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Heartburn and heartache - Paul (21st Aug 2021 - 03:46:33) Gauging opinions here as I have become frustrated with medical opinions. I have had a hiatus hernia for nearly 20 years now and have run the gauntlet of everything there is to cure the constant heartburn with no success. Omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole, ratnitidine(now discontinued!), Pepcid, famotidine, the list is endless! All of these have had no effect just made things worse.Totally fed up now, has anybody had a similar problem with no joy? Have you had any luck with alternative treatments? Be very interested to know, thanks!

Re: Heartburn and heartache - Sarah Clark (21st Aug 2021 - 10:39:08) Hello Paul, I've had issues with hiatus hernia for 25 years, tried all of those, that you mentioned, all seemed to work, for a while, and then stop. I started using Peppermint oil capsules, last year, didn't hold out much hope, that they would work,but was amazed to find that I had no pain or discomfort, took a few weeks to start working, I took 2 at night, just before bed. They work a treat. Have upped them to 3 a night now, as 2 seemed less effective, after a while. Got them from Holland and Barrett. Best thing is, no horrible side effects. Good Luck. Sarah

Re: Heartburn and heartache - Russ Ellis (21st Aug 2021 - 10:42:37) Paul so sorry to read your plight my late wife had the same problem . She suffered several years but fortunately our doctor was very good and sent her to a specialist who recommended an operation quite a major one but it worked she had no more trouble such a relief. Chase your doctor I would think best of luck.

Re: Heartburn and heartache - sarah clark (21st Aug 2021 - 11:15:27) Hello Russ, I was offered the operation by my GP, so i did some research, and found that the operation isn't very successful, Spoke to a guy, that had to have it done twice, he lost a huge amount of weight, due to only being able to eat the equivalent of baby food for nearly a year, whilst waiting for second operation. Sounds like your Wife, was one of the lucky ones. I was told that as my job was very physical and involved a lot of lifting, that i would need to take almost six months off of work, as I wouldn't be able to lift anything! ( I was a Chef ) With a mortgage to pay, that wasn't an option.

Re: Heartburn and heartache - Paul (21st Aug 2021 - 13:53:10) Thanks for that Sarah. I saw your review on H & B, one question, do they give you heartburn as some of the reviews mention that they do. Just don't want to take anything that's going to make my heartburn any worse.

Re: Heartburn and heartache - Rachel Rabbit (21st Aug 2021 - 14:01:55) As already mentioned,Peppermint oil capsules are great. Try Ginger too! One of the best remedies is oddly enough, Apple Cider Vinegar, you can buy the good stuff which is un-parsturised , organic and contains "The Mother" from the Bran Tub in Petersfield as well as other reputable suppliers. Try to avoid spicy, gassy and high fiber foods! Alcohol is not helpful ( even if it feels like it lol) either. Wearing a "binder" or type of corset when you are working can bring great relief too. Hope this helps :-)

Re: Heartburn and heartache - Jackie Bond (21st Aug 2021 - 14:45:53) I sympathize so much am In the same position and have gastritis as well as HH. Omeprazole helps mainly but not all the time. Constantly chewing Gaviscon tablets too. Have you tried The Acid Watchers diet!? Have a look at it on Amazon

Re: Heartburn and heartache - sarah clark (21st Aug 2021 - 15:17:27) Hello Paul, No I've not had heartburn since i started taking them. Hope that helps. Good Luck. Sarah

Re: Heartburn and heartache - Russ (21st Aug 2021 - 15:21:55) Sorry to hear your problem but I’m talking late 60s I think medicine must be a lot better now. And of course we didn’t have the internet then but I must say my dear wife had many years free from the nasty problem.Best of luck.

Re: Heartburn and heartache - Helen (21st Aug 2021 - 16:16:37) I did suffer from this problem some years ago, changed my diet to a very healthy one and have not had a problem since with it.

Re: Heartburn and heartache - lac (23rd Aug 2021 - 10:06:56) I sympathise with the problem and agree the management isn't always straightforward. For those who don't know a hiatus hernia is a a physical problem where the top part of the stomach is pushed up through the diaphragm. This reduces the effectiveness of the sphincter at the lower end of the oesophagus which in turn allows acid from the stomach to reflux into the oesophagus. This causes inflammation and pain (heartburn). It can be a hereditary problem. There are standard protocols for treatment of this pain. Conservative measures like losing weight, antacids of various sorts, reducing alcohol intake and adjusting diet will be tried first. Drugs like omeprazole work very well and are used long term. Importantly more sinister conditions have to be ruled out by testing for ulcer causing bacteria (heliobacter) and endoscopy to biopsy and check on the condition of the oesophagus. If not well controlled, the acid can cause serious complications in the longer term. Surgery is a final option if the conservative approach doesn't work. I would urge readers of this posting to consult their doctor and work with them to decide the best options. The internet or forums like this can give poor, out of date or even dangerous advice. I'm not a doctor so have no axe to grind but consult an expert, not a forum and be persistent in asking for help. There is no magic cure (e.g. peppermint oil) only some "herbal" remedies which may help mild problems but no persistent discomfort should be ignored. Consult a doctor. In the end surgery may be required and these days the results are very good. Surgery always carries a risk but this has to be balanced against the potential very serious problems caused by poorly controlled oesophagitis caused by a hiatus hernia. Go to your doctor again and discuss future management and obtain up to date information on the options you have. At the very least a persistent heartburn problem should be investigated. Heliobacter should be ruled out, an endoscopy done to examine the lower part of the oesophagus and upper part of the stomach plus an x ray taken to show the extent of the hiatus hernia. The management choice is then yours after consultations with your doctor - lifelong medication or surgery.

Re: Heartburn and heartache - Mary W (26th Aug 2021 - 23:58:44) I am a bit worried by this post - can I ask whether any of the sufferers developed a cough due to l the acid getting in the the airways during the night?

Re: Heartburn and heartache - Paul (29th Aug 2021 - 09:30:54) In reply to lac, I understand all of what you have said as your documentation is well known fact. Going forward is not an easy option as I stated in my original post, I have gone through just about everything with many doctor consultations. I just really wanted to gauge others opinions as to whether they have had success or not with the same problem. In reply to Mary, yes occasionally have had cough but that maybe due to pf which I have had also for many years.

Re: Heartburn and heartache - Sarah Clark (29th Aug 2021 - 11:42:58) Hello, In reply to Mary, yes I used to get the cough at night, due to the acid reflux. My GP advised me to take Omeprazole first thing in the morning for it, I went back and told him that that didn't work, as when I woke up, in the morning, the acid was already there! So he said take medication at night, so when I started using the peppermint oil capsules, I take them at night, before bed, for that reason. Kind Regards. Sarah

Re: Heartburn and heartache - Sarah Clark (29th Aug 2021 - 12:14:54) Hello, In reply to Lac, yes I had numerous consultations with my GP, he also suggested that it could be food intolerances, before being diagnosed with Hiatus Hernia, I was tested for helicobacter, Then I was referred for Gastroscopy, at clinic in Tadley, where they found I had a HH. My GP was very keen for me to have surgery, As he said I was young(40)and I would have to live with the condition, for the rest of my life. But I did my research, and I worked at a lot of Hospitals, and spoke to Staff and other sufferers about the success of it. I do understand your concerns that people are self diagnosing, and not going the GP route, and I have known at least 2 people, who have been fobbed off, by GP's, without doing the tests, who were then diagnosed with cancer, when their symptoms worsened, and have since passed away, due to misdiagnosis. Hope that answers your question. Kind Regards. Sarah

Re: Heartburn and heartache - Paul (7th Sep 2021 - 19:36:50) Thanks again Sarah for that extra info, it's a minefield when you go to the gp as mostly all they do is give you tablets, if one doesn't work they give you another. Everyone is different with a HH and what works for one might not work for another. Changing your diet is ok but you have to stick to it and that's not easy. Anything like a small glass of fresh fruit juice can start heartburn off without knowing.

Re: Heartburn and heartache - Bush (8th Sep 2021 - 05:28:05) Try sleeping on the right flank.

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