[Closed] Acid Reflux

prop up the bed and I think not to eat too late.

Wait til they suggest doing 24hr ph test where they stick another probe up your nose.

Hopefully your symtoms are manageable with the prescription. Luckily it shouldn't stop you riding 🙂

Had it for years. Take Omniprazole (sp) and can eat normally, but not just before bed.

Reintroduce food slowly once the medication has taken effect and see how you get on

PS - Curry and beer last night, packet of crisps and a Mars bar just scoffed along with a bottle of Coke with lemon juice in it which seems to be a fantastic combination of all the things on your list

I guess the silver lining is finding out before it causes something serious 🙂

Don't know about Acid Reflux especially, but having got the big D diagnosis a few years ago I've had to adjust how much and what I eat.

Best advice is trust the docs, despite the media wanting to put them down all the time I've found the NHS pretty good.

I just took the tablets and followed the diet for diabetes and all fell into place, once I was sorted with sugar levels I could then try things and see what happened. Some things I can't really eat anymore as they send my blood sugar sky high for hours - no more rice for me. Other things are OK in small quantities - pasta, bread and chocolate.

I guess it's the same with Acid Reflux, get it better then try the banned list one at a time until you find out what to avoid and what you can get away with small doses.

Good luck with it.

I'm the same as bentandbroken - Omeprazol ( incorrect spelling i'm sure !) seem to do the trick . I've mentioned it to the doctor in the past & he wasn't overly concerned .
I seem to get it more when i'm tired & not so much with what i've eaten .

I've had it for nearly 7 years and its radically changed my life.

I've had three endoscopes over the years, barium swallow / contrast xray, PH monitoring (the tube through the nose for 24 hours ala Peep Show) and an esophageal manometry test. I've also been diagnosed with a small hiatus hernia which from doing my own research is primarily what is causing me problems.

I'm on the full dose of PPI for the rest of my life apparently, although these only help to some extent. I'm in pain 24 hours a day, and a lot of this pain is caused by the hernia rather than acid.

Good luck getting it sorted OP. Despite what some doctors will say, this can end up as a chronic condition where the only 'cure' is usually surgery which a lot of consultants seem to discourage, despite the fact that it has a good success rate when done by a competent surgeon.

I'm due to see a consultant at Bradford hospital next week to start the process of going down the surgery route as I've had enough.

There have been some threads on here about it before which might be of use.

I have had bad reflux for over twenty years, had the delightful endoscopy a few years ago which showed I had a shatski ring which is a ring of damaged tissue above the pyloric sphincter. I have to be careful swallowing as if I don't chew properly food gets stuck which is pretty alarming, rice in particular is bad.

I was on omeprazole but didn't see it as a long term solution and didn't like the long term side effects so stopped taking it and in fact it feels better since I stopped taking it, just taking a rennie/gaviscon when I need it.

Oily food is the killer for me, smoked mackerel for example results in agony which is a shame. Booze is also bad and coffee/tea, whisky causes pain for days

The specialist I saw before/after the endoscopy seemed disinterested and basically said I need to figure out what I can eat and can't, as I already have trouble swallowing surgery to tighten the sphincter probably isn't an option. The NHS don't seem very interested in reflux in the UK from my experience, in Australia there were big ad campains on TV and warning about long term health risks but here they seem to see it more of a complaint than a problem if that makes sense.

I do worry a bit about the long term risks, links to cancer etc though.

the tube through the nose for 24 hours

Unfortunately I had my 24hr immediately after my endoscopy and hadn't eaten for 24 hours or something so didn't get any significant reflux at all.

Don't rule out low stomach acid which can be a symptom of ageing. Ime the NHS would rather hand out pharmaceuticals.

+1 Omeprazole is what you need.

I have had problems in the past..

I have a hiatus hernia, however I rarely suffer from acid reflux. I use Omeprazole if I have an ulcer along with antibiotics, however since moving to Italy to work as a bike guide the problem has only recurred twice in 10 years, whereas working in London it was annual.

My biggest advice is to avoid too much salt and acidic foods and too much dairy. And don't eat late at night, this is the worst thing as reflux will be worse when you lie down. also don't sleep on your left side.

And exercise, this has been the biggest benefit for me..

I've had various dyspeptic symptoms which got much worse in November with bad reflux. Also had the gastroscopy just before xmas (unpleasant experience).

I've been on lanzoprazole (same sort of thing as omeprazole) for years, if you are new to them you might find they sort you right out, they did for me for ages. I am on 30mg twice a day so if you find your symptoms aren't controlled you might be moved onto twice daily which might do the trick.

since the gastroscopy I've packed in wine and I don't eat after about 8.30 at night. And I've stopped eating my own body weight in a single meal. 6 weeks of that and I feel much better, not perfect but manageable.

I think it is a case of working out what is particularly bad for you. For example I thought the super hot curries I eat would be really bad, but it turns out they are fine as long as I'm not eating a massive amount, late at night, with wine.

google things that people are avoiding, tomatos seem very bad for some people for example.

If you find any magic solutions let me know!

Unfortunately I had my 24hr immediately after my endoscopy and hadn't eaten for 24 hours or something so didn't get any significant reflux at all.

Similar thing happened here. Basically I didn't leave the house for 24 hours and didn't really do or eat what I do usually so didn't provoke the reflux I usually get and they said that my reflux levels were "normal".

A year ago though I asked for copies of my test results and they showed a value of 16 on a scale where anything over 14 is proof of reflux apparently, which goes against everything they told me at the time.

You can also get a type of reflux called laryngopharingeal reflux or non-erosive / non-acidic reflux which won't show up on any of the tests but still causes significant symptoms and pain. Recent studies have shown that a digestive enzyme called pepsin is responsible for this, and finding a doctor in the UK who knows much about this condition has been rather difficult.

Definitely doesn't seem to be a priority condition on the NHS. Will hopefully come into some money in the next few months so thinking of going down the private route.

that magnetic ring thing they offer privately looks like a much better solution than what is offered on the nhs (not that I've looked at any trial results in detail or anything but seems appealing conceptually, I would be properly going through the evidence before committing £10k and putting myself in the care of a non-nhs surgeon though)

http://www.linxforlife.com/

Off subject but 'acid reflux' does sound like the sort of name Trek would call a full sus bike 😆

I have to be careful swallowing as if I don't chew properly food gets stuck which is pretty alarming

Actually the 'don't sleep on your left side' is another good point. I am OK on my left as long as it is at least 4 hours since I last ate, but it was easier to just train myself out of sleeping on my left side altogether

I've just been diagnosed with a hiatus hernia but I don't have any acid reflux (yet). My main issue is I can't eat any quantity of food without being uncomfortably full, if I eat too much I get quite serve pain above my diaphram. Too much in this case was 2 x eggs scrambled on a single slice of toast, having eaten nothing else all day!

I'm awaiting the results of the biopsy I had taken a week ago to see if there's anything else going on. Although hiatus hernias seem very common there seems to be no actual treatment it's all just avoid whatever gives you acid reflux which doesn't apply in my case!

I was relatively fit over the summer but since I've had the hiatus hernia my fitness has dropped as I'm finding it so hard to get enough fuel on board due to the above issues.

Thanks for the input, folks.

Lots on info to..ahem... digest

Actually the 'don't sleep on your left side' is another good point. I am OK on my left as long as it is at least 4 hours since I last ate, but it was easier to just train myself out of sleeping on my left side altogether

I naturally sleep on my side; usually starting off on my right, and then moving over on to my left. I didn't realise it made a difference. I'll try and remember to stay on my right.

I'm on 20 mg of lansoprazole every day. Was first diagnosed when I used to get awful acid reflux when exercising, running especially, so much so that it was hampering my enjoyment and ability to exercise.
I found gaviscon etc.. didn't touch the symptoms so mentioned it in passing to the doc, gave me omeprazole at first but it gave me bowel problems (I won't go further into that) so they put me onto something else (can't remember the name as it didn't work at all) and now lansoprazole. I find the rattly tablets work best, must be slow release or something.
Only get reflux now if I forget to take the tablet so keep a pack at work too just in case.
Luckily it works as they mentioned the tube down the throat and I struggle to swallow the tablet as it is!!

that magnetic ring thing they offer privately looks like a much better solution than what is offered on the nhs (not that I've looked at any trial results in detail or anything but seems appealing conceptually, I would be properly going through the evidence before committing £10k and putting myself in the care of a non-nhs surgeon though)

http://www.linxforlife.com/

This is the procedure that I'm thinking of getting done. Its been around a few years ago and unlike the main surgical procedure (nissen fundoplication - which involves cutting up your innards and tying your stomach in a knot) is fully reversible if it doesn't work. Quite a few places in the UK do it now.

The consultant surgeon I saw in 2013 at St James's in Leeds slagged it off though and said it would never be offered on the NHS. About six months after he told me this they started offering it in a couple of NHS hospitals and has a high success rate.

Just goes to show, you need to shop around with doctors and always get a second or even third opinion.

Any good small, but often, meal suggestions. Eating decent meals is quite difficult at the moment as I'm at Uni three nights a week and have to grab whatever is left in the canteen during the break.

I had chronic acid reflux for many years and eventually went for an endoscopy to check for the early signs of oesophageal cancer, which came back all clear thankfully. I took Omeprazole (a proton pump inhibitor like the Lansoprazole you are on, I think), which was very effective - far more so than Rennie or Gaviscon which would only give me temporary relief. But that was just treating the symptoms and not fixing the root cause, which was of course my diet. In actual fact my diet has changed very little but one thing I have done is to cut out sugary drinks completely and now only drink water (I used to drink a lot of cordial) ...and this alone has more or less fixed the acid reflux. Nowadays I only rarely need to take the occasional Rennie when I've over-indulged. So my advice would be to experiment with your diet to find the things that trigger it and you will soon learn what you can eat and drink without bringing on the acid reflux.

Omeprazole for me too. Diagnosed with a HH having had the tube treatment!
I find my Reflux and associated dyspepsia is cyclical. I had it really bad for months towards the end of 2014.
I remember being in a hotel room in LA New Years Eve and had the worst Heartburn ever, I was minutes away from calling for an ambulance I thought I was going to die.
The next day I felt a bit rough but it didn't come back and actually never returned for 11 months, I came off the omeprazole and life continued. Then without warning a couple of months ago, it came back. I assume I'd eaten or drunk something that played havoc with my body chemistry.
So, its back on the omeprazole, and I'm assuming that eventually my internal chemistry will get back to normal and I'll have relief for a few more months.

This is very interesting. I havent been able to have a decent meal 'later' in the day for years that i didnt sick back up at about 2-3pm in the morning.

Its usually a guarentee that if i have pizza, coke or bread or crisps any later than 6-7pm i wont make it through the night.

I put it down to some kind of lactose intolerance and due to other medical issues i hadnt got around to sorting it until recently. I have cut bread, pizza and coke nearly 100% out of my diet now and other than one night after ONE bottle of Bud where i was sick, i havent had a reoccurance.

This acid reflux sounds like what i have. I cant sleep on my right hand side. I end up with none of my food digested hours later and sick a lot of acid.

Not sure if i should go and get checked out or thank god i changed my diet a bit recently which seems to have helped massively

Oh and indeed as my old biking buddies will testify, i used to be sick a lot when riding the bike. No it wasnt down to being tired, i would be sick, then feel much better and after a bit of water have a second and third wind

This is very interesting. I havent been able to have a decent meal 'later' in the day for years that i didnt sick back up at about 2-3pm in the morning.

Its usually a guarentee that if i have pizza, coke or bread or crisps any later than 6-7pm i wont make it through the night.

I put it down to some kind of lactose intolerance and due to other medical issues i hadnt got around to sorting it until recently. I have cut bread, pizza and coke nearly 100% out of my diet now and other than one night after ONE bottle of Bud where i was sick, i havent had a reoccurance.

This acid reflux sounds like what i have. I cant sleep on my right hand side. I end up with none of my food digested hours later and sick a lot of acid.

Not sure if i should go and get checked out or thank god i changed my diet a bit recently which seems to have helped massively

Exactly the same symptoms I get. Ask your GP to trial you on proton pump inhibitors for a month and see if you improve.

Interesting: I've just Googled the sleeping on side thing and most of the articles say it's sleeping on the right that aggravates it, whereas on the left if better for it.

I had acid reflux for many years until someone told me about omeprazole, and I have been taking one a day ever since(almost)
It's been a wonder drug for me. But if I drink a lot and eat too much,or dont sleep, the reflux returns
I did stop last year, but then I got terribly bloated, and a doctor told me to keep on taking it,even though I had no reflux. I suspect lactose intolerance again.
Now the amount of reflux seems to depend on the amount of heavy exercise that I do

I've never been able to work out whether sleeping on the left hand side means your "left" or the left hand side as viewed by an external observer (i.e. your "right" hand side).

If I sleep on my left hand side then I get terrible night reflux and sometimes heart palpitations as if the hernia is squashing a nerve or something.

As such, I can only usually fall asleep by sleeping on my right hand side.

Just ask the Dr to give you a prescription for a large pack of Rennies and get on with life.

My missus has a Hiatus Hernia and suffered badly for years ; she takes Omeprazole also but in addition she takes Turmeric tablets which help considerably . She also took Centaurium drops( A.Vogel) for a while but found that the Turmeric helps more.
Watching what you eat helps considerably ; for my wife that means no red meat, no processed food or things like bread/pastry. The spicy stuff is fine though

Nexium 40mg Esomeprazole a day for the last 8 or so years...

Would love an alternative as I'm sat here with notable reflux, I'll go for the magnets if I get the chance.

My concern is as a long term consumer of these drugs is the info relating to prolonged use and magnesium deficiency...

Bin through all of this, was in 40 mg a day of lanaprazol, if I missed the meds the heartburn would come back with a vengeance. Went and had the Nissen fundithingimejig and it totally worked for me. Six years since having it done and have no meds, no reflux, no heartburn and don't need to worry about what I eat or when. The only issue I had post op was difficulty in burping for a few months which is now all back to normal and even now I have to eat stuff like bread (especially nan bread etc) steadily cos the entrance to the stomach is much tighter than it was before.
Pre-op I had the manometer test for swallowing and the 24 hour ph test. The actual op (keyhole) was done on a Friday night and I was home on the Sunday, took a week off work and had to eat soft food for a couple of weeks.
The consultant said the success rate for completely curing the condition ( ie being meds free and therefore symptomless) was largely down to the surgeon judging exactly how tightly to sew things up, thankfully my consultant chose well with the surgeon he recommended to me.
I am so glad I got this procedure done. I was lucky enough to have this done through BUPA, I am not sure if NHS would offer this.

Bread and cake give me bad acid, lay off those two and I'm fine, easier said than done....

Lanzoprazole work wonders for me!

Yup me. Ignored many symptoms for years but eventually went to the GP as the dysphagia was pissing off. Had an endoscope but orally not nasal which is a bit odd. I'm now on omeprazole have been for over a year, it's like a miracle drug. I can eat what I want and drink what I want. I ran out the other week and took 4 days to get restocked. I felt ill for over a week, reminded me just how bad I'd felt.

I should add. I have to eat regular if I go too long without food especially missing a meal it'll cause a flare up.

Wow, a lot of responses, thanks.

How long do people generally find it takes for the drugs to work?

I noticed a mild improvement within a couple of days, after a month I felt amazing more energy, big appetite again, no discomfort, no vomiting and no dysphagia.

6 months in and I required no top from a peptac.

I'm taking Omeprazole as i'm currently taking a 6 week course of Naproxen. Have to agree with others it's great, not had the slightest sign of any indigestion since taking it.

Cool, thanks Drac. I've got 28 days worth and I'm supposed to go back to my Gp at the end (rather than the ENT unit I went to yesterday), either to get a repeat, or to review and possibly look at new courses of action

Yup make an appointment with your GP nearer the time. It was my GP who prescribed mine after reading my results.

I've suffered for a few years now, but what I think is fairly mild by what others describe. Basically I've discovered I can massively reduce it if I have a core diet of simple stew and salad type foods. If I have too much bread, pastry, crisps then it flares up.

Been on 30mg Lansoprazole for 15 years, tried omoprazole and ranitidine but lansoprazole best for me.. I noticed I had a problem when I ended up having half a bottle of gaviscon and it didn't touch it! First the Dr started me on 15mg, it was a wonder drug to start off with it cleared up within a few hours of taking but eventually after a few month the acid started breaking through so he jumped it up to 30mg and been fine on them ever since and can eat what I want although sometimes I do take 60mg if I feel it... Anyways, I'm going for an endoscopy in a few week for first time ever but don't really know what that's gonna do as had it so long now but surely taking acid reflux tablets all your life can't be good for you? I heard somewhere that it depletes the essential minerals in your body?

The Doc has started me off on 30mg straightaway.

Chris85: I ended up severely ill (and really only just getting over it 3 years later) after 6 months on PPI's dropped my B12 levels dangerously low. It's likely they were on the way down anyway, but they accelerated the drop massively, to the point of full blown pernicious aneamia, not fun. My folic acid was also very low, and turns out I also had low magnesium that was triggering migraines. All because I'd been told I had acid reflux and had been on and off the PPI's for the last 17 years, which never helped, as it turns out I had low stomach acid not high acid. They can also mask the symptoms of stomach cancer, so really should only be taken if absolutely necessary, I do find it disturbing how readily they're handed out like sweeties by my GP's.

I'm only 27 and I'm currently taking 2x20mg omeprazole a day.

I've always had stomach pains, then back in december I was taking ibuprofen for a ankle injury (being really careful to take it with food only), when suddenly I got flu like symptoms that knocked me off my feet (everything but the snot) and couldn't have any food. Was put on omeprazole 20mg a day for 2 weeks and they started working instantly.

Last week I got the same again, knocked off my feet barely able to eat anything. I've been put back on omeprazole 2x20mg a day. Not helping this time - okay I barely get reflux - but I've got a constant stomach pain that has sharp periods at random times but almost always first thing after waking up. I can also only run up to a certain pace, if I push myself beyond that I get huge stomach pain and I feel like I'm about to.. you know..

I've got to go back to the docs in a couple of weeks as that's when these tablets run out, not looking forward to some of the tests you guys have been through!!

Ask your doc about the surgery, I opted for it cos I wasn't keen on chucking the PPI drugs into me every day. I saw those as treating the symptoms and not dealing with the actual problem which in most cases is the loosening of the muscle around the top of the stomach.
Has anyone mentioned the bacteria which cases it as well which can be treated by antibiotics, the doc should routinely test for that if you have any of the heartburn/reflux symptom.......H pylori or something similar.

Chris85: I ended up severely ill (and really only just getting over it 3 years later) after 6 months on PPI's dropped my B12 levels dangerously low. It's likely they were on the way down anyway, but they accelerated the drop massively, to the point of full blown pernicious aneamia, not fun. My folic acid was also very low, and turns out I also had low magnesium that was triggering migraines. All because I'd been told I had acid reflux and had been on and off the PPI's for the last 17 years, which never helped, as it turns out I had low stomach acid not high acid. They can also mask the symptoms of stomach cancer, so really should only be taken if absolutely necessary, I do find it disturbing how readily they're handed out like sweeties by my GP's.

Watch out for this. I take B12 as well as magnesium and calcium supplements because PPIs can really screw with your levels.

I've had issues for years. Can sort of control it with diet but bloating is never far away.

Last year I started with new pains when eating - coffee out of the blue - caused a massive ache in my back and front if chest. Went to Doctors they gave me something (I think that lansoprazole) and it partially worked.

I reckon I was in ulcer territory - came off coffee and tea switched to decaf and things improved. Starting on Mastika which is supposed to clear the bug H.pylori . Things have got loads better but I know I should go and have one of those camera things but really don't fancy it.

Still get reflux on and off but eating too fast has been my crime. Luckily the things I live - dairy, meat and potatoes don't cause me grief, is things like pasta and refined crap that trouble me.

Ask your doc about the surgery, I opted for it cos I wasn't keen on chucking the PPI drugs into me every day. I saw those as treating the symptoms and not dealing with the actual problem which in most cases is the loosening of the muscle around the top of the stomach.
Has anyone mentioned the bacteria which cases it as well which can be treated by antibiotics, the doc should routinely test for that if you have any of the heartburn/reflux symptom.......H pylori or something similar.

Sounds like he's been examined for all those. I had loads of tests and examinations before they even considered putting me on meds, I know it comes as a shock but GPs don't always just hand out meds.

Actually, I haven't Drac: I went to the Doctor at the beginning of January, told him the symptoms, and he immediately referred me to the ENT unit in Brighton (is was in there all of 5 minutes).

I went there on Friday, they did the endoscope thing, we discussed the symptoms, and the specialist said "there's no sign of lumps, cancers etc, but you do have signs of acid reflux, which we are going to start off by treating aggressively", they then prescribed 30mg of lansoprazole AND Gaviscon, which I am now to take for 28 days.

So you've had investigations then.

Only in the throat: the specialist did say that if it's a problem lower down, then I'll need to see a the gastric department, as they only deal with the throat (and ear, and nose, of course).

I'm confused now. I thought you'd had an endoscopy?

I did, but only to look down the throat (in through the nose).

Ah! Hmmmmm!

Another alternative which should be taken with a meal that contains plenty of protein is Betaine HCL + Pepsin.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/287747-betaine-hcl-between-meals/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/39257-betaine-hydrochloride-side-effects/

So, are people saying I should stop taking the lanzoprazole?

Before being prescribed meds did you make any changes to your diet or take any otc meds?

No over the counter meds. I've dropped coffee and tried to stay away from citrus fruit and juices. Plus, I tend to use coconut and goat's milk products instead of dairy. I've also been avoiding tomato-based products. None of which have seemed to help with the "lump" feeling in my throat.

Oh, and in the last week or so, I've been trying to cut down on the size of meals and eating more slowly.

mikey - do you have any non-acid type symptoms, ie is your health OK apart from this?

My saving grace and has held out well for 4 months now, was a course of 3 tablets to combat h. pylori. After years of heartburn the gp recommended treatment for h. pylori. The first course of the combination of 3 different tablets didnt work, so i had to have another course where thre was a different combination of the 3. Ive had no trouble since and have not had to change eating habits. worth looking into.

Yes, generally.. I had a fainting episode a few months ago, followed by a full, fasting blood test and ECG, including wearing one for 24 hours. I then had a consultation with a cardiologist who said they couldn't find anything wrong.

The only anomaly was a slightly high iron level, but the cardiologist said "you don't look like someone who has haemachromatosis" (it tends to turn your skin a bronze colour).

He concluded the episode was down to low blood pressure.

So, are people saying I should stop taking the lanzoprazole?

I'd say carry on until you've spoken to your GP rather than people on a bike forum.

I'd say carry on until you've spoken to your GP rather than people on a bike forum.

Very true, and I don't intend to, I was just asking the question.

Apart from occasional heartburn after a curry or eating late my only symptoms were waking myself up in the early hours with a coughing fit. My GP never sent me for any tests. He just prescribed the PPIs from the off. It was only because a colleague had mentioned the H Pylori that I went back and asked for the test. I then asked for a referral to a Gastric consultant who then discussed the option of surgery with me. From the off the GP suggested nothing about diet changes, bacteria or surgery. In my case he was just happy to prescribe the PPis. I wasn't happy taking them but that's not to say they aren't for everyone.
I must also mention that once having being prescribed PPIs I found that as soon as I tried to stop taking them heartburn would come back with a vengeance permanently (whereas before the heartburn was only occasional) so I found myself dependant on them.
Without doubt the condition shouldn't be ignored because of the long term problems that can develop. If the medication
suits better then taking them has got to be far better than ignoring the condition.
Good luck. there are plenty of options available, meds (over the counter or prescription) , diet, surgery, lifestyle....it's just finding the one that suits you best.

Ok some more detail about mine.

I had the following symptoms:

Nausea
Vomiting
Abdo Pains
Coughing
Dysphagia
Palpitations during the day and at night, ECG showed extra R ventricular beats
Heartburn
Low energy
Poor appetite

I had blood tests, faecal samples and stomach samples for helicobacter pylori, stomach lining samples for cancer, endoscope for hiatus hernia, ulcers, cancer plus many other things.

Outcome was that I have an inflamed lining caused by too much acid production.

Then and only then after all those was I prescribed omeprazole which has pretty much eradicated all those symptoms. I get the odd problem now and then but not the daily occurrence I'd get. I'll get a follow up for the meds at a later date or indeed I can even make an appointment myself if I was concerned.

@drac Where you advised to avoid certain foods? or even move to a more alkaline diet to help?

Nope not at all.

It causes me no real issues but on rare occasions if I've had a really heavy session I get bother but once the the omeprazole kicks in it usually goes.

Yes, generally.. I had a fainting episode a few months ago, followed by a full, fasting blood test and ECG, including wearing one for 24 hours. I then had a consultation with a cardiologist who said they couldn't find anything wrong.

The only anomaly was a slightly high iron level, but the cardiologist said "you don't look like someone who has haemachromatosis" (it tends to turn your skin a bronze colour).

He concluded the episode was down to low blood pressure.

Mikey, acid reflux / hiatus hernias can and do cause ectopic heartbeats and arrhythmias. I get them when my reflux symptoms are bad. Took me years to find a GP / consultant that acknowledges this is the case despite loads of scientific papers written on the phenomenon. I've been told its all harmless but it feels very weird when it happens.

The fainting is caused by a vasovagal response, usually when your vagus nerve (which runs down your esophagus, the bit that gets irritated by reflux) becomes overstimulated.

Pepsin

If you are meaning taking pepsin enzyme then I think that is a very bad idea for reflux sufferers, certainly the supplement my sister had had a huge warning saying not to take if you suffer from reflux as it can lead to perforation of the oesophagus, leading to internal bleeding and ulcers. It's a protein digesting enzyme so will digest your own body quite happily if it ends up outside your stomach via reflux.

So, are people saying I should stop taking the lanzoprazole?

No, but I stopped my omeprazole and after a few weeks I'd say my reflux is better than when I was on it, but I'm relatively careful about avoiding trigger foods and acidic fruit juice. Having said that I've been demolishing pringles, beer and fried breaky this weekend with no reflux... yet....

I'm not sure why they only looked at your throat and not your oesophagus though, reflux stems from the bits below your throat. I've a friend with the lump in the throat feeling and trouble swallowing liquids and he's self diagnosed silent reflux, endoscopy didn't show anything for him.

I'm not sure why they only looked at your throat and not your oesophagus though, reflux stems from the bits below your throat. I've a friend with the lump in the throat feeling and trouble swallowing liquids and he's self diagnosed silent reflux, endoscopy didn't show anything for him.

They made it clear it was an ear, nose and THROAT unit. Anything below that is someone else's business. Apparently.

Doing a good bit of googling has resulted in me coming to the conclusion it's silent reflux I have: Heartburn has never been a big problem for me (although I do get it): It's mainly the lump in the throat feeling.

Apart from checking for more serious condition like Helicobacter pylori etc ...

I suggest drinking some yogurt with milk after each meal.

Try not to:
1. Over eat ... eat 70% or 80% full.
2. The last meal should be eaten 2 hour before bedtime at least.
3. Reduce alcohol consumption - wine is the worst.
4. Reduce smoking ... hmmm ... nahhh ...
5. Reduce spicy food ... only certain spices like chili powder, paprika powder or cayenne pepper powder. I find that only certain brands will give me pain if I take too much of them.
6. Avoid oily food. But somehow "dry" Fish & chips do not affect me but oily spaghetti with plenty of red wine will ...
7. Coffee & tea ... hmmm ... nahh ...

🙂

I suggest drinking some yogurt with milk after each meal.

That often made things worse for me.

1. How do you know?
2. Made no odds to me.
3. Red wine was terrible for me.
4. Never started.
5. Made no odds for me it was pastry and fatty food.
6. Yeah the like this but not olive oil based.
7. Made no odds to me.

Drac - Moderator

I suggest drinking some yogurt with milk after each meal.

That often made things worse for me.

1. How do you know?
2. Made no odds to me.
3. Red wine was terrible for me.
4. Never started.
5. Made no odds for me it was pastry and fatty food.
6. Yeah the like this but not olive oil based.
7. Made no odds to me.

Ans.1. Not full as in bloated feel. You should know or take away 20% to 30% of your normal consumption before you start eating. Healthy too by not eating to the max.

Ans.2. When I had serious acid reflux I slept sitting down for two years as lying down made pain worst especially after meal. My whole upper stomach was sore.

Ans.3. Alcohol especially wine is worst for me but drinking nearly a bottle of whiskey with friends a night did not do harm ... hmmm ... not sure why.

Ans.4. Good. In fact Very Good ... Now I smoke pipe but have to cut down to one or two bowls every 2 to 3 days as I get smoke stain on my teeth. Putting off birds with smoke stain teeth ... dammit.

Ans.5. Only certain brands that pack their spices in UK so watch out coz it hurts even when little is added. If you wish then use fresh chilies Not the powder form. Now I use traditional Spanish Paprika and so far no problem.

Ans.6. I use olive oil too but the changes of stomach pain if the oil is too much remain.

Ans.7. No problem with coffee or tea me.

"mikey74 - Member
Any good small, but often, meal suggestions. Eating decent meals is quite difficult at the moment as I'm at Uni three nights a week and have to grab whatever is left in the canteen during the break."

long time but was diagnosed with and GP prescribed some sort of ant-acid - conversation about diet came after hand over of prescription:

I was living on black coffee and mid morning toast until early evening being dumb so snack wise I'd pack:
ryvita or other with cheesespread
carrots
dried apple rings
muesli bars
plain wholemeal rolls
ritz crackers

I'm due to go back to the docs at the end of the 28 day med cycle but I might book an appointment now, just to discuss this with him and see if is the right way forward.

Stopping the production of stomach acid doesn't seem a particularly healthy thing to do,and may just mask another issue.