Anyone suffer from acid reflux/GORD?
Discussion
For a couple of years I’ve been having intermittent bouts of what the Doctor tells me is acid reflux.
Invariably follows a similar pattern; I eat and thirty to ninety minutes later I get an incredibly acute pain in my lower abdomen. This can last from 2-4 hours and with muscles tightening/spasms etc the after effects are that it leaves me feeling as though I’ve been beaten up.
It’s difficult to articulate the level of pain, other than for some context I broke a bone recently and it hardly registered in comparison.
As best I can tell the usual scenarios don’t apply; I’m not overweight, (BMI under 25), don’t smoke, don’t drink much, exercised regularly ‘til recent events and had done for years and aren’t particularly stressed – well no more than anyone else in these odd times I suspect!
So has anyone else experienced this or got any suggestions as I’m getting nowhere with the Doctors, all they do is throw tablets at me which don’t seem to be working.
Cheers
Invariably follows a similar pattern; I eat and thirty to ninety minutes later I get an incredibly acute pain in my lower abdomen. This can last from 2-4 hours and with muscles tightening/spasms etc the after effects are that it leaves me feeling as though I’ve been beaten up.
It’s difficult to articulate the level of pain, other than for some context I broke a bone recently and it hardly registered in comparison.
As best I can tell the usual scenarios don’t apply; I’m not overweight, (BMI under 25), don’t smoke, don’t drink much, exercised regularly ‘til recent events and had done for years and aren’t particularly stressed – well no more than anyone else in these odd times I suspect!
So has anyone else experienced this or got any suggestions as I’m getting nowhere with the Doctors, all they do is throw tablets at me which don’t seem to be working.
Cheers
Lower abdomen? As in below the belly button? That definitely ain’t reflux and if so you need to go back to your doctor and literally point to where your pain is. Whatever else they do I guarantee they won’t tell you it’s reflux.
Otherwise the answer depends on what your diagnosis is which itself depends on whether you’ve had a gastroscopy +- a test for H. Pylori.
Either way sadly the answer won’t be found on PH. Speak to your doc; perhaps a different doctor at the same practice?
Otherwise the answer depends on what your diagnosis is which itself depends on whether you’ve had a gastroscopy +- a test for H. Pylori.
Either way sadly the answer won’t be found on PH. Speak to your doc; perhaps a different doctor at the same practice?
DeWar said:
Lower abdomen? As in below the belly button? That definitely ain’t reflux and if so you need to go back to your doctor and literally point to where your pain is. Whatever else they do I guarantee they won’t tell you it’s reflux.
Otherwise the answer depends on what your diagnosis is which itself depends on whether you’ve had a gastroscopy +- a test for H. Pylori.
Either way sadly the answer won’t be found on PH. Speak to your doc; perhaps a different doctor at the same practice?
Thanks for the reply. Appreciate this isn't the most appropriate place to discuss, simply seeing if anyone else has this.Otherwise the answer depends on what your diagnosis is which itself depends on whether you’ve had a gastroscopy +- a test for H. Pylori.
Either way sadly the answer won’t be found on PH. Speak to your doc; perhaps a different doctor at the same practice?
Yep had a gastroscopy and it plus the pylori test were clear, well two years ago they were.
Thanks for the replies, it's much appreciated.
Yep, I'm on PPI's and still get intermittent attacks. Unfortunately trying to get help from the Doctors isn't easy I've learnt, doubly so at the moment.
Thanks for the suggestion re the youtube videos, some interesting stuff on there which pardon the pun needs to be digested.
Yep, I'm on PPI's and still get intermittent attacks. Unfortunately trying to get help from the Doctors isn't easy I've learnt, doubly so at the moment.
Thanks for the suggestion re the youtube videos, some interesting stuff on there which pardon the pun needs to be digested.
I have suffered from gastric reflux for most of my life (62 now). I was one of the first in the country to be prescribed a PPI and back then they were not tested for long term use. I've been on omeprazole (used to be called Losec back in the day!) for many years and had numerous endoscopies, barium meals and other tests.
The prognosis was that the sphincter muscle at the bottom of my oesophagus was not working properly. I could have had an operation years ago but that meant sawing open my breastbone - the only way they did it back then!! - and the tablets worked so I opted to stay on them.
If I forget to take my daily tablet, even a glass of water can give me bad heartburn. Occasionally I will get a mouthful back of what I've just eaten as well.
What I have never had in all my years of suffering, is pain in my lower abdomen, just the horrible waves of burning as my stomach acids were melting my oesophagus!
I would say you are not suffering from reflux or certainly not that alone, there may be other issues causing your pain.
I would certainly be seeking other tests and explaining that your pain is lower.
The prognosis was that the sphincter muscle at the bottom of my oesophagus was not working properly. I could have had an operation years ago but that meant sawing open my breastbone - the only way they did it back then!! - and the tablets worked so I opted to stay on them.
If I forget to take my daily tablet, even a glass of water can give me bad heartburn. Occasionally I will get a mouthful back of what I've just eaten as well.
What I have never had in all my years of suffering, is pain in my lower abdomen, just the horrible waves of burning as my stomach acids were melting my oesophagus!
I would say you are not suffering from reflux or certainly not that alone, there may be other issues causing your pain.
I would certainly be seeking other tests and explaining that your pain is lower.
silvagod said:
I have suffered from gastric reflux for most of my life (62 now). I was one of the first in the country to be prescribed a PPI and back then they were not tested for long term use. I've been on omeprazole (used to be called Losec back in the day!) for many years and had numerous endoscopies, barium meals and other tests.
The prognosis was that the sphincter muscle at the bottom of my oesophagus was not working properly. I could have had an operation years ago but that meant sawing open my breastbone - the only way they did it back then!! - and the tablets worked so I opted to stay on them.
If I forget to take my daily tablet, even a glass of water can give me bad heartburn. Occasionally I will get a mouthful back of what I've just eaten as well.
What I have never had in all my years of suffering, is pain in my lower abdomen, just the horrible waves of burning as my stomach acids were melting my oesophagus!
I would say you are not suffering from reflux or certainly not that alone, there may be other issues causing your pain.
I would certainly be seeking other tests and explaining that your pain is lower.
Many thanks for your feedback. Just to hear someone else with it comment is a help in itself.The prognosis was that the sphincter muscle at the bottom of my oesophagus was not working properly. I could have had an operation years ago but that meant sawing open my breastbone - the only way they did it back then!! - and the tablets worked so I opted to stay on them.
If I forget to take my daily tablet, even a glass of water can give me bad heartburn. Occasionally I will get a mouthful back of what I've just eaten as well.
What I have never had in all my years of suffering, is pain in my lower abdomen, just the horrible waves of burning as my stomach acids were melting my oesophagus!
I would say you are not suffering from reflux or certainly not that alone, there may be other issues causing your pain.
I would certainly be seeking other tests and explaining that your pain is lower.
Appreciate it's subjective but on a scale of 1-10, 10 being bad how bad would you say is the pain, of course relative to what else you've experienced?
I'm no youngster myself so have suffered the odd broken bone etc over the years but for me it truly is an 8 or 9, excruciating is the only way I can describe it. As I think I may have mentioned above I broke a bone a couple of months ago and it truly put this into context for me as it simply did not register in comparison. What is odd is that I don't seem able to identify what foods cause it, I've cut out many of the obvious ones and as it often happens after breakfast I've amended my intake then to adapt, all to no avail.
Cheers
acme said:
Many thanks for your feedback. Just to hear someone else with it comment is a help in itself.
Appreciate it's subjective but on a scale of 1-10, 10 being bad how bad would you say is the pain, of course relative to what else you've experienced?
I'm no youngster myself so have suffered the odd broken bone etc over the years but for me it truly is an 8 or 9, excruciating is the only way I can describe it. As I think I may have mentioned above I broke a bone a couple of months ago and it truly put this into context for me as it simply did not register in comparison. What is odd is that I don't seem able to identify what foods cause it, I've cut out many of the obvious ones and as it often happens after breakfast I've amended my intake then to adapt, all to no avail.
Cheers
On a scale of 1 - 10 if I let it rip, the 'burning' can become about an 8 but only in waves, a drink of milk soothes it. I used to seek out kitchens in clubs many years ago looking for milk when it got bad! It's never been a constant pain but has left me a little breathless at times.Appreciate it's subjective but on a scale of 1-10, 10 being bad how bad would you say is the pain, of course relative to what else you've experienced?
I'm no youngster myself so have suffered the odd broken bone etc over the years but for me it truly is an 8 or 9, excruciating is the only way I can describe it. As I think I may have mentioned above I broke a bone a couple of months ago and it truly put this into context for me as it simply did not register in comparison. What is odd is that I don't seem able to identify what foods cause it, I've cut out many of the obvious ones and as it often happens after breakfast I've amended my intake then to adapt, all to no avail.
Cheers
With regards to foods, it's any and all of them for me. Obviously things that digest easier are less likely to cause a problem. Even drinks can be different, as I said, milk soothed it but drinking bitter instead of lager made it worse. That was back in the day before the tablets were prescribed. Not much problem at all since then. A dosage of 20 Mg per day all but normalises everything.
ETA I've just re-read your OP and the pain you describe matches almost exactly something I had a few months ago. Woke up in severe pain in lower abdomen, cramps, spasms, all of from my waist and below. After about 2 hours it hadn't abated so I was taken to A & E. After a lot of x-rays and prodding it turned out to be a blockage in my colon (otherwise known as constipation!). Medication was given and after about an hour i started to pass wind, the relief was immense!!! I can't remember what they gave me. I then had an internal check via camera - not pleasant and the doc flushed everything else out. Never known pain like it all as you described, in my lower abdomen.
Edited by silvagod on Tuesday 13th October 19:24
Sounds like you've been... mis-sold PPI!
Acid reflux would be higher up. As someone else has said, lower abdominal pain isn't acid reflux/GERD. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heartburn-and-acid-r...
Acid reflux would be higher up. As someone else has said, lower abdominal pain isn't acid reflux/GERD. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heartburn-and-acid-r...
silvagod said:
On a scale of 1 - 10 if I let it rip, the 'burning' can become about an 8 but only in waves, a drink of milk soothes it. I used to seek out kitchens in clubs many years ago looking for milk when it got bad! It's never been a constant pain but has left me a little breathless at times.
With regards to foods, it's any and all of them for me. Obviously things that digest easier are less likely to cause a problem. Even drinks can be different, as I said, milk soothed it but drinking bitter instead of lager made it worse. That was back in the day before the tablets were prescribed. Not much problem at all since then. A dosage of 20 Mg per day all but normalises everything.
ETA I've just re-read your OP and the pain you describe matches almost exactly something I had a few months ago. Woke up in severe pain in lower abdomen, cramps, spasms, all of from my waist and below. After about 2 hours it hadn't abated so I was taken to A & E. After a lot of x-rays and prodding it turned out to be a blockage in my colon (otherwise known as constipation!). Medication was given and after about an hour i started to pass wind, the relief was immense!!! I can't remember what they gave me. I then had an internal check via camera - not pleasant and the doc flushed everything else out. Never known pain like it all as you described, in my lower abdomen.
Again, thanks for your detailed reply, appreciated. Mine certainly isn't below the waste so I can but assume it is acid but I often feel sick or make myself sick as it's the only way of relieving the pain, needless to say that in itself is a nasty business!With regards to foods, it's any and all of them for me. Obviously things that digest easier are less likely to cause a problem. Even drinks can be different, as I said, milk soothed it but drinking bitter instead of lager made it worse. That was back in the day before the tablets were prescribed. Not much problem at all since then. A dosage of 20 Mg per day all but normalises everything.
ETA I've just re-read your OP and the pain you describe matches almost exactly something I had a few months ago. Woke up in severe pain in lower abdomen, cramps, spasms, all of from my waist and below. After about 2 hours it hadn't abated so I was taken to A & E. After a lot of x-rays and prodding it turned out to be a blockage in my colon (otherwise known as constipation!). Medication was given and after about an hour i started to pass wind, the relief was immense!!! I can't remember what they gave me. I then had an internal check via camera - not pleasant and the doc flushed everything else out. Never known pain like it all as you described, in my lower abdomen.
Edited by silvagod on Tuesday 13th October 19:24
Biglips said:
I would go back to your GP to discuss if your symptoms are persisting. Gallstones? might be worth an ultrasound to exclude this as a cause.
This crossed my mind too, though not sure on the symptoms. What I've learnt is that it's very difficult to get help on the NHS, it's a royal pain as this is one of the first times in my career I've not had private medical care!Hoofy said:
Sounds like you've been... mis-sold PPI!
Acid reflux would be higher up. As someone else has said, lower abdominal pain isn't acid reflux/GERD. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heartburn-and-acid-r...
Very good, it's good to see that even on this sh***y subject humour can prevail!Acid reflux would be higher up. As someone else has said, lower abdominal pain isn't acid reflux/GERD. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heartburn-and-acid-r...
It's certainly above the waste so can but assume it's the LES allowing acid back up, one thing I can't fathom though is the pain, whilst I appreciate it's refined hydrochloric acid surely if the numbers of people who supposedly get this (it's not uncommon I keep reading) there would be better treatment?
Nightmare said:
Just to add to the random diagnosing......severe lower abdomen pain like that could be a duodenal (Or lower) ulcer...does the pain come on very suddenly and sometimes out of nowhere? have you had a barium meal? (Or however they check for ulcers these days?).
Always after food, 30 - 90 minutes afterwards. No, no barium meal just a camera down the throat which I'm hoping for again soon.Anyone used apple cider vinegar as a solution?
acme said:
Hoofy said:
Sounds like you've been... mis-sold PPI!
Acid reflux would be higher up. As someone else has said, lower abdominal pain isn't acid reflux/GERD. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heartburn-and-acid-r...
Very good, it's good to see that even on this sh***y subject humour can prevail!Acid reflux would be higher up. As someone else has said, lower abdominal pain isn't acid reflux/GERD. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heartburn-and-acid-r...
It's certainly above the waste so can but assume it's the LES allowing acid back up, one thing I can't fathom though is the pain, whilst I appreciate it's refined hydrochloric acid surely if the numbers of people who supposedly get this (it's not uncommon I keep reading) there would be better treatment?
Hoofy said:
I guess it's something you can cope with. Well, apart from you with your severe pain - which leads me to think it's something else.
Have to say I agree. I discussed this with the Doctor asking whether his diagnosis was correct, though of course making it clear I'm no medic, and he agreed it's quite possible it isn't, which wasn't particularly comforting!Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff