stomach burning, acid reflux and anxiety

[Fizzbond]

I would appreciate any help in combatting a burning stomach. I have had IBA for 30 years and was diagnosed with acid reflux and a hiatal hernia 2 years ago with Barrett’s Oesophagus but managed to calm it down with acupuncture and homeopathy. However, anxiety kicked off stomach burning 3 months ago and homeopathy isn’t working so I’ve started taking PPIs which I don’t want to do as I had a kidney issue 3 years ago.

I’m feeling quite desperate about the burning. It wakes me up in the night and whilst Gaviscon helps, I would rather not rely on it long term.

I take magnesium and Vitamin D and Arsenica Album. I tried slippery elm but that made it worse.

Any suggestions please? I find that my GP just wants to prescribe PPIs and they aren’t working. I’d love a more holistic approach and some reassurance! 🙏

[Iesgobdafydd]

I feel like there must be better answers out there but since no-one else has replied yet - the one time I had a burning sensation in my stomach, I found eating some oatcakes soothed it. Hopefully you'll get some more replies soon.

[Fizzbond in reply to Iesgobdafydd]

Thank you!

[gurgleguts]

Take a look a silicol gel. It’s a relatively natural product and seems to help me. I came off ppi a few weeks back and although I’m being super careful what I eat silicol gel seems to do the trick. Hope you manage to get it under control

[Fizzbond in reply to gurgleguts]

Thanks. I will try that.

[xjrs]

The problem with Barrett’s (and all acid reflux) is that it needs to be controlled. If you can't find any alternatives to do this, your GP would probably say that that the benefits of taking PPIs would outweigh the risks in your case. It is a tricky one, particularly with hiatal hernia. I don't know if this is any use to you but there has been some success with a new device:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

though I'm not sure what the full patient acceptance criteria would be.

[edwangy]

Have you tried raising your bed so your legs are lower than your upper body? That sometimes helps relflux. What types of food do you eat and what time is your last meal?Do you drink alcohol? All these things affect the stomach and can cause acid reflux. I took ppis years ago, whilst they work at the time the problem is that they are only supposed to be prescribed for a short time and when you come off them the acid comes back with avengeange. h2-receptor antagonists are milder and usually do the trick.Good luck

[Fizzbond in reply to edwangy]

Thanks. Yes I have an additional angled mattress that raises the head. I don’t drink alcohol, I eat very healthily although today I had chocolate and ice cream and am suffering as a result. I can’t eat less than 3 hours before I sleep otherwise it is awful!! What are h2 receptors? Thanks for taking the time to message.

[edwangy in reply to Fizzbond]

Ranitidine, Cimetidine, Famotidine - all H2-receotor antagonists, they're usually prescribed to reduce stomach acid for people with gastric /peptic ulcers, acid reflux and heartburn. They're much less severe than ppis and work in a different way

[Rozzy46]

I have a friend with Barrett’s who finds Apple Cider Vinegar solves it for her. Not sure of how much or how many times a day but worth a try. It must be organic with the mother tincture ie cloudy. I understand your desire to have a wholistic solution. Hope it helps

[Sallybt in reply to Rozzy46]

I have suffered with acid reflux (IBS and SIBO) for years and find apple cider vinegar very beneficial. 10ml with water x2 a day. Doesn't suit everyone though. I also take betaine hydrochloride with pepsin as my acidity was too low but strangely you still get acid reflux with low acidity. You do have to find what suits your symptoms as we are all so different.

[Fizzbond in reply to Sallybt]

Thank you. Do you know how to tell if acidity is too high or low? Appreciate your response.

[Sallybt in reply to Fizzbond]

Hello Fizzbond, that is the million dollar question. How to tell if acidity high or low. I was diagnosed with SIBO 2 years ago. One of the symptoms can be low acidity (I consulted a Naturopath) he prescribed HCI (amongst other things) which fortunately helped me. There is a bicarbonate test but not terribly reliable. You do know when taking HCI tablets if they are agreeable , they work very quickly and you feel slightly worse if you system doesn’t need them. You can google info on low acidity. Sorry I can’t be more helpful it is trial and error. I do find taking cider vinegar keeps me balanced, avoiding acidic foods is very important too. I’m not taking HCI at the moment as I don’t need them. It really is difficult to live with this problem hope you find an answer to help you.

[Fizzbond in reply to Sallybt]

Thank you so much. I have taken the PPIs for a few weeks and will take them for another week. The thing that has helped the most is the Marshmallow extract. Seemed to clear up the indigestion.

It’s like a continual balancing act isn’t it!

Grateful for your support and all the replies.

[LFHell in reply to Sallybt]

I think SIBO is a motility issue, so if slow transit, then the bacteria start to creep into the small bowel. So anything that slows down the system is bad for SIBO. Ironically after cutting out all my trigger foods i now have C *shoot me now*

[Mutleyforever]

Hi Fizzbond, I like yourself was prescribed a ppi for gastritis . However like you felt they weren’t the answer and I don’t like taking drugs. Anyway what I found most helpful if not a cure is lemon water. I half a lemon and squeeze it into a small glass of water in the morning and has been my go to if it ever comes back, but I have not needed it for a long time. I told my GP this as I felt it was so much more effective. I hope this is suitable for you to try, it is a lot more palatable than apple cider vinegar. Maybe use a straw to protect your teeth, best wishes M

[Fizzbond in reply to Mutleyforever]

Thank you. I will try that!

[Ellie-Louise in reply to Fizzbond]

In Sainsbury’s they sell an Apple cider vinegar that is flavoured with lemon and ginger. It’s expensive at £7 but it is really nice tasting added to water.

[LFHell in reply to Mutleyforever]

Lemon seems to make my reflux worse annoyingly. I like to have a slice of lemon in water in the morning but i think this always causes me issues Tho could give it another try..

[Matrix]

Hey Fizzbond , like you I have major issues with erosion in my stomach . I don’t know if this works but I’m starting today by eating one to two kiwi fruits a day , the article said it does work . 🤗🤗

[Fizzbond in reply to Matrix]

Oh that sounds interesting. It is not too acidic?

[LFHell in reply to Matrix]

yeah my dietitian said kiwis are great for constipation, skins too. They have a product called kiwi gold powder for ibs in new zealand, i emailed about selling in UK but no response so obv selling well

[Mutleyforever]

Hi, I read a lot of info that indicated that stomach acid needs to be high to function effectively, and similar symptoms will occur if you have low stomach acid. Ageing is a natural cause of low stomach acid, ( there are other causes too ), Anyway I tried the half a lemon squeezed in water, approx 100mls first thing in morning for several days and it worked for me.Best wishes M

[LFHell]

I think slippery elm causes constipation which will make it worse, i think i read and also didnt agree with me. I've got a nice chia seed pudding recipe? And ground linseed i believe helps keep gut moving which helps reflux? I also found the low fodmap diet cured my reflux & stomach lurches 99.5% and the other 0.05% is migraines.

[LFHell]

This really helps me and i have it with live soya yhogurt (Sojade brand) & also passion fruit which is mostly seeds so i assume is helping. I seem to go well next day. monashfodmap.com/recipe/veg...

[LFHell]

Also have you tried apple cider vinegar? I think lemon can bring on reflux for me.. especially at night. Morning may be ok...