Acid reflux

[Mouseling]

Hello me again! Any one have experience of coping with acid reflux. Over time I have had more symptoms of acid indigestion/reflux. I don't know if this is linked to RA itself, medication side effects, may be stress at times, or a mixture of all?I use tocilizumab for RA and Sertraline an anti depressant ( although not depressed now, I have been on it a few years, its called a maintenance dose)

I take one Lanzoprazole a day.

Has any one got suggestions for treatment for this? Experience of:

Medicine that helped more than others

Natural remedies

Changing diet

If this is related to RA or meds side effects?

Thank you 😊

[AgedCrone]

Sorry….we can’t advise…but yes there are OTC potions to help.I look Lanzoprazole for years..,,,might as well have taken Smarties….I mentioned it to my ent surgeon & after checking my meds he advised me what to try…it works like a dream.

Speak to your Pharmacist..tell him what prescription meds you take & see what is advised.

Good Luck!

[Mouseling in reply to AgedCrone]

Thank you I will ask

[Amnesiac3637]

It’s usually due to medication. Most of them are gastric irritants. Worth upping your dose of Lansaprazole or asking for a different PPI (proton pump inhibitor)from your GP. Changing PPIs helps sometimes as they are formulated differently. Staying off spicy food, caffeine and fizzy drinks helps acid reflux. Not eating too near bedtime and raising the head of the bed if it happens at night.

If you don’t want to take more PPI you could try Peptac or the more expensive Gaviscon fairly regularly for a week or two. If nothing works it may be wise to get tested for helicobacter pylori - that’s very treatable and can be cleared up in two weeks. Best of luck in getting sorted!

[Mouseling in reply to Amnesiac3637]

Thank you

[Deeb1764]

I was getting it really bad so my GP did anti acid suspension 3 times a day and helped me a lot. He felt medication or my heart and lung issue but said let’s give it a whirl

I do take pantoprazole too for stomach

[Mouseling in reply to Deeb1764]

Thank you I will check with my GP

[Gnarli]

It's probably best to see your gp. I've had GERD for years, predating RA and it's horrible friends. On Ranitidine successfully for years until it was withdrawn. Now taking Gaviscon tablets with some effect.

[Mouseling in reply to Gnarli]

Yes it isn't pleasant l didn't have any problems before RA and meds. Hope you improve 😊

[Gnarli in reply to Mouseling]

Thank you I hope you find a med that works

[rmros]

Unfortunately the best thing for acid reflux, heartburn etc for me was taken off the market because it might cause cancer in mice or something 😭

I put mine down to age, medication and genes. I take omeprazole occasionally, drink mostly water and take Gaviscon if I get an attack. But nothing is as good as Zantac/ranitidine.

See your doctor if you haven't already, to rule out anything else.

[welsh12]

And stress definitely doesn't help mine flares with stress

[warwickstag]

Couldn't agree more. On Cemetidine for years, very effective, then Ranitidine equally brilliant, then this was withdrawn. Prescribed Omezaprole which is marginally more effective than a packet of Rennies, ie not very good.

[oldtimer2]

The main help for me has been losing some abdominal fat. I know it's not easy, but it has made an enormous difference. (I've been shown to have a hiatus hernia.)

I take steroids, and am not very active these days so it's been a long term project, but now I'm just above a normal BMI having lost about 10Kg. No special diets - I eat a Mediterranean type diet (but no meat which upsets my joints) - just less of everything and nothing between 8pm and 7.30am.

I tried elevating the head end of bed, but slid down and ended up more uncomfortable. I looked up the long-term effects of PPIs and decided that I didn't want those! Antacids were a help (Gaviscon was the main one I found useful) but I didn't want to keep taking those - I've still got some in stock but haven't had to take it for months.