Stomach disaster!

[WhyAmISoTired]

I have been having horrible reflux issues recently and I don't know what to do about them any more. It started on and off a few months ago and now it's every day. I don't get a stomach ache at all, just chest pain, a headache, a few palpitations, and a feeling that something is very wrong... The only things that consistently help (but do not solve the issue) are drinking coke zero and gaviscon. For the past few days I've tried apple cider vinegar and it seemed to be helping a bit, but last night I may have taken too much (half a tablespoon) and it made things a lot worse so now I'm confused and frustrated.

The other thing I'm confused about is the timing! I have been on a stable dose of levo for years, recently decreased by a tiny amount (7mcg per day) but the issues started well before then. In the Fall I tried experimenting a bit with betaine hcl and bitter herbs, I was hopeful because they seemed to dramatically improve my fatigue even on a tiny dose, but I never managed to keep up taking either because of side effects. The reflux may have started when I was taking a minuscule dose of bitter herbs (one -two drops a day) so perhaps they are to blame.

I saw a doctor about this because I was worried about potential heart issues but she pretty much ruled them out, and prescribed omeprazole. My blood oxygen is fine.

I'm thinking of undoing the tiny decrease in levo but other than that, at this point I'm clueless. Has anybody experienced anything similar? I was starting to get somewhere with my fatigue after so many years of struggle and now I have a new hurdle to struggle with. I'm feeling quite dejected.

[WhyAmISoTired]

Ps I haven't been taking the omeprazole yet. But I may try. At this point I'm desperate.

[Marz in reply to WhyAmISoTired]

Vogel product - Digestisan - helped hubby.

[RoseF3]

I have reflux when I eat lactose, I’ve been lactose free for 5 weeks now and haven’t had any reflux!

[Bertwills]

I’m having similar problems. I have a hiatus hernia & scoliosis which means that stomach regularly burns my throat. I don’t like omeprazole at all & it’s contraindicated with many other medicines. Not good with T3 or4.

I used to use renatadine but it was withdrawn. I’ve recently started using famotidine instead. I bought from an online chemist & unfortunately it’s expensive but it’s working particularly at night. You can buy over the counter at a pharmacy or you could try your doctor. It’s not contraindicated with other medicines so that could be the reason for asking for it.

Otherwise aloe can help, liquorice too. Unfortunately many reflux medications having awful ingredients which damage the micro biome. Gaviscon had over 40 ingredients!

I’ve found hazelnut milk from Plenish really helpful after meals. Yoghurt too.

[Batty1]

Are you taking the omeprazole? If not you should until things settle down or your issues could get worse.