GERD in Africa

Good Morning respected doctors and users.

I have now suffered from "GERD", for about 2 years. I have turned 21. Last year October I finally went to a professional, who did the Endoscope. Low and behold, no signs of damage in stomach and esophagus. No hiatal hernia. LES in working condition. Ever since I saw with my own eyes that I was ok, I would get heartburn once or twice a week, and it was easily controlled by taking Omeprazole(in 2 hours no more heartburn!).. However, its staring to trouble me everyday again. And this time I have made some interesting observations..

1. My throat burns....This was, and still is the only symptom that ever made me  go to Docs who said I have "GERD"!
2. When the "heart"burn(read throat burn) starts, and I vomit, Viola! No heartburn!! Vomitting give me immediate relief
3. Im a big time smoker for 5 years.

Do you think I have GERD? No stomach pains etc. Could it be bile reflux?? Is low stomach acid(not enough) a possibility.

My gastro said, while he did the scope, that everything is fantastic, and he thinks if I quit smoking the heartburn will stop. How true is this?

Thanks for your time

[selmaS]

Ur dr is well trained in this area and smoking is on the list of things to avoid with GERD.

Vomiting is adding to the amount of acid in ur espohagus...along with the reflux ....all it can do is cause perm damage.And although it may make u feel better now, down the road it could cause more issues.

"selma"

[Swazi1]

Thanks for your reply...The vomiting comes from my IBS. Today I was searching the internet, and came accross a topic that said Apple cider vinegar works for some people.. I will not lie to you...I tried it, and in 5 minute the burn in the throat was gone... How is this possible??? My PPI's take 2-3 hours to work but deals with the issue one time....Gaviscon and Maalox dont work at all, but the Apple-Cider worked one shot!!!

P.S in the beggining I had the throat burn everyday, even though I was taking 2 x 40mg Nexium. Now if I take 1 20mg omeprazol or a 40mg nexium, instead of giving me relief for the day, it gives relief for 3 days(one only huh!)....
You know...its a hard decision to quit smoking...Do you guys really think smoking can be my cause??? I smoke 20cigs a day, and I also smoke 2 or 3 Marijuana joints a day...

PPS..Oh and my IBS is caused from not enough fiber, but the thing is, if I eat a high fiber cereal or beans etc... I tend to get heartburn then!!!

[selmaS]

Yes, I believe that smoking is a contributor to ur issues...beans may not be the best fiber source.....but I agree when the IBS flares so does the reflux.

U really need to look at ur diet and smoking.......and make some changes.

"selma"

[Swazi1]

Thanks so much selmaS!!!

Could you reccomend good fiber sources? I dont want to take pills and supplements. I want a natural approuch!

As an athlete, I need that extra power sometimes, so are things like baked potatoe, bread(white and brown), cheese, chicken, bad for my GERD?

[selmaS]

There r plenty of fruits and vegetables that can aid in adding fiber as well as whole wheat bread.....keep a journal and if the food affects u...delete it from ur list.Beans don't work for u or the cereal.....it could be u r in a flare...during flares sometimes water would affect me.



"selma"