Need advice..
Posted , 13 users are following.
Hi, I think I've had silent reflux for a least 4 years syptoms would range from coughing, losing voice, choking, asthma syptoms, constant throat clearing... Any way the doctor finally sent me for ph testing after the first lot of tests I paniced and could not go through with the 24 hr testing, now the doctors are sending me to have the bravo capsule and I'm terrified.. Has anyone had this done before, I think im just looking for reassurance the doctor didn't seem to really have a clue and just told me to look online.
Thanks x
1 like, 30 replies
RAP27015 Vspin
Posted
I have had something like this for over 50 years and just decided to do something about it in the last 6 years. To me it is a shame that many folks seem to share the affliction with seemingly a lot of them not gaining any relief. What I'm trying to express it that I sympathize with you and all the others out there who are living with this unfortunate problem.
If you are producing mucus and phlhem and you have no heartburn there are a whole host of things that might be wrong. Find an ENT who is willing to explore all the options that may be causing your problem. I have been subjected to a number of tests and will keep going until I at least know what is wrong with me. If there is no treatment well then I will have to accept that outcome.
My advice to you is to feel grateful that your Doctor is willing to explore the matter with you rather than simply put you on a Proton Pump Inhibitor and tell you to come back in six months.
frederick_22022 RAP27015
Posted
Vspin RAP27015
Posted
penny07859 Vspin
Posted
rex_44766 penny07859
Posted
been on 4 dessert spoons of it a day mixed with slippery elm. Seems to work best first thing in the morning. Not too enamoured with the taste though!
frederick_22022 Vspin
Posted
Like my case, the doctor thought that PPI was the most effective but unfortunately he did not tell me about the side effects and what to do should they happen. I got diarrhea and stopped my medicine cold turkey. After 6-7 weeks, I had silent acid reflux.
Before taking PPI, my acid reflux was like two or three times in a year, but after taking and stopping this medicine, my acid reflux became silent reflux and very frequent.
I have silent acid reflux because my esophagus sphincter has become weaker after taking PPI. This is due to inhibition of stomach acid secretion. When my stomach produces very little acid, the esophagus sphincter becomes more relax. Since the amount of acid is very little, when it seeps into the esophagus, I do not feel the burning sensation. This is why it's called silent reflux. PPI is only prescribed for patients who have stomach ulcers.
I'm now on H2 Blocker and trying to taper off. H2 Blockers do not inhibit that much of acid secretion as compared to PPI.
I realize that my initial problem was gastritis that caused the heartburns. The doctor should have just prescribed antacid instead. Later on, I got to know that indigestion and burping is due to lack of stomach acid rather than too much. So I now take apple cider vinegar mixed with water plus digestive enzymes and probiotics with my meals. No more bloating feeling nor burping.
SO, those who are yet to be on PPI or H2 Blockers, please be cautioned because once the damage is done, you cannot reverse it back to normal that easily.
Good luck.
rex_44766 frederick_22022
Posted
could I ask you how long your diarrhea lasted please. How long after starting the meds did it commence please!
frederick_22022 rex_44766
Posted
I took PPI@Omeprazole 20mg for about 5 days and then the diarrhea started. I continued for another 3 days but the diarrhea did not stop so I discontinued the medicine. I'm now on H2 Blocker@ Ranitidine 150mg. I took this twice a day initially. After a couple of weeks I took only once at night. Lately I took this medicine only on alternate days because I intend to wean off this medicine.
Hope this info is helpful to you. Take care.
Ricardo007 frederick_22022
Posted
Vspin frederick_22022
Posted
frederick_22022 Ricardo007
Posted
Thanks for sharing. I am okay with my present diet. I do consume processed food and food cooked in microwaves but not frequent. So far so good. I might change from taking apple cider vinegar and digestive enzymes to digestive enzymes that come along with HCl. This is to slowly reverse my stomach acid condition till back to normal.
Take care.
Paras01uk Vspin
Posted
rex_44766 Paras01uk
Posted
wknight Vspin
Posted
I often get diarrhea withe PPI meds but its no big deal and a small price to pay for being sympton free. Problem is it could be down to something you ate recently. I use to buy sandwiches from a certain well know shop and I often got diarrhea that day. I stopped buying my sandwiches there and the problem went away. Now I am not saying its their hygiene it could be as simple as they use some product my body doesn't like.
For every person that says PPI is bad there are many,many more whose lives have been turned around, mine included by this amazing drug. I don't stop driving because I might be killed in my car and I won't stop taking the PPI because of some possible health risk which I am not even sure what it might be.