Nocturnal Acid Reflux Help Needed
Posted , 10 users are following.
Hi, I've been suffering with Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease for the past 4 years and whilst the symptoms are bearable during the daytime, my acid reflux really flares up of a night-time and causes me no end of problems getting a decent nights sleep. I was on 30mg Lansoprazole once per day up until Nov last year, but then started developing a catchy throat, water-brash and a chronic (productive) cough every evening, so my GP has put me on Omeprazole (20mg 2x per day) and Domperidone (10mg 3x per day). I had a Gastroscopy about a year and a half ago and all this found was mild duodenitis, but there was a lot of reluxed liquid in my oesophagus.
The new medication hasn't really helped so far.
As soon as I lie down of a night-time, I get gurgles and a lump in my throat, I can't swallow and start coughing. Eventually I have to get up and try and expel all the mucus in my throat. I have also had problems with my sinus' and have had cold after cold this winter. However my GP doesn't think my sinusitis is related to GORD.
I have been strictly following all the recommended GORD lifestyle modifications, (avoiding alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, fatty foods, tomatoes etc), not eating 3+ hours before bed, and I also prop up the bed on 7inch blocks and use a Wedge pillow and try to sleep only on my left hand side). The only way I get some respite is sleeping on the sofa with the wedge pillow over the arm of the sofa so I am at effectively a 45 degree angle.
Does anyone have any other tips that they can recommend as I am nearing my wits end and am struggling with my work and homelife with the constant lack of sleep and energy.
Are some PPI's more effective than others?
Thanks,
3 likes, 18 replies
Charldoc
Posted
You could try metaclopramide instead of the domperidone, you can add in an H2 antagonist such as ranitidine 150mg bd to the present regime. But it sounds like you need to be referred to an upper gastrointestinal (GI) surgeon( if you would consider surgery. They can perform a laparoscopic fundoplication....key hole operation which stops the reflux. It is a bit unpleasant eating ( initially liquid and slowly building up to solids) for 6-12 weeks. If you get a good surgeon the results are fantastic and you probably won't need any medication and will be able to eat anything and sleep horzontal. Some people find that after 6-10 yeas the "magic" wears off and they may need intermittent omeprazole 20mg again. I don't think there is a more effective PPI. Lansoprazole and omeprazole are equally effective and the most cost effective. You can take gaviscon advance in addition to all that has been mentioned above.
Bo0tsy
Posted
I think I will go back to my GP and seeing if ranatidine and metaclopramide might help. I'm a bit terrified of surgery and have read that the nissen fundoplication does have quite a long recovery time and potential side effects, so I really want to leave that as a last resort.
thanks again
lucinia Bo0tsy
Posted
wolfie840
Posted
tried every medication on the planet; I thought there was no end to my misery.
About 3 yrs ago, I did a little research into the importance of a
PH balance in the diet, and learnt that to maintain a healthy body
we require an equal alkaline/acid balance.
Most people have incredible acid lifestyle i.e. stress, smoking , drinking and working hard etc.
My point is increase your alkaline intake; and hydrate your body
I started drinking Wheatgrass juice, which is incredibly alkaline.
The healing effect was almost immediate and other countless health benefits have changed my life for good.
ines6375
Posted
I was taking PPI and following loose advice regarding my diet (no tomatoes, no spices, little fat, ...) and not getting any better.
I had problems sleeping as well.
Then I tried following a very strict diet based on the book by Jamie Koufman: no fat at all (no nuts, no oil, no fatty meat, no cheese), only food with Ph above 5 (no yoghourt, no fruits except melon watermelon and bananas), no trigger food (coffee, chocolate, spices, tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, ...).
So I eat only oatmeal with bananas, vegetables except trigger food, melon watermelon sometimes pear, chicken breast and lean fish, rice, potatoes, lentils and beans, nothing else, and no oil or dressing.
Also I am drinking water Ph 8.8 in between meals (evamor).
I started getting better very quickly, the improvement has been tremendous after just one week.
I sleep most of the night now.
blondewitch
Posted
lucinia blondewitch
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ines6375
Posted
Unfortunately when I stopped the dexilant some of my symptoms came back even though I was still following the diet.
I suffered for a few days then decided to try DGL licorice three times a day 20-30 minutes before my meals.
The effect has been spectacular, I feel normal again.
Bo0tsy
Posted
I don't know about other GERD sufferers in general, but the longer I have had this illness, the more I realise that for me this is really a 'mechanical' problem: as in the LES valve between my stomach and oesophagus simply doesn't close properly, (when I had the gastroscopy, the specialist noted this also).
Whilst watching what you eat and eating slowly makes a minimal difference, it is the affect of gravity (i.e. when laying down) or doing things like bending over to pick things up, playing with my children, or heavy physical activities that might put pressure of the stomach which I think really causes my reflux problems.
clide15673 Bo0tsy
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trev96621 clide15673
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johnn_geor48619 trev96621
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johnn_geor48619 Bo0tsy
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Bo0tsy johnn_geor48619
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johnn_geor48619 Bo0tsy
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Bo0tsy johnn_geor48619
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