Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group hart birn

I've been geting bad hart burn and indijestion for about a month now.
I do not know about anyone else but I realy hate it. In the past I have stoped some meds rather than poot up with it, I would rather have the pain. I take Losac to combat my meds and it has always done a good job but I was wondering if it starting to loos it afect. It seams to be there just under the surface waiting to pounce. It does not seam to mater how cairful I am about what I eat. The main affect is I'm back to not sleaping again and that is having all the usual nockon affects.
Any ideas?
remadies, wives tails?
I was told that liquerish works, sound crazy but I will probably try it.
BI for now Hugh

I have never had heartburn, Hugh, but my mother has and I know she has found success with other meds like Losec. Maybe it has lost it's effectiveness and it's time to try something else.

You shouldn't have to choose between pain and heartburn - quitting some meds because the side effects are too much. Have you talked to your Doctor? Seems some changes are in order to make you comfortable and allow you to sleep again!

And... Yes, we can agree - YOUR leg hurt worse than MY big toe (but my big toe hurts right now, and your leg is healed - so my toe DOES hurt worse RIGHT NOW)

Take care and good luck!

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Kristin

If I am not on losec, every day I get heart burn. I have it 24 7 when I am not on losec. I think the mdeication really does a number on the stomach. I am going in for a scope some time soon to make sure my stomach is ok. I also find that I get heart burn even when I take the losec, but not that often.

I find milk really helps me when my heart burn acts up. I also keep a bottle of tums around just in case. Losec is also suppose to work as a long lasting solution and not a quick fix, so my doctor also gave me some fast acting medication that I can use if needed. I never needed to use it so I gave it away.

I think heart burn is normal when taking as many drugs as we do. So if you keep a few things around for the times the losec does not work you should be ok. You may also want to get a scope to see if you stomach is ok.


Kirk

Hugh,

I take Pepcid. It seems to work very well for me.

David

Hugh,

I had heartburn for a number years and took Tums every night befoe bed. Last year I went in for emergency surgery to have a gangronous Gall Bladder removed. Ever since it was removed I havn't had heart burn once. I was on Clinoril and Prednisone at the time. I'm no longer on Clinoril (Vioxx & Pred now). Turns out Clinoril is known for Gall Bladder problems. Doc's can't say for sure if that was the cause.

For sure get it checked out big time. It could be the cause of some other root cause like mine was. I know chronic heart burn can have many causes. You have to insist on test to look further. Good luck.

Kerry

PS- How's your diet?

Howdy, Hugh:

GERD; gastric reflux disease, is a common condition of AS and can be quite severe and even dangerous.

It could be treated quickly, easily, and effectively by someone familiar with the basic cause of AS. There is distortion in the esophagus and the sphincter (valve), likewise, is deformed so that upper stomach contents (the most acidic) can backwash too easily.

Remaining upright long after any large meal can help until the underlying cause is addressed. Sometimes an ulcer can cause the upper stomach lobe to contract at the wrong time, which will force the low pH fluids back up the esophagus. Myrrh tincture in the form of Swedish Bitters might help with this, but if it does, the treatment for the H. pylori (ulcer bacterium) should be initiated.

I was able to decipher nearly all of your post except 'nockon affects;' sorry, I do not know what that means.

Good luck to you,
John

John,

Do you have any more information about this h. pylori bacteria??

Thanks!

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Kristin

Hi John,
I just read the posts below and saw that John (DSlayer) pointed out that standing after eating minimizes the chance of acid reflux back into the esophagus. It makes sense and you may also try another method for night time. Put some 4 to 5 inch blocks under the legs of the head end of the bed which will put your bed on a bit of an incline but reduce the acid going to your throat area. Try a 3 inch raise first to see if that works.

You got me on "nockon affects" too.

George

Breb Assyl

That's very interesting - thanks John.

I didn't know Gastric Reflux disease was a common condition of AS!!! I've had it for years, but it finally got bad enough for me to need an endoscopy done about 4 years ago (pre-AS dx!). I was told I have "Severe Regurgitative Ulcerating Oesophagitis" (which I'd never heard of) and it was thought to have been possibly caused by NSAID use. I don't have the "H. Pylori" thing, but was put onto Losec, and told I'd probably need it for the rest of my life! It has helped a lot, although I'm now taking double the original dose. I still have to be very careful of what I eat and when, etc., and I did wonder if it was in any way related to Ucerative Colitis (of which I have a family history), but was told "No", at that time.

Best wishes,
Sue

Hi Hugh,

I have a similar problem, and also take Losec every day. I had to have the dose increased a couple of years ago, to 40mgs a day - the max dose allowable, apparently. I also take slippery elm tablets with/after each meal, which I've found to be very helpful, as they line the stomach (you can buy then in the Health stores over there), and psyllium husks on my cereal each morning seem to help as well. If I'm really suffering, I chew my way through a pack of Rennies a day, but thankfully, it's not usually that bad!

I eat frequent, small meals, and try and avoid a large evening meal, if possible. If I get too hungry, it seems to make the heartburn worse too, so I carry around something to eat wherever I go (even barley sugars will help), and drink plenty of water. I've had to cut out coffee and alcohol, but can still drink 3 cups of tea a day without suffering. (Any more, or any kind of acidic juice, such as orange or apple, will also aggravate it.) I also make sure I take all my meds with food, rather than on an empty stomach, whatever the instructions say - my GP agrees it's a good idea.

I don't know what dose of Losec you're on, but, if it's not helping any more, it sounds like it's time you paid your GP/specialist a visit.

Good luck,
Sue

PS I was so pleased to read the other day about how well your kids are doing, and how proud of them you are. It makes everything else seem worth while, doesn't it?