GERD with Mainly Nausea

[LyndaP31]

I have been diagnosed with GERD, and was put on Pepsid AC and Mylanta. The Mylanta never seemed to help, but the Pepsid helped for a few days, and the symptoms came back. My main symptom is nausea and every once in a while I feel burning in my upper stomach and esophagus, and also my gastroesophageal sphincter does jumping jacks.  I tried Prilosec but I did not do the whole 14 days at once. It, too, seemed to help for a few days and the symptoms came back. Mostly nausea and an all-over sick feeling.  I have the nausea mostly at night into the early morning, when it tends to go away after I drink some baking soda (1/2 teaspoon per 4oz of water). I sleep propped up with a 6-inch wedge, and 4 pillows on it, so I am probably closer to 1 foot.  The nausea will come whether I have ate anything or not, as sometimes I will go to bed feeling fine, and then at 1am I am sick. I wait 2 1/2 to 3 hours after eating to go to bed. Currently I am pack on the Pepsid and I am taking Zantac, as a friend told me that the only way she made her nausea go away was to take both of them. That helped great for one night, and the next night it did not help. I would like to find something that I can trust instead of guessing everyday and only getting a good night's sleep every 4 or 5 days. I eat mainly organic food at night that seems to make me feel better, and also salad. I cut out the coffee, no soda, no fatty foods, and the only dairy I eat is yogurt. I changed my butter to gluten free and also my bread. Is there anything else I can do? I was diagnosed in February. Thans for any help. Oh, and I have not vomited at all with this nausea. Like I said above, many times food makes it better, and I chew gum after meals which tends to help, but not always. Thanks!

[selmaS]

  Since you have issues involving your heart...make sure it is not heart related...and look into your family medical history.....

It could be the vagus nerve...but best be safe....so do have the Dr check you out ....let us know what you find out.

[LyndaP31]

what I mean is if I have nausea at night I have to get up and walk around, but sometimes I have the "jumping" too

[LyndaP31]

So after all this time, I am feeling a lot better. Only now and then do I get a little nausea, but if I am at work, I chew gum and it goes away. I get what I think is my Gastroesophageal Sphincter jumping around, but sometimes it makes me nervous and I think it is my heart. Can you feel if your heart is "jumping"? it will only happen once and it goes away. I am breathing just fine and I have no pain. I feel a lot better when I am up and moving around, and sometimes it keeps me up at night. So I have to get up and walk. If it was my heart I am sure I would be feeling worse. I know that having GERD can make you think you have heart problems.

[selmaS]

  Not sure the organic could be a help as for myself I have issues with pepper, black, green what ever kind it gets me every time....

Certain foods can be your trigger regardless of how it is grown.
Keep a journal to see if you can find a pattern.

Avoid greasy, spicy, and acidic foods, as well as caffeine, and carbonated bevs and alcohol.....

Stress is also often a factor so find new ways to relax ans unwind....it may help to try a little of everything....good luck.

[LyndaP31]

Thank you for responding, SelmaS.  I have been following the box as well as I can, taking Zantac 30 to 60 minutes prior to eating, and as that has never helped the nausea, I take a Pepsid 30 minutes before bed. That worked wonders for about 2 days and then stopped working. I have cut some stuff out of my diet, and I seemed to do well with organic, but now I am not sure. I am still taking Zantac 150 and 20 mg of Pepsid hoping it will start working again. I feel great when I am on my feet and working. It is when I get home and sit that I start feeling bad again. I will do the journal thing. Thanks

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the GERD forum

It is very important to take the meds as instructed by the Dr...they can not help if you pick and choose how and when to take them.

It is also important to look at your Diet...even with eating organic there may be items that may be triggering your symptoms....keeping a journal may help pinpoint which items they might be.

Talk with your Dr ad do let him know how you take the meds as that will help him/her decide the next best course of treatment.