Indigestion and feeling concerned.

I've had a few pelvic u/s in my time, so feel pretty good about that part. As for the abdomen, I'm also google trained and am wondering if the specks could be like micro-stones. They look nothing like actual stones, which seem pretty obvious on u/s. I'll just have to see what the doctor says about it at this stage.

It's good to hear that you are able to live with this BlueSky, and just manage it. Hopefully I can do the same without invasive solutions being needed.

CafeAuLait I’m not a doctor, well I’m google trained, but those specs could very well be sludge in the gallbladder, which could cause your symptoms. I’ve had abdo ultrasound and recently a MRCP scan to have a more detailed view of the area, as the ultrasound showed stones among other things, but this came back as ’no further action’, just as well as it was done nearly a year after the original scan. I get the occasional flare up perhaps once o twice a year, and I find liquid Gaviscon works wonders. Good that the heart has been
ruled out, and that you are having abdo and pelvic ultrasound.

Me again with another update. Things have been more settled recently though not perfect. I had a bad day where I did take myself to emergency just to make sure the chest pain wasn't anything heart related. All tests done, it's not my heart. I decided it's time there were more tests done. The doctor didn't seem that keen but referred me for a pelvic and abdominal ultrasound.

I don't have the report yet but everything looked as expected. The only thing I did notice is that my gallbladder looked fine when lying down but, when they did the standing up shot, I could see a few tiny white specks in it. Not what stones would look like when obvious on a scan, but maybe very small floaters of something? I did some reading and it looks like those little things can cause symptoms that are just like mine if they are passing out of the gallbladder. I do get minor pains in the area but it's okay when it's pressed on, so no-one has worried about the gallbladder yet.

I will find out this week but might be onto something.

I take Slippery Elm have just found owt about it it was recommended, has well has acid it’s good for Diverticular. I stoped having indigestion and acid after taking it for 2 day very good, read the reviews on it...

Elizabeth1

CafeAuLait get back to your gp ask for a gallbladder scan I’m certain you may have Gallstones if food has anything to do with it as you have mentioned I too get indigestion if I eat my favourite lamb chops and ice cream-occasionally my gall bladder flairs up and I have to watch what I’m eating otherwise I need to take gaviscon which helps immediately. Wishing you all the best take care

Thank you. Yes, that is next on the agenda if taking a slightly longer course of PPIs doesn't work. The current theory is it is gastritis but that hasn't been proven. The blood tests suggest that gallbladder is okay but you never know. I only took two weeks of PPIs at the minimum dose. The GP did think it would take longer if I took the minimum dose (up to a month). You bet that if this next two weeks doesn't work I will be asking for scans and a gastroscopy. I'm not happy to just treat symptoms, I want to know why if this continues. It was improved. None of the heartburn, just a burning in the stomach. That tells me it's not yet done.

CafeAuLait get back to your gp ask for a gallbladder scan I’m certain you may have Gallstones if food has anything to do with it as you have mentioned I too get indigestion if I eat my favourite lamb chops and ice cream-occasionally my gall bladder flairs up and I have to watch what I’m eating otherwise I need to take gaviscon which helps immediately. Wishing you all the best take care

Whiff

CafeAuLait I have acid reflux but one of my blood tests showed heart problems. Diagnosed with heart failure just means my heart isn't working properly. Had echo and bubble echo found out last year at the age of 62 I am was born with a heart defect. Luckily it's not a hole but something else. Because of Covid further tests have been delayed. But because my heart beat am on the list for a 24 hr tape.

Not saying you have anything wrong with your heart but when was the last time you had a full blood test ? Might be worth asking your GP to do a full one.

So, I did that. Full range of tests including heart. All tests came back normal except for slightly elevated CRP inflammation markers (which I expected due to the whole intestinal thing).

It looks like there's no urgency to anything but I think I'll repeat the CRP after a couple more weeks of higher dose PPIs. If it still isn't sorted I'm going to ask for scans and a gastroscopy.

Thanks for the ongoing support. I'm feeling quite frustrated. I've just got myself a collection of blood tests ordered for, well, everything. I doubt there is much change in six months but worth checking.

I have severe angina, have had a couple of heart attacks, and also chronic indigestion due to my medication. My GP said that acid reflux can mimic symptoms of heart problems.
I have eventually learned to tell the difference, after becoming quite anxious about it at times. Omneprazole didn't work, but I now have alternative medication Lansoprazole, which helps.

I first went on Lansoprazole after having heart palpitations and acid reflux at the same time. My then GP didn't know if the palpitations caused the reflux or reflux caused palpitations. But after I started taking the Lansoprazole reflux and palpitations stopped. That was 4 years ago. Had to come off Lansoprazole 2 months ago as as I had very low sodium and folic acid levels. Was given folic acid tablets for 3 months. Take gaviscon after meals it works.

I had a full blood test a few months ago. It was all fine. ECG was fine. I literally climb mountains so think my heart would have let me know if there was a problem by now.

The doctor wasn't concerned about my heart but who knows? Did your heart problem cause your indigestion, or did it mimic indigestion?

I've had a stressful week but I'm sure this was worse this time last month too. So I'm wondering if it could be hormonal too. The problem is it could be so many things. I guess I'll go back and see the doctor next week.

CafeAuLait I have acid reflux but one of my blood tests showed heart problems. Diagnosed with heart failure just means my heart isn't working properly. Had echo and bubble echo found out last year at the age of 62 I am was born with a heart defect. Luckily it's not a hole but something else. Because of Covid further tests have been delayed. But because my heart beat am on the list for a 24 hr tape.

Not saying you have anything wrong with your heart but when was the last time you had a full blood test ? Might be worth asking your GP to do a full one.

So I did the lowest dose of PPIs for two weeks. Came off it, had six wonderful days where I thought I was almost on top of it. Last two days have been uncomfortable again. Took a PPI last night, it helps. I'm so frustrated. I was doing so well the last week and feeling optimistic and much happier about life.

Wondering if it's hormone related? I've got depressed now.

growstuff, yes, I thought if it was different to what I was used to I'd have got it checked. I did Googling and decided, on the basis of symptoms I did have and symptoms I didn't have, I was sure it was still indigestion. I was having a moment when I posted this thread. I feel better about it now. Thanks for your support.

Alexa, I like Gaviscon Advance. I think it's a good brand. I'll keep chicken soup in mind too. I think that would sit well. Thanks.

I try to take Omeprazole only intermittently. I find Gaviscon liquid helps acid reflux , and also sometimes a very small meal of something bland like half a cup of Ovaltine, or a few spoonfuls of tinned cream of chicken soup.

My advice (and I'm not medically qualified in any way) would be to seek help if something is very unusual for you. For me, the sign that something was really not right was the breathlessness and feeling that I had something deep in my airways preventing me from breathing. When the docs were taking my history and I told them about the feeling of indigestion, anxiety and sweating, they said they were all warning signs, but on their own I couldn't have known.

I was awake during the procedure to insert a stent. As soon as it was done, I could breathe again and I felt fine. It all happened so quickly that I had no permanent heart damage, but it could have been very different.

Thanks growstuff. I didn't have any of the symptoms you described. I'm glad you called 999 too. If in doubt, it's worth checking.

CafeAuLait

No worries growstuff. I've had indigestion all my adult life on and off (way more off than on, so it's not really that common, just bad when it does flare). If I thought there was any possibility it was my heart, I'd have had it checked straight away. I'm reluctant to go to the doctor if I can sort something myself but I do go if I need to.

I hope your health is good now.

Yes, I'm fine. I have hardly ever had indigestion in my life, but when I have I've taken Gaviscon, which has sorted it. I didn't really worry about it too much. I didn't have the classic symptoms of a heart attack. I did feel a bit anxious and sweaty and then felt breathless (I'm not asthmatic). I was hesitant about ringing 999, but glad I did. I guess you know what's not right for you. When I was in hospital, I was told that the feeling of indigestion was the first symptom and if I feel like that again, I shouldn't hesitate to ring 111 and explain my history.

Good to hear you have talked it over with your GP Cafe
and there is a plan to ease it with medicine and you’re considering your diet.
A combination of that, and if you can, to ease the stress in your life sounds like the right way to go ?
Good Luck ?

CafeAuLait at least you have done your bit. Well done!

Oh, and thank you everyone for the little push of encouragement to go and see the doctor.

growstuff - if you are willing to share, what were your symptoms and if you've had actual indigestion, how was it different before your heart attack? Thanks.

I admit I have been a bit slack with my diet recently. And I have a stressful life. And NSAIDs from time to time. Hopefully within a month I'm back on top. If not, I'll follow up further.

No worries growstuff. I've had indigestion all my adult life on and off (way more off than on, so it's not really that common, just bad when it does flare). If I thought there was any possibility it was my heart, I'd have had it checked straight away. I'm reluctant to go to the doctor if I can sort something myself but I do go if I need to.

I hope your health is good now.

Ooops! Sorry about posting twice.