Indigestion-what do you take?

[KirstenB]

After 40 years of being able to eat and drink anything under the sun, I've been having pains in my upper back and stomach throughout the day and night. I also feel "full" all the time. Finally, when I do eat, I feel like I've swallowed a rock, and it's stuck in my chest. I'm guessing this is indigestion. I've been trying Maalox, which helps somewhat. Does anyone have something that works really well? Thanks

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Sounds like Acid Reflux. You could have gallbladder issues as well.

I take Prevacid daily. Time for tests and/or doctor prescip. meds.

 

[momrek06]

After 40 years of being able to eat and drink anything under the sun, I've been having pains in my upper back and stomach throughout the day and night. I also feel "full" all the time. Finally, when I do eat, I feel like I've swallowed a rock, and it's stuck in my chest. I'm guessing this is indigestion. I've been trying Maalox, which helps somewhat. Does anyone have something that works really well? Thanks

Yikes, Kristen, before you start taking all sorts of over the counter meds...please call your MD and have some tests done. I do not have any indigestion problems but on occasion I will, and I take ROLAIDS. But if you are having these ongoing symptoms, you need to be checked out. My DGF was just diagnosed with acid reflex and she is on prescription meds.

GOOD LUCK.

 

[cherylp3]

pepcid - I also agree with going to doctor.

 

[nativetxn]

Please see a doctor. My husband thought he had severe indigestion and it turned out to be a heart attack. I'm not trying to scare you--I just want to urge you to see a doctor.

Katholyn

 

[KirstenB]

Thanks guys. I always thought acid reflux or gallbladder problems were super painful. I don't want to overstate my symptoms. It's just a mildly painful rather uncomfortable feeling that seems to have settled in and won't go away. It has really put me off of food. Liquids seem to be better, so I've been eating broth-based soups for meals.

I think the last time I went to the doctor was last summer for poison ivy. I don't want to be a "nuisance patient" for something silly, know what I mean?

 

[nativetxn]

It's not silly, Kristen. You would not be a "nuisance". Get it checked out. In the meantime you could try an acid reducer and simethicone (GasX). If that helps then you probably have GERD (acid reflux). I'm not a doctor. Please don't think I have any knowledge in this area. I'm just going on experience

But whether or not OTC medications help, you should be checked by a physician. If they find nothing wrong, then great, you don't have to go back. That's what I did

Katholyn

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

Ouch. Try Pepcid... or Tums may do the trick. Do, though, consider that something else may be wrong. I'd hate to know you took a pepcid for a heart attack. Hope you feel better soon!

 

[Christine]

Thanks guys. I always thought acid reflux or gallbladder problems were super painful. I don't want to overstate my symptoms. It's just a mildly painful rather uncomfortable feeling that seems to have settled in and won't go away. It has really put me off of food. Liquids seem to be better, so I've been eating broth-based soups for meals.

I think the last time I went to the doctor was last summer for poison ivy. I don't want to be a "nuisance patient" for something silly, know what I mean?

Your symptoms are EXACTLY what I get all the time. I was diagnosed, through endoscopy, with acid reflux. You've probably had it for awhile and now it is to the point that it is actually irritating your stomach lining.

There could be other things as well. The food sitting in the stomach could also be caused by "gastroparesis" also known as "delayed stomach emptying." This is where the food just moves slower throughout the whole system, and then can cause reflux.

That's why it is best to see a doctor for this and they can pinpoint the exact problem. Most of the meds for this (Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid and even Zantac and stuff) will be required long-term so it's not just something you want to go out and do on your own.

 

[arminnie]

Thanks guys. I always thought acid reflux or gallbladder problems were super painful.

I had acid reflux (proven with endoscopy), and I never even knew it. I never had heartburn, but my asthma was not under control so my pulmonary doctor sent me to a gastro guy.

My only symptom was that the scores on my breathing tests were low. Acid reflux can do permanent damage to your esophagus (or lungs in my case) and is something to take seriously.

 

[Feralpeg]

I am currently on Protonix for acid reflux. I let it go for a long time. Eventually, I started having trouble swallowing things like meat or more solid substances. I wish I'd done something about it sooner. If mine doesn't clear up in a another month, I have to have additional tests.

Don't let it go. Better to over react than let something go that could cause long term problems.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Get it checked out.

That is how my symptoms started out and I had several gallstone attacks before they figured out it was my gallbladder! Having surgery on Thursday to remove it - hope I feel better afterwards and can eat real food again.

Good luck. Hope you feel better soon!

 

[KirstenB]

Okay, you guys have convinced me. I'll make an appointment next week. Mom was in the hospital a couple of years ago for a really bad flu that turned into pneumonia. While she was there, they told her she needed her gallbladder out too, so they did that. She never ate a lot of rich food (which I thought was a trigger for gallbladder, but that may be an old myth), and never said anything about pain. I'll ask her too.

 

[tiggersmom2]

Nothing knocks out heartburn more quickly than Gaviscon Extra Strength for me. Alas, heartburn is now my CONSTANT companion and all I can take are those wimpy little TUMS.....which do nothing!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Thanks guys. I always thought acid reflux or gallbladder problems were super painful.

Guess what? They are not. In fact my old doc's tried to convince me it was "anxiety issues" when in fact I had reflux.
I feel like I have someone lightly stepping on my chest....not really painful but annoying.

As far as gallbladder never had the "serious attacks" either....just mild attacks and soreness under my ribs.

For example....My 15yodd was having the nauseousness for YEARS finally she complained about soreness under her ribs. Thankfully she has a good Doc who sent her for an Ultrasound and she has 2 6mm gallstones...SURPRISE!
I am meeting with a surgeon on Jan 16 to schedule surgery.

 

[kathy387]

I thought I was just feeling like that from stress or that it was just my age and that I couldn't eat certain foods like I used to. After awhile I had it checked out and discovered it was acid reflux. I'm now on Nexium and it really does seem to help, along with watching what I eat. Anything deep fried is a big no no for me.

 

[camreesmom]

I am currently on Protonix for acid reflux. I let it go for a long time. Eventually, I started having trouble swallowing things like meat or more solid substances. I wish I'd done something about it sooner. If mine doesn't clear up in a another month, I have to have additional tests.

Don't let it go. Better to over react than let something go that could cause long term problems.

DH had the same problem with swallowing, too. Meat or bread would get stuck in his throat. He's also on Protonix after taking Nexium and Prevacid for a while. The Protonix has helped him a lot.