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[holidaylover]

I posted a couple of weeks ago with regards to an endoscopy I had.  Results were oesophogitis (inflamation of the gullet) caused by acid reflux.  I had stopped my lansoprazole prior to the test because the brand had changed and was giving me side effects.  I was told by the nurse who performed the endoscopy that I should continue with the Gaviscon Advance which I had been taking.  My initial symptoms were heart palpitations, heartburn, bloating, and gas.  What I would like to know is if anyone else has found there symptoms worse after the endoscopy procedure.  My palpitations had generally settled down a bit (I waited a year for the appointment), but since the endoscopy my symptoms have become really bad again.  I thought they might settle after a few days, but they have not.  Palpitations are again waking me through the night (worse when lying down), the pain in centre of stomach below breast bone has become unbearable.  This is where I found it painful when the camera was doing its job.  My gas and wind have increased and I feel so full and sick after eating the smallest amount of food and this is only relieved by massive burps.  Palpitations are brought on every time I eat.  I am at a loss as to what food is causing this.  I suffer IBS too and am absolutely stumped as to what do next.  I feel the endoscopy as made me a lot worse but cant understand why this could be.  Any ideas?

[Minusminnie]

I haven't had this procedure but i do wonder if your age generally is taken into account when they do such procedures.  Most things take longer to recover from as you get older but is that taken into account ?

[Ayesha]

Gut issues are massively complicated in each individual. Are you still taking your PPI's every day? It’s important to continue with them until you can detect what could be causing your symptoms, usually bread and milk are the culprits in lots of people as we age.

I agree, age should be taken into consideration when one has these procedures, I and my husband both suffered with Gastritis after having a colonoscopy and still have to be careful what we eat, so I do think it's related to being prodded about inside and with age, it takes weeks to feel better again.

Just to elaborate, we both suffered from gastritis from the colonoscopy prep, but my husband suffers from lifelong IBS and that condition got worse after the prodding about, at least that’s what we put it down to, but he did recover well after a few weeks and is managing the IBS with his diet.

[Cassie]

 Its well known that palpitations can be aggravated by stomach issues, like bloating and many people get them when their stomachs are full after a meal I think its to do with pressure on the vagus nerve.

[Taz2]

What PPI are you on now? You won't solve the problem with gaviscon alone I don't think. You will need to reduce the level of stomach acid to
give the oesophagus time to heal. Were you given a follow up appointment to check the inflammation has gone? I have to take omeprazole for hiatus hernia. I can't tolerate esomeprazole though. Gaviscon gives me horrible nausea. It's such a fine balance.

Taz x 

[holidaylover]

Thanks all for the replies.  Taz2, I have to make a follow up appointment with my GP which I am still to do.  I am not taking any PPI at the moment because of the side effects although I realise it looks likely I will have to start again.  I kind of thought I might be able to fix this through diet alone but I have no clue what are my triggers.  (Seems everything at the moment).   Its very confusing with regards the stomach acid.  The nurse told me my symptoms were caused by too much acid, but I am reading a lot of conflicting advice about how symptoms like mine can be caused by too little acid.  I am, however, pretty convinced that the endoscopy has definately aggravated things. 

[Ayesha]

The majority of people who suffer with reflux is because of too much acid, in your position and what the nurse has told you, if it was me I would take the PPI’s to at least start the healing process.
When you feel better then you can think how you might be able to control symptoms by looking at your diet, but now is the wrong time.

If you have to take PPI’s for the long term make sure you take supplements to counter any side affects you may get in the future, I’ve been taking them for 4 years and have no side effects.   

[holidaylover]

Thanks Ayesha, what supplements are best to take whilst taking the PPI's?

[Ayesha]

I take Vit D-3, B12 and Zinc. Calcium is recommended but for me it causes reflux. I do weights and Pilates too.
But that's what I do as I am on them long term, you might not need to take them for long once you have healed.

[holidaylover]

Thank you! That's good to know.