BIle Reflux - looking for some answers..

[jj9500]

I had an endoscopy a couple days ago and my GI specialist diagnosed me with Bile Reflux.  He showed me photos of my esophagus and stomach that had green bile in them (gross).  He perscribed carfate for me which is supose to coat and protect the esophagus and stomach (4x per day on empty stomach) and told me to continue with my Kapidex for acid reflux (1 x/day before breakfast).  He did take biopsies of both stomach and esophagus.  They looked pretty irritated in the photos from what I can remember (I was still pretty loopy from the meds for the procedure).  My questions are:  has anybody ever taken carfate?  If so, how long does it take to work?  And, did it work for you?  My symptoms are a burning / gnawing sensation in my upper stomach and sometimes in the esophagus.  I also have a cratchy voice and what feels like tons of mucus in my throat.  Also, I understand the bile reflux is different to treat than than acid reflux.  Is there anything that can be done to totally cure bile reflux?  Does it come and go or will I have this forever? Looking for any comments/ helpful suggestion from anyone else with this problem.  I;ve had acid reflux on and off for about 6 years.  Always on different PPIs here and there when it would flare up.  It was hard to control at times.  Other times it would go away within a month.  This is the first time I've even heard of bile reflux.  Thank you!  

[bigrroy]

I eat an apple -as often as not it clears my acid reflux. I read that an apple clears the stomach ... I found that it takes the bile acid reflux with it.

[bigrroy]

I eat an apple - as often as not it clears my stomach of the acid bile - I read that an apple clears the stomach in five minutes ... and takes the acid bile along with it.

[Lstubits]

My GI  recently suggested that I might have bile reflux since I am not responding to heavy dose of protonix And I have terrible rancid taste in my mouth almost constantly and still very bad heartburn and burning of my tongue. He prescribed cholestyramine powder.  I am supposed to take this twice per day with meals. I just took my first dose. My problem is that I take a lot of other medications for acid reflux and other serious medical conditions and the restriction on when I can take the other medications is really difficult for me. I can’t wait 4  hours to take other medications! So yes,  I have heard of bile reflux and I’ve seen a lot of posts on it relating to diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome. I am not seeing very much for my situation, which is acid reflux with bile reflux. I would like very much to know any more information others can offer. Everything I say has to do with the above situations or gallbladder being removed or Stomach surgery. I would like to join this community so that we can all figure out answers.

[Chompy18]

Where are you from? I am wondering you all can get Sucralfate prescription. I have been discharged from the hospital after elevated liver enzymes that have been normalising gradually after a week there. They given me there Sucralfate for the bile reflux among other medications and so, the hospital Dr prescribed to continue with it. They sent me home with a limited supply. My GP said I can't get this medicine because they don't manufacture it any longer in uk. I don't know how to get it and soon it's going to finish.

[Sunetra_Banerjee]

Hi, I am having severe Bile Reflux issues since past 1 yr .. My gall bladder surgery was done in 2001 and I've never been completely well after that .. But this horrible reflux started only a yr back .. I always feel tired, irritated .. I'm taking pantoprazole once in the morning .. Then Sucralfate 4 times a day .. And Cholestyramine powder (once everyday mixed with water- but inevitably causes constipation the next day) ..

I want to be a part of this group to share experiences and learn from others ..

[selmaS]

  Thanks for your input....very helpful info.

[Rebd]

I've had severe bile reflux for some time and as a medical professional I sought medical help first. All of that failed to the point of making me far worse. I've had my gallbladder removed, and I have a hernia. Both can aggravate bile reflux. All the over the counter meds and the meds given by my doctors made me worse by design. Their design is to stop production of acid which then slows the emptying of the stomach. So, the bile sits there, and then begins to build, and build, and build some more. I had read a article by another person who realized the same thing and stopped all meds for a few days and then started over with certain supplements and diet. I decided to do the same. It was a week of agony for sure. I relied on saltines and water, no salt. I began using milk thistle 250 mg two in the a.m. and one at night. Milk thistle normalizes liver enzymes. Bile is a function of the liver. I've also heard about slippery elm, and marshmallow (not the candy), and I'm looking for dosing on those. Bland diet, probiotics, and keeping the bowels moving are essential. As your system normalizes you can begin to add foods back one by one. All the blogs I read make it clear that diet may be individual to a degree. Certain foods are common. Spicy, vinegar, citrus are off most people's list.
If anyone has dosing information on slippery elm and marshmallow please let me know. I have capsules, not tea.  Thanks, and good health!

[BileConcerned]

Hi,

Can you give me some information about your support group for Bile Reflux?  I was just diagnosed with Bille Reflux and taking Cholestyramine which helps almost completely with the symptoms.  I would like to explore other remedies with other refluxers.

Thank you.

[olhares75]

Hi you said you had bile reflux after gallbladder surgery, I am feeling the same at the moment. My surgery was two months ago but I would like to ask you if this symptom went away with time I mean If you no longer have it. Did it get better with time?

[Smiley2000]

Hi there,

I also had bile reflux (lost my Gallbladder a few years prior) and what really helped for me was Gaviscon Plus.  Not the normal Gaviscon.

Something that you can try.

All the best,

[krn1954]

I have recently ,2 weeks ago, been diagnosed, finally...with Bile Reflux. Luckily I am having great relief with the Carafate...some constipation ,but stomach pain  is almost completely gone...I am hopeful that this is the ticket.I have been through every test ,myself believing I had heart problems. So I am now concentrating on doing my part...weight loss,exercise..

[paulx2]

HI, I am a 39 year old man, gall bladder removed, initially had severe irritation of the stomach and then it cleared up for ariound 6 months before returning on and off. I am also in the UK and my specialist just prescribed sucralfate (Which is the UK name for Carafate I believe).

Of course the pharmacist at Lewisham Hospital has now told me that Sucralfate is not available in the UK anymore for the foreseeable future!! Absolutely incredible, I cannot get the medicine the specialist prescribed due to a supply issue!! Now I just haven't got a clue what to do.......this country and the NHS is a joke. My specialist says it is not worth worrying about but I feel that it will ultimately lead to Barretts and/or cancer. Not sure why he keeps fobbing me off...........I suppose he just isn't that bothered but I do know that my 6 year old daughter is bothered that I am now feeling depressed, in pain, nauseous and very very grumpy. I just can't believe that there is no cure or treatment for this even though according to the net it is very serious. As far as I know Josie PPI's (Omaprezole) is for acid reflux, not bile reflux and PPI's can make bile reflux worse. I am not a doctor obviously but I would check it out for yourself online as your doctor will just give you the first thing on his list after he has googled it, take control yourself and MAKE them help you, they are duty-bound and should try to help. I spent 2 years trying different PPI's and got nowhere. If I can ever get my prescrioption I will let you know how I get on with suralfate. Good luck. Paul

[JosieBH]

Hi. I am in the UK so may have different drug names. Anyone else in the UK?  I had my sphincter of Oddi cut 12 years ago to alleviate some bile flow problems which solved all the problems. Now I have recently had a whole new attack of similar but not identical symptoms and also a lot of bile reflux which is leaving me feeling really ill and nauseous. I have been prescribed Omeprezole which I think is a PPI (?). Any comments that may help?

[Lillye]

I have had bile reflux since before my gallbladder surgery in July of 2011---I have used all of the things you mentioned...I think the digestive enzymes helped as well as the camomile, tea, ginger tea, Zantac, and a protein powder called Whey Cool...I would mix a scoop with a very ripe frozen banana, almond milk, a little stevia and sometimes a bit of pineapple...it helped when I was so nauseous I couldn't eat and lost 30 pounds from an already thin body...I did try Carafate, Protonix, domperidone, and a multitude of natural remedies...I find when it is bad, it just takes time....I even tried acupuncture a few times a month, cranio sacral, massage, chiropractic, visual imagery etc...all helped but prayer and time were the answer...

[JLZ0517]

I had my gallbladder out 3 1\2 months ago and suffer from bile reflux and gastritis. I could use any advice to help relieve this.

[Katkak]

Have you started a support group?

[Katkak]

I want to join.
I have just been diagnosed with bile reflux,  I am taking Omeprazole a proton inhibitor which has eased my attacks but nevertheless I continue burping and feeling full with cramping in my mid section.  I have been on a no alcohol diet since since the day before new year when my most severe attacks began I have lost 15 lbs since cutting fatty foods (but not mint and chocolate) untill I was diagnosed I didn't realize these were strong agitators of my condition.  So it's been three days, I am learning as much as I can but the thought of not going out for dinner anywhere ever again and eating bland and boring food is very depressing, does it get easier over time.  How do you learn to cook again?  When does the pain stop? When does the burping stop?  I have to be strong but I have to be honest I love food and life I am a normal woman I am not obese nor twiggy my bmi is in the normal range,  I want to enjoy a glass of wine again, and have a steak again, will I ever?

[ng1031]

I fear barrett's esophagus or cancer. Especially if there is nothing that can really be done for it.

[survivor1111]

ABSOLUTELY!!!  We have to take out  health into our own hands especially with this disease because there is little help it seems.

[ng1031]

I read that most people with bile reflux have damage to their pyloric valve. Anyone ever been given proof of this and how was it diagnosed? Just wondering why I would be experiencing this post my total colectomy surgery. I am starting to wonder if 8 years of chronic constipation is to blame.

[loony56]

I have bile reflx and starting a support group with Gayle 54, interested? loony56

[loony56]

I relate to you too! I am starting a support group for Bile Refluxers, interested contact me.  loony56

[loony56]

I have Bile Reflux. A few others want a support group to this horrible illness. I agree. I have many remedies that could help. Diet change, herbal teas, digestive enzymes, Marshmallow root, chamomile and slippery elm is what helped me with digestive enzymes. If any one is wanted to talk and start a group let me know. Gayle54 and Loony56

[ng1031]

Ginger/Peppermint/Fennel tea use to be a god sent to me prior to my total colectomy surgery. I usually got the Eaters Digest one. Doesn't do as much for this bile issue. I guess the Marshmallow root tea actually has a coating effect similiar to the Carafate and antacids.