dietary specialists; I don’t hardly eat any gluten or wheat (reason I don’t want my stomach to never tolerate it) nor dairy or chocolate or anything that angers my “acid”. it’s a pretty simply diet I follow. I had lost a lot of weight last Year because I was so careful and nothing worked. I asked both the consultant and my gp to see a dietitian and they said no. They believe it’s stress related. 🤷🏻♀️It definitely does help when I follow a simply ish diet but it doesn’t remove the “acid” entirely I still get- it’s just not as aggressive.
I believe the consultant did discuss about the nerve which to be honest I can’t remember what he said but it was similar to your receipt. I was never explained why I am on Amitriptyline, rather the gp written pains in my stomach in my report(I don’t often have - chest more so), and to see a therapist.
To the end, my tests showed no sign of acid reflux? The ph test was clear and so was my endoscopy. So I am guessing it’s down to the nerve and my stress levels?! Thank you for your response.
Ps. Yes I have read this link before . I am confused to be honest because as I said I was said to have hypersensitive before my ph test and now I have been diagnosed with functional heartburn. Does this mean I do have acid reflux? I was told that i was clear of acid?
I think what it is saying is that it is something that is experienced like heartburn but it's due to the hypersensitivity. If you have pain and they think it is nerve related, it wouldn't matter where in your digestive tract you experience the pain, low dose Amitriptyline tends to be the first line treatment. At low doses Amitriptyline acts as a nerve pain agent rather than an antidepressant. It can take up to 6 weeks to take effect. This is to treat the nerve pain that you are currently experiencing. In addition, if it ends up work for you, the theory is that if you are on it for 6-12 months (or longer) it can replenish the neurons in the pain control centres of the brain, so that when you come off it, the brain will behave normally and you won't need to be on the medication long term.
Thank you very much for all your information- definitely has been very helpful . Let’s hope the acid will disappear in the new year. I really do hope.
Fingers crossed and good luck!
Hi there, hope you don’t mind me reposting about our conversation we had a few months back? Hope everyone is doing well at this difficult time? I just wanted to up date on my current situation with Amitriptyline. It’s been 4 months and I still have all of my acid reflux and pain issues. The latter, it’s not as bad as it just to be. I was hoping by reflux issues would have almost gone or at least calmed done by now. Unfortunately not the case. You had mentioned 6 weeks and 6-12 months for nerve pain to settle? Doctors said they can’t figure out what is wrong with me? Why I’m getting acid reflux? I’m just an anxious person , doctor said. What do I do , carry on with the Amitriptyline (on 30mg) or come off it? Or go higher?
Hi Catatvet05, When you say "The latter, it’s not as bad as it just to be" - are you saying that the nerve pain has reduced or is it exactly the same as when you first started taking the medication? Is this new pain more bearable? Do you feel the Amitriptyline is helping you at least some with the pain i.e. you'd be worse off if you stopped taking it?
When you say "I still have all of my acid reflux" - how are you experiencing this? Is this the feeling or taste of acid in your throat/mouth? I think you said when you had the PH tests you have a normal level of acid. Is that right?
When you say you'd tried lots of diets, have you followed the fodmap diet exactly i.e. eliminate all fodmaps for 2 weeks before introducing one by one for 3 days and waiting 3-4 days for symptoms? The Monash University fodmap app for mobile phone will tell you which foods are high or low fodmap.
It might be worth you trying a probiotic. I am on Alflorex which has been studied for IBS/digestive issues. Since I have been taking it my digestive system is more settled and I am able to tolerate far more foods. It is available on a free 2 month trial on joining theibsnetwork.org (£24 annual prescription). It might be you have a little too many bad bugs (we all have both good and bad bacteria in our intestines - sometimes the bad bacteria can become slightly dominate and give symptoms like gases that can weaken the valve that sits between the stomach & the throat resulting in reflux). Probiotics such as Alflorex can bring back more balance into the system reducing these gases.
Hello, thank you for responding to my message. The pain is settling. Yes my ph test was normal. The acid changes according to my diet , hence why I have eliminated so much. But currently I burp a lot along with acid settling in my mouth. When I’m sitting up I tend to get acid.
I have tried many probiotics for the gut which didn’t affect me in any way, some containing FOS which is good bacteria , I believe? I was told to not take probiotics with FOS. Whether that is ideal, not sure? However, I am currently taking optibac for daily immunity. It contains vitamin C and one strain. Sometimes some of the probiotics worsened my acid.
I have eliminated a lot in my diet : all dairies, sugar, gluten (stared to introduce fresh homemade bread ) , meat, started to introduce very little fruits. I eat black eye beans which works for me. I’m also very careful to not eat oily food like fish. Seabass is okay. My diet is very simple- vegan, because I can’t tolerate meat. A little bit of nuts, etc. I don’t drink caffeine- just tea for digestion and calming.
I have had a look at fod map foods and it seems that I can tolerate garlic when boiled with fresh black eyed beans- I know theses are low fod foods. I can also tolerate dates but only 2 small amounts. I don’t eat hardly any grains, especially rice - it gives me really bad acid reflux. Potatoes is definitely off my lists of food - cannot tolerate it either.
But having tried many probiotics, I am still wondering if it is bacteria related as you mentioned? Even though I’ve had tests. I’m keen to take another stool test to re evaluate my stomach symptoms. Amitriptyline has given me quite a bit of sides affects like constipation. I do wonder what would happen if I came off it? Maybe I should consider a high dose or keep to 30? I really appreciate your feedback. Thank you so much.
Ps I jut had a look online for Alflorex - looks promising!
FOS is actually a prebiotic. Prebiotics feed gut bacteria. This is great if your gut bacteria is dominated by the good guys, but not so great if you have more of the bad bugs, since you'll be feeding these too which could cause you more symptoms. I took FOS years ago and found it gave me loads of gas. Good that you have been getting to the bottom of foods you can tolerate.
You'd need to discuss the Amitriptyline with your GP via a phone consultation. It isn't advisable to come off such medication without a reduction plan provided by your doctor otherwise you could experience more side effects. You could also discuss your dosage with them and whether it is worth increasing.
I've tried other probiotics over the years. Some have helped a bit. Alflorex has given me the most benefit.
If you are normally constipation dominant, I am also taking Linaclotide for IBS-C and intestinal nerve pain. It acts locally in the gut whereas Amitriptyline operates across the whole nervous system, but it depends on where you are experiencing pain. The Linaclotide reduced my intestinal pain symptoms - after adding in the Alflorex I can experience pain free days mostly - I am able to tolerate far more foods. The only time I get pain is when I am challenging myself with new foods. I've found the trick with re-introducing foods is to get some pain relief (as we're discussing) and support for the microbiome (Alflorex), then start on the new food in really small amounts for 3 days or more. If I experience mild or no symptoms I increase the amount after 3 days, if the symptoms are intolerable I cut back to the previous amount that I could tolerate and stay at that rate for longer. In theory your microbiome can adapt to the new food over time if introduced slowly. This should mean in the long run you'll experience fewer symptoms. This is how I have managed to expand my diet over the past few months.
Hello. Yes, with introducing foods, I should definitely do it gradually. Are you able to tolerate anything that I can’t eat? I curious, because it’s a lot that has been cut out and still I get symptoms. Although not as aggressive as it once was, still with this minimum diet it’s uncomfortable . The burping and acid attacks are unbearable.
In regards to pain, it’s across my chest and some times on my sides (this was from high sugar/fat sweets/foods). The chest pain is related to stress, since I lost my dad three years ago. It’s pretty much when all my symptoms started; I haven’t recovered.
Contacted the GP is my next move. I am rather anxious about calling to discuss my medication. I’ve never been keen on drugs but this is an exception. As I’ve tried a lot of natural remedies, probiotics, ppi, and other types of medications to no avail.
Have you heard of betaine HCI? Or Acid Soothe? It was recommended as a temporary measure by a Holistic specialist. Haven’t tried myself but supposed to be quite good?
I would like to travel a little once this pandemic is over but my symptoms does make it difficult!
Thank you so much.
I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad. Experiencing chest pain is certainly reflux rather than intestinal nerve pain and stress does play a role. I read some research papers that stress doesn't increase acid production in the stomach but can increase pain sensation in relation to a normal amount of acid in the throat. This is why nerve pain agents can be useful in some people.
Food wise, last year I could only eat freshly cooked white jasmine rice, protein and certain vegetables to control the pain. On Linaclotide and Alflorex I can now eat things I wouldn't have dreamed of before: oat bran, prunes, chia seeds, flaxseed, shredded wheat, whole wheat bread, pasta, potatoes with skins, canned pulses (rinsed), pears, kiwi, orange, raspberries, apricots, olive oil, oily fish. There are still many foods I need to try.
I have heard of betain HCI. There is a theory that in some people reflux is caused by low stomach acid. The betain HCI is meant to replicate/add to the acid from your stomach. I took it myself and it caused me more intestinal pain. My gastroenterologist said that since I was experiencing acid reflux, means that I have acid. I suppose you could give it a go as a one off, but perhaps not pin your hopes on it.
I've just looked up Acid Soothe. It looks like an enzyme preparation. I also took enzymes and they made my symptoms worse. I have read that not producing enough enzymes is quite a rare condition. There may be tests your GP can do to test for fecal elastase - this checks whether you are digesting proteins correctly. If you are digesting proteins it would suggest that you don't have low stomach acid since acid plays a big role in breaking down protein and also you have enzymes to help with the break down. Again enzymes are something you could try, but they also may not help. I have a cupboard full of partly used bottles of stuff like this!
Personally I wouldn't necessarily recommend holistic/nutritional therapists. I'd employed a couple of these and their recommendations made me very ill and much worse than when I started. I am currently trying to undo the mess they made of my insides. I am also £4.5k lighter from their fees and extortionate supplements.
I hope to manage to get to the bottom of it and find more relief. Good luck.
I forgot to mention, if you experience chest pain from reflux at night, you can raise the head of your bed by 20cm using sturdy plastic bed risers found on the internet. This helps to keep the contents of your stomach there overnight. There are also bed wedge pillows that sit on top of the bed but I found that these eventually impacted my hips. Also not to eat 3 hours before bed time.
Sounds like you got your food in order? I couldn’t eat any of it. It just comes back up! I just don’t get what could be wrong?
Yes I too read some papers that stress doesn’t cause acid per say but sharp pains in the chest region can do that to you. Speaking of which, I just had chest pains thinking of my bills!
I’m not sure if Amitriptyline is the right medication?
The doctors can’t figure what’s wrong with me so I’m having to figure it out for my self.
I’m just constantly getting acid even when on my phone writing.
As far as having the PH test, all looks well in my stomach and throat regions. I thought at the beginning it could be down to a lose vale, the reason for acid constantly coming back up.
I don’t think it’s low acid I think it possibly down to gut bacteria or something around my colon. My symptoms kind of fits the profile, I think.
My medication side affects have kicked in and I am experiencing terrible constipation! Not to mention a few other factors.
Absolutely crazy money to employ holistic professional but I feel for you. I’ve spent quite a bit on products and to no avail, I’m still in the same position! I’m wary myself about these types of products and services. My aunty is a big fan and is convinced they will help her to resolve her sugar addiction since she is unable to manage the addiction herself.
Weirdly, I find that if I raise my head mid way it exacerbates my symptoms, especially when laying half way down in my tub! But I will give it another go with less height. 👍🏼
Definitely will not eat 3 hours before bed.
Thank you very much for your time. Your information has been excellent!
Hope all is well with you.
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Catatvet05, please see my reply to Hicking below - this reply was intended for you.
Thank you , when i had my Endoscopy they said all was normal,but since this procedure i feel terrible, burping loads etc , indegestion.
I have been referred to gastro but that could take ages
I waited around 4-6months I believe ? Keep chasing up.
Acid Reflux Remedies
Acid and reflux with my usual IBS 
IBS C and acid reflux 
