What next...please help

Diseases & Conditions GERD & Acid Reflux
1
Hi,
 
I am only 21 years old have have severe acid reflux.  i had an endoscopy done and the Gi said it was fine however, when i had the 48 hour ph test done it showed significant and severe refluxing.  I have tried every medication...and my throat still burns.  I also have very bad breath i think from the reflux and its really hurting my social life.  I brush 1 million times a day but nothing helps.  I think its from teh acid.  I also have a lot of mucus, under my ribs hurts, my ears pop and i have a sour taste in my mouth.  The GI now has me on Reglan and prevacid but its not working.  Please help...i have an appointment in 1 week.  I am just scared...should i inquire about surgery? Should i have other tests done. Please help Thanks
2
How long have you been on meds for reflux? It took me over 3 months on Nexium and I still will have problems from some foods, chinese is one. I take my Nexium one hour before I eat.

Hope you will feel better. :)

Hugs,
Faye

I have hypothyroidism (1953), diabetes type 2 (1976), high cholesterol (1989), gastroparesis (1990), FMS (1995), and GERD (2006). I am on these meds for FMS: Prozac 20 mg., Xanax .5 mg., Diclofenac 100 mg., Cytotec 200 mcg. (stomach med to go with Diclofenac), Lortab 10/500 mg. I am also on the other meds for various reasons: Nexium 40 mg., Cytomel 50 mcg., Detrol 2 mg., Reglan 10 mg., Novolog insulin, Novolin N insulin, Bumex 1 mg., Lipitor 80 mg.. Also on B12 sublingually, magnesium, Centrum Silver Vitamin, CoQ10.

3

Hi,

I have been on medicatoin for almost 4 monthes with no relief. ugh

4
Hi Tinker, Tell me what modifications have you made to your diet and how are you sleeping. I got better after five months, with a significant change in diet and habits. Do you drink water when you eat? What is the size of your meals?
5

Hi,

I have stopped eating anything with tomato sauses, drinking soda or any other fruiting drink, i eat small meals and have snacks...i try to drink after eating.  I drink alot of water and i reflux with that.  I just cant take it anymore.  I don't wake up from sleep from the acid so i guess i dont reflux when im sleeping.  I have on a ppi twice a day and reglan 4x a day.  Nothing is working and the bad breath is the absolute worst part.  UGH

6

Okay, Your PPI should be stopping the reflux with the regime you are describing. It took me three treis to find the right medication that would stop the worst symptoms. You are experiencing sheer mysery, don't be nice and wait, go immediately to your doc and demand another PPI or maybe a stronger dose. For many people a stronger dose is what it takes. Also, even if you don't feel it, you might still be refluxing at night and producing irritating acid, so it is very important that you sleep on an inclined bed or at least a wedge, or sitting on a recliner.

Some of the other symptoms you describe are part of what is called dyspepsia, delayed digestion due to the acid suppression from your medication. In other words, the PPI is doing some of its job because you are experiencing bloatedness, pain under the ribs, constipation, gas, etc. What I've done to minimize those symptoms is to not drink water half an hour before a meal and an hour after. Gassy foods like broccoli, starches and legumes made me feel worse, so I minimized them. I also ate small amounts of plain yogurt with live cultures twice a day to speed up my very slow digestion with beneficial bacteria. The key work to look for is not "made with," but "contains live cultures." Keep eating broths, fruits and veggies like yam, carrots, and kale.

Some people take enzymes to ensure they will be able to digest certain foods, I never did but heard good things from those who have. You can find them at a health food store.

Keep posting, I think a lot of people who read this forum are on vacation, but almost everyone here has gone through what you are going through. Some will eventually read your thread and give you good advice.

Have you been able to talk to anyone about this? Is your family near or far?

 

7
Bekster, what good info you gave to Tinkerbell.

I know that I am still having problems with heartburn and I've been on the Nexium over 3 months now. I was doing well, but have had 3 bad nights in a row. I don't know if I have gotten sloppy with my diet or what. I did go to bed too early Saturday night and should have stayed up a few more hours, but I was so tired. Then after two hours I was up anyway with heartburn and still am up.

Heartburn is gone, but I can't go back to sleep yet. :(

GERD is a miserable condition.

Tinkerbell, I am also on Reglan for gastroparesis and if I'm not better in a few more months, I'm going to try Protonix. I surely hope I won't need an OV for that. My insurance doesn't cover Prevacid.

Hugs,
Faye

I have hypothyroidism (1953), diabetes type 2 (1976), high cholesterol (1989), gastroparesis (1990), FMS (1995), and GERD (2006). I am on these meds for FMS: Prozac 20 mg., Xanax .5 mg., Diclofenac 100 mg., Cytotec 200 mcg. (stomach med to go with Diclofenac), Lortab 10/500 mg. I am also on the other meds for various reasons: Nexium 40 mg., Cytomel 50 mcg., Detrol 2 mg., Reglan 10 mg., Novolog insulin, Novolin N insulin, Bumex 1 mg., Lipitor 80 mg. & WelChol 625 mg. 3 a day with dinner. Also on B12 sublingually, magnesium, Centrum Silver Vitamin, CoQ10.