Gerd

[AustinTink]

Thank you all for the valuable information. Another question: do you see your regular GP for this, or a GE? As of now I have only seen my GP.

I'm thinking an endoscopy is in order to see the amount of damage. I was literally so hoarse, I couldn't speak yesterday. I'm feeling better today, but I think it's because I didn't eat anything yesterday. Today, I have been very careful, eating small portions of very bland food.

 

[scottishduffy]

My Hubby sees a Gastroenterologist. He had an Endoscopy done, but they also did a spiffy little procedure where they implanted a chip in his esophagus for 48 hours. The chip measured his pH constantly in order to tell the doc how many times he had reflux in a 48 hr period. He carried a little pager with him for 2 days that stored all the information. DH actually really enjoyed it as he loves techy type toys and he liked looking down and reading his pH all the time. After 48 hours the chip automatically detached itself and just passed through his system.

 

[marcyinPA]

Thank you all for the valuable information. Another question: do you see your regular GP for this, or a GE? As of now I have only seen my GP.

I'm thinking an endoscopy is in order to see the amount of damage. I was literally so hoarse, I couldn't speak yesterday. I'm feeling better today, but I think it's because I didn't eat anything yesterday. Today, I have been very careful, eating small portions of very bland food.

When I was first having symptoms, I saw my GP. She put me on Aciphex for four weeks and then told me to wean myself off. My symptoms returned even worse. (I had a feeling of a lump in my throat, like something was stuck there all the time). She sent me to a Gastroenterologist. He sent me for a barium swallow, and then did an endoscopy after the swallow indicated that yes, I had reflux. The endoscopy revealed that I had an esophageal erosion, but was clear of cancer (barrett's esophagus I think it's called) and no ulcers in my stomach.

To heal the erosion, I just needed to watch my diet carefully and take meds...at the time, I was on Prevacid (it was prescription then). I was on that for a long time, but it actually didn't take long for the erosion to heal (that was the "lump" I felt in my throat). At my next GP physical, we talked about my lessening the meds, because I didn't want to be on them long term. I started to wean myself off again, and BAM...started having problems again. My prescription plan changed...and the only PPI it would cover was Protonix. So, I took that for YEARS. Probably five. And then it became more than I could afford...$30 per month mail order. I decided to try Famotidine 20 mg, and it works for me. I had tried something else OTC, Rantidine I think, and it did NOTHING for me.

That's pretty much my story. I have symptoms sometimes, and sometimes I am fine. If I have too many trigger foods in one day, I am doomed. But I have found that if I have a cup of coffee in the morning, but watch my diet the rest of the day, I'm pretty good.

I hope you find what works for you!!

 

[AustinTink]

My Hubby sees a Gastroenterologist. He had an Endoscopy done, but they also did a spiffy little procedure where they implanted a chip in his esophagus for 48 hours. The chip measured his pH constantly in order to tell the doc how many times he had reflux in a 48 hr period. He carried a little pager with him for 2 days that stored all the information. DH actually really enjoyed it as he loves techy type toys and he liked looking down and reading his pH all the time. After 48 hours the chip automatically detached itself and just passed through his system.

That's sounds pretty cool. Did he feel the chip while it was in his throat?

 

[scottishduffy]

He felt it at first, for the first couple hours when he swallowed. He said it just felt like a little lump in his throat but didn't hurt. After that he couldn't feel it all and just had fun eating different foods and seeing what they did to his pH.

 

[kchughes]

I have GERD and have for as long as I can remember. 5 years ago it had gotten so bad, I had an endoscopy and had severe esphogeal erosions. Took Prevacid for 5 years and then insurance wouldn't pay for it. So went on prilosec and LOTS of tums. Just had a follow up endoscopy and erosion were coming back. I get my Prevacid back!! Yay! I also limit caffiene, bananas, bacon, tomato based foods and sauces. But have no issues with spices. I started with my GP and was referred to a GI for the scope. Good Luck with it. Once you figure out what med works for you and your triggers, life gets so much better!

 

[canadianjovigirl]

My Hubby sees a Gastroenterologist. He had an Endoscopy done, but they also did a spiffy little procedure where they implanted a chip in his esophagus for 48 hours. The chip measured his pH constantly in order to tell the doc how many times he had reflux in a 48 hr period. He carried a little pager with him for 2 days that stored all the information. DH actually really enjoyed it as he loves techy type toys and he liked looking down and reading his pH all the time. After 48 hours the chip automatically detached itself and just passed through his system.

oh my that sounds so high tech, when they tested my acid levels they put a tube down my nose to my stomach and it attached to a computer thingy i wore in a fanny pack for 2 days then i went back and they removed it and plugged the computer thingy in to see how high the acid levels were................so glad to see they came up with something better as that was 48 hours of torture.

 

[Bilberry]

I do not have GERD. Recall reading about this physician having that problem though, and what he did to help himself.

"Protexid and Protexid ND and adventures in DR"

http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/supplements/protexid-and-protexid-nd-and-adventures-in-dr/

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Thank you all for the valuable information. Another question: do you see your regular GP for this, or a GE? As of now I have only seen my GP.

I'm thinking an endoscopy is in order to see the amount of damage. I was literally so hoarse, I couldn't speak yesterday. I'm feeling better today, but I think it's because I didn't eat anything yesterday. Today, I have been very careful, eating small portions of very bland food.

Oh yea, see a GI and get a endoscopy absolutely.

 

[anorviel]

I do have GERD, or at least some sort of horrible reflux.

I take Nexium, which really has made the difference between no sleep and a good night's sleep as well as feeling "well" and "un-well."

I'm very careful about spicy foods and I no longer eat onions, garlic, or tomatoes. The onions and garlic is difficult - there are a ton of foods with either onion or garlic powder in them, which for me is worse than if I eat the real thing. My rule of thumb is that if I can taste onion or garlic, I can't eat it. Know what your trigger foods are. I don't avoid those foods all the time, but I do know that I am going to need heavy doses of Tums if I eat them and I make sure I limit myself. Life without garlic is just torturous for me, but life with garlic is nauseating, so I have to make choices.

I take my Nexium regularly. I'm careful about coffee with no food, as well as wine or other alcohol without food, and I sleep elevated on pillows if I can. My next lifestyle change will be to elevate my bed with actual risers. I'm also looking to lose some extra weight I've been carrying. Both of those lifestyle changes are supposed to make a big difference. If you smoke, you should quit (something I have not been so successful at - I'm still working on that one).

GERD is not pleasant, but not the worst thing that can happen to you. Best of luck to you!

Ann

 

[castmemberb4]

I can't find the post now but someone mentioned chewable papaya.
Can you tell me about that?
Are you using dried papaya or some type of supplament ?

Thanks

 

[AustinTink]

I can't find the post now but someone mentioned chewable papaya.
Can you tell me about that?
Are you using dried papaya or some type of supplament ?

Thanks

I'd like to know, too. There are a few different options online for papaya supplements.

 

[disney1990]

1. Do you have it?
2. What do you take for it?
3. What dietary changes have you made? How well did they work?
4. What lifestyle changes have you made?

I'm new to this GERD thing, but it seems to be getting worse. I've been coughing up acid all day.

What does your doctor say? You should make sure what you have and not self medicate.

Hope you find a solution.

 

[ahutton]

Both DH and DD have it.

DD takes 150mg of Zantac once a day - twice a day when growing because it seems to flare with growth spurts. DH takes 2 OTC Prilosec (doctor's suggestion) because the RX stuff is so crazy expensive and we have a high deductible, and the one drug that was reasonable in price gave him lower digestive issues.

The biggest lifestyle change is they eat NOTHING after 7:30, ever. If either one does it is horrible. We also keep Tums handy, limit soda, limit anything fizzy to drink. Greasy foods and spicy foods seem to trigger trouble, and they both love spicy.

DH's doctor in Austin told him to take the Prilosec/Nexium in the mornings, and take Zantac in the evenings. Up to 300mg if he's having trouble. Now DH takes the Zantac 150 in the evenings if he is having a rough day or is going to eat spicy but after 10 years of treatment, he doesn't have evening flares as often.

We do keep Alka Seltzer on hand for emergencies, and DH gets scoped every other year. We don't want to take chances with Barretts or worse.