gerd

[carisa]

Hi,
I am a 20 year old female and have had gerd for the past few years. I have had 2 upper endoscopys by 2 different doctors. The first was about two years ago, the doctor thought my LES seemed loose. The other was about a year ago, he said he didn't think it seemed loose, but that my stomach did produce more acid than he would like to see. He has me taking 2 prevacid 30miligrams a day. Once in the morning and once at night. The strange thing about my issue is that over the past two years, it only presents itself as a stomach ache and it really doesn't matter what I eat. In fact, I have it in the morning a lot. When it comes on I will have it for months and all of a sudden it will go away randomly for several months. It has been gone pretty much this whole year, and came back about 1 1/2 weeks ago. This time around I can feel it in my throat pretty much constantly, it tastes bad but is not coming all the way up and it doesn't matter if I'm laying down or not or even if I have eaten. I have a feeling like in the past this will go away in a few months out of the blue. It's really annoying to say the least.

So I guess my biggest concern is getting Barrett's esphagus. I'm worried about throat cancer. My doctor said there was no sign last year during my upper endoscopy of any esophagal erosion, but I'm still worried it will come. Is it true that it takes years of untreated issues before getting cancer? I know I sound a little neurotic and in a way I guess I am! What are your thoughts on this?

Also, is taking Prevacid 30 miligrams a day a bad thing? I've been taking it for about two years. It's the only thing that helps me at times.

Thanks,
Carisa

[Ratnakar Kini]

Hi,
If Prevacid is not providing any relief, 24 hours pH monitoring test is needed for reevaluation . PPI are relatively safe medications and taking it for a long term usually do not cause any serious side effects.

It takes years together before Barrett's esophagus develops. Barrett's esophagus is a precancerous lesion. So patients with chronic uncontrolled GERD should have regular followup to look for the development of Barrett's esophagus.

PPI and life style modifications prevent acid reflux and development of Barrett's esophagus.
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.

[carisa]

Hi,

I meant to say I am 30 yrs old, not 20. I'm sure that doesn't really make a difference though.

Is the 24 hr PH test the one with the tube going from my nose to my stomach? It sounds scary. Isn't there one where you can swallow a camera type of device? That sounds a little easier. Depending on the results, what would be the the next step? For instance, if they found that I had way too much acid, what would be next?

[carisa]

One more thing, for some reason I've been taking the prevacid right before I take my first bite of a meal, either in the morning or at night. Does that make the prevacid less affective? Sometimes I would even take it in the middle of a meal.