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[pebbles]

For the past four months i have experienced heart burn, chest pain, pain in shoulder blades, sore throat, cough, sore ears and feeling like i have something stuck in my chest (like a bit tablet).
I have taken gaviscon, omeprazole, stopped alcohol, tea, chocolate, onions, citrus etc etc. I dont eat after 7pm, i have raised my pillow, i am not over weight, dont drink fizzy juice or eat ready meals or fast food, i am vegetarian but nothing resolves it.
I am losing weight as my appetite is reduced. It is affecting my relationships as i basically can hardly eat anything with acid in it.

I am on half a conti everoll patch twice weekly and also ovestin vaginal cream.
Does anyone know if these could be the cause ? I have been on both for many years.

I havent been to my dr as i am worried about taking PPI meds and trying unsuccessfully to manage it by diet.
Thanks

[DottyD68]

Hi Pebbles,

I can totally relate to your situation. I felt acid reflux got worse when I was on Evorel conti patches. When I stopped using them, it really improved.

However I have ongoing post-nasal drip issues which started after a really bad bout of sinusitis 18 months ago. GP is currenty treating me for a nasal polyp and once he has eliminated that as a cause for my intermittant throat/cough issues he is proposing a short but strong course of PPis as I believe I have silent reflux.

Personally I think it is all menopause/hormone-related and not convinced it is just caused by HRT.

I would not rule out a short course of PPIs just to see if it helps.

Good luck x

[bombsh3ll]

If you have been on the patch for years and the reflux has just started in the past few months it is unlikely to be related.

Why are you afraid of taking a PPI? Some people only need a short course of 8 weeks or so, and millions of others like me take it for life- I have been on omeprazole for 20 years including throughout two pregnancies it is that safe.

I am far more afraid of the potential consequences of untreated severe acid reflux.

[Ayesha]

Acid reflux is a consequence of the ageing process, a condition that you have to learn to adapt to.
I am also on PPI's long term without any issues whatsoever with no side affects, I take supplements to protect my body from any that might occur.

Don't suffer when you don't have to.

[Old Frumpy]

The symptoms are classic of so many gut conditions and I wonder whether to see your GP just to set you on the right path is the first step.

It could be Gerd.  With you mentioning cough.

Or H pylori test - it's not invasive and it tells whether you have a germ in your tum...then you take a short course antibotic along with something like Nexum (esomeprazole) to clear it up and is a PPi.
I am not sure why you are worried about PPi - while in my opinion too many things are now available over the counter something like Nexum is on Sainsbury Shelf....as is omeprazole.

I too am on omeprazole have been for 18 months and I wish every medication I have been prescribed was as easy to take.

When my gatro problem started I had so many other things crashing in on me and I went to GP and he started me on omeprazole.  Intially thought it was post Xmas foods. But a month of taking this and that I went to GP. 

[Lesred]

Hi Pebbles

I have been there too and was given lanzoprazole then omeprazole years ago when peri kicked in and also went on such a strict diet that I was skin and bone! Neither agreed with me or helped at all, but they did find H-pylori when my gp did a test after 2 mths of still no improvement, it’s quite a strong lot of antibiotics alongside a ppi. Still felt awful so had an endoscopy which was completely clear and symptoms gradually disappeared completely, soo I think for me it was hormones and then anxiety and being stuck in a loop with it. I still get periods now of acid reflux/gerd etc but I tend not to get in such a state about it, although it’s really really miserable I know, but I think the more I panicked the worse it got.

For me PPi’s did not work and I felt worse, obviously they really help some people depending on the cause but anxiety makes it all very difficult to treat. I too have found hrt can cause a flare up but I think it’s more likely imbalanced hormones and life’s ups and downs ( anxiety?!) as well. I definitely would try to eat a balanced diet and not avoid lots of food groups as an empty stomach will only make things worse, I speak from experience! And try to relax!! Deep breathing, yoga anything to calm the nervous system.

You could try a short course of ppi as Dotty says although you have mentioned omeprazole so maybe you’ve tried that already? or you could perhaps need an hrt adjustment as a half patch twice a week may no longer be enough?

Anyway good luck and please know you are not alone with these awful symptoms.

X x

[Taz2]

Hi Pebbles. If this is a new problem I feel you should get checked out by your GP especially as you have weight loss. I have a hiatus hernia which gave me the same symptoms you are describing. By the time I went to the doctor my throat was badly ulcerated. I am on a PPI now which got rid of all my discomfort. More importantly if I'd left it longer the ulceration could have led to either a pre-cancerous condition called Barrett's Oesophagus or, worse, cancer itself. The lining of the oesophagus is not made to cope with stomach acid and is gradually eroded. It's really not worth ignoring this symptom. You say you don't want a PPI but you've already tried Omeprazole which is a PPI. If that didn't work then you do need to consult a doctor.

Taz x