Acid Reflux - Severe esophagus pain when eating/drinking

[jeffabbott]

I am 24 years old and have been recently diagnosed with Acid Reflux Disease. This was the same time that I also got Tonsillitis. I'm not sure which one caused the severe pain in my lower esophagus but it hit there very fast. When I try to drink or eat anything, I get a very severe pain in the middle of my chest. I was told by my doctor that it was caused by the Acid Reflux and that it is a very bad burn on my esophagus right before food or drink gets to my stomach.

I was prescriped Carafate and Aciphex. I know the Carafate is suppose to coat my esophagus and help with the pain but it isn't nearly strong enough nor does it last long at all. It is so painful to swallow food and water that I am constantly dehydrated and very very hungry (i've lost 18 pounds in 6 days because of this), I've only been able to eat 2 maybe 3 small bites of something a day. Is there anything else I can try that will help deal with the pain in my esophagus when eating and drinking? I would love to be able to drink a bottle of water without the feeling like someone is stabbing me.

Also, is there any Acid Reflux medicine that comes in liquid or chewable form? The tablets keep getting caught in my throat when I try to swallow them, so I have to chop it up into 2 pieces (I know I'm not suppose too)

Thanks a bunch!
Jeff

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Reflux can lead to the pain.  I would consider an upper GI series and/or upper endoscopy to further evaluate the symptoms.  These tests can also look for inflammation or an ulcer.  

I am not aware of PPIs or other reflux medications that come in liquid or chewable form.  

More specialized tests like a 24-hr pH study or motility study can be considered if the testing continues to be non-revealing.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_

[jbarr]

I feal you man sounds like we have the exact same problems. How long has this been going on? I am not to the point I cant drink but it is close. I 2 am takeing aciphex and sucralfate. Any idea on how long it takes to heal?

[jbarr]

Is your pain in the middle or mainly on the right side of your chest?

[jeffabbott]

The pain started on the 7th, I was told it takes a few weeks. The pain is mostly in the middle of my chest and can be quite unbearable.

[lnw76]

It sounds like your problem may be a little beyond acid reflux. It is possible that you are having esophageal spasms exacerbated by acid reflux. If you have lost that much weight, you should call your primary care provider and let him/her know.

[Scarlett1]

Prevacid comes in powder thats mixed with water, also comes in a meltaway type thing and you can open the capsules and sprinkle in applesauce.

[wandabates]

well i went to several doctors and had egd's ,couple of yearsago i had ulcers and erosions,and h-pylori,so i felt like it was the same thing.i coughed everytime i ate or drank anything,till it was so bad i id not want to eat because i would almost get sick when i would start coughing and i stayed hoarse all the time,so i had no voice.finally after having every test you can think of i found a doctor that had me do an esophageal monometry test,that showed my flap in my esophagus was staying open and not closing so all the 15 pills a day they had me on for acid reflux was coming into my throat,so they did the nissen fundoplication surgery on me 2 weeks ago and now i cant eat because i hurt so bad in my chest,stomach and back,acid reflux can be bad,but if you think you have it the esophageal monometry test will prove to them ,the flap is a big deal because if it is not closing when you swallow no medicine will help and it can cause barretts esophagus sooner or later.my husband can take one nexium and feels fine but they had me on 5 different acid meds per day and 15 pills a day and it would not help me.good luck,there are so many doctors that will make you fell like you are making up your problems,until you find the right doctor,they will not get you fixed.hope you find the right physician to help you..wanda

[abdula]

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[dubaixdiva]

Hi to everyone/anyone with reflux esophagitis or hiatal hernia. Im a 42 year old  female and  I went to have an endoscopy done on 28th March of this year after a year of stomach pain and reflux (I should of gone to GP sooner).They diagnosed esophigitis and the doc put me on omeprazole 20 mg per day.Then after a couple of months the doc gave me a repeat prescription and I didnt check it and after a few days my symptoms were coming back and when I checked the pills they were only 10 mg.So I went to the docs again as I was starting to constantly clear my throat and get this awful pain in the middle of my sternum.I was convinced it was a heart or angina pain and started getting a tight chest like an elephant was sitting on it.The doc then changed my pills to lansoprazole 30mg a day and ive been on them now for 3 weeks and although there is less acid,the chest pain (An ache) after eating,the breathlessness,a cough,the constant throat clearing and also great discomfort in my stomach when ive eaten is really getting me down.Is this a way of life now ? Will it always be like this now all the time?Isleep with approx 6 pillows (almost sitting up)and cannot slouch (Not a bad thing i suppose)I think my doc thinks im a hypocondriac and doesnt seem to understand but this is driving me mad Help................ DXD

[zeret]

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[trax100]

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