Aicd Reflux, what do you do?

[Christine]

What is an endoscopy.....is it anything like when the ENT looks at your throat by sticking the long thingie down your nose....does it hurt....make you gag?
Thanks
Kerri

Endoscopy is usually done in the hospital under light sedation. Takes about 10 minutes for them to do the procedure and you feel nothing.

I did have a co-worker who did have it done in the office and said "NEVER AGAIN". He said it was the worst experience.

I've had it done twice, under sedation, and it is one of the easiest things I've ever had done.

 

[alldiz]

Endoscopy is usually done in the hospital under light sedation. Takes about 10 minutes for them to do the procedure and you feel nothing.

I did have a co-worker who did have it done in the office and said "NEVER AGAIN". He said it was the worst experience.

I've had it done twice, under sedation, and it is one of the easiest things I've ever had done.

Thanks....I just went to the ENT and they did that up the nose thing. He told me I probably have reflux and gave me a prescrip for prevacid. When I went to get the referral for the ENT....regular MD said they thought I had reflux 2 yrs ago I hate medicine....now I'm afraid I did permanent damage to myself.
When would a DR do an endoscopy?
Thanks
Kerri

 

[Christine]

When would a DR do an endoscopy?
Thanks
Kerri

Several reasons:

1. It is the only true way to diagnose reflux. Otherwise, you're just guessing.
2. Other conditions can mimic reflux (gastritis, ulcers, H. Pylori infection, and probably others). The endoscopy is the only way to see that.
3. To rule out Barrett's Esophagitis. A certain percentage of people with true acid reflux will go on to develop this condition. It is a precancerous condition caused by changes in the esophageal cells due to the acid. It doesn't happen to everyone but it is something that should be checked because it requires more aggressive treatment to stop cancer from forming.

BTW, I had the up-the-nose-thing at the ENT too. OMG, that was AWFUL!!!

 

[alldiz]

Several reasons:

1. It is the only true way to diagnose reflux. Otherwise, you're just guessing.
2. Other conditions can mimic reflux (gastritis, ulcers, H. Pylori infection, and probably others). The endoscopy is the only way to see that.
3. To rule out Barrett's Esophagitis. A certain percentage of people with true acid reflux will go on to develop this condition. It is a precancerous condition caused by changes in the esophageal cells due to the acid. It doesn't happen to everyone but it is something that should be checked because it requires more aggressive treatment to stop cancer from forming.

BTW, I had the up-the-nose-thing at the ENT too. OMG, that was AWFUL!!!

Should I "demand" one of those before I take the prevacid. I don't want to take any meds I don't absolutely need.
I was having some "symptoms" of reflux....but I am currently eating better and becoming more active so I think that will help it. I don't want to hurt myself by not taking the prevacid though...

ENT DR says boy...."you have a strong gag reflex"...I was like..you mean people don't gag with a long alcoholy thing goes down their nose tickling the uvula
Thanks
Kerri

 

[Christine]

Should I "demand" one of those before I take the prevacid. I don't want to take any meds I don't absolutely need.
I was having some "symptoms" of reflux....but I am currently eating better and becoming more active so I think that will help it. I don't want to hurt myself by not taking the prevacid though...

ENT DR says boy...."you have a strong gag reflex"...I was like..you mean people don't gag with a long alcoholy thing goes down their nose tickling the uvula
Thanks
Kerri

I guess I wouldn't demand an endoscopy. Nowadays, it seems to be standard procedure to put everyone on a PPI without checking things out. It's really up to you. Honestly, if you can get it under control with eating better, you should. They jokingly called Nexium (and other PPIs), the "purple crack"! Once you get on a PPI, it is very hard to stop them because you get terrible acid rebound when you try to stop. You definitely have to go on a "taper off" program to get off them.

 

[rotlex]

I had it, BADLY, for a very long time. Will not go into detail, but, after trial and error in many different ways, what ultimitaly fixed it\made it better, was not medication, or avoiding hot, spicy foods.

It was diet, and diet alone, which I found out by accident when I started Atkins 4 years ago. The bottom line for me? Sugar and starch. Once I removed these from my diet, nearly completely, my acid reflux went away. I have taken nothing for it since, and never have issues.

 

[Disneylover79]

I bought Prilosec OTC and Tums today. I did have an Endoscopy done a little over a year ago and they said I have a small hernia. I do have a lot of stress in my life right now, so maybe I should be taking the xanax that I have. Thanks for all the info.

 

[mrsltg]

So this past week I have had really bad reflux, the worst it has ever been for me. I take Zantac and I drink milk and eat crackers when it flares up, but what else be done to help the flare up go away. So I am looking for what everyone does when the reflux is really bad. Thanks

Ice cream. I don't know if it's been posted, but it works wonders for me when nothing else will.

 

[smartestnumber5]

Honestly, if you can get it under control with eating better, you should. They jokingly called Nexium (and other PPIs), the "purple crack"! Once you get on a PPI, it is very hard to stop them because you get terrible acid rebound when you try to stop. You definitely have to go on a "taper off" program to get off them.

A friend of mine was just telling me she has been having acid reflux problems and I suggested that she should try taking a prescription dose of ranitidine or some other acid reducer daily before trying a PPI. I started off with a course of ranititidine for a few weeks and it actually did clear up the problem for awhile. A year later though it was worse than it ever was so a PPI was my only choice.

I was up to 4x the OTC dose (which = 2x the prescription dose) of prilosec at one point and my Dr. just wasn't comfortable with that (nor was my partner or my mother) since they haven't done any studies with doses that high. I did get down to 2x the OTC dose (the normal prescription dose by taking it 1/2 the total dose 2 times a day), but now I'm pretty much stuck at the dose. I

I know that with prilosec (probably with all PPIs) studies seem to indicate that they cause a problem with calcium absorption and so can increase one's risk of osteoporosis. So there are definitely risks to staying on them for a long time. I'm only 26 and my Dr. doesn't seem to have any explanation or cause or treatment to offer other than a PPI, so for now it looks like I'm going to be on one for a very long time, which means an awful lot of years for my bones to get brittle.

 

[Christine]

A friend of mine was just telling me she has been having acid reflux problems and I suggested that she should try taking a prescription dose of ranitidine or some other acid reducer daily before trying a PPI. I started off with a course of ranititidine for a few weeks and it actually did clear up the problem for awhile. A year later though it was worse than it ever was so a PPI was my only choice.

I was up to 4x the OTC dose (which = 2x the prescription dose) of prilosec at one point and my Dr. just wasn't comfortable with that (nor was my partner or my mother) since they haven't done any studies with doses that high. I did get down to 2x the OTC dose (the normal prescription dose by taking it 1/2 the total dose 2 times a day), but now I'm pretty much stuck at the dose. I

I know that with prilosec (probably with all PPIs) studies seem to indicate that they cause a problem with calcium absorption and so can increase one's risk of osteoporosis. So there are definitely risks to staying on them for a long time. I'm only 26 and my Dr. doesn't seem to have any explanation or cause or treatment to offer other than a PPI, so for now it looks like I'm going to be on one for a very long time, which means an awful lot of years for my bones to get brittle.

As long as you are producing *some* stomach acid you should be okay. I have been on a PPI since 1998 and have had a DEXA scan and I'm okay (and I'm not a big calcium user). I did end up with iron deficiency anemia and I was concerned that my Prilosec was interfering with iron absorption. My doctor said that, while not impossible, it probably wasn't the culprit as Prilosec/Nexium are about the #3 prescribed drugs in the world (and they have been studying them since 1994 or so. He said the anemias would be "rampant" if they were major causes of vitamin/mineral deficiencies. My guess is that this works for calcium too. I think only the highest doses might cause this (such as what you were on). Also, they have figured out that bone loss/calcium is not quite a simple as a calcium issue. A lot has to do with your Vitamin D levels and other factors.

 

[Disneylover79]

Bringing this up again (no pun intended) I am up and unable to sleep due to the horrible burning sensation I get when I lay down...the reflux feeling began at work today around 5pm. I took a prilosec the second I got home... So just now when I got up I took a zantac ate 2 pieces of white bread and took 4 tums... it is a little bit better but I still feel it, like if I lay down it will rush right up my throat again... this is HORRIBLE.... I am calling my GI doctor in the am... So I am bringing this topic back again for support and anymore remedies that you have found.... thanks

BTW I took my headache medications that knock me out and I have to get up at 5am for school, so now here I am tired as all get out and can't even go back to bed..... Ok thanks for letting me vent...

 

[lovemygoofy]

Im sorry I havent read the whole thread but are you taking your medicine on a regular basis? Even when you feel good? I think that is part of the key is take it all the time whether you feel bad or not. It could be you need a different medicine also. I have to take prescription zantac 150 twice a day, sometimes more right now and start a few days ago had to bump tums/rolaids into it because of heart burn being so bad.

Do you drink alot of sodas? I would keep a food diary and start writing down what you are eating and drinking and when you have big doses of the reflux start eliminating things to see if that helps.

 

[pennst8r]

I was just at the Dr for a follow up appt today, after having an endoscopy a few weeks ago. (I"ve been taking Protonix) He said to try to sleep with 2 pillows to prop my head up, since most of problems are at night, too. Worth a try.

 

[piney]

Prescription Prevacid. Bread helps; drinking too much water makes it worse. Hope you feel better.

 

[Disneylover79]

Thanks for all the help.... so I finally fell asleep at about 1am, I was a little bit better this morning, but now I can feel it trying to start up again, I took my prilosec this am and I am going to take one this evening, I am going to try and eat mac n cheese and hot dogs for dinner, does this meal sound OK... I do not want to be hurting all night...

 

[shortbun]

Took Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid - nothing clears it up for me like PepcidAC Complete. My doc even recommended it. I chew one daily as a preventative and if I have any breakthrough, I can chew another with no worries. Occassionally if I eat late and eat something like red sauce I need that extra one.

 

[shortbun]

Thanks for all the help.... so I finally fell asleep at about 1am, I was a little bit better this morning, but now I can feel it trying to start up again, I took my prilosec this am and I am going to take one this evening, I am going to try and eat mac n cheese and hot dogs for dinner, does this meal sound OK... I do not want to be hurting all night...

That meal would give me heartburn for sure. The hotdogs are in the avoided meats category and the mac and cheese is high in fat. I really avoid meats like hot dogs, sausage, pepperoni, salami and so forth at dinner.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Thanks for all the help.... so I finally fell asleep at about 1am, I was a little bit better this morning, but now I can feel it trying to start up again, I took my prilosec this am and I am going to take one this evening, I am going to try and eat mac n cheese and hot dogs for dinner, does this meal sound OK... I do not want to be hurting all night...

No...no processed meats at all.

Have to eat plain, plain, plain and no dairy, no fat. Things like plain chicken breast, plain pasta, plain veggies.
Must eat like that for a long time to heal yourself. At the same time take your meds same time everyday.
Also do not skip meals, very important.

No soda, spices/herbs including pepper, coffee, anything with tomatoes including ketchup.
Someone mentioned ice cream. That is a big no-no. In fact limit dairy.
No citrus of any kind. Including margaritas, Sprite, etc.

Have to heal first. That is the key. Then introduce things to see what are your serious triggers.

My serious triggers are Lemon Lime soda & pepperoni. I have given them up.

DH's are anything cooked with charcoal on the grill and basil.

 

[shenanigans]

Dissolve about a teaspoon of baking soda in about a half cup of water and chug it. You'll burp this nasty, bubbly burp, but it will help.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I take Prilosec OTC every morning. Helps A LOT. Also, a low carb diet helps me tremendously. Eating dairy in the evening is almost a guarantee of acid reflux for me, despite the Prilosec. I'm fine with hot dogs. I think looking for suggestions and advice from other people is good, but in the end you have to find what works for you (and talk to a dr). Good luck.