Epic Heartburn, since forever.
Discussion
Evening All,
Wanted to get some perspective on this. Ever since I was 18/19 up to present day (aged 30 now), i've always suffered from heartburn. I didn't quite pay attention to it when I was younger and fobbed it off with the odd rennie or whatever, but around the age of 24/25 it got bad enough that I saw the doctor about it - i'd wake up in the middle of the night with what felt like molten lava inside me, causing me to always feel like I should vomit (but never actually did). Once I saw my doctor, I was prescribed with Lansoprazole, which assuming I taken them on time once a day, all is well. Back last year I was away on business for a week and i forgot them - not much fun.
If i generally forget to take the tablet, it's about a day before I start feeling heartburn again - I can usually tell that it's about to appear since I start to feel lethargic and yawn. Once I take the tablet, all is well.
Diet wise, I tend to watch what I eat - i avoid what I class as 'trigger foods', such was oily fatty things like crisps, white breads (except in small amounts, such as as the odd burger), pizza (white bread base + tomato sauce). If it helps, i hover between 16s8-17st3, i'm 6'2 and a BMI of 29-30. Definitely trying to lose weight, although I should point out that i suffered with heartburn even when I was considered scientifically healthy.
I guess the question I'm trying to ask is what could be going on? Faulty upper sphincter in the stomach? My GPs have been largely dismissive at the moment and seem quite happy to prescribe me with endless Lansoprazole, (review time: "Do these help the symptoms? They do? have more!") and I am wondering if i should push for further investigation.
Cheers!
Wanted to get some perspective on this. Ever since I was 18/19 up to present day (aged 30 now), i've always suffered from heartburn. I didn't quite pay attention to it when I was younger and fobbed it off with the odd rennie or whatever, but around the age of 24/25 it got bad enough that I saw the doctor about it - i'd wake up in the middle of the night with what felt like molten lava inside me, causing me to always feel like I should vomit (but never actually did). Once I saw my doctor, I was prescribed with Lansoprazole, which assuming I taken them on time once a day, all is well. Back last year I was away on business for a week and i forgot them - not much fun.
If i generally forget to take the tablet, it's about a day before I start feeling heartburn again - I can usually tell that it's about to appear since I start to feel lethargic and yawn. Once I take the tablet, all is well.
Diet wise, I tend to watch what I eat - i avoid what I class as 'trigger foods', such was oily fatty things like crisps, white breads (except in small amounts, such as as the odd burger), pizza (white bread base + tomato sauce). If it helps, i hover between 16s8-17st3, i'm 6'2 and a BMI of 29-30. Definitely trying to lose weight, although I should point out that i suffered with heartburn even when I was considered scientifically healthy.
I guess the question I'm trying to ask is what could be going on? Faulty upper sphincter in the stomach? My GPs have been largely dismissive at the moment and seem quite happy to prescribe me with endless Lansoprazole, (review time: "Do these help the symptoms? They do? have more!") and I am wondering if i should push for further investigation.
Cheers!
Could be a faulty sphincter, could be a hiatus hernia.
I'd ask for an oesophageal pH monitoring test, and/or a barium swallow. The former will measure how acidic your oesophagus is, the latter will demonstrate the reflux/hiatus hernia visually.
Some casual reading: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastroesophageal_refl...
All I would say is that if taking the tablet stops is completely, then try harder not to forget
I'd ask for an oesophageal pH monitoring test, and/or a barium swallow. The former will measure how acidic your oesophagus is, the latter will demonstrate the reflux/hiatus hernia visually.
Some casual reading: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastroesophageal_refl...
All I would say is that if taking the tablet stops is completely, then try harder not to forget
honest_delboy said:
Any history of any inflammatory bowel disease in your family?
No, but dad had to be admitted to hospital overnight a couple of years ago for what was an extreme case of acid reflux. Seems that it's in the family. I'm due to get my prescription renewed, so I need to bring this up again. I feel that the tablets are merely 'spraying waxoyl on the rust' so to speak.I've been on 30mg/day Lansoprazoles for the last 6 months - sometimes having a double dose if the pain gets too bad. Double action Gaviscon as well.
I had blood tests which showed a high ESR number amongst other things and was referred to a liver specialist. Had an abdominal/pelvic CT scan which showed up large cysts on my inflamed pancreas. Then had a gastroscopy which showed lesions in the stomach and inflamed oesophaghus, excess bile and other things. I'm due another CT scan next month to check on progress.
I'd suggest you ask your GP to take the relevent blood tests as a first step, then referral to a gastro-intestine type consultant. My friend had a hiatus hernia for many years and sufferred badly from acid reflux, he then got oesophagal cancer ( possibly because he let his symptoms go on for so long). That was a lot more painful to deal with than a few early tests would have been.
I had blood tests which showed a high ESR number amongst other things and was referred to a liver specialist. Had an abdominal/pelvic CT scan which showed up large cysts on my inflamed pancreas. Then had a gastroscopy which showed lesions in the stomach and inflamed oesophaghus, excess bile and other things. I'm due another CT scan next month to check on progress.
I'd suggest you ask your GP to take the relevent blood tests as a first step, then referral to a gastro-intestine type consultant. My friend had a hiatus hernia for many years and sufferred badly from acid reflux, he then got oesophagal cancer ( possibly because he let his symptoms go on for so long). That was a lot more painful to deal with than a few early tests would have been.
I suffered with this for 3-4 years in my early twenties and was prescribed potassium pump inhibitors like yourself. I it was always present but I found that bananas and white bread could really set off the heart burn. Then it just stopped. On reflection now I think it was when I switched to an organic diet. This also included changing my taste in wine...I've ditched the cheap Germans for English fruit wines. Maybe these use less sulphites which has helped.
I still have to watch out for bananas, marmite and white bread.
I still have to watch out for bananas, marmite and white bread.
Now is the time to get this properly checked. Ask your GP for a referral to a gastroenterologist.
Basically they'll take a look down your throat with an endoscopy. It's no big deal if you say yes to the sedative (midazolam or somesuch) but feels like you're being abducted by aliens if you only have the throat spray...:-)
They will then be able to tell you what's going on - hernia/reflux/gerd/pylori etc etc.
The chances of it being anything really bad at your age are vanishingly small, but you really don't want to let this stuff go unchecked for decades as long-term unmanaged significant acid reflux can (rarely) progress to a very serious concern.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrett%27s_esophagus
Another scary internet thing to worry about huh? Go and get referred, resolve it, and put it behind you...:-)
Good luck.
Basically they'll take a look down your throat with an endoscopy. It's no big deal if you say yes to the sedative (midazolam or somesuch) but feels like you're being abducted by aliens if you only have the throat spray...:-)
They will then be able to tell you what's going on - hernia/reflux/gerd/pylori etc etc.
The chances of it being anything really bad at your age are vanishingly small, but you really don't want to let this stuff go unchecked for decades as long-term unmanaged significant acid reflux can (rarely) progress to a very serious concern.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrett%27s_esophagus
Another scary internet thing to worry about huh? Go and get referred, resolve it, and put it behind you...:-)
Good luck.
I had this since a teenager. I had a "barium meal" in my mid 30's to try to find the cause of the reflux with no success. Finally a couple of years ago an endoscopy revealed a hiatus hernia. 30 years to get a diagnosis!
I'm on Lansoprazole daily anyway to stop the steroids I'm on from perforating my stomach, and I can just about get away with missing a day, but two days and I'll suffer.
For me one of the worst triggers is Weetabix. Or bending over, so it's hetero all the way for me!
I'm on Lansoprazole daily anyway to stop the steroids I'm on from perforating my stomach, and I can just about get away with missing a day, but two days and I'll suffer.
For me one of the worst triggers is Weetabix. Or bending over, so it's hetero all the way for me!
devnull said:
Evening All,
Wanted to get some perspective on this. Ever since I was 18/19 up to present day (aged 30 now), i've always suffered from heartburn. I didn't quite pay attention to it when I was younger and fobbed it off with the odd rennie or whatever, but around the age of 24/25 it got bad enough that I saw the doctor about it - i'd wake up in the middle of the night with what felt like molten lava inside me, causing me to always feel like I should vomit (but never actually did). Once I saw my doctor, I was prescribed with Lansoprazole, which assuming I taken them on time once a day, all is well. Back last year I was away on business for a week and i forgot them - not much fun.
If i generally forget to take the tablet, it's about a day before I start feeling heartburn again - I can usually tell that it's about to appear since I start to feel lethargic and yawn. Once I take the tablet, all is well.
Diet wise, I tend to watch what I eat - i avoid what I class as 'trigger foods', such was oily fatty things like crisps, white breads (except in small amounts, such as as the odd burger), pizza (white bread base + tomato sauce). If it helps, i hover between 16s8-17st3, i'm 6'2 and a BMI of 29-30. Definitely trying to lose weight, although I should point out that i suffered with heartburn even when I was considered scientifically healthy.
I guess the question I'm trying to ask is what could be going on? Faulty upper sphincter in the stomach? My GPs have been largely dismissive at the moment and seem quite happy to prescribe me with endless Lansoprazole, (review time: "Do these help the symptoms? They do? have more!") and I am wondering if i should push for further investigation.
Cheers!
Obviously get a second opinion, but weight is a huge factor in this. A bmi of >30 is not just overweight, but obese and the fat inside you tends to push your oesopehgeal sphincter into an abnormal position. Google "Angle of His."Wanted to get some perspective on this. Ever since I was 18/19 up to present day (aged 30 now), i've always suffered from heartburn. I didn't quite pay attention to it when I was younger and fobbed it off with the odd rennie or whatever, but around the age of 24/25 it got bad enough that I saw the doctor about it - i'd wake up in the middle of the night with what felt like molten lava inside me, causing me to always feel like I should vomit (but never actually did). Once I saw my doctor, I was prescribed with Lansoprazole, which assuming I taken them on time once a day, all is well. Back last year I was away on business for a week and i forgot them - not much fun.
If i generally forget to take the tablet, it's about a day before I start feeling heartburn again - I can usually tell that it's about to appear since I start to feel lethargic and yawn. Once I take the tablet, all is well.
Diet wise, I tend to watch what I eat - i avoid what I class as 'trigger foods', such was oily fatty things like crisps, white breads (except in small amounts, such as as the odd burger), pizza (white bread base + tomato sauce). If it helps, i hover between 16s8-17st3, i'm 6'2 and a BMI of 29-30. Definitely trying to lose weight, although I should point out that i suffered with heartburn even when I was considered scientifically healthy.
I guess the question I'm trying to ask is what could be going on? Faulty upper sphincter in the stomach? My GPs have been largely dismissive at the moment and seem quite happy to prescribe me with endless Lansoprazole, (review time: "Do these help the symptoms? They do? have more!") and I am wondering if i should push for further investigation.
Cheers!
That particular piece of human design is not great really and it's simply just a flap for all intents and purposes, so being overweight in some instances forces it open and allows reflux to happen.
Long term, having stomach acid constantly heading up into your oesophegus isn't a good thing and can lead to complications, so rather than just treating the symptoms with a proton pump inhibitor (lansoprazole), then have it looked into properly. PPI's are not really supposed to be used long term for GERD unless it's a low dose which may not be that effective.
Seriously, lose weight, it will help, though it may not cure it completely, but it will definitely not make it any worse and my guess is that it will at least reduce it significantly.
- Caveat on all of this - Go and get a proper medical opinion rather than getting anything from a motoring website!*
I had a hiatus hernia diagnosed by gastroscopy. There seems to be some heritability about this, my sister has it, my mother has it, her identical twin has it. It became a problem in my 30's. it ceased to be a problem when I dropped a couple of stone. My advice would be:
Lose weight.
If you smoke, stop.
If you drink, don't overdo it, especially spirits.
If you are offered gastroscopy TAKE THE SEDATIVE.
Lose weight.
If you smoke, stop.
If you drink, don't overdo it, especially spirits.
If you are offered gastroscopy TAKE THE SEDATIVE.
otolith said:
I had a hiatus hernia diagnosed by gastroscopy. There seems to be some heritability about this, my sister has it, my mother has it, her identical twin has it. It became a problem in my 30's. it ceased to be a problem when I dropped a couple of stone. My advice would be:
Lose weight.
If you smoke, stop.
If you drink, don't overdo it, especially spirits.
If you are offered gastroscopy TAKE THE SEDATIVE.
TAKE THE SEDATIVE. +1Lose weight.
If you smoke, stop.
If you drink, don't overdo it, especially spirits.
If you are offered gastroscopy TAKE THE SEDATIVE.
I've had it twice, first time coming out I said if i even need it done again i would TAKE THE SEDATIVE, I didn't take it, but I wish I had.
had the op, fixed a hiatus hernia, it's like having a new body! minor side affect, I can no longer burp my abc nor burp much at all, so it's a bit windy from the other end now
for me, eating any big portions would trigger it, or anything spicy, or even running, now as long as I eat small portions i'm back active and can eat spicy food again. will see how long it lasts.
For the OP, I have suffered for years with GERD/Reflux/Indigestion (depending on whom you speak to depends what they call it ime)
I would definitely take the advice and have a gastroscopy done and make sure you are structurally sound.
Now I'll tell you my experience, it may be something you want to try. I was put on proton pump inhibitors, omeprazole, pantaprezole, and the such. Also had Ranitadine (Zantac) and the other drugs available for almost 10 years. Changed my diet, stopped smoking, quit drinking for a while to see if that helped. Nothing shifted it, mine would flare up after drinking a glass of water!
Anyway in the end I found a combination of Rosemary Tea, and Apple Cider Vinegar work a hundred times better than the drugs.
The problem in my experience was that all the doc's were assuming my reflux was caused by too much acid, which was the opposite, and I didn't have enough which would then play havoc on my digestive system. Adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and some honey to a glass of water in the morning and again in the evening worked for me. Try it for two weeks, you never know
I would definitely take the advice and have a gastroscopy done and make sure you are structurally sound.
Now I'll tell you my experience, it may be something you want to try. I was put on proton pump inhibitors, omeprazole, pantaprezole, and the such. Also had Ranitadine (Zantac) and the other drugs available for almost 10 years. Changed my diet, stopped smoking, quit drinking for a while to see if that helped. Nothing shifted it, mine would flare up after drinking a glass of water!
Anyway in the end I found a combination of Rosemary Tea, and Apple Cider Vinegar work a hundred times better than the drugs.
The problem in my experience was that all the doc's were assuming my reflux was caused by too much acid, which was the opposite, and I didn't have enough which would then play havoc on my digestive system. Adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and some honey to a glass of water in the morning and again in the evening worked for me. Try it for two weeks, you never know
Ok had to reply, had reflux issues for 25 plus years I am now 53 , 10 years ago I went for a nissen fundoplication, which means I had some of my higher stomach wrapped round my Oesophagus, it was magic for about 7-8 years but as now started to leak again which means even with 40mg of losec or nexium a day I am suffering especially after eating anything, weight wise I am over, i am 5'10 and 15 1/2 stone so I am now trying to lose about 1-2 stone , however when I was12 stone I still had reflux issues, so Monday I am in hospital for an endoscope and see where that takes me, I will report back. But let's just hope its not anything nasty!
Edited by mnk303 on Wednesday 27th February 21:05
I had a gastroscopy today, not very pleasant. I was surprised that the nurse asked me in a full waiting room if i wanted the throat spray or sedation, to which i replied i would have the sedative as i had previously had a bad experience with just the throat spray. I noticed a few startled faces in the waiting room, obviously 1st timers who had arrived with no accompanying adult to drive them home, ummmm.
Anyway, glad i got it done as they found grade c oesophagtitis, moderate gastritis and significant duodenitis. That'll explain the heartburn then.
So, again to the op, get a referral and get it checked out.
Anyway, glad i got it done as they found grade c oesophagtitis, moderate gastritis and significant duodenitis. That'll explain the heartburn then.
So, again to the op, get a referral and get it checked out.
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