I seem to have GERD, but it's not responding to die

[Judyvla]

I have what feels like GERD, but which hasn't responded to a regimen of no alcohol or caffeine, no spice, nothing acidic, no eating before bed, wedge pillow, etc.  The problem started when I reduced the amount of Klonopin I take at bedtime to prevent insomnia, from 1 mg to .5 mg.  I did this carefully, over a period of two weeks. The symptoms started just around the time that I got down to the .5 mg.  My sense is that  my  esophagus was irritated by the removal of this drug, which I've taken for 20 years.    I take Klonopin before bed, feel no pain during the night and during the first couple of hours after I wake up,  and then experience increasing pain through the day. The only thing that seems to work is eating – if I have some herbal tea and a few crackers, or a meal, the discomfort diminishes for an hour or two.

I've been taking PPIs (nexium, pantaprazole), have added in 10-20 mg Elavil, tried taking Elavil in AM as well as PM, and am now trying Valium as an anti-spasmodic, but seem to be getting nowhere.   I can't afford to take sedating drugs during the day, because I play in the New York Philharmonic and need to be at top alertness all the time.   Going without caffeine makes maintaining my schedule rehearsals and concerts very difficult, and even with this rather draconian regimen,  i'm not experiencing significant relief. I also have osteoporosis, so I am uncomfortable with taking PPIs for very much longer.  I've had an endoscopy, and esophagram, and an upper abdominal CAT scan with and without contrast, all of which came back reasonably normal.

I hope  someone can help – I'm really at my wits end!  I have a competent gastroenterologist and a very good GP,  but no one seems to be able to think outside of the box enough to solve this one.

I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Judith Nelson

Typos by iPa

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the GERD forum.

WOW the NY Philharmonic...very impressive!
May I ask how long you are on the PPI's? Sometimes it can take longer then we expect to get relief from meds.....and sometimes PPI's are not the answer....if you have given the meds ample time, then ask your Dr about a H2 blocker....

Working with your Dr is the best advice I am offer.