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Started Gaviscon Advance liquid today. Last hope

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 8/26/2013 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
Well,  i have a sinking feeling that this is my last hope if i indeed do have LPR.  I only took 2.5 ml just to see if i had a bad reaction.  Does anybody really understand how to use this?  It says it stays floating on the stomach contents for 4-5 hours, but the stomach empties much faster than that.  Also,  what about drinking water or snacks in between meals?  I assume this is out, and something else to remember?  It seems to me that moving around would slosh this mixture around and make it less effective anyway.  Many questions.
Posted 8/29/2013 9:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hi lobstahguy,

How is the gaviscon going?

I have been taking it for the last 7 months and find it quite affective for my lpr. You can have a total of 80ml in one day. I have 10-20ml after breakfast, lunch and tea and then half hour before bed.

The idea is that it shields the throat from refluxing acid and creates a barrier on top of the stomach contents until they have digested, even if you are to still reflux stomach contents after taking it, the gaviscon raft itself is more likely to reflux into the esophagus which is better then acidic stomach contents.

As for eating and drinking in between, as soon as you eat something it will break up the raft so try not to eat for at least 2 hrs after taking it. Drinking is a bit different, I believe water will not affect the barrier but i'm not sure about other drinks. I hope this helps.

Posted 8/30/2013 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there, so it really helps you?? Ive been so disappointed with everything i dont hold much hope. Ive been taking it for 3 days so its too early to tell. I kind of assumed that eating between meals would be out. I want it to work so im doing my best to avoid that. I did read that it binds with pepsin and bile making any reflux less caustic. My biggest fear is that it helps but causes another candida flare-up like the acid blockers did. I still cant get rid of that mess.
Posted 8/30/2013 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
Yes it has helped, I suffered GERD and lpr before pregnancy and now 39 weeks pregnant I don't know what I would've done without it. I'm not a doctor but I could not see it causing candida, it only contains sodium and calcium and is not absorbed into the blood stream that's why it is recommended during pregnancy.
What are your lpr symptoms?
Posted 8/30/2013 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
My doctors dont know if i have LPR or irritable larynx because my symptoms came on literaly overnight when i had a capsule attached to the inside of my esophagus. It was a procedure that i didnt want but got roped into. It hurt so bad that i think it gave me vagus nerve damage. However, i do have the top 3 symptoms of LPR, globus or lump sensation, hoarsness and voice loss with sore throat, and excess mucus in the throat. My vocal folds are visibly swollen. I have tried acid blocker for 3 months twice a day and they caused the candida infection. Nothing has helped so far. What are your throat symptoms? Do you live in England?? You said you use the Gavsicon after tea, does that mean you dont eat dinner?
Posted 8/31/2013 4:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, yes they do sound like typical lpr symptoms. My symptoms are pretty much the same, chronic sore throat, hoarsness, tight throat, I have never really experienced heart burn. I live in Australia, by tea I meant dinner sorry. I have a swig after dinner then half an hour before bed, are you having success with it?
Posted 8/31/2013 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, ive only been on it four or five days so its too early to tell, but im hoping for some improvement as i am miserable. Ive never had heartburn either. Did your symptoms come on suddenly? p.s. always wanted to visit Australia
Posted 9/1/2013 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
I live in queensland it is a very beautiful part of Australia.

I have had my lpr/silent gerd issues for 7 years. I was only diagnosed 2 years ago, I am booked in for a upper endoscope as soon as bubs is born.

If there is one thing I have learnt with lpr it does take time for damage to heal and your throat and voice to feel normal again and I mean weeks not days so give the gaviscon time to work. I'm guessing you have already discovered certain foods can make symptoms worse and to sleep elevated, nothing to eat at least 3 hours before bed.

Posted 9/1/2013 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, my docs arent sure if i have LPR or irritable larynx syndrome so i dont really notice any difference from what i eat. Some foods do burn my throat however. Ive been eating foods with a ph above 5 and elevated my bed, tried acid blockers, dont drink water after meals, pills pills pills, you name it i have tried it and i am no better than i was when this started six months ago. I hope the Gaviscon works, but i get the globus sensation so bad they put me on ativan, which is a whole other problem to deal with. Its not good. How bad were your symptoms?? I could not speak at all for 3 months when i was on the acid blockers and now i can only talk in short intervals without the pain.
Posted 9/1/2013 12:50 PM (GMT 0)
lobstahguy

I can't remember if you have tried carafate or not? It coats the esophagus and stomach in liquid form. Or if you were to get the pills it dissolves easily in water. you make a slurry of it and drink it so it coats your esophagus. Just something else to throw out there if you haven't tried it yet.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 9/1/2013 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bill, i had a prescription for it but when i went to pick it up it was almost $300. I about fell over. I also didnt like what i read about the side-effects. Have you tried it?
Posted 9/2/2013 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
I have read several places that any antacid including Gaviscon can cause candida to be worse. I think this is happening to me again. Great. No answers for my throat problem.
Posted 9/3/2013 12:55 AM (GMT 0)

lobstahguy said...
I have read several places that any antacid including Gaviscon can cause candida to be worse. I think this is happening to me again. Great. No answers for my throat problem.

Did these sources specifically say Gaviscon or did they just say antacid? Because Gaviscon Advance is not considered an antacid, it does nothing to change the pH of stomach acid, just prevents it from refluxing. There are other Gaviscon products that do have an antacid component, maybe that is what they were talking about.
Posted 9/3/2013 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
mattinthehat2502


How can Gaviscon Advance stop reflux?

Take care,
Bill
Posted 9/3/2013 4:08 AM (GMT 0)
From what I understand the UK version of Gaviscon Advance has more (alot more) algenic seaweed--the layer or raft that prevents acid from following up to your esophagus. Even the Canadian version has more of that compared to the US version. US version uses more antacid ingredients from other forums I read. Also, the Canadian and uk version should be more "safe" than the US version as they do not use aluminum. My general doc told me that I should stop taking it for awhile (more like he didn't want me to take it everyday), as aluminum build up in your body (if absorbed) can raise your risk for dementia (yay). He tried to look for something similar OTC that didn't have that ingredient, but no luck. So i told him I would try the UK or Canadian version.

Asked my friend, who on a trip to Canada to pick me up some of it up for me. Tablet of 100 costs around 18-20 USD dollars. Going to see if this helps me. (80 dollars worth). Suppose to work well at night/when you go to bed as the raft lasts several hours. And you can't eat or drink after you take gaviscon, unless you want to dissolve the raft.

You can also find gaviscon advance on amazon from a vendor from the UK. think its 8.99 + 6 dollars for shipping.

Post Edited (Chilifries) : 9/2/2013 10:12:16 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/3/2013 11:11 AM (GMT 0)
Chilifries

Thanks for the explanation of the difference.

lobstahguy

Was that for the liquid or the pills?
I have used carafate quite often. The liquid suspension is very expensive, but IIRC the pill form is fairly cheap. But to get best results with the pills you need to mix it with a little water and swallow the slurry.
I personally haven't experienced any side effects from it. I know several members here have used it also and I don't remember anyone having any side effects.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 9/3/2013 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
Bill, i think it was the liquid. Im just so sick from everything i dont know what to do. Im using the Gaviscon Advance from England but i really think it is making my candida infection worse. It binds with gastric acid which has to lower the stomach acidity which in turn allows the candida to fourish. This is the horrible catch 22 im in.
Posted 9/3/2013 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
Good Afternoon,

It feels to me like we are in the middle of new thoughts, studies and conclusions are being made daily re what is GERD, what is LPR etc.

Non-acidic reflux is a major cause of laryngeal inflammation, and patients with this disorder present with a constellation of symptoms that differ from classic gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). The most common symptom is chronic laryngitis. The mechanisms of injury and pathophysiology of this disorder are still being interrupted and there is no gold standard for diagnosis. Non-acidic reflux is an area of active research and several hypotheses explaining how injury occurs are currently being explored. Pepsin and bile appear to be implicated.

The best type of Gaviscon Advance they should purchase for relief of non-acidic  reflux (LPR). The  answer  appears to be   Gaviscon Advance Suspension made by Reckitt Benckiser which contains at least 500mg of sodium alginate in 5ml dose (1 tsp) or 1 gram in 10cc dose (2 tsps).

 

This formula of Gaviscon Advance cannot be purchased in the United States, but instead overseas from the United Kingdom. Occasionally, Amazon.com carries it. 

The Gaviscon Advance sold in the USA is manufactured and distributed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and not Reckitt Benckiser. The US brand of Gaviscon Advance  contains less of the key ingredient sodium alginate which helps with non-acidic reflux. Alginate is a natural product derived from seaweed. The alginate reacts with the acid in the stomach to produce a "raft" barrier that acts as a physical block to reflux. It is the only non-surgical treatment that can physically prevent reflux disease regardless of whether it is acidic or not. Alginates work rapidly, are long lasting, inexpensive, and have no known side-effects.

There is so much new info coming out it is literally a challenge  to understand each new study.

Kindly, Kitt


 
Posted 9/3/2013 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
Kitt, I had high hopes for it. Tried it 7 days and it seems to be causing a candida outbreak for me. The protonix i was on for 3 months caused a massive candida problem that i cannot get under control. I would like to continue the Gaviscon, but im so sick from the candida i had to stop. No idea what to do now. I have tried everything. I cant imagine living with a throat condition like this. My voice was making a comeback then just went out.
Posted 2/24/2014 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
LPR ongoing 6 years plus/minus. Ordered product today after reading medical articles reporting that pepsin and bile exposure are most likely cause of LPR/non-errosive GERD(NERD). Hope specific instructions available with the product. Have googled and no in-depth info available regarding eating/drinking after taking the product.
Posted 2/24/2014 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
It is time we recognize that GERD is not the same thing as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and that the treatment for GERD does not treat LPR. LPR is much more complicated than GERD. Much to learn on the web but for the most part PPIs and the other norms for treating GERD will not treat LPR. Instead a different treatment plan is warranted. LPR culprits are pepsin and bile versus stomach acid. For more information read the article Reflux Revisited: Advancing the Role of Pepsin (International Journal of Otolaryngology Volume 2012).
Posted 2/25/2014 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
lobstaguy - There are so many different versions of Gaviscon it is getting difficult to keep track. But if too much candida is your problem, it may be due to low stomach acid. If you are on acid suppressing drugs, that can cause candida to flourish.

So the version of Gaviscon you want is the one with least amount of antacid ingredients. I believe that is the Canadian version, which has only 63mg of magnesium carbonate - just enough to activate the sodium alginate, but not enough to significantly reduce acid.
Posted 5/13/2014 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
I've had GERD with cough since my early 20s (late 30s now). I've done PPIs, H2s and long term antacid use. Recently I hit on a formula that changed my life. about 3 months ago I started drinking 2-3 litres of water everyday and just before bed I take Gaviscon Advance. My symptoms have all but disappeared after 20 years of daily oesophageal burn and reflux cough...

Before I started the water routine I had taken Advance and it was effective, but I needed to take it through out the day to contain symptoms and even then there were breakouts. It maybe some of you drink 2+ litres of water a day already, but if you don't please please try it but give it at least a week.
Posted 4/20/2015 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
I see this thread is almost a year old but after reading it I am wondering if anyone here has had success getting off of ppi's using Gaviscon Advance? I am in the US so don't know if the stronger version is available or not. I am desparately wanting to get off of ppi's. I have been on them for over 15 years and developed gastroparesis almost 5 years ago. I'm wondering if there is a connection in my case since low stomach acid (from ppi suppression) can cause delayed stomach emptying??
Thanks ~ Carol
Posted 4/21/2015 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Carol,
I couldn't tolerate PPI's and before having a toupet fundo - was put on ranitidine 300mg morning and night. I found that I weaned off them quite well with this - the ranitidine isn't as long lasting - but did the trick. I don't think you can get gaviscon advance in the US - I always found it was a good 'top up' when I was having a bad time, but it was mainly the ranitidine that got me off PPI's.
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