Question:

I have had a similar experience: first asthma for years, then sinusitis was diagnosed in April after I was unable to get rid of a cough. The latest addition has been the acid reflux; my symptoms have been heartburn and an irritated esophagus, more than full reflux. I would attribute it more to the cough than postnasal drip in my case, but I believe PND and resulting stomache upset are also causes. I found ANeal’s original musing–"I wonder if the stress of illness brings out this problem"–interesting. It seems that for me, one illness keeps leading to another—ack! my body is breaking down! Tagamet has been helpful, and I have not had negative side effects…what were the side effects you two have experienced? Jan s…@linus.mitre.org (Steven D. Litvintchouk) wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> In article <50mm14$…@newsbf02.news.aol.com> aneal70…@aol.com (ANeal70235) writes: > > Someone mentioned in a recent posting that acid reflux/heartburn was > > associated with chronic sinusitis (I’m sorry I can’t remember who)! I have > > had chronic sinusitis for 10 to 15 years, but only in the last 2 years I > > have had constant symptoms of reflux. It seems to get worse with certain > > decongestants or antihistamines. Also, I get side effects from acid > > inhibitors like tagamet and antacids were not powerful enough. The only > > thing that has helped at all is not eating for 4 hours before going to > > bed–thank goodness this helped. > > I’m curious how many people have had reflux associated with their > > sinusitis. I wonder if the stress of illness brings out this problem in > > people prone to it or if all the postnasal drip affects it? > Excessive post-nasal mucus dripping into the stomach can cause stomach > upset. > Another possibility is that an otherwise mild case of reflux (which > might go unnoticed) can be exacerbated by the chronic coughing which > is one symptom of chronic sinusitis.  That has been my > experience–whenever I cough too hard (I have sinusitis and asthma), > especially after I’ve eaten, the contents of my stomach can reflux. > BTW, I thought I was the only one who couldn’t tolerate the H2 > blockers like Tagamet!  My physician switched me to proton-pump > inhibitors (e.g., Prilosec), which I found worked at least as well and > had no side-effects.  Of course, YMMV. > — > Steven D. Litvintchouk                     "There seems to be no mainframe > Email:  s…@mitre.org                    explanation for the PC world > Disclaimer:  As far as I am aware,       in which we’re living." > the opinions expressed herein                    – President Bill Clinton > are not those of my employer.

Response:

Hi, Someone mentioned in a recent posting that acid reflux/heartburn was associated with chronic sinusitis (I’m sorry I can’t remember who)! I have had chronic sinusitis for 10 to 15 years, but only in the last 2 years I have had constant symptoms of reflux. It seems to get worse with certain decongestants or antihistamines. Also, I get side effects from acid inhibitors like tagamet and antacids were not powerful enough. The only thing that has helped at all is not eating for 4 hours before going to bed–thank goodness this helped. I’m curious how many people have had reflux associated with their sinusitis. I wonder if the stress of illness brings out this problem in people prone to it or if all the postnasal drip affects it? Amy aneal70…@aol.com

Response:

In article <50mm14$…@newsbf02.news.aol.com> aneal70…@aol.com (ANeal70235) writes: > Someone mentioned in a recent posting that acid reflux/heartburn was > associated with chronic sinusitis (I’m sorry I can’t remember who)! I have > had chronic sinusitis for 10 to 15 years, but only in the last 2 years I > have had constant symptoms of reflux. It seems to get worse with certain > decongestants or antihistamines. Also, I get side effects from acid > inhibitors like tagamet and antacids were not powerful enough. The only > thing that has helped at all is not eating for 4 hours before going to > bed–thank goodness this helped. > I’m curious how many people have had reflux associated with their > sinusitis. I wonder if the stress of illness brings out this problem in > people prone to it or if all the postnasal drip affects it?

Excessive post-nasal mucus dripping into the stomach can cause stomach upset. Another possibility is that an otherwise mild case of reflux (which might go unnoticed) can be exacerbated by the chronic coughing which is one symptom of chronic sinusitis.  That has been my experience–whenever I cough too hard (I have sinusitis and asthma), especially after I’ve eaten, the contents of my stomach can reflux. BTW, I thought I was the only one who couldn’t tolerate the H2 blockers like Tagamet!  My physician switched me to proton-pump inhibitors (e.g., Prilosec), which I found worked at least as well and had no side-effects.  Of course, YMMV. — Steven D. Litvintchouk                  "There seems to be no mainframe Email:  s…@mitre.org                         explanation for the PC world Disclaimer:  As far as I am aware,       in which we’re living." the opinions expressed herein                 — President Bill Clinton are not those of my employer.

Response:

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