GERD \ Stomach Ulcer question

Hi, this is my first time posting on these forums so apologies if I am posting this in thw wrong section. I just wanted to ask some general questions about GERD and nighttime heartburn. I haven't been officially diagnosed with having a stomach ulcer but I wanted to as if the following has ever occurred with anyone else on these forums? I have had heartburn on and off previously but about 3 weeks ago after a heavy night of drinking, I felt really bad the next day. I passed blood in my faeces the following day and also had twinges in my chest around the heart area. I have had heartburn before but this seemed more intense than previous. This stopped after a day or two but now it is reoccurring on and off. I could be fine for a few days and then the pain in the chest will come again. I find that I am being woken at night by a sort of burning pain in my chest area which sometimes spreads down to the stomach. I have also found that I am waking with a bad taste in my mouth some mornings and with slight pains in both of my arms. My family has a history of stomach ulcers and I was wondering if anyone else had had similar symptoms to what I've been having?

[selmaS]

Hi...Alcohol is on the list of things to avoid if u have GERD...since it was a heavy night of drinking I can only imagine the drinking brought about ur issues.

The pain at night could be u need to elevate the head of ur bed and not eat for a few hours prior to lying down.....3 to 4 hrs is suggested.

as for the taste I am sure not eating prior to bedtime may also help....and staying away from dairy products in the evening may also help as they slow the LES which will allow the acid back up to ur throat.....

If left untreated and ur diet and lifestyle don't change u may end up with an ulcer...but if u eat healthy and cut out the lifestyle that will lead to an ulcer than u may be able to dodge that bullet so to speak.

See the Health Pages for tips for lifestyle and diet to help aid the meds u r on.
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=236

"selma"