Is it important to treat reflux?

[pikamom]

I've had reflux for the last couple of years. I have chronic illness that requires many different meds and I think all the pills have ruined my stomach. I often have nausea or stomach pain with either constipation or diahrea. I have heartburn almost every day and eat antacids like candy. Also if I overeat it's very uncomfortable and I start to burp and little bits of chewed food come up in my throat. At one time my doctor put me on prilosec but it made me feel crampy and I thought all I need is side effects from a med that's supposed to fix the side effects from my other meds. My question is, do you think I should tell my doctor that I'm still having the reflux. I wasn't too worried about it till I saw in one of the posts that reflux can have bad consequences.

[Nonna]

From everything I've read, bad reflux disease needs to be treated because it can create an environment for the development of cancer. Let your doctor know it hasn't improved.

[jaspur]

I had "heartburn" for 20 years before I was diagnosed with reflux disease and a condition that it caused Barretts Esophagus. Barretts is considered by some to be a pre-curser for cancer. What happens is the continious reflux of acid into the esophagus changes the cell lining in the esophagus into the same cells that are in the stomach. It cannot be reversed but it in the majority of cases does no harm. The acid reflux that is the supposed cause of Barretts can be controlled by meds (prilosic etc) or a hiatial Hernia type repair on your esophagus (Nissan fundolplication..Nissan wrap) This operation done laporoscopically wraps part of the stomach around the esophagus that tightens it up to stop the reflux. it could be wise for you to see a g.i. doc and maybe have a endoscopy (out patiene procedure) done to see if there is any damage to your esophagus.

[pikamom]

Thanks for your help. I will say something to my doctor about it when I have a checkup next month. My uncle had cancer of the esophogus a couple of years ago, it wasn't diagnosed till he couldn't swallow anything and had lost a lot of weight. He had chemotherapy and radiation and has been cancer-free, but recently developed heart failure.

[Mom2Marz]

YES...treat reflux.  I know it sometimes takes time to adjust to medications, but usually your body will adapt.  My reflux was so severe that even drinking water could cause it.  I greatly altered my diet,(no chocolate, tomatoes, donuts, citrus, spicey foods, garlic, or onions) and began taking prilosec twice a day, plus a few antacids in between. I also slept sitting up partway. It took nearly a year, but now it is under control.  I still take prilosec twice daily, watch my diet, and take a nightly dose of Riopan Plus before bed, but the I rarely have problems.  I also found out from an allergy test that I was allergic to tomatoes!  So I have quit those entirely.  So you may need to see if you have any food allergies that may be aggravating it, as well.

My father died of duodenal cancer and lived on antacids (Bromoseltzer was his favorite).  He was very sensitive to different foods and such, but disregarded his body's warnings.  Don't disregard your body's warnings.  Take care of this problem, before it becomes deadly.

[karie]

Did you have a Esophageal Manometry test ?
And the 24 hour Ph test ?
Could the heat in my stomach and constant stomach pain, ache be from the GERD, Trying to find the correlation between waiting for tests and results and appts.
So concerned I should have a MRI or CT to explain why I have lost so much weight and why the pain is not relieved with meds.
Appreciate your input