acid reflux

[sarcasam]

I have begun to get hear burn particularly when i lye down ...whats up with that?

[jensequitur]

I personally believe that acid reflux can be caused by neurological problems.  

I never had a problem with acid, until about eight years ago when I started having all the trouble with my legs and back.  I was getting really fatigued in the middle of the day, having these horrible pains in my esophagus from spasms, and my legs were really hurting, especially my left.  I figured out that the spasms were being triggered by acid reflux, so I started popping acid reducers, and it seemed to fix the problem... sometimes.  Sometimes it seemed to have nothing to do with acid.

Then the fatigue went away, my legs started working fine again, and I stopped having problems with acid.

Fast forward to 2007... Now I get fatigued in the middle of the day again, every day, have problems with esophagus spasms, and my legs are weak and unreliable.

Perhaps the flap at the top of the stomach is weak, and letting acid bubble up into my throat.  Or perhaps the esophagus is spasming without acid irritation - just doing it on its own.  I dunno.  No doctor has weighed in on my acid thing, so I have no medical confirmation.

[Lulu54]

Funny I am reading this tonight because first thing in the morning I have my followup appt with the ENT doc and next week I go have an acid monitor implant done (yes, sarahsmom, I am having it anyway after doing the research!).

I have been experiencing this lump/knot/bubble in my throat that all the docs want to pass off because of GERDs and acid reflux.  its a problem I never had until this year.  The videoscope they did before Christmas does show irritation in my throat from acid.  i am on prevacid, which is a proton pump inhibitor.

If you are having problems, you have to follow the reflux diet faithfully and it can take a year or longer to heal.  Some things that I don't have anymore thanks to this diet - coffee, soda, any carbonated beverage, alcohol, chocolate, fruit juices except for cranberry. Forget tomato based products, including the beloved salsa.   Fresh pineapple tears my throat apart and vinagerette dressings make for uncomfortable eating as well.  

If you think you have the beginning of acid reflux please get it looked at sooner rather than later.  The longer you put it off, the worse it becomes and the harder to heal.  

As for the connection with MS, I don't know  but have asked, and my doctors say its possible but don't think so.  

[opie74]

I had reflux for 3 years before I thought about ms.  I have been taking Protonox.  If I miss one dose, I am in agony that night.  I had to have my esoph. streched.  OUCH!  Make sure that you go to a Gastrointerologist!!

[sarcasam]

i have all the symptoms i am going for my MRI tonight believe it or not..my mother had it and i live in Winnipeg the MS capital...but the most recent symptoms are the eye thing and this heart burn..i have never had the heart burn issue unless i was pregnant.i also have a taste in my mouth like sucking on a penny......and one else?..is the reflux Prevalent in MS?

[saveone]

I agree with Elaine...make sure you see a doctor.  GERD can cause not only pain and discomfort but damage to the esophagus.

Don't it off.  Take care of yourself.

terry

[monotreme]

Are you diagnosed with MS?  Craig had heartburn for a year and we treated it with Prilosec, Mylanta etc.  However, it progressed to the point that he now has permanent esophageal damage and actual "ruts" in what is supposed to be a smooth esophagus.  

He also developed a Narrowing, called a stricture, from the reflux.

His GI doctor said to take Prilosec daily for the rest of his life.  he also said that red meat is hard on the esophagus and to limit it if he can.

Don't let it go without a doctor knowing about it.  And all of the above suggestions are also great.

Elaine

[nncdalton]

I might have been the one that was posting about the heart burn. I was under the IV steroids when I started having the acid come up in my throat. I had to change the way that I ate for about 3 weeks. I also had the help of Quix on this who told me to drink plenty of water. I went to veggies for a while too. If you take vitamin supp make sure that you take them in the morning or along time before you lay down. I also cut out dairy too and drank soy milk. That really seemed to help me because I eat so much cereal and drink so much milk. I took antacid for the first few days until the diet started to help, Gavascon and Mylanta. Whoa they taste bad though. I feel much better now and I am not having all of the symptoms of the acid as before. Drinking water helped the most. I was drinking about 2 liters a day. I actually lost weight too, so I will keep on drinking the water like Quix said. I hope that this helps and if I am doing anything wrong please someone tell me.

Christy D

[Sarahsmom46]

Acid reflux is really a pain, literally.  I battle it every single day, some days are better than others.  I have found a few things that work for me. Maybe they will work for you.  When you lie down, the acid loves to try to work its way back up your throat.  You can try sleeping on a few extra pillows to keep your head above your chest.  Are you taking anything such as antacids or prescription meds for the reflux?  If not you might want to try something. Mylanta is a good product that my doctor suggested recently when she heard I was taking lots of OTC antacids.  I have it on hand now and it works great.  Hopefully this is just something that is passing and you'll get back to normal soon.  If not, you need to let your doctor know so you can get the "big guns" in there to help.  

Julie

[doni54]

Hi sarcasm,

I have this more often these days too.  One of my favorite foods is salsa and here lately it is just torture after I eat it.

I know this has been discussed on the forum, but I can't remember who was discussing it.  Maybe they will chime in here and give us their take on this problem.

Hope this goes away and you feel better soon.

doni