Possible GERD?

[NallyGrl]

For the past 2 years I have had problems with heartburn.  The frequency of the heartburn has increased significantly over the past few months.  Currently I am using TUMS daily - several times a day and night mostly after meals or drinking.  Fequently I wake up at night and need to take TUMS and lately have woke up choking from inhaled acid reflux or vomit and have to cough it out of my lungs which burns and is extremely painful.  I also have a constant warm feeling in my stomach and generally upset stomach.  Occationally while eating I get the feeling that the food is stuck in my esophagus and its hard to swallow it down.  I know what foods trigger the heartburn and try to avoid them but it does not help, seems like lately everything I eat or drink feels like nails going down my stomach.  I have also started having a problem where if I coughing hard I will end up vomiting.  I'm concerned that this is getting worse and currently taking TUMS and watching what I eat is no longer working.  Should I see my doctor about this issue or try an OTC daily medicine first?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I would discuss this issue with your physician.

An upper GI series or upper endoscopy can evaluate for conditions other than GERD.  This can include ulcers or inflammation of the upper digestive tract.  

If it is GERD, medications like proton pump inhibitors (i.e. Prilosec) or H2 acid blockers (i.e. Zantac) can be considered for more optimal treatment.

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_

[Mommybug]

I've been suffering w/ acid reflux which is getting worse and worse as the months wear on.  I found that Tums no longer work, but I do get a lot of benefit from Mylanta, which is stronger.  Perhaps you should try that.

[yoshi]

TUMS is not good enough,you need to see a specialist in Gastroenterology.
OTC Zantac 75 has been around ,see if it works for you.

[Kalio1]

How much alcohol do you drink? I agree with others you should see a gastroentrologist and have them check out your esophagus and do a liver function test. Drinking can cause problems like you describe. So can a  lot of other things but you mention taking tums after drinking which indicates discomfort. I'd cut out the alcohol altogether until you get to the bottom of this.
Don't ignore it.

[wassupwassabi]

If the reflux is getting into your lungs then you definitely need to get checked out by a GI doc.  Depending on how severe the reflux is, sometimes taking a PPI like Prilosec can prevent the heartburn.

If you're waking up from reflux into the lungs maybe you should try Gaviscon instead of Tums at night, the foaming agent helps prevent everything from coming back up.

Good luck!

[docbgm]

Just posted this above, but will repeat here because it may be important...

Maybe worth getting yourself checked out of Helicobacter Pylori.

I suffered similar symptoms for a while and a couple of months ago I was searching the web for Acid reflux info and I came across this story about a guy who had HP. Sounded similar to my thing so I got myself tested and was positive. Have had the treatment and I am on the mend. Not suffering half as bad as I was.

If you want the site URL I'll dig it out for you.

note that I had endoscopy that showed one ulcer, I think that it is this that is causing the current problem, but I have been told that it should heal shortly and apparently I will be fine.

[docbgm]

The URLs on helicobacter pylori...

http://www.helico.com
http://www.findoutaboutacidreflux.com/helicobacter/index.html