Anxious and worried...

I'm a 27 y/o, 6 ft, 205 lbs relatively healthy male.  Until recently I worked out regularly, I also eat fairly well, quit smoking and drink sparingly.  Any way, my first bout w/ GERD hit me a little more than a year ago w/ nausea after eating.... now keep in mind I've never been officially diagnosed, just something my GP thought might be bothering me and prescribed me ranitidine... long story short, the ranitidine worked fine (150 mg/2x a day) and I was symptom free within 24 hours.  Flash forward to 5 weeks ago, I thought I was developing a bit of a chest cold with some chest tightness.  Figured the cough would come along later... funny thing, it never came.  Went to urgent care a week later for them to tell me my breathing is fine and sent me off w/ instructions to take an expectorant and a rx for albuterol.  Both did not work.  

When I was finally able to get in w/ my GP 17 days later, new symptoms had arrived and I began burping up acid and regurgitating bits of food after eating (a different one from a year ago, changed insurance) he couldn't explain what it could be and refilled my ranitidine rx supposing my respiratory problems may be related to reflux.  I've been on it since then (last Monday), and it doesn't seem to be working.  I've now progressed to difficulty swallowing and for the first time this morning, fairly severe heart burn that I took some gaviscon for.  Can ranitidine stop working? Should I try something else?

Any advice would be helpful... it's been 5 weeks of misery and it keeps me pretty anxious (I'm not necessarily miserable, just wondering when it will all end) and frustrated to the point that I'm on the verge of tears at times.

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
Lifestyle modifications is also important for good control of acid reflux-

Lifestyle modifications -
1. Head elevation while sleeping
2. Small frequent meals
3. Going to bed 2- 3 hours after food
4. Avoiding bed time snacks
5. Avoiding smoking and alcohol
6. Avoiding tight fitting clothes
7. Avoiding cola, citrus drinks, carbonated drinks, tea, coffee, spicy food
8. Weight reduction

If you dont find any relief with rantidine you can take PPI which are better than ranitidine.

[gochoosy1]

hi, i wish I could tell u if rantindine stops working.  but I was just diagnosed today of having GERD. and that is the med my Dr. gave me. I have had Shortness of breath, tight chest, constantly clearing my throat, but not much comes up. This had been going on for like 4 months for me and I finally went to the DR. and HE said gerd.. I always thought Gerd was more like heartburn, or food coming up in your throat. And I also thought it was mostly in over weight persons.  I am 40 i weigh like 135, and I dont understand how GERD can make me short on breath.  SO, even though I cant answer the MEdicine question,  I do have quite similar symptoms.  Best of luck an let me know if u have any updates..