I’m having trouble determining if my issue is heartburn or acid reflux. It occurs in the throat mainly and can almost make me gag at times. I took Omeprazole for a while but have now weened myself off. I’ve diet modified, and reducing sugars has helped, but overall it’s pretty raging still. Any other ladies dealing with this and have some top tips ?
– Sophie, Hertfordshire
Sophie, it has been since last November that I have been having both GI and pelvic issues. After having an endoscopy recently, I was told my esophagus and stomach were very inflamed and it was heartburn. They have me on 2 medications for the next month. I have had several appointments with 2 different GYNs who are recommending 2 completely different approaches. The funny thing is that I just got off the phone with a friend from church who did a documentary series for webmd and based on the ladies she interviewed, she is 100% sure the 2 are interconnected. She is going to send me links for her naturopathic doctor and the link for webmd series. My friend and I both agree that there is something that is causing the inflammation and throwing medication on it is not going to solve the underlying issue. If I make any progress in my health journey, I will let you know.
I had an endoscopy a few months ago and it showed esophigitis and chronic gastritis just like you. But I was told to take Esomeprazole or Omeprazole for 3 months. But like you say, the medication doesn’t solve the cause of the inflammation, only reduces the amount of stomach acid so the stomach and oesophagus can heal itself. I am 42. And I think I have been experiencing pre menopause symptoms for at least 2 years but and after tracking my GI symptoms it seems to be worse when there is a fall in oestrogen which happen in the 2 weeks before a woman gets her period.My mother said she experienced peri menopause for 10 years before finally entering the menopause. Does your friend think that there is a definite link between hormonal falctuation and GI problems? It would be really interesting to know how you progress with your naturopathic approach. Thank you for sharing!!
Try reducing dairy and gluten for a few weeks. Often times taking a probiotic can help with symptoms of reflux. It could be a low stomach acid issue and not too much stomach acid. When stomach acids are too low bad bacteria has a chance to grow causing symptoms of acid reflux.
Yes. Unsure how to proceed myself. Have modified my diet but eating is difficult. Losing weight in the wrong way.
Hi Caroline, please have yourself checked out, especially you are losing weight. An endoscopy would be able to show what the problem is. If you are better informed about what you have you will be able to research and get help from a professional to solve this. Take care!
It could also be a hiatal hernia. Mine was diagnosed with an upper endoscopy about a year ago after years of heartburn and acid reflux. I’ve changed my diet a bit but my gastroenterologist has prescribed Protonix twice a day, and it’s been a life changer.
I was diagnosed too this year. My doctor said it’s small and also put me on Protonix. I have been on and off Protonix for years. Never cared to take it due to the side effects and link to Alzheimer’s. I have managed my symptoms through diet modification and when I eat something I shouldn’t I take Pepcid. I also take Probiotics too.
I have a hiatus hernia as well my diet isn’t too bad apart from one coffee a day but I take medicine every morning, tried to stop and feel awful after 2 days lots of acid/reflux, not sure only change diet can solve the problem.
I was diagnosed with a hiatus hernia as well, that is causing inflammation on my oesophagus(oesophagitis) and chronic gastritis. I was given Esomeprazole for 3 months. It’s helping more than Omeprazole. What is Protonix?
Pantoprazole. It’s a proton pump inhibitor, by prescription only. I tried all the OTC medications and nothing helped. My case is pretty severe. I take Protonix twice a day (most people take it once), and liquid Gaviscon for breakthrough, and still avoid trigger food like spicy, acidic, and fried foods. I am probably a candidate for surgery but it’s pretty complicated and I’m avoiding it as long as possible.
I was diagnosed with oesophagitus and a hiatus hernia. Unfortunately, I was allergic to the medication, so I had an operation to put my stomach back in place and tighten up my oesophasgus. This worked very well and the acid reflux stopped immediately. The operation can be done under key hole surgery, which meant I could leave the hospital the next day. However, for two weeks before the operation, you have to go on a strict diet in order to shrink your liver to make it as light as possible, since they have to physically hold the liver out of the way while they are carrying out the operation, which takes about 2 hours. Then, for 6 weeks after the operation, you will be on a liquid diet, which isn’t as bad as it sounds. It really is worth the effort for the relief you get.
I’ve recently had a bunch of bad digestive symptoms and sadly the thing that helped the most was dropping dairy from my diet. I’ve had no problem with dairy my whole life but now it’s really been triggering reflux
Hi Sophie, I’m 53 and overweight by about 4 stone, which definitely makes reflux worse.
I take Lansoprazole (similar to Omeprazole) and Gaviscon tablets to chew when needed.
Being over weight & a bad diet aggravate things. There are certain foods that will make me want to throw up, if I eat them on an empty stomach. Eating late at night, sugar & missing meals are not good. The acid in my stomach is much worse if I’ve missed a meal. Smaller meals are better… a little and often I was advised. I’ve found that if I feel I’m definitely about to throw up, taking some semi skimmed milk stops it immediately, it’s quicker than chewing a Gaviscon tablet quickly. I never thought I’d be someone who drank milk when feeling like throwing up. ?
Unfortunately, it’s a trial and error thing with foods that aggravate. Eating a little & often. Keeping your weight down. Propping your mattress up. Not missing meals. Hope that helps.
Sorry, ended up writing War & Peace.?
Wow! I too have had acid reflux for about as long as I’ve been in perimenapause and had never linked the two. I have modified my diet slightly and take Pepcid AC daily. I had been taking Nexium, but my doctor advised that it could interfere with vitamin absorption.
I have switched to almond milk and nitro coffee, which is less acidic than regular coffee.
Hi. I had reflux years ago and it was all fine and managed with omeprezole until about two months ago when it came back really badly. During the lockdown we have eaten more simply and it seems I can no longer tolerate spicy or too fatty foods. The GP said gaviscon will help and it does when necessary. Also drinking lots of water.
I have just started to take Garden of Life 50 and Wiser Women supplement, found it on Amazon. It contains a reduced amount of iron, as a Meno lady doesn’t need so much, and digestive enzymes. The vitamins and minerals are all derived from raw sources and is vegan friendly. Big news is that I’m registering a total reduction of heart burn ??2 tablets twice a day with meals.
If it’s whilst you’re sleeping, prop your mattress up (top end) so your not laying flat.
Hi Sophie. I’m the same but still on the omeprazole. A reduced dose now but can’t get rid of it. It’s for acid reflux and it’s only come in about 3 year ago. I’m 48 now. Does get better with diet but as soon as I change diet a bit it’s back. Is it here for long term? Don’t know yet but hope not. Stick with diet changes if you can. Can’t suggest anything else. Sorry. Good luck.
Hello! I get terrible acid reflux and find that apple cider vinegar helps. I was also on omeprazole and have stopped taking a month ago when I started the ACV and it seems to be helping.
I’ve had the same thing in the past and it ended up being an ulcer. Might want to have that checked out?
Hi Sophie, this could present merely with diet and lifestyle, I am not sure if reflux/heartburn could be attributed to the menopause though. Omeprazole is a very good treatment and can be taken long term (with some side effect – little benign polyps in the stomach). If you are taking any anti inflammatory’s such as ibuprofen then it’s a must. Anti inflammatory inflammatory’s irritate the stomach lining. You could have a bug in the stomach called helicobacter pylori which can cauSe similar symptoms and more so it’s worth a visit to your GP and it is easy to treat. Good luck (I am not a doctor) x
A colonoscopy or endoscopy with a good gastroenterologist might sort you out! It isn’t pleasant but it gives the docs the info they need. It turned out that I had H Pylori and a hiatal hernia. I can manage now on Gaviscon and avoiding beans and broccoli and spicy food. It includes chocolate ?
Exactly the same, pain I’m middle of chest and everything after about 6 months of suffering, I’ve cut out all gluten and it has helped so much already
Thanks ladies, I’ll give the Apple cider vinegar a go. I definitely think there must be a link with hormone change and this acid issue. Coconut water can take the edge off sometimes. Despite eating less and feeling full very quickly I’m not benefiting from any weight lose. Oh well?
I was told the reason I had acid reflux at night was because I was cutting off my food supply around 5 pm. It was suggested of me to eat something before bed that is low acid and low fat. So I ate a couple of rice cakes or a nonfat yogurt. It was amazing how i didn’t have reflux. Seems your body produces those nasty digestive juices in your stomach and it helps so much to have something they can use it on rather than shoot it up my esophagus.
I was having a burning sensation in my chest and Prilosec helped most of the time, but then read a couple articles that said “never have coffee on an empty stomach” – which I was unaware I was doing – and I stopped using dairy in my coffee, too. Then I bought natural peppermint-ginger vitamins and started taking two first thing in the morning before anything and dropped the Prilosec and it works. No more pain and no more medicine. Certain acidic foods can cause a mild flare up and I’ll take the Prilosec the next morning, but I am no longer living on it or in pain.
HOPE -light at the end of the tunnel
Hi. I am 53 and I have not had a period for 18 months. Weight gain, acid and aching joints have been my symptoms. I went to my doctor 4 months ago. He is a life saver!
1. He gave me Ozempic for weight loss. I have lost 12 lbs. My aches went away immediately, the same day as the first injection. No hip ache, no knee ache. I can lay on the floor and play with the dog!!!
2. I told him I felt like there was a ball in my stomach and the acid would choke me in the night and follow me every day, all day. I felt like my liver was outside my rib cage, like I was 8 months pregnant. I had an ultrasound and I had gall stones. I opted to have my gallbladder removed, laparoscopically removed 1 week ago. Results: my liver is back inside my rib cage; acid reflux gone the minute I came out of surgery; hair thick and silky; aches vanished completely; nails have grown and I have no ridges. I can touch my toes with no aches or without having to hold my breath. My skin is soft and clear. It’s all amazing. The gallbladder was killing me. They say: female, fat, fertile and forty causes gall stones. I say it’s peri menopause! Get rid of it. My wounds have taken a week to heal but I managed a 3 mile walk the day after the operation.
I am continuing with Ozempic for now. It is used for type 2 diabetes, which I am not. Initially it has nausea as a side effect. If you can tolerate nausea for two weeks go for it! The nausea dissipates after that. I get nausea for an hour after each injection of 1mg. After that I am fine. Injections are once a week. I have my body back! Walking, running, tennis and now I am learning golf!!!
It’s been 9 days now and my husband is amazed. He keeps singing, ‘oh, oh , oh Ozempic!’ My best friend thought I had plastic surgery! I still have slight pain near the surgical wound if I sleep on my right hand side. I have lost another 10 llbs since the surgery. Each morning I wake up half a pound lighter and I sometimes I cry with happiness.
Thought I would share xx good luck out there!
I have heartburn daily and have been taking Esomeprozole for about three years. I have to take antacids daily and/or baking soda mixed with water to settle it down.
Yes, for quite some time. I’ve tried Prilosec, Zantac (before it was removed from sale), tums, yogurt, hum supplements and diet changes. The best thing I’ve found that works for me is Metamucil.
Those are really the same thing. Mine has improved since I’ve done 16 hour fasting. Didn’t expect that but welcome additional benefit
My pain is also in the throat. I have been suffering for most of this year but it became worse in June (2020). I thought it may have been thyroiditis (I have under active thyroid that’s been fluctuating since a bad virus late last year). After 5 different doctors and 3 months later a doctor said I was more than likely suffering from throat cancer!!! I freaked out! Hospital 5 days later and endoscopy. No cancer, no sign of anything wrong. She prescribed omaprozole and gaviscon for 2 months. New blood test this week showed my thyroid has shot to nearly overactive again. Doc thinks I may have had thyroiditis.
I find forums both here and online help me manage the problem more but it’s best to make sure it’s nothing serious. Take care.
I had this problem last year. I had the Mirena removed and then wow- I was just an acid fest! It got pretty bad and I was waking up in the middle of the night with heart palpitations. I think I was getting nutcracker esophagus from the reflux. It started to get to the point where drinking hot liquid was making my esophagus spasm. I took Protonix and then weaned down with Prilosec for about 4 months. I cut out all acidic foods, figured out what my trigger foods were, and got a wedge pillow. During that period, I was waking up some nights with acid up to my throat. Gaviscon was the only thing that really helped with that.
Now it seems like it is mostly diet. I’m getting the Mirena back in a month in hopes I can help with the hormonal issues. Unfortunately I get migraines, so estrogen is out. I have never had good hormonal balance and have had digestive issues since I was in my 20s. The only time I really did not have issues was when I was on birth control.
hi ellen i had my mirena removed about 4-5months ago and since then my acid reflux has been so bad my throat burns mostly around my period and i have started waking up in the night with bad anxiety attacks. Did having the mirena put back in help you out? thanks
I was suffering from heartburn and shortness of breath some times I went to see my doc he said I am diagnosed with H phlori he gav m H Phlori kit and mmt for two week started to feel better bt my chest was very heavy went back after 2weeks he gav m omaprozole bt seems omaprozole are making things worse coz am now feeling neck discomfort
Hello I am 55 and have been menopausal for two and a half years. I have had IBS on and off since my 20s but in the last few months I have been suffering from acid reflux. It is awful. I am looking at holistic options to treat this. Currently using Kefir and going to try probiotic capsules. I don’t smoke , drink alcohol or caffeine. I am within my healthy bmi but just want to be rid of this feeling. My younger sister has suffered from this for years. I get odd back and rib pains and tingling in my back after eating which seems to be related to the reflux issue. Not sure if a little anxiety is exacerbating things. With tinnitus and a mild prolapse since starting the menopause journey it really isn’t fun. I definitely don’t want to use hrt or any prescription drugs if at all possible. I would love to hear your suggestions please.