Amanda

My name is Amanda. I am 40 years old.

I have had stomach issues for as long as I can remember mainly stomach pains.

I started to suffer from reflux about 15 years ago. I was put on omeprazole for reflux symptoms and it worked for a few years and then it gradually got worse I was then put on lansoprazole and it still didn’t improve.

I was then put on pantoprazole and had an endoscopy which showed reactive gastritis. I was ok on pantoprazole for a few years then the reflux started to come back. Pain in chest and burning in throat. Constant cough. I then had another endoscopy and biopsies which showed Barrett’s oesophagus.

I was then put on rabeprazole twice a day and famotidine 40mg  at night. My reflux and symptoms continued and even got worse for a while. They finally started settling down around 4 weeks after the endoscopy. I bought a wedge for under my mattress. 

My reflux and symptoms are mostly all gone. 

Editor's note: There are a number of PPIs that reduce acid. Amanda had to try a number before she found the one that suits her.
Wedge Pillows are part of the recommended lifestye changes to reduce reflux.
See these pages in Down With Acid: PPIs, Reducing Reflux.