Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Kymmie on August 16, 2016, 04:57:15 PM
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I'm experiencing a burning sensation in my chest / right breast area and underneath where bra sits feel like ribs are swollen this another part of peri? :-\
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Hi I get this too, my doctor seems to think it's acid reflux and has prescribed me lansoprazole, the burning comes and goes but is so annoying, I'm seeing a gastroenterologist on Thursday so will see what he says. Certain foods make it feel worse though.
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I just finished a 6 week course of antacids as was suffering a bit of acid never burned though although did settle my symptoms maybe it's back. Many thanks
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Hello Kymmie
I get awful acid reflux (I think!! As a doctor has never really diagnosed it officially for me. I spend my life self diagnosing through menopause!!!)Anyway, the other day I had it really bad again and I felt as if I had run into a brick wall. My chest area was so sore and I just couldn't get comfortable. It was very painful and the only reason I didn't panic about it being a heart attack was because I was burping so much at the same time. I tried gaviscon and tums etc and all the other advice like staying upright and avoiding certain foods and in the end it just faded away but I had it intensely and non stop for 4 days. It's horrible and for me it's more of a bruising feeling than a burning. Have tried to work out why it flared up this time but I'm just putting it down to hormones as I haven't changed my diet. A while back I had tests to check oesophageal and throat and all came back ok. Hard to imagine it can hurt so much when nothing serious going on but it really does.
Hope yours is easing now. :)
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Hi sparkle, well the endoscopy was awful, mind you I could have had the sedation but was brave on the day, lol and I wanted to go bingo that evening haha, I have a small hiatus hernia just where your bra sits in the middle and a lax stomach which is caused by drop of estrogen and it's that that makes my chest and stomache burn if I eat the wrong foods, i.e. Tomato based, fried or fatty food, spices or garlic can all trigger it, but I have stopped lansoprazole altogether and just have gaviscon advance when needed. I don't want to pump pills in my system if it's only for odd days. Plus they suppressed my appetite really bad, and I feel so much better for not having them. So all in all it's the lax stomache which is caused by ..... yes hormones again, thank god when I'm through this crap menopause.
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Hi sparkle I don't get the burning in my throat anymore but I used to before I sorted my diet out. I never used to eat till tea time and then have supper about 9 and at night time it was burning, now I eat 3-4 small meals a day plus 2 litres of water, fruit, nuts and have actimel every morning, if my tummy rumbles late at night I have a up and go shake which is basically an oat breakfast in a drink and it sorts it. It's just trial and error with a lot of foods. I'm so missing my curries and salted chilli prawns. I hope that eventually that I maybe can have a small amount, wishful thinking,, having a crap night tonight, can't sleep. Hope you are well xxxx
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How did I miss this thread? Count me in as a fellow sufferer of these complaints. I just finished a 14 day course of omeprazole, which helped a little. But not really enough.
Told my GP about this when I saw her last week. She was sympathetic when I told her about the Epigastric complaints but she was not overly concerned---just chalked it up to acid reflux. I've started taking apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon a day, with plenty of water. I do feel like it helps break up some of the acid/burning feeling in chest. I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences, I don't feel so alone.
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This particular symptom has made me nervous about eating. What a way to take the fun out of lovely evening meals and snacks on the sofa with the hubs. And I do love my food!!! Anyway, I guess I'll get used to it. My latest attack has left me a bit burpy but no pain but I'm eating more bland stuff...boring! Oh hang on, I did try a tomato based homemade curry the other day and thought that would set it off big time but it didn't so either I was extremely lucky or that's not my trigger. It's trial and error as with everything isn't it.
Hello Sparkle...or should I say, my 'meno symptom' twin! ;).
Hats off to you Dennylou for no sedation with the endoscopy. How on earth did you manage that!
Omeprazole didn't really work with me either Melly. Not heard of apple cider vinegar before as something to help this. You learn something new everyday!
:) :) :)
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You go Sparkle!!
I admire your bravery.
I just suffer with the on/off bloat, Epigastric tightness, acid in throat, etc, because I'm so afraid. I think every complaint is the symptom of a fatal disease. It's horrible.
Any time I've had a symptom investigated, it turns out to be of no serious medical significance. I hate health anxiety. I just wish I could feel better & stop all the worry.
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Hi everyone I have all these problems too and am having something of a flare up right now which I am trying to get under control. I just had some yogurt which was fine this morning and now it's giving me pain and irritating throat. I have been drinking a few cups of ginger tea each day. I think it helps, but as with all things best not to overdo with it.
I have the haitus hernia too, like Sparkle does. Wishing us all luck on this journey!
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Oh Sparkle, I know exactly how you feel. I am so fed up with it all. Just like you I can be feeling ok and I think, I've finally cracked it, then Bingo, I have something to eat and back to square one. I don't understand how I can eat something in the morning and be fine and then have it later in the day and I'm not.
I would love to be relaxing in bed right now but instead I am on the lappy, killing a bit of time before I go up and have some Gavisgon. I didn't get the advanced as there was only the original or dual. I have had one 20mg omez. I hope it works so I don't have to go back to 40mg. I am even terrified of going back to the doctor so am suffering in my own ignorance but still won't do anything about it. I keep praying for help, but I know being so low in mood isn't helping this condition. I have even had to put the photo's I had on display of my mum and dad away as I can't look at them without crying or wanting to. I have felt easier mind wise since I did that. I hadn't realised the impact it was having on me. I will get them out again when I feel much stronger.
I am sat chewing gum as that helps for a while. It's a nightmare, like you say, thinking of what we can eat to be rid of the symptoms. I'd eat anything, the same meals every day if it would work. I am running out of what to have ::) Besides that it is so hard to buy stuff without so much added to it. Even things made organically often have something processed added. It's about time we had some Healthy, nothing added products in supermarkets and which didn't cost the earth.
Apologies for moaning - I do feel better getting it off my chest lols.
Hoping we have a reflux free night for all of us :)
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It's hard to tell if something works for me or not only because it feels like some remedies, but then they don't if that makes sense.
I've started a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with water & when I take that, it seems to help the burning sensation in my sternum. I'm
also taking a supplement that supposed to help with bloating & gas before they manifest themselves. It felt initially like it helped, now I'm not sure. Walking helps tho! So that's good as I make sure I have a brisk 30 min one after dinner.
I also find stress brings on the pressure & discomfort
& burning big time. I have a difficult time managing stress when my imagination starts going off the rails with worry. It's amazing how well I can feel when I'm distracted & forget about the reflux discomfort. This all started a yr ago for me so I'm trying to figure it out, still.
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Nelly - it is amazing how distraction helps. Makes me wonder how many of my health issues are made worse by overthinking them. Anxiety is a real bugger, isn't it?
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Hi Melly, thanks for that info. And it does seem that distraction helps, plus the walking.
I have not been doing so much lately as I have lost some confidence walking out alone and hubby can't come with me due to waiting for a knee op. I do take our dogs round the block, one at a time' as I can't handle both. They are biggish dogs, a German Shepherd and a Goldendoodle. I need to get my confidence up for longer walks and walking to the shops instead of going in the car. I really must do that because I have noticed I feel better for it.
I bought some of the cider vinegar today so will try that maybe tomorrow if I need to. I can have some Gaviscon soon so will be off to bed within the next half hour. I have had these symptoms on and off the 12 years now but this is the worst it has been for some time. Hoping that somehow you will nip yours in the bud Melly.
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Hi Sparkle, sorry I missed you post before I signed off there. It is so disheartening when we have a plain meal and still get symptoms, isn't it :( And it's a beggar we have to have Gaviscon for desserts!
It's a vicious circle we are in, feeling so wound up by how we feel and then it is impacting on us physically. Even my mindfulness techniques are going out the window with this latest episode.
I hope you get some positive answers from your doctor. I am going to ask the nurse about a blood test for B12 and vit D when I go next month. If mine have decreased with the omez that won't be helping. In the meantime fingers crossed again for a night free of reflux for us. xx
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Sparkle, Autumnlady, Urbanchick, thank you all for your kind words & sharing your experiences, advice & even complaints! It does help knowing others can relate & understand what you are going thru.
Wishing us all a comfortable night. Bah to my burning chest and throat!! :P
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Morning Melly, Urbanchick, Sparkle and anyone looking in :)
I was much like you last night Sparkle. Managed to sleep without being woken by the reflux. I did have a little of those, I don't know if it's a burp low in the throat or acid just between waking moments. But my throat felt pain free for the first few hours. Like you I had something to eat and around half an hour to an hour later I
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Apologies - I accidently hit the wrong key! I began to get that bit of tender feeling in my left tonsil. Not sure what to do now, whether to take a spoon of gaviscon or see how it goes.
I have taken both dogs a walk and am now getting up mental strength to have a walk up town to Home Bargains for some craft supplies. I have in mind to do a wall painting on canvas with some cheery words to display in the lounge. See if it will get and keep my mood lifted.
I'll be back later to see how you are all getting on and report any further symptoms of mine too.
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Hi Sparkle,
I had a good walk round town with a friend. I had a few sunflower and pumpkin seeds just before going. I hadn't realised how nice they are. Anyway, when I thought about it I had very slight heartburn low in my throat. When I got home I had two small slices of gf bread toasted with scrambled egg. I have a bit of that slight heartburn again. That's about two hours after eating. Also had some ginger tea and water in between.
Later I will be having GF vegetable bakes with salad and beetroot. See how that goes ::)
I experience that throat clearing too. Thinking about it I had that before my reflux problems came to light. Things like chocolate or dairy make it worse. Nothing seems to do us much good, Sparkle! It's ridiculous how we are cutting down on so much food and still struggling with our problem. My appointment with the nurse is 7 November but I will have to make an appointment with my doctor too as I doubt the nurse will be able to answer all my questions. Is your appointment before then?
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Hi Sparkle, yes I am thank you. My mood dips a little now and then but I am doing my best to pull my thoughts up instead of dragging me down. Like you, I would feel even better to be rid of these symptoms and to not keep worrying about them.
I have just eaten - a breaded vegetable burger and a breaded cauliflower cheese with salad and beetroot. I thoroughly enjoyed it so just hoping I am not going to pay for it. You are right in your description after eating. I am burping a bit today as well. What gets me is things which are supposed to help us and be good for us also upset the system, like your raw veg smoothie. I'm sure it is things added to the mix that does it. Is your right sided sharp pain there all the while or is it sore and then stabs?
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Hello Sparkle, Autumnlady, Urbanchick & anyone else following this thread: I have to admit today has been one of the better days (now I've gone and jinxed myself, I'm sure).
Wobbly in the beginning as I had consumed a lot of salad & Brussel sprouts yesterday which my IBS didn't approve of, and other than more wind than usual, that was not overly painful, it's been good! Which makes me much more cheerful. Really it's amazing how my digestion affects my daily life!! I'm glad to read your days have been pretty enjoyable as well, ladies.
Question for you, do you ever have bouts of post nasal drip that don't coincide with colds or allergies? I have occasions where the excess mucus drives me mad & I try taking allergy meds to dry it up. I think I read somewhere it can be a symptom of acid reflux and reading about your throat clearing activities made me think of it. Oh dear, I'm probably going to have another go round with it again shortly.
Continued well/bearable feelings of digestive comfort to us all!
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Haha Sparkle, chuckled over your volcano description. I can relate. How funny to think that consuming certain vegetables equates to a "daring" daily decision! Thank goodness for laughter.
Thanks for weighing in on the PND & I'll need to check out that other thread on your recommendation.
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Hello ladies, sorry I didn't get back in last night. I was starting to feel a bit more relaxed as no heartburn or discomfort after that meal I told you about, Sparkle. However although I went to bed ok I woke at around 1.30am with some reflux in my lower throat. It didn't burn but I could feel it. So then I was wide awake and worrying and daren't go back to sleep. I chewed some sugar free gum and eventually drifted off around an hour later. I did not get the any reflux afterwards but woke at around 6.30am and had that weird sensation of trapped air low in throat. Don't know if it's a burp or acid. Anyway I felt so worried I got up, had a shower and did my housework. I have been searching the net about omeprazole and how best to take it. It says it is best taken before food twice a day. My doctor told me to do this in the beginning but after around 3 months I was advised to just take at night before bed.
Apparently it works best taken on an empty stomach but to eat around 40 mins later. But how can I do this when taking at night! It also said when taking one in a morning and one at night to take both before the meal - breakfast - last meal.
I am too afraid to speak to the dr as I daren't have the camera down. I know most people feel the same but it sends me into a panic attack. It's no use having sedation as the thought of that makes me worse, not being in any control. I am allergic to inhalant anaesthetic. I know I will have to speak to the doc but won't have that procedure done.
I have had yakult and organic yogurt and bottled water so far this morning. Okish.
Melly when I think about pnd I have suffered that since being a child and still have it. I generally always wake with that horrid gunk in the back of the throat to some degree.
Sparkle, have you tried gently massaging that painful area in a clockwise motion and then anticlockwise? I have done that when I have had stomach pain or discomfort and sometimes it eases it. If it's a sluggish bowel it my help move it on. I read that somewhere, that's why I have done it if need be.
I hope you are both feeling easier this morning.
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It's a struggle to add up what does make sense Sparkle. It certainly seems to be something in the smoothie that isn't suiting you. Could well be the combination of sugars in the fruit. I think our tums have become so sensitive that the slightest wrong thing sets them off.
I wonder with your mum if it was the part of diseased intestine that was causing the irritation. I'm glad you had a good night. It makes all the difference as to how you feel when you wake up.
My tum started to feel very empty an hour before I had lunch and I felt that twinge of low heartburn. I had lunch at 12.10. The same as last night, cauliflower cheese and veggie burger with green salad and beetroot. I have some fresh made ginger tea beside me. So far, so good ::)
I ma not sure to try taking my omez 45 mins before my last meal and see if that works :-\
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Hope you enjoyed you dog walking Sparkle and that you feel better afterwards. It is possible, like you said, that the omeprazole has stopped working for me. I have been on it long enough tbh. Just hoping there is something else as I feel quite sure it was the lansprazole which gave me palpatations. My doctor will need to look back on that. Hope she has the info. I remember my mum taking an acid suppressant but can I think of the name ::) Even though I sorted her tablets out for many years. It's on the tip of my tongue! I am wondering if it is another name for either of those we are taking. Actually, I know it's not the same as mine. I know! Pariet! Do you know anything about these? Mum said they worked well for her. She had a hiatus hernia but she originally had the Pariet to counteract arthritis meds.
Wondering what to have for tonight now :-\
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Glad you enjoyed your walk - it does blow away the cobwebs and refresh us. I love roast chicken, shame about the roasties though. Fingers crossed you'll be fine with the other. Yes, my mum was fine on the Pariet, though I do remember her still having rennies. She had Gaviscon on prescription but rarely used it. I don't think hers was quite so bad but I could be wrong.
I had a scrambled egg on two slices of GF wholemeal bread. Rice Krispies with almond milk and hour later. That's my dessert lols. I have not taken my omez yet but might eat something very small 40 mins after - see how that works :-\
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Lols, Sparkle - I say that about my lack of drinking too. A bottle of still spring water and that'll do me!
Well, last night I had my tablet two hours after my last meal but I had one fortune cookie (Only small thing I had in and that was because hubby got it free with his takeaway) I had a few sips of water and then waited two hours for the gaviscon dose. I was okay throughout the night and had just two little hiccoughs on waking. So, I don't know if that will do the trick or if it is just a fluck.
This morning I had a yakult, then rice krispies and almond milk with a drink of warm water. I went to the shops and had noticed left tonsil a tiny bit sore so I chewed gum for longer than intended. It got rid of the soreness but gave me some spasms of indigestion pain - those tiny sharp stabs anywhere in upper body) When I got home I found the box of salad I had bought wasn't sealed properly so I couldn't have that. I have had boiled egg sandwich sprinkled with a little grated cheese. (GF bread) Had ginger tea afterwards. Throats not perfect but not too bad. I don't think it is ever truly perfect nowadays.
I does sound like the fresh air could have irritated your throat lining if it was still a little fragile. It doesn't take much to start mine off, I have to say.
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Right: any brassicas have the ability to cause wind :D - I LOVE Brussels and have eaten a lot of broccoli in recent weeks, raw and cooked with lots of black pepper over it.
Right: if you get that feeling of reflux in the throat chew a Rennie-type tablet for relief - sometimes I require 2! Solves the problem for me. Saves me worrying.
I haven't been able to eat cauliflower for years :sigh: nor would I chew gum any more as both = lots of wind! I can't tolerate eggs unless they are in a cake. My gut simply can't digest eggs. Nor baked beans. Nor chilli con carne …… I don't have tonsils but I do get sore throats prior to a cold/cough. Gargling with dilute TCP liquid or eating Strepsils :sick02: can apparently help.
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I am the same regarding the rennies.
It's good you will be seeing a dietician, Sparkle. I really need to do the same. My doctor has never mentioned it would be of benefit yet at one time I thought these people worked together.
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Well, I have come to the same conclusion, Sparkle, that we have to fight and research for ourselves as the doctors seem only able to have the time to prescribe us medication. They could at least point us in the right direction. Like you I have never been advised on diet. I am sure years ago patients were advised on how to help themselves and referred to someone who could further help.