Re: Heartburn / Reflux

Posted By Robert on June 09, 1999 at 12:00:30
Good morning.  I am 30 years old, in fair condition.  About six months ago I was treated for acid reflux with Prevacid.  After 30 days of being on the medication, I felt better and so was taken off it.  Since then, I have had short periods of heartburn, but mostly I have had nothing more than excessive burping after eating.  In the last few days, I have been having really bad heartburn in the center of my chest that keeps coming back along with an occasional sharp pain in my lower abdomen.  It's been so bad that even water has been repeating on me.  I trace it back to a steak dinner I had earlier in the week, and since I never eat beef I'm thinking that maybe my stomach couldn't handle it?  Could this just be the lingering effects of that?  I have had no other problems except for a coinciding head cold.  Thanks for the advice.

[Lary-Mizen]

Posted By Larry Mizen on June 11, 1999 at 14:21:12
My doctor has diagnosed me with Reflux and has me on Prilosc and propulsid.  I have a fullness in my upper chest and pains in both right and left sides of my chest from time to time and even under my left arm under the rib cage. I feel like I have to burp alot and have discomfort just above my ribcage.  I have no indigestion or heartburn which I find odd.  I quit coffe and beer, have an occasional glass of wine.  I notice if we go out to eat and I have something different to eat and maybe a few glasses of wine it will make the symtoms (symptoms) more severe.  I am going to a Doctor May 20th and will probably be scoped.  My question is does this sound like reflux? I guess because I don't get indigestion or heartburn I feel it might be something else such as gall bladder.  I have had times and only a few where I have had eaten before bedtime and had a problem with that.  Anybody out there help me.

[Stephanie-Hal]

Posted By Stephanie Hall on June 14, 1999 at 19:37:13
Larry, I am sitting here reading about your condition and realize that you have EXACTLY the same symptoms I have!!!  I am a 30 year old female.  So far I have figured out that what that "lumpy" feeling is is called a "globus sensation."  I have just developed this over the last month.  Now it is soooo severe, I have it practically all of the time.  I have modified my diet, so that I am eating a lot of soft foods, no alcohol, no coffee, etc.  However, I still get it.  I am on Prilosec ( 10mg), but I feel like it is no longer working.  I am completely at a loss about what to do.  Does anyone out there have any suggestions?  

[Denis-Starbird]

Posted By Dennis Starbird on June 16, 1999 at 21:59:53
I've been through what your going through I had the fundoplication operations and feeling much better now. I had the operation about 1 1/2 years ago. I've had a few post problems for the most part I feeling much better.
If you have questions please mail me and I'll get back with you.
Dennis

[Lu__0]

Posted By Lu on June 17, 1999 at 09:55:30
I too havethe globus sensation and lots of belching, but not what I would call heartburn. My doctor also said it was reflux, and POSSIBLY a hiatal hernia, what is this possibly? I asked if hw could do the endoscopic test and he said it wasn't necessary I had all the classic symptoms of reflux. But, I have no heartburn, just the globus sensation and belching, and the Tagamet just makes me feel bloated, but Gaviscon Tablets do seem to help with the belching.
I'm afraid it could be a tumor or polyp or something, afterall, my brother died at 42 of esophagus/lung cancer and I am now 41. But my doctor said"your brother was a heavy smoker and the lung cancer was there first." Maybe he's right, but I don't want to seem like a hypochondriac and keep running to the doctor. What have you others been feeling? Does reflux have these other symptoms, not just necessarily the heartburn? Like you, Stephanie, i get that lumpy feeling but not really heartburn, and sometimes a sharp pain in my right side, below shoulder blade, but that usually passes with a release of a gas bubble.

[RAJAT-NARAIN]

Posted By RAJAT NARAIN on September 25, 1999 at 16:06:33
I am a 53 year old male  from India.Ten years ago I had a severe nocturnal regurgitation during sleep leading to slight aspiration.Provisional diagnosis: Hiatus hernia with gastro-oesophageal reflux.Took anti-reflux medication for2 years.But nocturnal attacks of waking up gasping and coughing persisted.Tests at Beth Israel Hospital, Boston showed that there was no evidence of actual reflux and that the hiatus hernia was small enough not to cause reflux.
2. On returning  to India my gastro-enterologist referred me to a Sleep Disorder specialist who ssuspected that my nocturnal spasms might be related to my sleep quality ( REM phase disturbance).Treatment with a mild and tapering dose of benzodiapines caused substantial remission of the symptoms.I remained asymptomatic for almost 4 years.Unfortunately,stress/anxiety led to gastric acidity .Coupled with obesity, the hiatus hernia has grown larger with  the emergence of actual reflux.I had to resume intensive anti-reflux medication..
3.  Fortunately a friend suggested an incredibly simple but efficaceous remedy:take a piece of dried fig.Clean it thoroughly with warm water and soak it overnight in a tumblerful of plain water.In the morning it will swell and soften up.Slice it into 3-4 pieces, chew it and wash it down with the water in the tumbler.If necessary ,take two figs and take them morning and at bed time.After taking this for barely 7 days I experienced considerable relief and was able to go off  all allopathic anti-reflux medication.In fact, the figs even save me from the effects of occasional late  dinners.However I wouldn't recommend tempting providence too much.The fig is a dry fruit and I am firmly convinced it can have no adverse side-effects.It is surely worth a try.Not only has the reflux problem been alleviated in large measure, bowel movement has been regularised to a great extent.Chronic amoebiasis, which is very common in India, has also been relived considerabl. In India, it is commonly belived , according to ancient Ayurvedic texts , that a healthy digestive system is the key to a healthy and disease free body.  
                  












Follow Ups: