Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Lynda07 on September 29, 2020, 10:38:51 AM
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Morning
Following my post last week (and thanks again for all of your replies) I spoke to my GP today and gave her my symptoms - ad hoc pain (like a gnawing in my tummy), dry mouth, coated tongue, feel as I have too much saliva, throat clearing, burping, water hard to go down etc etc. I've also lost 4lb in a couple of weeks but do put that down to smaller meals, no chocolate or crisp. I don't have these all at once but over a day these are my general symptoms.
I didn't get chance to ask her many questions - but she will see me, examine me, re-do bloods and has, in the meantime, given me a prescription for lansoprazole. This threw me as I have mentioned to her before my absolute fear of medication.
My husband thinks I should have left it a little while longer, he is convinced this is all stress and anxiety. The problem is I'm now even more anxious about the blood tests, the medication and I guess she may eventually send me for an endoscopy - I feel terrified.
I know people go through a lot worse and I am grateful she is seeing me and the blood tests etc but I just want it all to go away (I know it won't, of course).
Thanks for listening. x
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Different meds are designed to solve/ease different conditions. I dreaded taking The Pill, I would have it in my hand for ages B4 swallowing it. However, because I was so ill when I was prescribed anti-depressant medication I had no choice :-\ . Once medication was found that suited me, I was OK.
Your GP is being thorough. What's the worst that can happen with the Lansoprazole? Your Husband is correct in it may be anxiety and stress but it ain't getting better. Is it?
In the main we are in control of what investigations we go for. If these rule out anything more serious will you feel more inclined to try the Lansoprazole?
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Thank you CLKD. You are right. I am grateful my GP is being thorough, despite the fear I feel, that's my health anxiety rearing its ugly head again.
I guess I have two choices - fetch the lansoprazole, take them and see how I go, I wonder if the GP has prescribed them to see if they work, as in if they do it's likely to be reflux. Or hold off until I see her on Friday to discuss further - I really don't know what to do. I read the side effects, see the ones that warn about the worse case scenario and then just feel terrifed.
And as for the anxiety, it's not getting better at all, you're right there too.
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Hi Lynda, I think you're right, your GP has prescribed them to confirm it's acid reflux. Don't worry about side effects, most of them happen only after long term use. And long term effects of acid reflux are scarier than the side effects of the drug!
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Thank you Sage, you are right. I do appreciate the reassurance though.
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You're welcome, hope you feel better soon.
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Thanks Sage.
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Lynda, please try the Lansoprazole. I too absolutely hate medication but the awful reflux symptoms will be mightily relieved by these tablets, trust me. I have a friend who’s husband took them for a while but then she made him come off them and take a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar in a full glass of warm water every morning and this worked just as well after a while so you even try that first. X
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Hi Justjules
Thanks for that. I've been thinking about the telephone appointment all day. I didn't get chance to ask any of my questions or say half the things I'd written down.
Although I have symptoms they are no where near as bad as some people's sound. For example since the initial episode of having to sleep half upright a few weeks back I've not had any real night time issues. The symptoms I do have are worrying - because I worry - but I feel they are managable with Peptac as and when needed. So I was hoping to suggest to the GP that I kept my eye on things and cut some things out of my diet. I didn't get time to tell her that because I've just started taking ACV and probiotics, my plan was to let the Dr know what was happening in case she was concerned but to report back in maybe a month. I really didn't expect to be put on PPI straight away. I am going to ask her on Friday if I can hold off for a while - but don't want her to think I am dismissing what she says.
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Well what you put in your body is entirely up to you. Sounds like a good plan that you have so maybe go with that and as you say, report back in a month. Please don’t ever be terrified of an endoscopy....I was so terrified of having one but honestly, I would go for one tomorrow without hesitation. If you have the sedation, which I would definitely never do one without, you don’t know you’ve had it done! A nice little sleep and tea and toast after.
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Justjules, you must have read my mind, I am terrified of an endoscopy although part of me thinks at least then I would know what I am up against, if anything. A nice sleep and toast sounds a heck of a lot better than what I thought it might be - and to be honest, rather that and a diagnosis than tablets without a diagnosis.
I do feel better for reading what you have put as I guess somewhere down the line it may well happen. Thank you again.
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Good luck for Friday. I also read the side effects and my hubby tells me off ( nicely). My son has had lansaprozale, then omeprazole and then esomeprazole. He has bad acid reflux alongside coeliac disease. He doesn't tend to take them now, it has eased a bit. He also has had the cider vinegar in water and said thst really helped, he also tried bicarb, but i can't remember what he did :-\ My hubby has suffered with it lately ( a side effect of the infusions he was having) he has bisodol. I did buy him the gaviscon advance tablets, he said they really helped, but they are not cheap.
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Thank you Penguin99.
My husband is the same, he says just take them and if you get a side effect you know what it is. I did have a couple of bad experiences with medication when I was younger so think it stems from then.
I definitely think the Apple Cider Vinegar in water is helping me already. You’re certainly right about the Gaviscon tablets not being cheap,
Thank you again.
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Hi Lynda, I think you're right, your GP has prescribed them to confirm it's acid reflux. Don't worry about side effects, most of them happen only after long term use. And long term effects of acid reflux are scarier than the side effects of the drug!
Speaking of side effects of long term use of PPIs, I've just came across this article on BMJ and a prescribing update is being sent to GP's to monitor blood glucose in patients on long term PPIs based on this study.
https://gut.bmj.com/content/gutjnl/early/2020/08/29/gutjnl-2020-322557.full.pdf
https://www.mims.co.uk/monitor-blood-glucose-patients-long-term-ppis-say-researchers/gi-dyspepsia/article/1695447
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Thank you for posting those links Uptick.
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I'm back from seeing the GP. She was lovely and is very thorough. I'm continuing on Peptac for now but - I do have to have an endoscopy. Thank goodness you made your post Justjules as, although I know how nervous I will be, you have reasurred me. I just need to try and not spend the next month worrying about what the results might be.
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That's wonderful, Lynda! Is Peptac the generic version of Gaviscon Advance?
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Hi Sage - yes I think it is, it seems to have the same ingredients.
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Oooohh that's great! Gaviscon Advance it too expensive. Thank you, Lynda!
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Sorry Sage, just checked again and think they are different.
Active ingredients: sodium alginate, sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate. (Peptac)
Each 10 ml dose contains sodium alginate 1000 mg and potassium hydrogen carbonate 200 mg. (Gaviscon Advance)
Sorry to mislead you.
Lynda
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That's alright, Lynda! I think Peptac is the same as Gaviscon. Gaviscon Advance is the second generation of Gaviscon.
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Ah, ok. I am actually able to get the Peptac on prescription up here in Scotland.
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I'm back from seeing the GP. She was lovely and is very thorough. I'm continuing on Peptac for now but - I do have to have an endoscopy. Thank goodness you made your post Justjules as, although I know how nervous I will be, you have reasurred me. I just need to try and not spend the next month worrying about what the results might be.
How lucky are you to have been firstly able to see your GP and that she was lovely...I used to have one like that :(
Anyway, great that she’s sorting things and don’t be worrying about your endoscopy!! x
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Justjules I do feel lucky to be honest. I’ve had some really not good- almost scary - GP experiences in my time but my GP here, well I feel I can trust her.
I am going to try my hardest not to worry about the endoscopy as you really have put my mind at ease there, thanks again x
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Lynda, my mum can fully sympathise with your symptoms. She is having long term issues, the main one being the sensation of her mouth filling up with saliva...apparently it’s called water brash and it stops her eating until it’s subsided. Sometimes it comes on upon waking and she can’t eat until later in the day. She is on medication and this stops the burning pain but not the water brash. I think mum’s may be due to a weak valve in the stomach. She won’t have an endoscopy so won’t really know. I hope you find relief soon. X
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I’m so sorry to hear about your mum SallyS. It must be so distressing for her, I am really struggling with my symptoms as I just don’t know what’s going on with my body. I understand your mum’s concerns about the endoscopy.
I didn’t know this was called water brash so thanks for that.
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Thank you, Lynda. Mum is on a low dose of Lansoprazole. She’s had no side effects from it after being on it for a year. It has eased some of the symptoms but she can’t tell what foods set it off as it’s so unpredictable when symptoms come on...bread is a big no no though. She is also on Peptac. She has also been given Scandishakes to try and put some weight back on. Best wishes to you xx
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Sally S. Lansoprazole is what my GP wanted me to take although this is on hold now until my endoscopy. I am pleased your mum has no side effects, they are what worry me. I find Peptac helps.
That is very interesting about bread. I have a couple of slices a day, most days.
Thank you and to you and your mum.xx
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I’m sure your GP will soon have your symptoms sorted out. There’s so many treatments options available. Take care, let us know how you get on :) xx
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Sally S, will do - thank you xx
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Hi Lynda07,
I had the very same as you, the more you get the symptoms the worse they are.
I think this is all anxiety as it was with me. I’ve had this a few times and had a endoscopy. They just said acid reflux which is increased when your anxious x
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Hi kp64.
I actually think this is anxiety as well. And then you get in the vicious circle of symptoms being worse when you get more anxious.
I'm going to speak to my GP again, regarding the anxiety part of it. I really appreciate your post (I'm sorry you suffer but it makes me feel I'm not the only one) xx
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That's why the guts are called 'second brain'. Sometimes mine gain pole position ::)
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And mine Sage >:(
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Yep - I cope until the gut begins to roll ....... it doesn't need any encouragement from the brain either >:(
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It gets to be a vicious circle doesn't it. That's how I feel right now anyway :(
On a brighter note, have a good weekend ladies x