Hi

I am not sure how long that you have been taking the Omeprazle, but sometimes it does take a good time for it to work properly.  I have been taking it for 20 years now and still have occasional flare ups, where I get a persistent sore throat and a feeling like I have a lump in my throat.  It is usually worse after I have been stressed for a period of time.

I was sent for an endoscopy at the beginning of this year due to the above symptoms, after taking a double dose of Omeprazole for a couple of months.  I was scared that I had cancer too, however I was told after the procedure that all of my problems were down to GERD, they took a couple of biopsies from polyps in my stomach, but they turned out to be benign.  

Dont panic that the pills arent working, you are now in a catch 22 situation, you are naturally worried about it being cancer and worry and stress makes it worse.  The good thing is that they usually can give you a good idea at the time of the procedure, whether or not there is any thing sinister there.

I was given some very good tips for living with GERD which are:

1: Have the Omeprazole beside my bed and take it as soon as I wake up, it must be in my system for at least 30 mins before eating or drinking anything other than water.

2:  Stop eating 2-3 hours before bedtime.

3:  Try to sleep with your head / upper body raised up if possible, or alternatively try sleeping on your left side (harder for the stomach acid to flow up hill into your throat).

4:  Learn what food makes it worse, for me its coffee, chocolate, citrus fruits, tomatoes, alcohol.

I also at the recommendation of the consultant, still take a dose of Gaviscon Advance liquid at night (available without prescription)

It is really good that your doctor has referred you for an endoscopy, hopefully they wont find anything wrong, and you will be like me, just having to alter somethings to get on top of the acid reflux.

Good luck and try not to worry too much.

Annie

Thank you so much for your reply Annie. I probably haven't given the omeprazole long enough to really work and haven't been waiting long enough before downing my morning cuppa - I've waited for food but not for drinks. Hopefully following your tips will help to relieve the symptoms, which in turn will help with my stress levels - the Omeprazole making no difference has convinced me it must then be cancer. I'm glad your endoscopy was fine - most of the stories I'm reading about people needing an endoscopy because of symptoms ends up being cancer, which isn't helping my sheer panic. 

I appreciate you taking the time to reply - it has helped to ease my worry a little and to give the medicine a bit longer to work before I write it off.

Thanks Annie. I'm still breastfeeding my baby, I just can't have cancer!