Hi it my first post about Reflux...

Hello, I am not a doctor but I am a newly diagnosed patient and I will tell you my experience
The nightmare of my reflux started last May within a week after finishing a strong course of antibiotics. Suddenly within a week after my last dose of antibiotics, I had severe heartburn, lump in throat, burping etc.

In June, I had an endoscopy and I was diagnosed with mild gastritis and a tiny hiatal hernia and prescribed pantoprazole. Unfortunately I developed new symptoms and my reflux was aggravated.

Within a ten days after taking pantoprazole 40 mg in the morning, I had cough especially after eating or in my sleep, hoarseness after eating, dyspnea, rhinitis for first time in my life, ear pains and the worst symptom of all it was that I started coughing bile, a green liquid. I also had many other side effects such as headaches, aches in my bones, dry mouth

In August, I stopped cold turkey the pantoprazole and the rebound was tough as I had severe chest pain.
I decided to have a manometry and phmetry-impedance test. I visited another doctor and told me that according to my results, I have weakly acid reflux and a little bile( not acidic reflux) and pantoprazole and PPI's are not for my case. I was prescribed riopan gel and a prokinetic drug but I am not back to normal unfortunately. The lump in throat has diminished, but I have constant swallowing feeling because of hypersalivation.

I think that ibuprofen and paracetamol triggered your reflux flare up again. I have also iron deficiency but my doctor advised me to avoid iron tablets in this phase.

Apart from endoscopy did you have additional tests? You should find what type of reflux you have in order to take the appropriate medication...

Mary

Thank you both for your replies. When I went to doctors after my flu I was given a nasal spray because I was told the cough was from a nasal drip. I have started using it again as I do have a bit of a runny nose. My cough has now gone but I'm still chesty. In the 3 years I've been on my meds I have never had any more discussions about my medication, maybe I should have a chat to see if I still need to take so many. I live in Hull, England and you can't just get a call back from a doctor you have to have an appointment. I would love to come off my meds but don't know if I dare. I was told about Gaviscon Advanced that we sell over here and it's suppose to be great for silent reflux, do I'm giving it ago tonight instead of taking my night medication. I wish there was an easier way to find out how bad your reflux is as I hate having endoscopy's, last one I had made me have a panick attack, I dread them.

Middleaged1......... Yes your awake, they use a spray that numbs tha back of your throat, that way you can have the procedure and go home straight away. They do them under a local anaesthetic sometimes but its not really an option they give you.