The gf had for years what she refered to as a "golf ball" in her throat. She had difficulty swallowing and it affected her breathing but there was nothing physically there as she had it checked. She was suffering from bad anxiety at the time but because it felt so physically real she refused to believe it was the anxiety causing it. But after numerous tests there was really no other option. I forget which medicine she was taking but finally the anxiety went, but the ball in the throat was probably the last symptom to disappear. I think it was such a real feeling that it actually became a cause of anxiety itself.But it did disappear in the end.

I've had reflux for years. Once you keep it under control it's ok.

Kow wrote:

I've had reflux for years. Once you keep it under control it's ok.

I'm struggling to figure out what my trigger foods are. It feels like basically everything is a trigger food! I eat small/slow, i cut nearly everything out, i dont eat past 6pm.

Djornson wrote:

Kow wrote:

I've had reflux for years. Once you keep it under control it's ok.

I'm struggling to figure out what my trigger foods are. It feels like basically everything is a trigger food! I eat small/slow, i cut nearly everything out, i dont eat past 6pm.

There are a few that are common to everyone - citrus, coffee, chocolate, tomatoes. I find anything very greasy will set it off. You have to get really strict to get it under control. Then you can break out occasionally under the supervision of omeprazole. I uploaded a book which helped me a lot to the b&b Dropbox a while back. You might find it useful.

On nsaid's now after a subluxated shoulder. They're wonderfully effective but prolonged use is not advised with pre-existing stomach problems. Slowly recovering, hopefully things will heal by itself.

+1 for Kow’s ginger advice. Add lemon slices too, if you’re feeling fancy. And whisky if it’s late in the evening.

Don’t overdo the lemon and booze if you’re avoiding them because of reflux though …

poprock wrote:

+1 for Kow’s ginger advice. Add lemon slices too, if you’re feeling fancy. And whisky if it’s late in the evening.

Yar, if it's for reflux nix the lemon, it's a killer.

Lord_Griff wrote:

My mother had something called an hiatal hernia, which caused reflux, got to be careful apparently as it can affect the lining of the oesophagus.

Aye. That can be painful. There's a tear in the diaphragm into which the top of the stomach can go through. It can heal itself I understand depending on how bad it is.

Hi Elf.

I had Covid really bad March 2020, then long covid (i was constantly exhausted for about 6 months.) Then for another 6 months my breathing was weird. Now, July 2021, i still have what seems to be GI issues (silent acid reflux.) I also don't have heartburn which is really weird and makes you wonder if you are imagining it. I think hiatial hernia would have shown up on Endoscopy.

Doctor wondered if the throat issues could be anxiety - i got one of these tests which proved it wasn't and Doctor said it seems like a legit test - https://www.peptest.co.uk/ - to be fair to Doctor, my weird breathing was solved by citalopram (anti-anxiety medication.)

p.s. i never had any GI or reflux issues before covid. It's weird. I also never took any ibuprofen before covid, (i generally avoided painkillers) maybe it was the ibuprofen which fucked my stomach.

I wish i was in high spirits the GI issues really get me down. I used to love eating now it feels like all food is poison. Peptest was good yes and they include some advise about how to minimise the problem.

@Elf - I've put a long reply in the Covid thread.  

Keep in mind that a Peptest might confirm reflux, but it doesn't confirm reflux is the sole or primary cause of symptoms. 

@Djornsen - Like you say, Ibuprofen pretty reliably "fucks the stomach" to the point that we usually no longer prescribe it without gastric protection.  (Which unfortunately doesn't happen when you buy it OTC). Avoid it like the plague if you already have stomach issues...

Djornson wrote:

tin_robot wrote:

ike you say, Ibuprofen pretty reliably "fucks the stomach" to the point that we usually no longer prescribe it without gastric protection.

Thanks, any idea how to recover? (My GP didn't seem to have a problem with me taking ibuprofen for 3 months during covid, i guess it was lesser of two evils.)

The usual stuff for GI pain I'm afraid, which it sounds like you've tried already.  

Essentially you need to give it the best possible chance to heal. No anti-inflammatories at all, and avoid other drugs that irritate the stomach if possible.  Watch out for foods that are likely to set it off too (caffeine, booze, citrus, tomatoes, onions, chocolate, mint, garlic, fizzy drinks, and, weirdly, cucumber).  Basically anything delicious (and cucumber).  

Regular PPI (omeprazole, lansoprazole or similar) at a suitably effective dose can help (I know you've tried before - try whichever one you didn't have previously.  Make sure you're not taking the tablets straight after gaviscon or they won't work.  PPIs are best taken on an empty stomach - ideally before breakfast.)

You mentioned you've had an endoscopy, so that's the most important box ticked.

And, yes, sometimes anxiety is a factor too - which won't respond to any of the above (and indeed all the advice about watching your diet, not eating late, sleeping with extra pillows etc etc can serve to make it worse instead as it's a constant reminder that Something Might Be Wrong.)  

Also, if you haven't had a Helicobacter test I'd ask for one - it's a common trigger and fairly easy to treat.  (A bacteria that infects the stomach, probably tested at your endoscopy if not before.)

Finally, and you won't see me write this very often, in your case it might be worth trying acupuncture. For resistant reflux type symptoms that have an element of anxiety there's some evidence that acupuncture can be helpful - and certainly less likely to cause further gastric inflammation than tablets. It's a long shot, but it sounds like you've tried most of the others already.

All of this obviously comes with the caveat that you should be talking to your own GP about this, which I appreciate you're in the process of doing.

I seen a peanut stand, heard a rubber band
And seen a needle wink its eye
But I be done seen about everything
When I see an elephant horse fly

Presumably after that other famous cunt, Nick.