Acid Reflux Medication

[Eve]

Hi,

Are there are any medications available on prescription for acid reflux stronger than omeprazole or lanzoprazole or what is the highest dose they can be taken as?

[MadMen]

My Lanzoprazole is 15mg. I have no idea if you can get a higher dose (expect so) but it doesn't help me much. I've got to the point now where I am sick of going back about it though.

[Sqad]

You can try Zantac (Ranitidine)

Omeprazole 40mgms twice daily is a hefty slug.

Why not mix the two......Omeprazole and Zantac or Gaviscon.

[Eve]

Awww :( It's crap isn't it. I had it quite bad anyway (and loads of air in my system) and that's with 40mg omeprazole a day.

Just downed some charcoal tablets after spending my day off feeling like I've been blown up like a ball with heartburn.

[MadMen]

I can second Zantac. I've only recently discovered it (after someone mentioned it on here actually) and it's much better.
As I say, got sick to death of seeing my doctor about it, so quite happy to stick with these.

[gingejbee]

I was prescribed 20mg omeprazole twice a day for 6 weeks PLUS Gaviscon Advance (specialist was most insistent about the Advance) after every meal and at bed time. Sorted me out a treat after years of problems.

[Eve]

Ooh, hello, you snuck in there :)

I've been on and off it for years but back on with gallbladder (before and after) bleugh and then to try and dampen down the heartburn from methotrexate (use my menieres stemetil for the nausea).

Thought I'd get some knowledge before I speak to GP about it again.

Mind you, if I do end up as a ball, rolling about might be easier on my joints ;) ;)

[Eve]

Ooh looks like Gaviscon might be a winner then! Can you get it on prescription? I've seen it in the shops though it looks quite pricey.

[gingejbee]

....and I also have Menieres....!

[gingejbee]

Yes, the Gaviscon Advance was on script - huge bottle.

[Eve]

Ah yeah! :) Do you feel like you get excess air and pressure in your head, around your ears as well as in them.

The charcoal tablets are good but I tend to turn to them when it's really bad (desperate measures!) and when in the safety of my own home, alone! Feel a little less like I have a belt round my chest now, trying to that the horrible lump feeling in my throat to go and be bit less breathless. Urgh.

[gingejbee]

At the moment, my right ear feels really "full" and is ringing loudly....

[Sir Alec]

I'm on 40mg omeprazole twice daily, but it has given me a swollen abdomen and I will be asking the doc if I can reduce the dosage. Gaviscon did nothing for me and I was given Maalox, which turned out to be milk of magnesia and worked wonders. I also take Metoclopramide for nausea.

[MadMen]

Andrews Salts are also good.

[Sir Alec]

I've always enjoyed the odd dose of Andrews in the past, MM. Good for bringing up all that 'hot air'. Stopped buying it when my Mum was diagnosed with heart failure and just forgot to get any more. Will add it to my shopping list!

[Eve]

Thanks for all the ideas, much appreciated. I'll give some of them a try and see if they help and see whether upping the omeprazole is an option too.

I know taking methotrexate has made it worse but damned if I'll let the drug beat me without it doing its job.

[johnny37]

Has anyone considered coeliac disease. Before I was diagnosed I used to get severe heartburn daily and the only thing that relieved it was a heaped teaspoon of bicarb in a little water. When I went on a gluten free diet it completely disappeared.

[Octavius]

I take mebeverine 3 times a day, not sure on dose, but works intermittently for me.

[society]

Half a teaspoon of baking soda added to a glass of lemon, lime or orange juice works miracles according to my late dad. He used to drink this everyday. Just for fun I would drink it sometimes because I think it was delicious.

[Eve]

Ooh I'll have to try that Society!

Thanks Octavius, I was on that years ago but not for while as it didn't help my bowel condition.

I'm sure I was tested for that a while back Johnny, years ago. My gastro dietician is trying diets for me though and the main one at the moment is back on wheat and other stuff free, back on it from tomorrow after a telephone appointment with her earlier. She thinks fructose might be a problem for me though.

I was called I to see a GP earlier as I woke up with a horrible chest/throat infection type thing so am back home on sick sofa with a big bottle of very pink Gaviscon, antibiotics and an inhaler and vitamin D meds as my level came back low again.

Really hoping the 40mg omeprazole twice a day and omeprazole does the trick for the reflux :)

[Scarlett]

Diet can really help with this. I have a hiatus hernia and therefore indigestion and reflux if I don't take 40mg of Omeprazole a day. However, if I go gluten-free or just adhere to "Eat right for your Type" book, or avoid high acid foods, then I instantly feel better. It means cutting out all the things you know are bad for you- processed food, wheat, dairy, alcohol, sweets, crisps etc. Not rocket science but works really well.