Is this Acid Reflux? please help.

[HockeyCrazy3040]

Hey everyone, my name is Reem. 20 year old female, and in good shape.

Last summer I was sent to the ER because I had breathing problems, fast heart rate, etc.. and I freaked myself out big time. They ran so many tests on me and found everything was normal. I then continued to have these problems, went to the doctors, cardiologist.etc.. and everything was normal again.

This past November I went to an ENT due to sinuses, and complaints about my throat hurting me a lot. He asked me what my symptoms were, and then stuck this mini tube thingy down my throat. It was REALLY uncomfortable, but after a few minutes he told me I had a case of Acid Reflux. He then prescribed me prevacid in which I took for a month but stopped taking because it made me feel weird and uncomfortable. I'd constantly go to the bathroom and it was just something I did not like. After I went off the pill I'd constantly have shortness of breath, indigestion, heartburn, hard time swallowing, hiccups constantly, constant burping, and even sometimes when I'd burp a bit of throw up would come out and burn my throat. A month later my Dad told me to try taking Zantac 150 *because they didn't have 75 at the time* to see if I'd like that better. At first I tried taking half a pill to see if that would just work, and it didn't. I'd still have abdominal pain, heartburn..etc so I took one pill a day and since then it's worked pretty good.

This past week I went a day or so without a pill because I was out and forgot to pick me up some more. I was pretty okay during the day without it, but had a little heartburn here and there. I went and got me some more pills yesterday and took one right away, and everything was good up until last night..

I woke up in the middle of the night kind of suddenly feeling shortness of breath, and was really nauseated. I felt like something was stuck in my throat, and I had the feeling that I was going to throw up but every time I tried it didn't happen. I felt so completely woozy, heartburn, and had a bad headache as well. Then I'd feel hot and cold chills, and got a bit gassy as well. *gross I know* lol

The thing is I know that the ENT said I have a minor case of Acid Reflux, but is that enough for him to diagnose me by just looking down my throat? Plus it's not like he's a Gastro doctor. Should I make an appointment to see one? And how come even when taking the pill yesterday, I got those bad symptoms the same night? Do you guys think I need a stronger pill?

I am just confused, and it is so discomforting. I'm sick of the shortness of breath, heartburn, and abdominal pains.

Also, I've noticed I go to the bathroom quite often. Anytime I drink or eat milk with my cereal, or anything dairy wise I have to go. I get gassy all the time, and have stomach aches. Is this related to it?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks for reading this.
xoxo

[Jaybay]

I know reflux can cause your pulse to escalate, but I'm honestly not certain about the headaches.  Docs don't do general anesthesia for endoscopy, but rather, twilight sedation.  Just depends on the anesthesiologist and facility where you have the procedure performed.  Most use either a combination of demoral and versed, or propofol and versed.  The versed is like valium times 100.  You won't know or remember a thing.  Propofol is a fairly new drug that wears off very quickly and shortens recovery time remarkably.

[HockeyCrazy3040]

Thanks for the replies!

Yeah I just told my Dad to make me an appointment because even after I took Zantac today I still wasn't feeling well. It's just a really uncomfortable feeling.

I am kinda scared though to get an endoscopy. Don't you have to be knocked out for that?

Also, is it possible that Acid Reflux can cause headaches or a fast heart rate?

[Jaybay]

It sounds like over-the-counter remedies (zantac) just aren't keeping your reflex under control.  There are several other prescription meds for you to try that may not give you the same side effects as the prevacid.  Since you've had this problem for so long, it would probably be a good idea to see a gastroenterologist.  Severe reflux over many years can really do a number on your esophogus, so an endoscopy would probably be a good idea.  

[bip]

I have acid reflux and IBS....I do the same anything dairy I get belly aches.I would try to stay away from dairy.I  t could be your gallbladder to.I thought that but it wasn't.See a gastro they can do more testing to see what is wrong with you.....I think all the symptons your having is related to what you have or gallbladder... Im going through the same thing.....