Acid Reflux Tearing My Hair Out!

I have a similar story and was reffered to ENT as well as my tongue and throat were sore too. He checked the throat with camera and said it was fine. Advised to raise the top of bed by 7 inches (with some books or wooden logs) - this helped! And said to expect that PPIs may sometime start working after several months (he said to try for 6 months) It worked for me after a couple of months but I got an infection in my intestines (PPIs can alter the chemical balance in the GI tract) and I had to stop them, it's been 6 months and I'm not too bad on the reflux front. I'd highly recommend natural ways before all but I understand that some people may need the standard medicine. Good luck 

Hi rob77399,

I have had exactly the same experience as you. Omazeprozole worked for a while but then stopped working so my dose was doubled. The acid became so bad that I lost my voice for the best part of 2 months. Put on Lanzaprazole and sent to ENT who gave me some vocal excersises....very nice supportive lady but not really relevant as I knew the problem was being caused by the acid. The Lanzoprazole worked pretty well for a few months but my symptoms started coming back again a few weeks ago along with others- exhaustion, terrible dry mouth and uncomfortable teeth, feeling nauseous. Apparently some of the many side effects of Lanzoprazole!

 I am terrified of coming off medication altogether and explained this to an unsympathetic GP over the phone as there are no appointments at my surgery until 24th June. I am a singer and have a lot of work coming up so can't risk more problems. I have been taken off Lanzoprazole and put on Ratanadine which is an H2. Apparently it is what was used before PPIs. Reports are that it is no way near as effective but apart from going on Nexium, not a good option I believe, there's not much choice. I'll keep you posted, really hoping I don't have massive rebound from the PPIs. 

Oh....also taking alkaline drops, probiotics, digestive enzymes etc. Would love to come off meds altogether but can't risk it at the moment.

What do you find is the number 1 natural thing that takes the burning taste away from the throat? 

Watching what I eat and drink, alkaline water or even a little bicarbonate of soda with water. 

I find the more stressed about it I become, the worse it gets and my throat and neck seize up so I try really hard to stay calm. Neck massage, lots of water.

Really hope you find some relief

Gargling warm water with salt  helped me (I google that up)

Drinking fluids only an hour apart from eating solids (so acid doesn't get diluted)

while not eating - chewing a gum (natural from health shop) to dilute acids when you don't need them. 

But I saw on this forum tones of great advice in previous posts

I've been drinking lots and lots of water. Is it possible to be drinking too much water? I generally have 5 or 6 cups of chamomile tea a day to try and soothe my throat with a teaspoon of honey. 

Camomile tea is actualy the only one for me that helps. Not sure about the honey, it'll need some acid to be broken down and digested.  Water is good but I never drink while eating, normally leave at least an hour. 

Hi Rob,

Be careful, some anti-depressants in the stomach can cause additional reflux I understand.  

Have you tried Gaviscon Advance?  I found it helpful with the excess saliva - which I only experienced I have to say for a few days.

Be careful with the alkaline water.  If it is too high a PH it can actually be damaging.  It you use it too much - or specifically in and around meals - it will actually effect your disgestive process and that, in and of itself, can make you sick.  (The GI specialist I saw told me that it is merely a supposition that it actually works against pepsin.  Apparently there are no provien clinical tests.)  Also when you first use alkaline water, it can take time for your body to adjust to the elvated PH - and that in itself can produce excess gas and other contributing factors that may well be influencing your mood.

Do try to say focused on a positive outcome,Rob.  Giving into the tempation of anxiety is always damaging for one person and one person only; your good self. (And of course I know that is MUCH easier said than done.) 

Keep the faith - enjoy your weekend.  You deserve it.

Cheers, Meunier

The most important thing the ENT can do for you is to rule out other possible causes of your acid issue - allergies, sinus infection, etc.  Armed with the ENT results, you will need to undergo an endoscopy to confirm whether you have GERD and/or a hiatal hernia.  

Hi rob, I sympathise with you as my reflux was severe like yours, and is still a daily bind for me. My reflux started suddenly last November, no reason. I have had a scope of my stomach, which was normal and I have had my nose scoped which showed inflammation at the top of my osophagus and my throat. My advice to you is to keep a diary, eat bland foods, take your meds ( I know you think they aren't working but persevere they take ages to work). My routine is as follows: I eat ready brek (plain) with some acacia honey in the morning. I drink only water (ph 8.2), I brush my teeth with the baking soda toothpaste. I may have a camomile tea, toast mid morning. Lunch baked potato with some turkey and veg, I allow myself some ginger biscuits (gluten free doves farm), melon, banana, only almond milk, some almonds for snacking not all at one time but I rotate. I may have a sandwich with only turkey and rocket. My dinner I have brown rice some cold meat and veg. I stop eating at 7pm. i also take gaviscon advance after every meal. i also take proboitics, digestive enzymes, slippery elm. I'm  having trouble swallowing right now so have had a manometry and ph test which I'm waiting on results. I hope this helps you, it took me 6 months to even get a little better. If my ph test comes back ok I will scream as I'm now looking into getting the Linx surgery.  Ps manuka honey is good too.