Suggestions Please! possible Acid Reflex problems and Asthma!

Hi Brandi,
I have reflux. It started like you say but mine burned in the chest and throat after a while. Some of my meds caused it I think. The doctor put me on prevacid and I have few problems with it now. Reflux can cause many problems if left untreated so I would talk to your doctor. A friend of mine had to have surgery to correct the damage from reflux. Hope you feel better soon.

Acid reflux is a diagnosis linked to adult onset asthma.  There are many over-the-counter meds on the market now that help w/reflux.  The following is some info taken from Professional Guide to Diseases:

I was recently diagnosed with GERD which I think is a side effect of the many many medications I take. It sounds like you may have some out of control stomach acid going on there. On the advice of my GI, I started taking Prilosec OTC and it has done wonders for my nausea, stomach pain, throat lump feeling. You can try taking Prilosec or Zantac to see if it helps. Supposedly, acid reflux can affect your sinuses/throat so it's important to sleep with your head elevated at night like Pegleg suggested. I know it affects my allergies majorly so I can only imagine what it can do to someone with asthma. Since I started Prilosec, my allergies haven't been as severe such as the throat clearing and pnd.

---

^{@--->--Sherry--<---@}

I personally don't see any harm in trying an otc med for acid reflux. You can try it for a few days and see if it works. Prilosec and Zantac is not an overnight fix. It can take a few days before the full benefit is seen. I don't know what type of insurance you have, but I have Blue Care Network and even though Prilosec is otc, I can get it filled as a prescription. So instead of paying $20 a box, I only pay $5. So if you don't want to spend the full amount, go see your doctor and maybe they can write you a prescription for it. If ever in doubt though, you probably should call your doctor.

---

^{@--->--Sherry--<---@}

GERD is a trigger of asthma symptoms and a major trigger of adult-onset asthma. If you're asthmatic, the flow of acidic digestive contents into your respiratory airways can make your underlying airway inflammation worse. GERD has also been assicated w/increased bronchospasms & chronic cough due to irritation of the esophagus. Some pts also note that when their asthma is active, the asthma can also irritate the GERD.

Also, not all pts w/GERD will get asthma. Other medical conditions which is linked to adult onset asthma are chronic sinus infections, polyps in the nares, & chronic bronchitis.

Hope this info helps.

Thats amazing, I had heard about this. I was offered an operation to tighten up the base of my throat (some sphyncter or other?) but I turned it down as I was afraid. I now wish I had had it done as I am disabled now with asthma and have a terrible cough. Still suffer badly with the GERD too. Wondering if the asthma would improve if I had the procedure done now? I have a hiatus hernia which doesn't help with the GERD either.
Ah well. Anyone knowledgable? I would appreciate your advice.
cheers
x

Hello Everyone! thanks, everyone for there suggestions. I did see my doctor, and he put me on some acid reflex medication. Just started it so haven't seen the difference yet. I will be happy if the medication works for me. Thanks, again.