reflux and central nervous system

[lgal]

Any information you have on reflux and its effects on the central nervous system will be greatly appreciated.  A couple of times a year usually during my PMS time, I experience a bad case of reflux.  As bad as the reflux is, the worst part of it is the impact it has on my central nervous system.  When I get the reflux I get it constant for about a week to 10 days.  During very bad episodes when I feel the sensation of gas or acid rise through my stomach to my throat, not always but a good majority of the time, it is accompanied by the most bizzare and uncomfortable scary feeling.  I get a wave up my spine through my neck, up into my head as well as through the side of my arms and sides of my legs. I begin to twitch a bit, my hands and legs become very hard to move and I am left in a state of confusion with slurred and someitmes a shaky voice. It takes about 15 minutes but I eventually get full use of my limbs and my voice is fully restored.  Sometimes I even feel these sentsations before I feel the reflux and it is my warning sign that the reflux is about to start.  I have been to several Doctors but none have an answer for me nor do they feel as if it is a concern. Frankly, I don't think they believe me because it sounds so strange. I have learned to live with this scary and horrible feeling now knowing that it will pass but would like some answers.  I hope you can help me. Thank you so much!

[samworth]

A very interesting post bag from this original letter.
Acid Reflux appears to effect very large numbers of the population, my pharmacy completes numerous doctor's prescriptions every day. This my experience.
Following a camera down my throat into the stomach, I was given 20 mg Omeprazole per dayto correct a raw gulletand scared stomach lining. This worked at treat and for ten weeks I became better and better.
In the UK the doctor (GP) issues the script (prescription) and the pharmacy provides the required drugs.
Suddenly after fantastic results I started going down hill fast, in fourteen days I was virtually getting back the bad symptoms that had been pre-treatment. My lifestyle had not altered, then I realised that the Omeprazole was in a new box, it was a different brand. This proved significant since although - according to the literature in the package, each pill contained 20mg Omeprazole - the other stuff in the capsules was entirely different.
Included in the new capules was 'RUST' - ferrous oxide. Now whether that was the problem I know not. However it does seem to be a very strange bedfellow.
A search by the chemist, produced another box of the original
brand, plus another backup brand with similar ingredients. Within days of going back on the 'good' stuff, I was returning to a decent feeling.
Yes! Generic drugs can save health services money, but one would expect that the FDA's would ensure the substitutes are similar.
Please note all three brands are generic drugs.
I personally do not think it is sufficent to allow drug companies total licence as to what they use as bulking agents.
Regards,
SAMWORTH UK

[tessa0825]

There are Drs. that redo fundoplications. I would ask to see a surgeon at one of the university based medical centers. Do you have esophageal damage, ulcers, strictures, barrett's??Thanks,
Tessa

[LadyOK]

I have had GERD for the past 12 years with fundiplication 11 years ago, still on PPI's, recently had to change to Nexium 40mg twice a day instead of Prevacid 30 mg twice a day, but still having problems, but it helps.  My doctor doesn't recommend anymore surgery.  I feel helpless now with no way out!  Is there anyone that has had further surgery after a fundiplication?  My Dr. says it doesn't work, but neither is the PPI's.  I raised my bed several months ago and watch what I eat, can't eat as much anymore without pain. Have lost a lot of weight, only weigh 107 lbs at 5'6"  I also have had a major increase in anxiety in the past year and abdominal pain.  Is there any help for this at all?  Thanks to All!

[Vegas1]

Also the vegas nerve after decades of study can cause tackacardia , arial fiberlation , liver problems and mutch more by simply getting the hiatle hernia down , so many problems in the body can get people well at last .

[Vegas1]

The best PPI to take is previced 30 mg's I tried nexium and that didn't help at all but the previced is a miracle for those who need PPI'S GOOD LUCK.

[Vegas1]

A Missing Link to Chronic Illness, Allergies and Longevity? Vagus Nerve Imbalance/Hiatal Hernia Syndrome
by Steve Rochlitz
This little-recognized syndrome may be the cause of many maladies and symptoms, especially respiratory diseases, and may be corrected by special bodywork.

Hi the sight you can go to is www.townsendletter.com

[tessa0825]

I will be the first to admit my vision may be a little one sided over all this reflux issue. You know I have Barrett's esophagus with dysplasia and have already had a large open surgery last year...I would probably try anything short of lethal infusion if my Dr. suggested it might stop progression..I wonder if you use a wedge pillow at night or if you have raised the head of your bed..For months I tried using the wedge but kept sliding off of it so my husband raised the head of the bed by building some sort of lift..I want to but 2 twin adjustable beds and put them together but my husband thinks what he has done to our bed is a wonderful invention, he takes it as a personal insult when I mention replacing it...If you are having reflux that bad it is very important you get it under control...Best of luck, Tessa

[yoshi]

I take mine in the evening and before i go to bed,but during the nite,i still have reflux and i used to take zantac when it happens,now i just drink some water and sit up for a while or move my sleeping position,it seems to work.
What perplex me is that if i watch what i eat,i have less problem in the day,and i tried not to eat after 6 pm,i still have problem at nite.
how much PPI is enough??it seems that 2 Nexium 40 mg each,one in the evening and one before bedtime should be enough to make it thru the nite and yet it seems this is not enough??
I am not sure which is the lesser evil-long term usage of PPI can cause a lot of problems,one is constipation!!
you cant say take some laxative,long term usage of laxative leads to another set of problem.

[tessa0825]

I realize there is alot of talk about side effects from long term PPI use. But, you have to weigh the consequences of what is unique to your own situation..The real possibility of esophageal cancer from uncontrolled acid reflux outweigh any possible side effects from PPI use for me..Tessa

[tessa0825]

My GI says PPIs are only good for 18 hrs. Thats why I took them twice a day. Prior to my surgery I was taking 60mg in the am and 40mg in the pm (Nexium)...Alot of folks take their PPIs in the morning and then take an H-2 blocker at night..I had surgery and I'am still taking 60mg daily. I was off them exactly 8 weeks post surgery until EGD showed new erosions from reflux..I know many people though who have been able to stay off PPIs for many years after having fundoplication surgery...Tessa

[yoshi]

the problem with PPI is that it is only good for 24 hours,.
so if the problem is somewhere else,where else??
i cannot imagine a lifetime medication of PPI,there is side effects,you know that!!

[tessa0825]

The surgery is called Nissen Fundoplication. Most Drs. I have came across, hesitate to do surgery when you haven't responded well to PPI therapy..PPIs shut off acid pumps in the stomach thus reducing acid reflux. They seem to have enough faith in them (PPIs)that if they don't work then they belive the root of the problem really isn't reflux related thus surgery would not work either..Most people have surgery when they don't want to spend a lifetime on PPI treatment, as fundoplication, if succesful should stop the reflux making medication unneccesary...Drs. also suggest it for severe reflux to folks they don't feel would follow a treatment plan which could lead to serious complications..

[yoshi]

where can i find out more about this hiatal hernia/vagas nerve problem??
i have similar problem but it only happens at nite.
When i mentioned this to my gastro doc,he does not know what it is,he just think constipation could cause headache.
how exactly does hiatal hernia cause pinched nerve??does the gas inside the stomach pinch the nerves??does it cause the stomach to expand??

[yoshi]

i have similar symptoms like yours except it only ocurs at nite,if you email me at ***@****,we can share some info.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

There are some small studies that associate a relationship between anxiety and GERD.  I am not aware of a direct connection between the neurologic symptoms you describe and GERD.  

If you continue to have symptoms, I would suggest a 24-hr pH study to evaluate the severity and frequency of the symptoms.  Things like PPIs as well as other acid blockers can be considered first and then surgery be considered if the medications aren't working.  

Regarding the neurologic symptoms, I would suggest a referral to a neurologist for further evaluation.  It may be possible that GERD may cause some vagal irritation leading to some of the neurologic symptoms you describe.  I would consider an MRI of the brain as an initial study to evaluate the symptoms.  

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[Vegas1]

I to have a had sever central nervious system problems that the docters tried to call panic attacks Let me say that reflux is usually caused by a hiatle hernia if the hernia pinches the vegas nerve it "WILL MAKE ALL THIS HAPPEN AND MORE " This is called HHS/VNI Hiatle hernia syndrome / Vegas nerve imbalance Remember when loue garrets disease was labled hey the doctors will allways find something new and the HHI/VNI Is still unknown to most it can be very dangerious and or deadly so my sugestion to you , is get to a gastro md and be very carefull on the one that might be operating on you "Don't forget, it's not just a hernia it's right where your central nervious system is Good luck

[lgal]

Thank you for your feed back.  ALthough panic and anxiety would be a likely and simple answer to this problem since it does, I agree, promote alot of anxious feelings.  This is a bit different.  I almost feel like I am having a seizure in a way.  I am no stranger to panic and anxiety. I have studied panic and anxiety for years and have suffered from severe episodes. I can get though the worst panic episode imaginable.  This is nothing that you can breathe through or calm yourself down about.  As a matter of fact I don't even get anxious about them anymore just really annoid and uncomfortable until I get my speach back.  I hope to get something to go on.  Thanks so much

[nivekbor]

Hi
I too suffer with reflux and nervous feelings....however, mine are partly due to the fact that I have always had anxiety problems...excessive worrier, fear, panic attacks...I have been seeing a Gastro Doc for tightness in my throat....they put a scope down into my stomach and said he didn't see anything...just some stomach fluids and sluggish gall bladder.  I get a lot of stomach gas after eating and cramping too....
I know in my case, my anxiety brings on tons of strange, scarey feelings and most of my life they are always worse at PMS time too...
Let me know how you are doing and what the gastro doc finds this week...
nivekbor

[yoshi]

what kind of doctors have you seen so far??