Betaine Hcl + Pepsin+Bitters??? Anyone with experience???
Posted , 7 users are following.
I am desperate for help! Over the holidays, I just found out myself that I have low stomach acid (66yrs.) - after being on PPIs for months, suffering 24/7 and losing 15kg which I couldn't afford to lose. This has caused many other health problems. Just totally exhausted and weak. German doctors refuse to believe in Low stomach acid, regardless what articles I provide them - so I get no help!
I discontinued the PPIs & ordered Betaine Hcl+Pepsin+Gentian Bitters online. None of the drugists would even sell it to me here. The first few low-dose days went very well with relief, but I'm now up to 4 capsules per protein meal (NO STOMACH ACHE OR WARMING to warn me off) and I am having terrible reflux right after I've eaten...and even later between meals. ANY SUGGESTIONS PLEASE? Yesterday evening I took 2 with a very light low-protein meal because of reflux AND burning eyes beforehand. (I wasn't planning to take HCL last tonight at all!) DOES THIS MEAN I NEED TO TAKE MORE 648gr capsules each meal or what should I to do? I would greatly appreciate hearing from you - I don't have any people-support here...and am not finding any answers on the internet.
I apologize, but I am totally freaking out - can't get the reflux to stop and I am truly afraid for my life here. Can I take additional capsules without food between meals? I am so very afraid. Would be so very grateful to hear from someone.
3 likes, 34 replies
papote53 suzired
Posted
OK, I made a mistake- The pills the Doc gave me are 500mg each, so I'm just up to 3 pills for 1500mg. Yes, going up to 4 this afternoon but not more than 5. Just taking 3 pills before meal and the 2 enzyme during meals is way to much, is like I'm full of pills. ;-(((
I did take 2 during the Heidelberg reflux test with no food and for sure I felt difference. It was burning inside my stomach and it lasted like 6-8 minutes. So I do know how it feels if I over do it which at that point I will step back one and remain at that until I do not need that many.
In my case I do not feel reflux or heartburn so if is helping or harming me I will now know. ;-(((( But I have to move forward. ;-)
Jose
suzired papote53
Posted
Glad to hear you had the Heidelberg test done...neither my Gen. practitioner nor the ENT would send me to have it done! I am completely frustrated with the entire medical system in Germany. Not one doctor has been willing to help me with the reflux and suffering...They mistakenly put me on PPIs without testing and the only relief I've found was after I quit taking them. I'm on my own with this and worried about my weight loss. Sure hope you have better luck than I have had. Pray that the Hcl will help you!
suzired papote53
Posted
papote53 suzired
Posted
Hi again,
You don't need a referral for the Heidelberg reflux test because is paid cash. This goes against any GI recommendation because they only know how to treat the symptom of high acid which refluxes. They treat low acid the same way which makes no sense. I had to pay $310 to get the test done with no referral. Took 4 yesterday and stil the same, but 4 of mines i equal to 3 of yours.
No, no improvement on my chest pain or lack of air but is to my undersatnding this could take a very long time. But after a month if I see no imprevemtni will see no reason to continue at this level. Now, my GI does not believe my reflux is related to my chest pain or lack of air and I myself have some doubts. In my case it could be nerves but I will have to take anti-depressant medication for chest pain which right now I'm not willing to take until I know for sure is the reason. Plus, I;m not depressed so it wll be my last option but I have them on hand just in case. I do believe it could be both things so I'm open to anyhtng right now.
No, I'm not taking anything else besides biodicin which my functional said it was good for SIBO whcih I suspect I have. I do take natural alow vera from my backyard. ;-)
Have you taken the 5th pill?
suzired papote53
Posted
In Germany, you HAVE TO HAVE a referral for the Heidelberg test, same as for the LINX surgery and none of the doctors here would give me one for either! Reflux causes so many side effects - I also had trouble breathing and terrible chest pain...then "burning mouth syndrome" where everything was swollen and inflamed, raw really, and my eyes have suffered also from reflux. The only thing that never hurt on me was my stomach itself - very strange. I'm off Betaine Hcl altogether and am trying to make due with natural home remedies, sticking to the diet as best as I can, but I sure do miss my sweets & potato chips. At least I am able to eat something now and hope I will be able to gain some weight again. You are lucky to have aloe vera in your yard...I paid over $20 for a half-liter bottle of juice here!!
papote53 suzired
Posted
Exactly the same here,no stomach pain at all and in my case I can eat anyhting, just can't eat to much because I get full real fast. I have lost 65 and really will like to gain at least 20 back.
I lived in Bitburg Germany for 3 1/2 years back in 1980-83. ;-)
Here you can get one but you have to pay cash. GI's won't support it or validate it. ;-( If they do they will end up losing 75% of patients. ;-)))
suzired papote53
Posted
Have you increased your dose again or are the 3 or 4 giving you some relief? I sure hope you will be able to get them regulated. I had such trouble and got terrible reflux right after eating...thank goodness, I don't have all burning and chest pain, but my esophaus, throat etc remains totally inflamed with spots all over them. Really afraid that will turn into something else. Forgot to mention that my gen. practitioner gave me anti-depressants along with the PPIs...both of them wrongly diagnosed. So disgusted with the doctors here! (I'm NW of Frankfurt - always worked there, but I was hoping to go HOME when I retired. Now with all these health issues, I'm pretty much stuck here
christ321 papote53
Posted
Please give me the address and contact tel number where I can get the Heidelberg test done.
Regards,
Chris
papote53 suzired
Posted
I was actually going to fast, when I read the instructions from my Doc he said to increase every 2-3 days, and I was going up daily. So I decided to hold a little so I'm still at 4 per meal. Now, I do not eat heavy meals so basically the only meal I take 4 is with dinner, and 3 with breakfast because it has less protein. So far I do not get hot at all so I plan to go up to 5 tomorrow. Now, in my case I do not get any relieve from anything at all unless I just take it easy and stay sitting or laying back. I can eat pizza or just a small snack and is the same to my symptoms. Standing, walking or even talking aggravates my chest and breathing symptoms and that is why Doctors believe is nerve (back) related and not reflux. They will be re-evaluating my nerves and back. But I still have to take care of this due to Barretts. ;-( Are you taking the anti-depressants? Which one, how much? Why they gave you this? My GI wanted to give me some for my chest pain which I read does help many people with reflux. ;-)
suzired papote53
Posted
so very sorry to hear about your condition...it must just be awful. If you are taking that many Hcl and still have no relief, I would get my back and nerves checked out as quickly as possible. Isn't there any kind of meds for Barretts? I haven't had any prescriptions for anything either. Instead, I was given Venlafaxin and Mirtazapin - one mornings and the other before bed - because I was truly freaking out about all the pain. Anti-depressives only zonked me out. I wasn't able to function at all (but they did put me to sleep!) I don't believe in anti-depressives...the real problem should be confronted and not just give you something to forget it. Most German doctors give you anti-depressives when they don't know what is wrong with you - and they won't invest the time to find out. Really is ridiculous. Please be careful with anti-depr!!!!
papote53 suzired
Posted
Right, I took medication for anxiety (Benzo) for 2 1/2 years because Doctors did exactly that, they prescribed this because they couldn't find the real reason so lets just give him anxiety medication. After 2 1/2 years I finally put an end to this and I'm actually feeling better when it comes to the head. When this all started I ended at the Hospital 3 times, after that I realize it wasn't the heart so I have not been to a hospital the last 2-3 years. Now, I did initiate another checkup for the back and nerves. I still have to take the supplements for the low acid and maybe next time I get an endoscopy it will not show Barretts. Sure, we all know we have to take care of reflux because Barretts can come back, or can come out of the hiding place. ;-)
Have you taken Betaine Hcl again. Did you get tested to see if levels are normal again? I will go up to 7 pills and then stop at that. I was low/moderate so I just can't see why would I need more than 7. I just wonder, if I do not have the regular reflux symptoms, maybe I'm just not getting the burning symptoms as well so taking to much could harm me. ;-((( Now, I did take 2 pills on an empty stomach for the Heidelberg reflux test and it did burn for a few minutes so maybe I should go up. ;-)) So many doubts! Doc did tel me up to 10 as needed.
papote53 suzired
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I do feel less bloated and gas which is good. ;-)
suzired papote53
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At least you have a doctor who is working with you and monitoring your progress. I hope you will soon get this reflux under control...don't the pills now relieve a bit of your reflux? Also, I believe that my chest pain and struggling to get air were directly related to my reflux - as soon as I got off the PPIs, these symptoms were relieved. We are all different of course and I think my body doesn't react to any of this the way everyone else's does! Do what the doctor tells you and may God bless you back to health!
papote53 suzired
Posted
If the chest and lacking of air is not related to my reflux then I have no direct symptoms of reflux so good or bad I will not know if this is helping until I do another endescope. The monitoring of a Doctor is another waste of time and money, because he will not do another test for a year so if he is going by symptoms which I do not have then he will have no idea as well. Is good to not have any direct symptoms(if chest and lack of air is not), but not knowing what is good or bad for you is even wrose because right now I could be doing damaga to my body and don't even know it. ;-( That is why is important to know the cause, and not just go by symptoms which is what medications doo. ;-)