[Anonymous]

I've had problems with indigestion for a long time, at least 10 years. I was diagnosed with IBS as a teenager so assumed it was related to that. However, this last week or so it's been bad... doesn't seem to make any difference what I eat or drink, I wake up with indigestion and go to bed with it too. My throat feels sore - possibly from stomach acid coming back up - and I get chest pains too, along with all the other symptoms. My stomach in general feels bloated and antacids seem to be fairly useless in preventing it.

I've tried to book an appointment but was unable to on Friday, and now I have to suffer all weekend with this, not knowing what's wrong. Additionally, because I've got a history of anxiety problems, doctors often don't take me seriously.

Has anyone else had similar problems? Any tips for reducing indigestion?

[almasy]

Eat a healthy diet, simple fix.

[kungfupoppet]

Yes, healthy eating is key here. I used to suffer tummy troubles myself and still do when I eat certain foods. I found out that I am gluten intolerant, and that fried foods like doughnuts give me serious sharp stabbing pains.
I switched to a nutritarian/vegan diet and that really works for me. I eat mostly salad and fruit, with beans, lentils and rice and quinoa for carbs. You should change your diet around and see what works for you though.

[Anonymous]

(Original post by almasy)
Eat a healthy diet, simple fix.

I do eat relatively healthily. Thing is, it's come on recently despite me not changing my diet, leading me to think there could be something wrong.

[clarusblue]

(Original post by Anonymous)
I do eat relatively healthily. Thing is, it's come on recently despite me not changing my diet, leading me to think there could be something wrong.

I'm exactly the same! People saying its related to diet are wrong on this one, I get heartburn after literally every meal I eat, even if it's just fish and vegetables! I wouldn't complain if I was eating a three course meal every night, curries, chocolate, fizzy drinks etc but even after the most bland meal I get it.

I've seen my GP, I've had to do a poo sample (yum) to test for H. pylori bacteria. If that comes back positive then I have the bacteria in my stomach and I'll be given a six week course of omeprazole (an acid suppressant) with some antibiotics to clear the bacteria. If the sample shows I don't have the bacteria then I get a six week course of omeprazole anyway.

In the meantime, rennies do really help

[Anonymous]

(Original post by clarusblue)
I'm exactly the same! People saying its related to diet are wrong on this one, I get heartburn after literally every meal I eat, even if it's just fish and vegetables! I wouldn't complain if I was eating a three course meal every night, curries, chocolate, fizzy drinks etc but even after the most bland meal I get it.

I've seen my GP, I've had to do a poo sample (yum) to test for H. pylori bacteria. If that comes back positive then I have the bacteria in my stomach and I'll be given a six week course of omeprazole (an acid suppressant) with some antibiotics to clear the bacteria. If the sample shows I don't have the bacteria then I get a six week course of omeprazole anyway.

In the meantime, rennies do really help

I've found they help sometimes, but other times not at all. For me, eating makes it better (temporarily) and it's worst when I wake up in the morning and late at night. Aren't there other ways to test for H. pylori? It did cross my mind that it could be that... whatever it is, it's not fun at all.

[Anonymous]

(Original post by Anonymous)
I've found they help sometimes, but other times not at all. For me, eating makes it better (temporarily) and it's worst when I wake up in the morning and late at night. Aren't there other ways to test for H. pylori? It did cross my mind that it could be that... whatever it is, it's not fun at all.

There's a breath test for H. Pylori but I suppose the benefit of a stool sample is that you can do it at home at your leisure(!).

It being worse at night and in the morning...is this when you lie flat? If so it might be worth getting another pillow or two to raise your head. Also try sleeping on your left, that way the stomach will be further down and won't have the help of gravity for reflux.

I'd go to your GP, it was very quick and I'm reassured that whatever is causing mine will get sorted. I cannot wait for omeprazole! It'll be amazing not having heartburn.

[Anonymous]

That was me btw, clicked anon by mistake

[wenger16]

Eat healthy and EAT AT RIGHT TIMES...

So eat breakfast but dont right before bed..

and maybe go for a walk after youve eaten.

And take gaviscon

[Anonymous]

(Original post by Anonymous)
There's a breath test for H. Pylori but I suppose the benefit of a stool sample is that you can do it at home at your leisure(!).

It being worse at night and in the morning...is this when you lie flat? If so it might be worth getting another pillow or two to raise your head. Also try sleeping on your left, that way the stomach will be further down and won't have the help of gravity for reflux.

I'd go to your GP, it was very quick and I'm reassured that whatever is causing mine will get sorted. I cannot wait for omeprazole! It'll be amazing not having heartburn.

I use 3 pillows at the moment. Bizarrely, it's when I get up that I really feel it. I dunno, I've had indigestion on and off for a long time but it's not been like this before.

[Anonymous]

I went to see the doctor, and as usual he was quite dismissive. He threw pills at me (PPIs) and lied about them, claiming they were tablets instead of capsules. I can't swallow capsules, and besides, I'd rather know WHY I'm getting this constant indigestion instead of just being given stupid pills... really starting to worry now.

[clad in armour]

(Original post by Anonymous)
I went to see the doctor, and as usual he was quite dismissive. He threw pills at me (PPIs) and lied about them, claiming they were tablets instead of capsules. I can't swallow capsules, and besides, I'd rather know WHY I'm getting this constant indigestion instead of just being given stupid pills... really starting to worry now.

PPI's are generally quite effective, but if your finding it hard to swallow them then thats another issue altogether, go back and tell them. Don't eat about 3 hours before you sleep that includes water and sleep with your bed raised slightly. Your indigestion could be because of loads of things, try and keep a diary of what you eat, how much and at what times and you may even discover a pattern

[Joinedup]

A friend had similar symptoms and in his case it was an incompetent cardiac sphincter. Took him ages to get a referal from the gp too.

[math1234]

Drink green tea by adding some mint leaves if it doesn't work then go to your GP


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Anonymous]

(Original post by clad in armour)
PPI's are generally quite effective, but if your finding it hard to swallow them then thats another issue altogether, go back and tell them. Don't eat about 3 hours before you sleep that includes water and sleep with your bed raised slightly. Your indigestion could be because of loads of things, try and keep a diary of what you eat, how much and at what times and you may even discover a pattern

I've always had problems swallowing large pills, but I've never been able to swallow capsules. I can swallow food fine, though. So far, at least. Unfortunately I have to drink water before I go to sleep or I wake up with a headache, especially in the summer. I always leave at least 3 hours between eating and sleeping though.

[Joana10]

Reducing oily/fried food might help to some extent. Clad in Armour is right, keeping a daily diary might help identify the irritant. Hope you feel better soon!

[clarusblue]

(Original post by Joinedup)
A friend had similar symptoms and in his case it was an incompetent cardiac sphincter. Took him ages to get a referal from the gp too.

That's what I'm convinced I have, I've got a very bad family history of heartburn and its consequences so I'm worried it's something genetic like that. What happened to him to sort it out, do you know?

[Florrick]

There is something called Arq Saunf, you can get in Pakistani/Indian shops.

It looks like this:
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=arq...72&tx=66&ty=87



This helps a lot.

[clarusblue]

(Original post by Anonymous)
I went to see the doctor, and as usual he was quite dismissive. He threw pills at me (PPIs) and lied about them, claiming they were tablets instead of capsules. I can't swallow capsules, and besides, I'd rather know WHY I'm getting this constant indigestion instead of just being given stupid pills... really starting to worry now.

omeprazole capsules can be opened and mixed with water or juice, that's what it says on my box.

don't mean to be harsh but your attitude towards everything isn't going to help your anxiety about this. don't be so negative about it. chances are omeprazole will just kick start things getting back to normal, but claiming your doctor is dismissive and lying, and omeprazole is a stupid pill is not going to help you in any way

[Anonymous]

(Original post by clarusblue)
omeprazole capsules can be opened and mixed with water or juice, that's what it says on my box.

don't mean to be harsh but your attitude towards everything isn't going to help your anxiety about this. don't be so negative about it. chances are omeprazole will just kick start things getting back to normal, but claiming your doctor is dismissive and lying, and omeprazole is a stupid pill is not going to help you in any way

So tell me how a PPI that decreases stomach acid (and can have side effects such as being more prone to infections or food poisoning) is going to help in the long term? If acid is coming back up, surely it's either a mechanical problem, a h. pylori infection or something worse? What I mean is, it'll still come back up whether I take the pills (which I can't, and you're supposed to swallow the ones I've been given whole, I can't swallow anything bigger than an anti-histamine) or not?

The doctor didn't examine my throat, my stomach or chest. He didn't give me a breath test. He didn't seem that bothered at all. Once they've got you down for health anxiety, they don't give a crap.