Advice for GERD?

[spima3]

Hoping someone here can help me with something.

I was to an ENT for hoarseness and slight sore throat that wouldn't clear up. I had had the problem for a few weeks, but by the time I got to the app't, took a couple of weeks, I had severe heartburn, reflux, etc. So, of course, I was dx with GERD.

I am so glad I don't have throat cancer, but it has been a tough road none the less. Went from no symptoms, other than throat issues, to full blown GERD symptoms in less than a month.

So far no diet changes or meds have been helping all that much. Last week I was good, felt normal again, this week, doing nothing differently, and I feel awful. The one that is the worst is a feeling like pressure in the center of my chest, sometimes with slight burn, but more pressure/tightness more than anything.

Is this a common symptom? I am currently taking Zantac 150 twice a day with Gaviscon as needed.

I've read that 6 meals a day will help as well, so I am going to try that, but does anyone else have any advise? I am getting incredibly disheartened from feeling unwell all the time and nothing I'm doing seems to be helping.

Right now the ENT has me scheduled for a Barrium swallow and upper GI. So if anyone has been through that too, can you let me know how it went?

There are so many on these boards, I am hoping for some good advice, and it will be greatly appreciated. TIA, lori

 

[LaraK]

Have you had food get caught going down? There's another disease that pretend to be GERD. If the medications are not working at all, it may be an eosinophilic disorder. Hope it's just GERD.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

This was brought on all of a sudden? How old are you? Sudden onset of GERD in women can be a signal of a heart attack or heart disease. I don't mean to scare you but that is just a fact and I had to throw that out there.

Zantac and Gaviscon are not appropriate treatments. You would do better with a PPI which is a Proton Pump Inhibitor. It reduces the acid production.

You need to see a gastroenterologist and not an ENT for treatment of GERD. I had an endoscopy done.

Right now I am on nothing but I did take Prevacid for a few yrs., which is a PPI.

My symptom is certainly chest pressure. When I first tried to get treatment, of course doctors would tell me I was suffering from depression.

Stress reduction and diet adjustment is critical however you need to "heal" which is what a PPI is good for.

What are you eating, drinking? Give me a rundown of what you had today and I will tell you if it is good or bad.

 

[melk]

I try not to eat anything for about 3-4 hours before I go to bed. Also, I sleep with the head of our bed elevated about 7 inches. Once I had symptoms it was a few weeks before I felt better with medication/diet changes.

 

[kellydizfan]

I have reflux where I would loose my voice at times over a period of about a year. My regular doctor wasn't overly concerned about it. I mentioned it to my Gyn as I would get it once a month. Come to find out my ent discovered it when I went in for a check up on my hearing and he also found a deep imbeded sinus infection at the same time that I didn't know I had. He has done several endoscopy's in the office on me and Nexium is working. I didn't know I had heart burn as bad as I did. Once in awhile I would wake up in the middle of the night and have to drink milk to get rid of the burning sensation. I was told no mints, caffeine, soda, eat more than 2 hours before sleeping, and I think there was something else but right now I can't remember what it was. Oh yeah no stress - like really! Now I am on blood pressure med's also as of a week ago. I have been on nexium for just over a year and a half. It has cleared up the damage that the reflux had done to my throat. I have what is called LPR reflux.

 

[nmmom95]

I have GERD casued by the medications that I take for another condition. I take Protonix, which is a PPI, as suggested by a PP. It works well.

 

[teacups]

Ask your doc about Omeprazole.
If that doesnt clear it up... see a new doc.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I've had this for years and years. Change in diet, no alcohol, nothing with acid, no fat, no pasta sauce, no caffeine, no chocolate... the list does on and on. I have been taking Nexium for years and it works great for me. However, I do have to have an endoscopy done every year or so, just to make sure it doesn't turn into esophogial cancer.

 

[brittsmum1998]

Ask your doc about Omeprazole.
If that doesnt clear it up... see a new doc.

I have gerd/gastritus and I take Omeprazole. It helps tremendously.

If I didn't take it faithfully everyday I would get so sick but it seemed med to get somewhat better once I quit smoking So if I forget a pill its not as bad as it used to be.

 

[dicar123]

My Aunt was recently diagnosed with GERD. The meds made her extremely sick and her doctor was concerned that she might be dehydrated. He sent her to the ER where they promptly diagnosed her with gallbladder disease and removed it.

She's only a few days out of surgery, so we can't know if that was her problem all along, but it might be worth asking about if you aren't getting relief from meds.

 

[Chelley00]

I have GERD casued by the medications that I take for another condition. I take Protonix, which is a PPI, as suggested by a PP. It works well.

Oh how I love my Protonix. It's been a lifesaver.

 

[spima3]

I want to thank you for responding.

The ENT didn't want to start with the PPI's because he said it looks like there are some issues with them. Doing research on that, I found that some studied are indicating that there is a rebound effect and the PPI's seem to actually cause reflux.

So he started me on the Zantac. Today I had dry toast for breakfast and broccoli for lunch. I drank a little water this morning, but that is it. I don't feel well, but not as bad as yesterday, so I'm afraid to really eat or drink anything.

Has anyone done the Barrium swallow? Just curious about taking it. I use to take Lexapro a few years ago for anxiety, and I'm afraid this problem is going to cause those symptoms to come back as well. I am getting very anxious and can't seem to relax. It is very discouraging.

TIA, lori

 

[AshleyW]

I got diagnosed with GERD summer of 08... I was eating beef stroganoff at work, and it got caught on the way down. I started vomiting REALLY bad (hard enough to break some blood vessels in my throat, causing me to have blood when I threw up). I had my fiance take me to the ER, and between the ER doctor and my PCP we figured out it was GERD.

Since then, I've been taking Prilosec (OTC version of Omeprazole) once a day and it has helped a TON. I also try and steer clear of beef, tomatoes, citrus fruit, high-fat foods, and dairy.. if I do eat those foods, I make sure to eat SLOWLY and chew everything up really well so it digests easier. I also drink a LOT of water - I've found if I haven't drank enough water, I start getting heartburn again.

You might want to consider using an extra pillow at night to keep your head elevated. Sleeping on my left side helps as well. I've had it bad enough at night where it kept me from sleeping - when that happens, I pop a Pepcid and go for a quick 10 minute or so walk. The walking helps, and by the time I'm done, the Pepcid has kicked in so I'm good to go.

 

[Christine]

.

The ENT didn't want to start with the PPI's because he said it looks like there are some issues with them. Doing research on that, I found that some studied are indicating that there is a rebound effect and the PPI's seem to actually cause reflux.

The PPIs do not cause reflux. The "rebound" is a notorious side effect that occurs when you abruptly stop taking the PPIs. The PPIs shut of your proton pumps (acid pumps). When they are shut off, your serum gastrin rises in response to TRY to get your body to make more acid. If you stop taking your PPI, your gastrin is SO high that you will produce a ton of acid in a short time. That is why one must be weaned off PPIs.

There is evidence that many people are erroneously treated with PPIs. Low stomach acid will often cause the similar digestive issues as too much acid (more along the lines of discomfort and not a document "red" esophagus). So, if you treat low acid with a PPI, you only make it worse.

If you have document GERD, a PPI is the best treatment for you. Thousands of gastroenterologists can't be wrong!

 

[Micca]

I've been taking Nexium for years. I can eat anything I want and I've never had another problem. Good luck with your treatment

 

[teacups]

The PPIs do not cause reflux. The "rebound" is a notorious side effect that occurs when you abruptly stop taking the PPIs. The PPIs shut of your proton pumps (acid pumps). When they are shut off, your serum gastrin rises in response to TRY to get your body to make more acid. If you stop taking your PPI, your gastrin is SO high that you will produce a ton of acid in a short time. That is why one must be weaned off PPIs.

There is evidence that many people are erroneously treated with PPIs. Low stomach acid will often cause the similar digestive issues as too much acid (more along the lines of discomfort and not a document "red" esophagus). So, if you treat low acid with a PPI, you only make it worse.

If you have document GERD, a PPI is the best treatment for you. Thousands of gastroenterologists can't be wrong!

Totally agree. I am not crazy about having "no stomach acid" and the rebound... but when its as bad as you are describing its a case of NEED. You can have serious effects of GERD. Gagging up pure acid is no day at the park and pretty dangerous. Your doc needs to wake up before you find yourself with even worse symptoms. It's your body. You are allowed to call him up and tell him you are in a world of hurt and need something else.

I hope you find some relief soon. (milk might help. Water strangely is horrible. Also, Rolaids makes these soft squares. They help some... but I still vote Omep.)

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

My DH was just diagnosed with GERD last week. I am trying to do as much research as I can right now for him since he isn't doing it himself. He is on Zantac but am not sure if it is helping. He says he still has tightness in his chest, but the doctors are unsure if it is due to GERD or his severe allergies to grass and dust.

 

[Tuffcookie]

I had my gall bladder removed Monday. About Wed. I started having pain in my esophagus. I happened to have some Nexium samples that my doctor had given me so I took one of those. I feel much better today. I called my doctor and will go in next week to see him but I'm believing I probably have GERD on top of everything else!

TC

 

[spima3]

My DH was just diagnosed with GERD last week. I am trying to do as much research as I can right now for him since he isn't doing it himself. He is on Zantac but am not sure if it is helping. He says he still has tightness in his chest, but the doctors are unsure if it is due to GERD or his severe allergies to grass and dust.

I am sorry your DH is suffering with this as well, but I am glad to hear that I'm not the only one with that symptom. and for your DH.

I called my Dr on Friday to see if I could go on something stronger, because I'm very concerned about the burning as well. IF all it takes is weaning off a PPI, then I don't see why I can't take that. I don't want any more damage to my esophagus and throat than I already have.

Of course, there are no Dr.s or nurses in the office on Friday, only office personnel, so I have to wait until Mon.

I am only eating baked potatoes, toast and broccoli right now, as they don't seem to cause a rise in the chest tightness. I do feel bette today, but wow, it's only been a couple of days and I already miss food!

Seems for all those who posted this doesn't clear up? Basically it just becomes a chronic health problem?

Why do people get this? Has anyone been given a good explanation?

 

[Christine]

I am sorry your DH is suffering with this as well, but I am glad to hear that I'm not the only one with that symptom. and for your DH.

I called my Dr on Friday to see if I could go on something stronger, because I'm very concerned about the burning as well. IF all it takes is weaning off a PPI, then I don't see why I can't take that. I don't want any more damage to my esophagus and throat than I already have.

Of course, there are no Dr.s or nurses in the office on Friday, only office personnel, so I have to wait until Mon.

I am only eating baked potatoes, toast and broccoli right now, as they don't seem to cause a rise in the chest tightness. I do feel bette today, but wow, it's only been a couple of days and I already miss food!

Seems for all those who posted this doesn't clear up? Basically it just becomes a chronic health problem?

Why do people get this? Has anyone been given a good explanation?

GERD isn't anything you catch like a virus. It is predominantly due to a weakened lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This is the valve that opens up when you eat and closes off tight when you are done eating so that the acid works in your stomach and digests your food. Certain medications, alchohol, and age contribute to a weakening of th LES so that it doesn't close off properly. After you eat, your acid is able to "reflux" up into your esophagus. There are some surgeries that have some success with tightening up the LES.

Another reason for GERD is if you have a condition called "delayed gastric emptying" syndrome or gastroparesis. This is when the food takes to long to leave your stomach, which causes too much acid production. Because of too much acid, you often get GERD-like symptoms without truly having GERD because you really have gastroparesis.

The treatment for GERD due to GERD or GERD due to gastroparesis is the same: proton pump inhibitors.

Edited to add: Many times GERD is caused by being overweight. The pressure of the abdominal fat pushes the food and acid up. This is one case where you might be able to cure GERD because losing the weight takes off the pressure. A hiatal hernia can also cause GERD but they really don't fix those unless they are very severe.