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[C.Ann]

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[mjkacmom]

I had a similar diagnosis after my endo/colono, inflamed, chronic something or other, a couple of polyps - I'm bad, eat spicy food, drink wine - but prilosec works really, really well for me! He did a lot of biopsies, but everything turned out okay.

 

[C.Ann]

I had a similar diagnosis after my endo/colono, inflamed, chronic something or other, a couple of polyps - I'm bad, eat spicy food, drink wine - but prilosec works really, really well for me! He did a lot of biopsies, but everything turned out okay.

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It's kind of odd, because I really don't eat much in the line of spicy foods - maybe a couple of times a year - and I don't drink alcohol at all..

 

[themarquis]

I'm surprised they didn't already have you on prilosec. It really can be a lifesaver for people with acid reflux (or actually all three of the problems they diagnosed you with). You should be taking a full prescription dose (I think its 40 mg) per day (not the 20 mg of the over-the-counter). GF has been through all of this and she finds that divided doses (two 20 mg doses, two times per day) work well, and sometimes she goes up to 60 mg per day as well. There are some other medications that people also have success with, like aciphex instead of prilosec (if the prilosec doesn't work); there is also something called gaviscon that some people like (it thickens stomach contents -- I think you can get it OTC).

The thing with GERD that is confusing is that different people react very differently to each food. Some people have no problems with spicy food or coffee or (fill in the blank), while other people can't tolerate them. I know you haven't been eating a lot lately, but try to keep track of each food you eat and how you react to it -- that will help you find out what foods are "safe" for you. GF can't do orange juice, coffee, alcohol, but spicy foods and tomato-based things are okay in moderation. Milky and creamy things can feel okay at first but actually end up aggrivating the problem in the end, so don't go too heavy on those.

The doc is right that no big meals at night is a really good rule. A lot of small meals throughout the day (don't ever let your stomach get empty b/c that can actually cause a lot of pain and suffering!) is also great for most people. It may take you a long time to find out what works best for you, but you can do it!

 

[C.Ann]

Tks..

 

[lemondog]

My DH had the same test done a few years ago. He was dx with a hiatal hernia and acid reflux, specifically GERD. The hernia was mild enough that the doctor said losing weight would pretty much eliminate it (he's about 20 lbs. over his ideal weight), but naturally DH didn't do that, lol! He did start daily medicine therapy and it has worked miracles on his reflux problems. He takes generic something (maybe prilosec?) daily, plus reglan because he was throwing up alot as well, and that combo of meds has more or less eliminated any issues he was having.

Oh yes, he was also dx with h. pylori-induced ulcers, but he took all the meds to eliminate the bacteria (called a PrevPac) and that took care of the ulcers. Good luck!

ETA: He did give up smoking and caffeine 10 yrs. ago when the ulcers were found, and that made a WORLD of difference in his symptoms. Today his GERD/heartburn only seem to act up when he drinks whiskey, so he very rarely drinks it.

 

[themarquis]

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Funny you should mention the food journal because I was just thinking about that last night before I went to bed..

I've been a heavy coffee drinker for many, many years - can't seem to function without it - but I think I'm going to try to switch to Folger's Half-Caff; then decaf; and hopefully end up cutting it out entirely.. From past experience though, I know I will have to do this slowly to avoid the excruciating headaches from the caffeine withdrawal.. Don't know what I'm going to substitute it with (I loathe tea) - I guess it will probably be more Boost..

Oh - and the orange juice? The only way I can drink that without it killing my stomach is if I have a piece of toast or a muffin with it.. Does that mean I should cut it out entirely - or would it be okay as long as I have food with it?

The caffeine in the coffee isn't the main problem for the stomach -- its the acid in the coffee beans. Going to decaf or half-caf probably won't help your stomach. However, you could try lookng for "low acid" coffee -- I know I've seen it (maybe Folger's brand or another popular brand) at the regular grocery store, and there is also a whole bean low acid coffee at Trader Joe's that is good.

If you want the caffeine and just can't tolerate any coffee, you can try a nice strong black tea. GF finds that a lot better for her stomach. There are a ton of great black teas (or green also has a lot of caffeine) out there that you could experiment with. (ETA: I just noticed you said you hate tea!!! )

The orange juice -- in general, juices are super acidic and really hard on the stomach. I'd say if its not hurting you to eat food with it, I wouldn't worry too much. But you could try substituting with something like apple or pear juice (these are easier for the stomach) because it is the case that sometimes you're messing up your stomach slowly all day with a little bit of this and a little bit of that, and then it comes back to bite you later! I don't think trying to get rid of all acidic foods for now (and then bringing them back later if you start doing better) would be a terrible idea.

 

[arminnie]

The doctor told me to take Prilosec every day - and NO big meals just before bed.. (That will be hard to adjust to because I normally don't eat until quite late at night..)

Actually NO meals before bed would be best.

I had reflux for a long time before I even knew it. A little bit of acid would come up and migrate down my windpipe - aggravating my lungs. That's how I got diagnosed.

I can't believe any reputable gastro person would do that test with no sedation. That's horrible.

I used to never snack before bed - but a couple of years ago for some reason I ate two chocolate turtles right before going to bed one night. Oh my gosh - the reflux was the equivalent of a blow torch going down my throat for a couple of hours. It took me several bad episodes before I figured out the food/bed thing.

Several doctors mentioned raising the head of the bed. I always thought in term of concrete blocks or phone books - which I never did. What works very well and does not distort the bed too much is to use two of those risers like they sell to put under dorm beds for storage purposes.

A big part of reflux is just plain old gravity. Lying down with food in the stomach allows the acid to come back up. I don't use the risers (don't need them if I just don't eat before bed), but I have them on my dad's bed.

I've had a bunch of other gastro tests too. One involved a tube going into my esophagus and being hooked up to a computer thing that I wore for 24 hours. It really sounds and looked much worse than it was. I went to work - mainly just to torture my boss who about died looking at me. If they suggest that (which is done with no sedation) don't be afraid of it.

 

[arminnie]

He takes generic something (maybe prilosec?) daily, plus reglan because he was throwing up alot as well, and that combo of meds has more or less eliminated any issues he was having.

Please get a second opinion about the long-term use of reglan.

I was prescribed it by a gastro doctor, and it really helped. But when I went for my yearly physical at a very well known research center out of state the internist there was very concerned. She did not order me to stop taking it. But told me that there could be some serious effects from long-term usage - like permanent palsy, tremor and Parkinson like tics. And that these side-effects although not common were permanent if they happened and could not be reversed.

The risk was not worth it to me so I stopped it. But if your DH has been taking it for awhile he is probably not going to have a reaction. Not trying to scare you, but just wanted to tell you what I was told.

If the Prilosec doesn't work - even twice a day, there are other alternatives like Acifex and Nexium - but those are much more expensive.

 

[Feralpeg]

I was diagnosed with almost the same thing a couple of years ago. I was put on Protonix and later switched to Prilosec. For about six months, I cut out Diet Coke. It made a huge difference. Since then, I've worked my way up on the Diet Coke and can tell that I need to cut back again.

 

[C.Ann]

I can't believe any reputable gastro person would do that test with no sedation. That's horrible..

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Tell me about it! I felt sooooo bad for her.. She was really in a lot of pain and he's just standing there yelling at her.. Wish I had been around long enough to hear what they found on the x-ray.. Poor woman will probably never want to have ANY kind of procedure done again..

 

[Disneylover79]

Glad to hear everything went OK...

 

[Disneylover79]

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Tell me about it! I felt sooooo bad for her.. She was really in a lot of pain and he's just standing there yelling at her.. Wish I had been around long enough to hear what they found on the x-ray.. Poor woman will probably never want to have ANY kind of procedure done again..

I too agree with this.... that is absolutely HORRIBLE!!!!! I would fire that DR from being my DR right then and there....

 

[Parkers_girl]

I have chronic gastritis, and am still learning how to manage it. I've been in the hospital a few times because the pain was so intense. I do have medication to take before I eat certain foods, but I have just completely cut those foods out (oily foods for example), so I no longer take the meds. Gastritis is terrible, at least mine is, when it is raging I'm a pretty sick pup. But it's now far in between when I have 'attacks'.

Good luck and I hope you find out whats going on!!

 

[4nana]

Glad everything went smoothly for you C.Ann . I can imagine your sense of relief and let's keep the faith your bio's come back normal. How very sad for the other lady, I hope she fires her dr. asap!

Join the club, another sufferer for many years of the 3: hiatal hernia, acid refulx, and chronic gastritis. Matter fo fact, sadly my GERD problem landed me in quarantined 7 yrs ago while on our family Disney cruise, as the dr misdiagnosed me w/Norwalk virus!

I ditto what everyone is saying. I do well provided I follow a more bland diet, eat small meals, don't eat after 6pm, and take Prilosec faithfully. BTW, the generic is 'omeprazole' that will save you big $$. I can have no spicy/gassy foods, soda, acidic fruits/veggies/juices, limited chocolate and drink coffee sparingly. Of course, no smoking, which I don't anyway. It also helps to elevate head of your bed or use double pillows.

I'm also blessed with a wonderful caring Endo. I had a flare up of gastritis last spring that left me on the bathroom floor and landed me in the ER. It was a horrible painful experience I never want to go thru again.
We never figured out what triggered it, but once again reminded me, we can't be too careful!

Good luck and I hope your medication helps get you back on track and feeling better.