How Do You Manage Your Reflux?

dmb0312 on 21/10/2023 - 13:43
Last edited 21/10/2023 - 17:15 by 1 other user

I've had reflux for a few years now and there doesn't seem to be anything specific that triggers it. I'm early 30s and not overweight, no smoking and rarely drink alcohol.

Doctors have prescribed Nexium or Somac over the years and they're Ok but not perfect and I don't particularly want to be taking them forever. Symptoms are burping, constant clearing throat and heartburn.

Are there any other tests I should talk to my GP about that might help figure out what's triggering it, or should I just get a referral to a Gastro specialist? Is it worth seeing a dietitian or anyone else?

Cheers

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • Dollar General on 21/10/2023 - 14:09
    +17

    Are you holding your farts in? Never do this

    • Worf on 21/10/2023 - 19:49
      +2

      Wait, what happens if you hold in your farts?

      • Bob Svargis on 22/10/2023 - 07:55
        +31

        You could spontaneously combust

        • Walleee-y on 23/10/2023 - 08:29
          +6

          Or get really crap ideas.

  • stuffandthat on 21/10/2023 - 14:11
    +5

    I get bad reflux. Always have. A Nexium a day keeps the flames away.

    • ssfps on 22/10/2023 - 17:53
      +8

      Also keeps the healthy bone density away…

      GP told me to get off nexium ASAP over a decade ago, i'm surprised anybody but the most severe GERD sufferers would take it long-term now that we know how it effects our digestion.

      • MrTweek on 22/10/2023 - 18:11
        +4

        Yep, I had multiple GPs basically tell me my issues are to difficult to investigate and just take Nexium for the rest of my life. Started googling this a bit and found out:

        • It has side-effects that no GP seems to know about
        • It only works when you take it on an empty stomach, which no GP seems to be aware of

        Took a couple of years to find the root cause of my symptoms (allergies) and now I am down to maybe 1-2 Nexium a month.

        • Toffees on 22/10/2023 - 20:34

          What else do you do for it other than take nexium?

          • MrTweek on 24/10/2023 - 19:46
            +2

            @Toffees: As I said, in my case reflux was caused by allergies. Soy in particular. So I stopped eating soy and my reflux pretty much disappeared.

        • stuffandthat on 23/10/2023 - 10:00
          +2

          I take Nexium on a full stomach all the time. It works!

          • MrTweek on 24/10/2023 - 19:50

            @stuffandthat: Nexium is an enteric coated capsule.
            This means, it has a coat that can survive through stomach acid for a short amount of time. The idea is, that is goes through the stomach before the coating is destroyed and the medication is then released in the duodenum, safe from stomach acid.

            If you take it on a full stomach, it might stay in the stomach for too long and the capsule including the contents gets destroyed by stomach acid.

            See here:
            https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/247873#dosage

        • illusion99 on 24/10/2023 - 07:33
          +2

          Are random internet sites the best source for your medical needs?

          • ssfps on 25/10/2023 - 00:23

            @illusion99: yeah what is this "sciencedirect" sounds like yahoo webring crap

      • MagicMushroom on 23/10/2023 - 13:37
        +1

        Pharmacist is the best people to talk about every details about medications.

        You can also look up sites like MIMS or AMH which is what Drs commonly use.

        Osteoporotic fractures.Some published case controlled and observational studies suggest that proton-pump inhibitor therapy may be associated with an increased risk for osteoporosis-related fractures.
        The risk of fracture was increased in patients who received high-dose, defined as multiple daily doses, and long-term PPI therapy (a year or longer). Patients should use the lowest dose and shortest duration of PPI therapy appropriate to the condition being treated.
        Patients at risk for developing osteoporosis or osteoporotic fractures are advised to have appropriate clinical monitoring in accordance with current clinical guidelines for these conditions.

        This is from MIMS for example

        • dmb0312 on 25/10/2023 - 23:23

          My new GP is also a trained Pharmacist, it's one of the main reasons i picked him.

      • [Deactivated] on 24/10/2023 - 12:49

        ENT told me I must take it, apparently he could see scaring down my throat.

        Unfortunately, I'm on strong asthma medication which is what causes the acid reflux.

  • DingoBilly on 21/10/2023 - 14:14
    +9

    I've been dealing with similar for a few years.

    It is worthwhile running tests and seeing a dietitian just to make sure you're not aggravating it unintentionally. I assume you're already avoiding foods high in fat, coffee, garlic, onion, tomatoes etc. which will make it worse. Don't take any anti-inflammatories…

    Probably worth doing a gastroscopy if it's been a while just to make sure there's nothing going on down there like ulcers etc. - in my case they found some bleeding but wasn't much you can do about that. A colonoscopy probably wouldn't find much if it's just acid reflux, but you could consider that as well - it's easy enough to schedule both procedures in the one sitting.

    Otherwise as you say, it is just shit and you may be on nexium/gaviscon type solutions for a long while. Sorry to hear, it is really frustrating and shitty.

    • Benoffie on 21/10/2023 - 20:18
      +4

      Yep, this is it. On Somac long term, can no longer eat alliums, curries, spicy food etc. Have regular endoscopy and colonoscopy plus gstric testing etc. Generally, now on a low FODMAP diet.

      Not 100% avoided. I have double stregth chewable Mylanta on hand all the time. Dont eat late, dont have coffee after 2-3pm, same with alcohol etc.

      The best thing was the double strength Mylanta liquid. Unfortunately the active ingredient went into short supply during covid and you cant get it outside of hospitals atm. It, in combination with liquid lidocaine (pink lady) is what you get in A&E if you present with off the charts gastric attack.

      • Grunntt on 22/10/2023 - 12:31

        The best thing was the double strength Mylanta liquid. Unfortunately the active ingredient went into short supply

        Can't you just take double the amount of the single strength product?

        • Benoffie on 22/10/2023 - 16:42
          +1

          Nah, it's not as thick. And taking too much isn't good for your stomach (as strange as that might sound). Too much and you can either get the runs or the stops - seems to be a cruel joke tbh.

          • Grunntt on 22/10/2023 - 16:48

            @Benoffie:

            Too much and you can either get the runs

            Hadn't considered the side effects of too much sorbitol or mannitol… I should have remembered as one of my jobs in the dim, distant past involved manufacturing those type of products..

    • SlartiBartFozz on 22/10/2023 - 15:05

      Agree with all your. Also i find that high sugar / high dairy foods can be a trigger, and minimising food combination (eg. meatballs with pasta) will help keep it under control.

    • MrTweek on 22/10/2023 - 18:15
      +3

      The problem is, there are thousands of possible triggers for this and everyone will have a different one.

      Took me 5+ years to get my heartburn issues diagnosed and in the end it turned out to be a soy allergy. I had no I was eating much soy until I realized that bread almost always contains soy. Stopped eating soy and now I can have coffee, red wine, chocolate and chili chips together without getting any heartburn.

      So it's definitely worth getting a bit pushy and whenever a doctor can't help you, ask them to refer you to someone who can investigate further. I had 4 gastroscopies in total until I finally got there :(

      • dmb0312 on 25/10/2023 - 23:25

        @MrTweek How did you discover you were allergic to Soy. What test did you do? I'm talking to a GI specialist next week

        • MrTweek on 26/10/2023 - 13:37

          I kept a food diary and wrote down every single thing I ate for 6 months straight and when I got symptoms. Eventually I found a pattern.

          Apparently this type of allergy can't be tested.

    • TiredKitty78 on 23/10/2023 - 19:27

      To add on here, see if your GP can refer you to someone that can check that it is not a psychical issue somewhere, some valve or muscle not working like it should. IANAD, but it's not always stomach acid or food intolerance, people sometimes get surgery to fix an issue with the throat, and no more reflux. But you'd have to look into it.

      • dmb0312 on 25/10/2023 - 23:26

        @TiredKitty78The GP referred me to a Gastro Specialist for next week to get his POV

  • EarlSquirellson on 21/10/2023 - 14:26
    +16

    There are a few different things that could be leading to you experiencing reflux without obvious triggers (for example some people have a weak sphincter at the top of the stomach allowing acid to easily reflux up into the oesophagus or others have what is called a hiatus hernia which can cause a similar thing).

    The good things you're already doing such as not smoking and minimising alcohol consumption will go a long way to minimise symptoms as well as benefit you in other areas of your health. Other lifestyle considerations include the timing of your meals (eg. having an earlier dinner) as well as ensuring you take your medication (nexium and somac) at least one hour before meals to give them time to work. If you haven't done one yet, your GP could refer you to a gastroenterologist who may consider doing a gastroscopy (where they put a camera down your throat and look in your stomach) as this confirms that diagnosis of reflux and can also differentiate additional causes that can cause similar symptoms. Other tests include a barium swallow which is a special x-ray which can show how food/liquid progresses through the sphincter into the stomach.

    It is definitely worth seeking to optimise your symptom control as long term ongoing reflux can lead to damage/transformation to the tissue at the bottom of the oesophagus (called barrett's oesophagus) which if left unchecked a small number with this condition may go on to develop oesophageal cancer. Nexium and Somac are the right starting point as your GP has initiated but if they aren't working to properly control your symptoms I would consider speaking further to your GP or getting a referral to a specialist to get it further investigated and managed. They may be able to give further advice to changing the doses/frequency of the medications as well as ruling out other causes.

    • kiitos on 22/10/2023 - 08:00
      +1

      Very good recommendations

    • Wazzawiseone on 22/10/2023 - 08:47

      Excellent advice,

    • macfudge on 23/10/2023 - 12:13
      +3

      100% on the money! I suffered severe reflux most of my life and only after a friend insisted I have it checked out properly did I find I had a problem with a weak sphincter at the top of my stomach. Over many years of not treating this I had developed Barrett's Oesophagitis and ended up have a fundoplication where they basically staple a piece of your stomach around the sphincter to strengthen it. It was life-changing surgery and I kick myself every for not doing it sooner - I no longer have any acid reflux at all. I've subsequently had to have "halo" treatments for the Barrett's which seem to have worked but some of the other issues like stomach acid damage to my teeth are irreversible.

      TLDR: Get it checked! A gastroscopy is a couple of hours out of your life and if it finds something you can get it fixed permanently.

      • kiitos on 24/10/2023 - 21:56

        Wow! Was the recovery from the op difficult?

        • Wazzawiseone on 25/10/2023 - 08:59

          I am a mirror of @macfudge and for me the ongoing results have been nothing but miraculous.Keyhole surgery and overnight in hospital, however the recovery afterwards was seriously uncomfortable BUT after a week or so all was good. For a while if felt that any food being swallowed was getting "caught". On a scale of 1-10 the outcome for me was 10+. I must say though please be guided by your Medical Professional. Cheers

      • Bargain2020 on 27/10/2023 - 08:43

        Recommend the fundoplication operation. Life saver for me as well.

  • 7ekn00 on 21/10/2023 - 14:33
    +5

    Mine complete disappeared in 4 weeks after changing diet to Carnivore (after two decades with it and not knowing what it was from)

    • argonide on 21/10/2023 - 14:38
      +2

      If you're eating less fruit and vegetables, probably FODMAP intolerances.

      • 7ekn00 on 21/10/2023 - 14:44
        +4

        Did Vegan for 6 months, FODMAP for 6 months, Mediterranean for 6 months, Keto for 6 months
        (for a different reason, was trying to avoid having a toe cut off from diabetes)
        But none of these had the side affect of resolving reflux like Carnivore did!

        • Grunntt on 22/10/2023 - 12:35
          +1

          Did Vegan for 6 months, FODMAP for 6 months, Mediterranean for 6 months, Keto for 6 months

          FODMAP is not a diet - it's basically a method to eliminate specific food 'types' that it has been determined you have sensitivities to.
          You need to work through the process with a dietician who has specific experience with FODMAP.

          • 7ekn00 on 22/10/2023 - 12:38
            +2

            @Grunntt: If you say so, internet disagrees:
            https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-preventi…

            • Grunntt on 22/10/2023 - 13:05
              +1

              @7ekn00:

              If you say so, internet disagrees:
              https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-preventi…

              I don't see your point unless you take umbrage with the definition of diet and just feel argumentative - that link basically states what I wrote.

              • 7ekn00 on 22/10/2023 - 13:14
                -2

                @Grunntt:

                You need to work through the process with a dietician who has specific experience with FODMAP.

                No mention of dieticians in that link anywhere ;)

                Point being 90% of dieticians are trained to believe "balanced diet is best" because both the Australian and American Dietician Associations are funded by the likes of Coke, Kellogs, etc (so they are brainwashed to say "A coke now and then fits within a balanced diet"):
                https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/cocacola-ha…

                • Grunntt on 22/10/2023 - 13:24
                  +1

                  @7ekn00: Ok I see you are just deciding to be argumentative and apparently heading down the great conspiracy theory rabbit hole - all I can do is point people to the actual source of information on FODMAP which is Monash University (as you would obviously know that is where the concept and research originated).
                  BTW you may like to see their link on how it should be carried out - here's a short quote from their site -

                  A FODMAP diet should be followed under the guidance of a dietitian who has specialty skills in managing IBS and using a FODMAP diet

                  MonashUni

                  I'll leave this conversation now so you can actually educate yourself rather than spout your 'internet knowledge'.

                  • ssfps on 22/10/2023 - 18:00
                    -1

                    @Grunntt: Saying FODMAP "isn't a diet" is shit people say when their definition of diet is "swing diet" as in "dieting".

                    Calling FODMAP a diet is entirely reasonable, the same as people referring to "elimination diets" in general. It means people have cut out one or more fermentable starches.

                    Your "well akshully" remark was pretty irrelevant to 7ekn00's point.
                    It was also wrong - you don't have to work through it with a dietician, anybody can do a bit of reading and grab the mobile app from monash and figure it out themselves.

                    • Grunntt on 23/10/2023 - 10:10
                      +2

                      @ssfps:

                      Your "well akshully" remark was pretty irrelevant to 7ekn00's point.
                      It was also wrong - you don't have to work through it with a dietician, anybody can do a bit of reading and grab the mobile app from monash and figure it out themselves.

                      And this shows that some people can totally ignore the original source of the research and decide they know better than the researchers. Feel free to DIY yourself and then complain it didn't work - just accept the fact you may not know what you were doing.

                      The creators of the app are the ones that I quoted above - here it is again in case you missed it.

                      A FODMAP diet should be followed under the guidance of a dietitian who has specialty skills in managing IBS and using a FODMAP diet

                      You may believe it is so simple that you can 'do a bit of reading' but not everyone 'can figure it out for themselves'.

                      It means people have cut out one or more fermentable starches.

                      You may like to check your understanding of carbohydrates while you are at it - most FODMAPs are sugars not starches (it's actually in the name if you expand FODMAP in full)

                    • idonotknowwhy on 23/10/2023 - 12:46

                      @ssfps: ChatGPT4 is great for categorizing foods, what they contain (FODMAPs included), etc.

                • cookie2 on 24/10/2023 - 07:24

                  @7ekn00: Actually internet agrees. Your source link in particular states-
                  "Because the diet can be challenging during the first, most restrictive phase, it’s important to work with a doctor or dietitian, who can ensure you’re following the diet correctly — which is crucial to success — and maintaining proper nutrition."

                  • 7ekn00 on 24/10/2023 - 10:23

                    @cookie2: Um, the statement was "FODMAP is not a diet"

                    In your exact link, it is referred to as a "diet" multiple time:

                    "Because the diet can be challenging during the first, most restrictive phase, it’s important to work with a doctor or dietitian, who can ensure you’re following the diet correctly — which is crucial to success — and maintaining proper nutrition."

                    So, once again, the internet disagrees with the actual statement made ;)

        • idonotknowwhy on 23/10/2023 - 12:45

          Carnivore is amazing for relieving a lot of these health issues where the doctors say "we don't really know what causes it".
          I had a similar experience with several health issues, no occurrences 9-months on carnivore.
          Wasn't FODMAP for me either, because re-introducing berries didn't cause the issues to return.

          • mrdean on 23/10/2023 - 12:47
            -3

            @idonotknowwhy:

            Carnivore is amazing for relieving a lot of these health issues where the doctors say "we don't really know what causes it".

            Yes, & it is interesting the push to phase out meat eating. The government are making it more difficult for farmers. They also want to inoculate (poison) livestock under the guise of "biosecurity" concerns.

            • idonotknowwhy on 23/10/2023 - 15:16
              +1

              @mrdean:

              Yes, & it is interesting the push to phase out meat eating.

              That's just greens / redditors / extremists right? Everyone I know IRL is happy to eat meat except an Indian guy who has religious reasons not to.

              That being said, this is why I'm against the push to stop "misinformation" online.

              I read online about people reversing Lupis, Gout, Arthritis, etc by only eating meat, but I'm guessing this would count as miss information since it's only thousands of anacdotes without any scientific backing. But if that sort of "misinformation" were blocked, I'd never have found out about this way of eating :(

              They also want to inoculate (poison) livestock under the guise of "biosecurity" concerns.

              I don't really know what that is, but I hope it's not going to bring back my health issues :(

    • mapax on 21/10/2023 - 14:47
      +1

      Me too, except it was more like 2-3 weeks for me.

  • loropy9 on 21/10/2023 - 15:38
    +7

    Make sure you don't eat all the food groups in one meal. E.g. when you have meals with meat and vegetables, don't eat fruit and sugary deserts at least 3 hours after that. Confectionery is the worst culprit for me, always gives me indigestion. Also extremely important is the quantity of you meals, regardless of how healthy they might be. Eat less in one meal, spread your meals apart, avoid too much sweet and you won't have to treat these self inflicted issues with medications. Yes, it's easier said than done but it worked for me. Consulting a good dietitian can make a big difference.

    • nahkk on 21/10/2023 - 16:25
      +9

      This. I had it pretty bad waking up middle of the night feeling heartburn and sometimes feel like I would vomit. I eat healthy, no alcohol or smoking. Even gastroscopy came clean. Doctor advised to take meal atleast 3 hours before bed that I was already doing. Reduced tea intake as well but no benefit. Used Nexium for a couple of months but symptoms would return when I stop taking it.

      Then I came across some youtube video that suggested reducing the meal size. To give it a try, I started eating half of my usual meal size in dinner and viola. No more symptoms. I now eat salad leaves to make me fill before I have my half meal at dinner. No heartburns at all.

  • AustriaBargain on 21/10/2023 - 16:12
    +2

    I do after a few bottles of wine. Take it as a sign to stop drinking for the night.

  • Amazingly on 21/10/2023 - 16:57
    +5

    90% fixed it for me is smaller meals at night and 3hrs minimum before laying down/bed.

    • disco deeva on 23/10/2023 - 19:04
      +1

      Yes!
      I eat healthier, smaller meals spread throughout the day and my heartburn has completely gone.
      100% recommend this.

  • Ghost47 on 21/10/2023 - 16:58
    +3

    I would get a referral to a gastroenterologist.

  • tsigouni on 21/10/2023 - 17:00
    +3

    I was on nexium/somac on and off for years but was able to get off and stay off by doing these things - raising the head of my bed about 5-10 cm so I’m sleeping on a slight slope (the missus will get used to it!), avoiding overly tight pants or belt, eating smaller meals. When it comes to diet the doctors will tell you avoid fatty meals but what actually helped me was avoiding carb heavy meals. I still get occasional reflux, especially after having a few drinks, and some Gaviscon does the trick.

    • Amazingly on 21/10/2023 - 17:07
      +2

      Ohh yeah I use a couple of pillows under head/shoulders but another one is lay on your left side.

      Laying on right side is way worse for reflux due to the stomach plumbing :)

      • CocaKoala on 23/10/2023 - 09:09
        +2

        Laying on right side is way worse for reflux due to the stomach plumbing :)

        Thanks. I've now switched places with my wife and lay on the left side of the bed. Problem seems to persist.

  • GordonD on 21/10/2023 - 17:03
    +1

    They gave me penicillin. I ended up in hospital with AGEP. OK, fair enough, that's really rare.

    They gave me one blood pressure medication, and told me to keep taking it while they investigatedafter I developed a serious cough. They knew a cough was a known really common - like 30% - side effect of that medication. I've never been able to get rid of the cough.

    I warned them I might have a reaction to the COVID vaccine. They told me it was safe. Then wouldn't believe me that I had a mild case of GBS, even though they knew GBS was linked to that vaccine.

    And now on a different blood medication I've developed serious acid reflux. They knew weakening to the esophageal sphincter is a known side effect of that blood pressure medication. And now even after stopping taking it I can't get rid of the painful acid reflex.

    I'm getting heartily sick of the medicos and all their medications that they tell you are really really safe, then after you start getting some new symptom you have to find out for yourself that its a known side effect of the medication. You have to wonder how many peoples "illnesses" are just the result of something they are being told to take for something else.

    Bring on medicos being supervised by AIs that know what to watch out for after you're given medication, rather than depending on the limitations of GPs.

  • Loot N Plunder on 21/10/2023 - 17:06
    +5

    Its all caused by your diet
    Stop eating junk and only eat healthy
    Eat probiotic yogurt, small amounts of low fat dairy, high fiber low carb bread, fresh fruit, lots of vegetables/salads and small amounts of lean meat and lots of water that's it
    Look at your shopping trolley and if it has any highly processed food or spicy addatives or junk food or crap drinks or fatty meat in it bin it .
    Also stop eating at least 2 hours before bed

    • Toffees on 24/10/2023 - 00:54

      It's not always diet related, it can be triggered by allergies in the environment

  • cookie2 on 21/10/2023 - 17:35
    +6

    Get the referral to the gastroenterologist. Gastroscopy and get some answers. Don't cover up the symptoms for years unless you 1st know the problem. Just incase there's something more serious or the docs identify something in particular that will help. The gastroscopy or both are easy.

    • Chandler on 23/10/2023 - 13:12

      The gastroscopy … are easy.

      Best nap I've had in years!

  • mmd on 21/10/2023 - 18:32
    +3

    Whats your Nandos spice tolerance?

  • Ugly on 21/10/2023 - 19:06
    +1

    My doctor recommended
    1. no eating less than 3 hours before bed, so you get a head start on digestion while you’re upright,
    2. making sure that you empty your bowels before going to bed. If the “downstream” plumbing is empty then digestion takes less effort, reducing the chances of reflux.
    3. taking magnesium tablets (2 to 3) per day, which has a gentle laxative effect, and helps with number 2 (pun intended.)

  • Mechz on 21/10/2023 - 20:41
    +10

    What's your anxiety like? It can be a major contributor to reflux.

    • FallaM on 24/10/2023 - 15:04
      +3

      it is seriously mind boggling how anxiety can contribute to so many bodily disorders like this. At the peak of my anxiety I'd often have heart palpitations…Heart is not only fine, but very healthy. anxiety sucks.

  • noz on 22/10/2023 - 00:15
    +1

    I found that ceasing the eating/drinking of chocolate and sugary pastries drastically reduced my heartburn. Smaller portion sizes of meals also greatly helps.

  • garetz on 22/10/2023 - 06:56
    +3

    Something you are eating is causing this, do an elimination diet, you should figure out what the culprit is within a month or so.

  • RedHab on 22/10/2023 - 07:18

    Surgical option: A Nissen fundoplication is an operation to prevent acid reflux, where acid from your stomach travels up into your oesophagus (gullet). It involves wrapping the top part of your stomach around your oesophagus.

    https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/surgery/laparoscopic-nissen-…

    These work, well. Talk to your doctor.

    • Idontusuallypost on 22/10/2023 - 12:59
      +6

      I can attest to this!
      I was a long-term sufferer of GORD and I was diagnosed with it in my early twenties and saw a gastroenterologist who diagnosed me with GORD and a hiatal hernia, he did not recommend any invasive surgeries as I was young, so I was prescribed Somac 40mg. My symptoms gradually become worse into my 30s and 40s and no matter what I ate or drank, I would end up with acid or chunks of food coming up throughout the night, an inflamed throat and nose and what felt like a swollen oesophagus, as a result for was sometimes very difficult to swallow. My doctor upped my prescription to Somac 40mg twice per day to combat the reflux, but it did not work so he referred me back to a gastroenterologist. I saw the same gastroenterologist about 3 years ago and he recommended a fundoplication.
      I had the fundoplication done in 2021 and it has been a game changer. When I woke from the surgery, the surgeon said that I no longer need to take anything as I no longer have reflux/heartburn (I cried). I was put on a liquid diet for 8 weeks post-surgery then gradually started to eat solids again. I am now able to eat spicy foods and have not had any heartburn since the surgery. I do have five scars on my abdomen and gas tends to build up a little more leading to it being a little uncomfortable, but nothing a good release of said wind does not fix.

  • cleo2 on 22/10/2023 - 07:51
    +4

    As others have said get a referral to a gastroenterologist. I found dieticians to be very inconsistent in their knowledge. In my case it turned out to be coeliac disease. Best wishes for a speedy resolution.

    • dmb0312 on 25/10/2023 - 23:31

      @cleo2 thanks, I'm seeing one next week!

      • Igaf on 04/04/2024 - 13:39

        Ask him about helicobacter while you're there.

  • Rob-4x4 on 22/10/2023 - 08:51
    +3

    Be cautious about Proton-pump inhibitor and how they change your bodies ability to absorb nutrients such as Magnesium and some vitamin B . If concerned have a chat to you GP about as it is easy to test for and easy to remediate with vitamin supplements. (I had a major medical incident caused by it)

    • kiitos on 22/10/2023 - 11:13
      +3

      Can you tell us more about the incident, and any particular types or brands supplements you recommend to have or avoid?

      • Rob-4x4 on 26/10/2023 - 11:25

        Incident resulted in extreme muscle cramps that then caused catastrophic Musculoskeletal damage resulting in a couple of months in hospital and years of rehab. Most likely cause was low magnesium caused by Proton pump inhibitors I am taking. I have been on PPIs for many years and I suffered from cramp issues after vigorous cardio exercise..but I put it down to being a silly old man over doing it but in the end it was far more serious…

        The US FDA had released a bulletin warning doctors to monitor patients long term on Proton pump inhibitors for low Mg( https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-d… ) . I know of another person who wound up with a unexplainable twitch in their eye which was also eventually tracked down to low Mg caused by PPI. Do the impact can be weird and impact many different parts of the body as it can impact any muscles in the body. So if I had raised the issue of cramps my GP could have tested me earlier ..

        If you are concerned about this please talk to your GP as Mg tests (or other vitamin deficiencies) are easy to do or there could be something else going on. Your GP can then recommend what sort of supplements to take to suit the position you are in taking into account your overall health and any other medicines you may be taking.

  • Sinnerator on 22/10/2023 - 09:28
    +3

    Reflux may also be an undersupply of acid in your stomach (NOT an oversupply), so your stomach churns to keep an even coating thus the reflux.
    If this is the case antacids are NOT the solution.

    I previously had reflux and I used to drink apple cider vinegar which worked for me, YMMV.

    If you genuinely have an oversupply see a dietician as something in your diet 'may' be causing this.

    Some Drs are completely useless, get a second or third opinion…. UNTIL you get a working solution.

    • tik tok on 25/10/2023 - 16:08

      Cant upvote this enough. OP, watch Dr. Eric Berg's videos on youtube for this - says the same thing.

      • Rob-4x4 on 26/10/2023 - 14:53

        Eric Berg is not a medical doctor but is a chiropractor pretending to be a gastroenterologist. Does not even have a PhD nor MD from a recognized university.

        Get someone who is a member of this group https://www.gesa.org.au/

  • CL123 on 22/10/2023 - 10:34

    I have been diagnosed as having laryngopharyngeal reflux. Don't have heartburn just a cough that comes on intermittently and no specific cause can be found. Can be so bad causing me to have severe coughing fits and often feel like I am choking. None of the medications for reflux have helped me so having a special test soon where they put a tube into my stomach for 24 hours. I think this is to see if I would benefit from some form of surgery.

    It is hard for me to believe it is reflux since I don't have the usual symptoms but a nuclear scan showed that I do.

    So frustrating and has been going on over 8 years so if anyone has same and has found something that works, I would appreciate knowing what that is.

  • DMWalsh on 22/10/2023 - 10:44

    Hi - I had reflux problems for years - have tried a lot of different supposed remedies - now I take an Aloe Vera shot once a day - its not cheap ($72) but it works for me - its from Herbal Answers, Herbal Aloe Force, Raw Purified, 32 fl oz (946 ml) - I order from IHerb in the states. Good luck

  • Pedro123 on 22/10/2023 - 10:48
    +1

    These habit pointers pretty much fixed me in 6 months …

    Don't eat if not hungry especially in evening.

    A lot of eating habits are habitual and not based on appetite or digestive ability .

    Eat light ,easily digested food in evening at least 3 hours before sleep .

    Eat sitting upright in chair ( or cross legged on floor )

    Some small activity after eating will help ( load the dishwasher , walk a bit )

    Don't lie down or slouch after eating ie. sit or stand up straight .

    You may need a gastroscopy also

  • JuliaH on 22/10/2023 - 10:51

    Bit older than you; but don't eat after 6pm, and eat a high fat, low carb diet:).

    • Grunntt on 22/10/2023 - 13:16
      +1

      Bit older than you; but don't eat after 6pm,

      and definitely Do Not Do This

  • rogerm22 on 22/10/2023 - 12:19
    +1

    I take four betaine HCL capsules before every meal and it works well for me. I no longer start choking when eating burgers. The amount needed will vary from person to person.

  • bobwokeup on 22/10/2023 - 13:01
    +1

    I got checked up many years ago and I was told I’ve got hiatus hernia, so they put me on the same meds. A few years ago, I stopped having sugar and reduced my carbs which made a massive difference. I also stopped taking the mads and now I don’t have any issues!!

    But anything acidic will affect it. You might not notice it straight away but I could be a buildup.

  • LFO on 22/10/2023 - 13:16

    Symptoms are burping, constant clearing throat and heartburn.

    For heartburn Somac is the answer. Take it as needed only.

    Burping? Don't know.

    "Clearing throat" as in having phlegm? mucous?
    That is different, could be an allergy producing excessive phlegm in your sinuses that runs down your throat and ends in your stomach affecting your digestion .
    Doctor's territory that one. Get one.

    • lysp on 22/10/2023 - 19:00

      Burping? Don't know.

      That's a common symptom. When I first was affected, I was burping continuously all throughout the day.

      Food also would randomly regurgitate up, sometimes an hour or two after I've eaten it.

  • jumpypotato53 on 22/10/2023 - 15:13
    +1

    I have noticed that citrus fruits at night is really bad for me so I have been avoiding that. When I eat citrus fruits I do earlier on the day and also eat something else.

  • CptnObvious on 22/10/2023 - 15:58
    +1

    Stop drinking soft drinks

  • mrdean on 22/10/2023 - 16:19
    +2

    Others have mentioned a lot of the things I was going to say.

    Some other tips: do the best you can to heal your gut.

    Long term use of PPI's (Pariet/Somac/Nexium) is a bad idea. I learnt this the hard way (still recovering).

    If it applies to you, learn to breathe through your nose. Conscious breathing. Stop breathing through your mouth.

    Fasting. Try various lengths, slowly build up.

    HCL is a good idea. I found this to help tremendously. Cycle on/off their usage, don't overdo it.

    Digestive enzymes helped too. I cycled on/off Nutricology/ARG Porcine Pancreatic Enzymes (iHerb) for a while, many years ago.

    Good luck.

    • ssfps on 22/10/2023 - 18:06
      +2

      Digestive enzymes, pro-biotics and HCL helped me too. Tried them after my GP warned me to get off the nexium due to the downward-spiral health effects it would have. I rag on GPs a lot as most i've seen are useless, but he was a real gem.

      I occasionally still take probiotics and enzymes, but pretty rarely, my reflux is 95% gone after struggling with it for 15 years.

      The other thing I took for a while was citrus peel or an extract of it, for the d-limonene & other phytochems in there.
      Some sources say this is "anecdotal" but there are a few studies out there supporting its use, and its pretty harmless to try it out.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join