stomach pains

[Dazon50]

I was shopping in the grocery store when I started feeling stomach pains in my upper middle stomach.  I felt light-headed also & hot.  I quickly got done/headed home.  Now I am having stomach pains that come like waves & middle of chest also (spasms).  Last time this happened, I ended up in ER with pain meds & it was the gerd as I had not been taking the prilosec every day to save on pills.

Well this time, I haven't been skimping, so am concerned.  I had asked the doctor in the ER how do you know when you are having a heart attack from the gerd if the gerd can mimic the symptoms with the chest tightening/spasms/radiating out from the center of the chest.  He just shrugged his shoulders...said you can't.

So, I am wondering what would have triggered this and if I should go to ER if this worsens.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

[Dazon50]

Thank you.  It may be time to try something else.  I have been on prilosec for several years.  I stopped drinking the cappacinno in the morning :-((((((((

[jena64]

I have had Gerd for years and the first medication I was prescribed was Prilosec.  It did not help me.  The doc then prescribed Nexium, that worked well. Now my insurance won't pay for it so I'm on Aciphex.  That also works well.  

Good luck I hope you get some relief.

[selmaS]

Thanks for sharing ur story...glad u r doing better.

"selma"

[anglmaryjo]

I was having a big problem with stomach GERD.....was hospitalized several times...thought I was having heart attack....nausea and sweating.
The last hospital stay I saw a Dr.who recommended I have a gastroscopy where a scope is put down to stomach and found 2 polyps in my stomach. Now that they are removed Im much better....Dr. has me staying off anti-inflammatory meds....no caffine...no alcohol...and I take omeprazole every morning. I think omeprazole is generic for prilosec (better price) I stay away all spicy foods and am feeling much better now.
Just wanted to share my story. Hope it was helpful
anglmaryjo

[selmaS]

I can't eat nething with green pappers...a big NONO......

Plus I take my meds in the AM b4 breakfast.....and again mid afternoon......do u have just one dose per day to take?

Did the gum help?

"selma"

[Dazon50]

Hi!  I took the prilosec before I ate and waited a good hour.  I had a salad with mushrooms/green peppers/califlower (little amts.) with dressing and some mixed nuts.  I didn't drink the lemonade :-(((((

Usually I take the 1st prilosec after getting up in the morning & wait 1/2 hr. or more to eat.

I was making do with 1 a day, but now it is looking like it won't be enough.  I need to pay attention more to what I am eating too.  That is where keeping a "food diary" would help.  Out of sight, out of mind.

Thanks for the tip with the hard candy & gum.

:-))))

[selmaS]

...it can be the milk...when I am having issues I avoid milk.

And don't u take ur meds in the AM b4 u eat and feel ill?....or do u only take when needed....

Chew some gum or suck on a hard candy...the saliva that eating either will create will help calm those stomach acids.....

"selma"

[Dazon50]

I quit smoking 16 yrs. ago, Aug. 25th (anniversary date).

It looks like I am about to have another attack.  This is totally new for me.  I ate late breakfast, cereal with a banana, & breakfast bar.  Depressing.....  I was about to fix a salad & felt the first pangs of a tummy ache.  I took the prilosec & will wait it out.

:-*
D.

[selmaS]

Yes...I have in the past been able to go yrs with out meds......but a surgery  for a different condition and the drugs they use caused it to flare up again, so I am on meds for it and trying hard to get off them.....diet and lifstyle are key.

Did I see u r trying to quit smoking?....if so good for u...as smoking does have an effect on ur gerd symptoms.

"selma"

[Dazon50]

Thank you.  I will talk to the Doctor about it.  The pains subsided over night.  I am going sloooow & easy eating today.  Less is better from what I read---to eat smaller amounts, more frequently.  I went to my therapy today....next week I see the bone doctor about my knee, etc., and on the 7th scheduled to see my regular Doctor.

I had eaten pizza 2x in the last week.....I wonder if that with the lemonade, wine, cappaccino, tuna, salmon salad (mayo in it)....contributed to this episode.  Also, with taking only one prilosec to save  pills might not have been the smartest idea in the long run.

Has anyone been able to go off the prilosec or other meds similar by changing diet & lifestyle?

:-)

[selmaS]

U may want to see a GI dr if this persists and get a check up and get on meds to quiet the spasms.....tums would not be what  a dr would rx for this.....prilosec or pepcid.....but do see the dr to get right med and dosage for u.

"selma"

[Dazon50]

Thank you.  Yes...wish I could turn the time back & not have eaten those things recently.  The pains have gone on all night.  They are like spasms...sometimes harder to breathe.  I took a couple of tums, but can't take any more.  I am not going to eat anything more.  I drank a sip of water.  I am hoping/praying I will be able to sleep...so tired.

Tomorrow I have therapy for my upper arm/shoulder from the spasms at the beginning of August.  I have been off work now over a month.  

:-((((

[selmaS]

Hi....yes u r eating a few things u should avoid with GERD...like....cappacino, chocolates,wine...and any citrus juices.

How long since u quit smoking?...and congratulations on quiting...good for u!!

How long prior to sleeping did u eat or drink something?

Also some meds can cause these issues.....chew gum (not Mint) and the excess saliva can help.

Ask ur pharmacist about ne interaction btwnmeds u r taking and if ne have this as a side effect.

"selma"

[Dazon50]

Thank you for your suggestion.  I am staying upright here at home...continuing to have upper stomach pains, with the chest spasms.  Before, I was given nitroglycerin to take for the spasms, but it gives me a huge headache.  

I am trying to figure out what is different & am wondering if the nortripyline might be part of the problem.  I wonder if taking melatonin might help with the sleeping difficulties with my fibromyalgia.

I have been drinking raspberry lemonade lately (not today though).  Today only had breakfast bars & juice, banana & cup of cappacino early.  I no longer smoke.  I have been drinking some wine, sweet kinds at night before bed, but not last night.  I had salmon mixed with mayo, celery, on toast last night & a few chocolates.

Do any of those food items sound like they might be a problem with Gerd?

Thank you,
:-)

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the GERD forum.

It is difficult to tell u what it could be bcuz it could be sooooooooo many diff things.

R u wathcing ur diet?.....have u made lifestyle changes?.....do u smoke??....drink alcohol?...soda?....ect, things considered to be triggers?

Also, it is possible that the prilosec has stopped working for u...this has happened to me and now I am on a H2 blocker instead of the PPI like prilosec. I take an rx strenght of pepcid and it works well for me.

See ur GI dr and ask about the possibility of needing a diff med.....

Good luck
"selma"