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[HorsesHorses]

Hi again, was really hoping to get through the next few months without needing to post but here I am again...panicking and feeling low. 

Have just found out the wait for an endoscopy is 6-8 weeks!!! My symptoms are heartburn, sore breastbones, sharp gas pains burping, cough and feeling something in my throat at times. The old pre peri menopause me would take this wait as a mild annoyance. The new peri meno me is not taking this lightly. I know all the factors point to me likely being ok; I'm in my thirties, never smoked, not obese etc but neither is my sister and she got cancer at 29 and my uncle died from a short illness (4 weeks with hidden cancer) at 60 last year and he was healthy up to that point too. So as you can guess, 6-8 weeks is an unbelievably long wait in my eyes right now. No wonder im so bloody anxious! Am I overreacting?

[CLKD]

Of course you are anxious, 'fraid it comes with the meno territory    ………. also we have so many adverts pushing us to go to the GP with various 'symptoms' - in case it turns out to be cancer 

What has your GP suggested for the heartburn in-between now and when the appt. comes through?  Also, are you able to take a cancellation appt.?

[HorsesHorses]

Hi CLKD
I'm on lansoprazole (2 weeks in) and had omeprazole before that which did diddly squat! Lansoprazole not really doing anything either.

[CLKD]

How about good old Milk of Magnesia liquid?  Avoid eating/drinking within the hour before bed, I find that when I lay down is when the symptoms begin.  awful.  Burning.  Reflux ….. pain …..

Also eating little and often can help symptoms.

[HorsesHorses]

Thanks. Where's a good place to get milk of magnesia from do you know?
Had flex sigmoidoscopy today. Nothing bad but lots of spasming apparently so doc said likely to be ibs And should up my fibre. Problem is, whenever i take more fibre, i seem to get awful bloating higher up
Just my echo test to go for heart palps and the long awaited endoscopy now. (I'll ask re a cancellation when i get my appointment thru) It's a constant cycle of symptoms, worrying, tests and then a new set of symptoms, worrying and tests starting over again isn't it?
Still just trying to get to grips with it all too.
Ho hum.

[honorsmum]

Just wanted to say I know how you feel.
Since my symptoms started in September, I've had blood tests after blood tests, ECG' s, heart monitors, an ECHO, stool test, 24 hour urine collection..

When I was referred to cardiology because of tachycardia, I was told it could take up to 6 months to be seen! There is no way I could wait that long, so I considered going private, but fortunately I only had to wait a couple of months and had my tests a couple of weeks ago. However, results will take 8 to 10 weeks!

I have Crohn's and IBS and my consultant recently wanted me to have a colonoscopy to check things. However, we agreed on a compromise of CRP blood test results and a normal faecal calprotectin result - which I've just had. 
My GP won't entertain the idea of perimenopause, so ordered a 24 hour urine collection to test for a rare adrenal tumour - I did that last week and am waiting for the results.

So, I completely sympathise with you - in my head, I've had very illness going!
I have now booked to see a specialist recommended on here, in the hope of getting a diagnosis of perimenopause finally.

[honeybun]

Have you had a look at the FODMAP diet. I am not following it closely but I have noted some of the trigger foods and try to avoid whilst adding in lots of the good ones.

Might be worth a look.


Honeyb
X

[honorsmum]

Have you had a look at the FODMAP diet. I am not following it closely but I have noted some of the trigger foods and try to avoid whilst adding in lots of the good ones.

Might be worth a look.


Honeyb
X

I've recently done the same - cut out gluten, a lot of dairy, onions, garlic etc. I was meant to follow the FODMAP fully for 4 to 8 weeks, as a case study for my neighbour who is a dietician training in FODMAP, but found it a bit overwhelming, and it coincided with me struggling with weight loss from anxiety and low blood sugar issues.

[honeybun]

It's certainly not easy and when I showed hubby the "map" he asked me how on Earth I would manage it.
I have decided to just avoid as many of the trigger foods as I can without getting silly about it.

I have had an endoscopy years ago and I really don't want to do it again if I can avoid it.

Every time I visit the GP I come away with even more pills. I would rather try and tackle mt problems in an alternative way.


Honeyb
X

[honorsmum]

My biggest worry was that I would lose too much weight, by cutting out too many foods.
I have started having coconut and almond milk and cutting down on things like chocolate, cakes etc. I also take digestive enzymes, probiotics and licorice root tablets to help heal my gut.
Like you, I'm not keen on being given more steroids etc but my gastro consultant doesn't seem interested in alternative routes.

[honeybun]

Most of them are not....very closed mind to other options.

One consultant I had years ago however warned me about the over use of PPIs. He said the more you use the more you need and eventually your stomach actually forgets how to deal with food.
I think that my stomach issues stem from far too many pills over the years.
I don't take anything prescribed anymore.

Can't say I'm much better but im certainly no worse.

I had an endoscopy and also a barium swallow...neither found anything and I was diagnosed with nervous dyspepsia.......and sent home with yet more pills.


Honeyb
X

[Briony]

How about good old Milk of Magnesia liquid?  Avoid eating/drinking within the hour before bed, I find that when I lay down is when the symptoms begin.  awful.  Burning.  Reflux ….. pain …..

Also eating little and often can help symptoms.

Can only echo what CKLD says here. I have horrible burping, nausea and heartburn . It's been much better since taking HRT, but still strikes occasionally. Have tried numerous prescription drugs but the only one that helps is Milk of Magnesia. They stopped making it for a while and I was beside myself. Even tried buying it from USA! Luckily it's now back in our supermarkets, bright blue bottle, usually near the general indigestion remedies. It seems milder than some of the better known brands which can sometimes make things worse !  X

[honorsmum]

Most of them are not....very closed mind to other options.

One consultant I had years ago however warned me about the over use of PPIs. He said the more you use the more you need and eventually your stomach actually forgets how to deal with food.
I think that my stomach issues stem from far too many pills over the years.
I don't take anything prescribed anymore.

Can't say I'm much better but im certainly no worse.

I had an endoscopy and also a barium swallow...neither found anything and I was diagnosed with nervous dyspepsia.......and sent home with yet more pills.


Honeyb
X

I recently saw a GP because if a sore, lumpy throat. He decided that it was due to acid reflux (based on nothing else) and prescribed a PPI. When I researched acid reflux, it actually said that most US caused by too little stomach acid, not too much - so PPI's actually worsen the problem. I take digestive enzymes instead.
The sore throat turned out to be ...a throat infection, not acid reflux.

[honorsmum]

Can I ask which digestive enzymes you take?

S x

Solgar digestive enzymes.
I will admit, I didn't do a huge amount of research about which enzymes were best - I bought what was in my health food shop.

[honeybun]

Those are the ones I take but next time I buy I'm going to have a good look to see what seems to work best.

Yet more trial and error.


Honeyb
x