any opinions please

i am 31 year old male about 6 feet tall and 180lbs.  i feel i am in ok shape but have not really exercised much in about 2 years.  i have been in and out of the doctors office for the past year for what they say is gerd and anxiety.  i just want to be sure this is gerd and not my heart.  i have had a endoscopy and that doc says i have some inflamation (inflammation) in my stomach and put me on 2 nexiums a day.  i was on prevacid before that with not much help.  the nexiums seem to help a little but i still have chest pain that goes up into my neck and shoulders about 1-2 times a week.  the pain is not bad but it is there and it is not normal.  my regular doctor has gave me a ekg at 2 different times and both are normal.  he also gave me a treadmill stress test and that was normal also.  my blood preasure is also normal.  i know with all of the test being normal i should be free from heart trouble i just want peace of mind.  if this really is gerd and i continue taking nexium is this safe?   i have read that you should only take it for a few weeks.  the doc says its ok to take for ever if needed.  also since the nexium i have had horible sores in my mouth.  is this normal?  i am just so confused about all of this i could talk about it all day,  i know everyones time is valuble so i will shut up now.

any help would be so good
thanks and god bless
kevin

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi Kevin,
Since you are just 31, the chances of getting heart ailment is very remote. Your EKG and treamill also confirmed that you dont have any problems related to heart.

Sometimes GERD produces symptoms similar to heart ailments. A 24 hours pH monitoring test has to be done to confirm GERD.

Nexium is a safe and effective medication for GERD. But you need life style modifications also for better results.

Life style 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

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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.
- Ratnakar Kini M.D.

[ktrent]

just a bump for some help

[mrhpat]

i am 30 years old, 6"5 and 203 lbs. i have had severe acid reflux for about 8 years. i have been on nexium for about 6 years. you dont want to have to stay on any meds forever but i dont think that it will hurt you. i have just had surgery for the reflux 2 weeks ago and no longer have to take the nexium. i had chest pain, numbness, dizziness, and reflux everyday. i thought being dizzy was normal for me. after the surgery i dont have any chest pain but  my throat still closes and thats when im dizzy. my doctor says that should go away because that is a symptom of post surgery. hopefully he is right. good luck.