Acid Reflux Disease

[somersethouse]

Has anyone had this and how do you get better... I find it hard keeping food down and actually the thought of food makes me feel sick. Have managed cereal this morning.

Have been told I have to give up all my vices and no tomatoes, citrus fruits etc.

Feel really low and no energy from not being able to eat properly.

Any advice truly welcome. Am abroad so didn't fully understand what I am supposed to do. It all started, quite suddenly two weeks ago. I have been really stressed recently so don't know if that is a factor.

[Slimchance]

Hi Somersethouse. Sorry you are feeling rotten.

No medical expert here but I've had this and it does make you feel awful.

First you need to see a doc and describe all the symptoms. If it is acid reflux then it can usually be treated very successfully with medication. The tablets can take a while to work though so take them consistently and be patient. I take one tablet (having "starved" overnight) half an hour before breakfast.

I also gave up coffee, alcohol, and lost some weight which helped alot. Sleeping in a more upright position with lots of pillows can make a difference too.

I still felt hungry most of the time when I was suffering though (even though I felt ill after eating), so I would get it thoroughly checked out. You might be sent for an endoscopy if the doctors feels anything needs investigating such as an hiatus hernia.

Good luck! Hope you can access approp. medical help where you are! But definitely go to the doctor!

[somersethouse]

slimchance I am so grateful for your reply and advice, thank you.
Yes, that's it, after eating I struggle to keep food down. I know I have to give up the coffee and alcohol, I feel really dreadful after having those. Constantly have a burning sensation in my stomach.

I will go to the doctor when in the UK next month, I didn't realise you could get medication for it. This is great news.

Really hope I don't need an endoscopy! I wonder why I have got this...

Thank you again for your reply.

[scarfaceace]

I had an endoscopy for this last week. I was dreading it but had the offered sedation and I hardly remember a thing, so that was great. They found oesophagitis and a hiatus hernia and am now on third day of tablets (Lansoprazole) and hoping they will do the trick. There are very encouraging mentions of it from others who take it. Good luck.

[somersethouse]

Thanks for your message scarfaceace. So glad you are on the mend now.

Do you know how you got these conditions? Is it stress or diet or a mystery!?
Thanks again.

[scarfaceace]

Nobody said how or why I got the condition, although out of the four main risk factors for a hiatus hernia (over 50, smoking, overweight, pregnant), age is the only one I have.

I think the symptoms are also indicative of an ulcer, although I'm not 100% about that. They did take a sample to test for the helicobacter bacteria, which people have if they have or likely to have an ulcer. Mine was negative.

In my case, oesophagitis is a result of the hernia because the hernia is stopping the muscle from closing properly (the muscle that stops acid or whatever, from coming back up the oesophagus from the stomach). So the acid is coming back up the oesophagus and causing inflammation. The tablets I'm taking are PPIs, Proton Pump Inhibitors, and they reduce the amount of acid in the stomach.

I hope that helps.

[somersethouse]

It does help, very much, thank you for taking the time to respond.

I am worried I have brought it upon myself by smoking. I am 43, not overweight and not pregnant.

Well, off to the doctors for me then.

Thank you again scarfaceace, hope you are better very soon!

[scarfaceace]

I'm sure non-smokers get it too so don't blame yourself, somersethouse.

Definitely go to the doctors and get it sorted out. And if you have to have an endoscopy, don't be frightened of it like I was - the sedative was brilliant.

I'd be interested to know how you get on.

Good luck, and hope you'll be on the mend soon.

[brettgirl2]

Yikes can buy meds for it over the counter in the UK. I suffered terribly for 7 years but bizarrely the last 2 things have been better. My triggers are white wine, raw onions and any rich food but everyones different, don't give up everything

[Summerdaydreams]

Go and see your doctor! Personally, with family experience, I would ask for an endoscopy just to check all is ok. Any such changes, trouble eating, keeping food down etc need to be checked. most probably all is fine.

[somersethouse]

Thank you brettgirl and Summerday

I am going to the doctor next week.
Thanks for your responses

[claudedebussy]

well i've had this for over 10 years and was on omeprazole which really helped. but i've not had to take omeprazole for the last 18 months because i've been doing the 5:2 fasting diet. i lost weight and i don't need the meds anymore. has made a huge difference. also don't get asthma or get as chronically tired as i used to.

it's awful, but there are options. definitely visit the gp.