PPIs not helping Acid Reflux

Hi: You have a choice to make. You can go the route of doctors and more medications or you can try a more natural route and see if it works. When you take an acid blocking drug, it just stops the stomach from making acid but does not address the issue of stomach contents sloshing up the esophagus and possibly being inhaled while sleeping. That situation is very dangerous. Also, acid blockers will eventually stop working and you will be back with even more issues.

Nasal congestion medications can be based on steroids. Steroids can cause systemic issues.

The natural route for the reflux issue would be to add nutrition to your diet to support your body's ability to heal. The best method is to juice dark green organic vegetables as well as others such as carrots and celery. Do some research on juicers and find one that works for you. Then make a trip to a good grocery store every 2 or 3 days and buy fresh vegetables. Every day make a quart of juice and then drink a pint every 3 hours. Also, include a quality organic probiotic yogurt. It will help rebalance your digestive system. So with an empty stomach, add 2 table spoons of yogurt to your pint of juice. Do this with every pint. You may also want to change your nasal medication to a different type, just in case it is the culprit. The dollar tree store has a pretty good nasal medication with few side effects, I am also looking into nasal sinuplasty as an option to get off of nasal sprays.

Try to avoid foods that are difficult to digest, like beef, fried foods, fast foods like french fries, pizza etc. You can also add a good enzyme capsule with each large meal.

Then to help with the physical issues of a weak esophageal sphincter you should first elevate the head of your bed by 6 or 8 inches using old books or wood. Also, sleep on your left side as much as possible since the stomach contents spill out easier when on the left side.

Then you can also to my carbonated water treatment to strengthen your esophageal sphincter. It is how I cured my reflux issue.

Buy 5 large bottles of sodium free sugar free carbonated water. Flavored is okay. Now 4 times a day drink 8 oz of CW and then hold down the burp for 5 minutes. It may be difficult at first but will get easier. Each week add 1 oz of CW and 5 minutes to each session. At 5 weeks you should be up to 12oz of CW and 20 minute sessions. After a few months you should be able to cut down to one session per week for maintenance. You will likely get a number of responses with different methods of dealing with acid reflux. It's up to you which one to choose. Mine may not fit into your budget or lifestyle. Let me know if you have any questions. John

I have been taking PPI tablets on and off for about 15 years, there is no evidence to suggest they will eventually stop working, some people have to take them for life. PPIs help protect against stomach cancer and ulcers and of all the medications I have been prescribed, they have the least side effects.

But if the ppi isn't working at all and your symptoms only came on after you took the nasal spray, it may not be reflux you are suffering with. You could have an allergy to your nasal spray. Is it helping your problem with the rhinitis? Have you tried other medications? If it is bearable, stop taking the spray and see if your burning pain goes away. Are you taking antihistamines and decongestants as well?

Hi. I'm sorry to hear you've been suffering. You're right that not everyone responds to a PPI. After trying a different PPI (Esomoperazole has been mentioned here and is considered the most effective of the group), you could try an H2 blocker like Ranitidine. These are usually less effective than a PPI, but can sometimes work for people who are unresponsive to a PPI.

I've done a lot of research on acid reflux, and read a lot of papers on it. With regards to acid reflux being caused by having too little acid in the stomach, I think this is a theory that isn't well tested or supported by clinical trials (e.g. where patients are given acid supplements). But I'd be interested to read anything to the contrary.

I would suggest asking for a gastroscopy to be conducted. This will check if there is any inflammation in your oesophagus as a result of acid reflux, as well as checking for other possible causes of your symptoms.

Hello,

Agree with the advice below. You need an overhaul of lifestyle- what you eat, when you eat, exercise, sleep and most importantly stress. Try finding a yoga coach if possible for a month if there is no one else to guide.

Thanks

Z

Recently had an endoscopy which showed normal oesophagus with some spasm & tiny nodule just above the the gastro oesophageal junction & antral gastritis. The overall diagnosis was Hyperemic Gastritis. Consultant is considering Barium Swallow to assess for oesophageal spasm. PPIs & Ranitidine still not giving a lot of relief.