GERD - Heart Palpitations

[bean418]

I suffer from a multitude of symptoms with no true diagnosis as of yet.  An acquired irregular heartbeat (short PR syndrome) always lands me back in the cardiologist office.  2 stress tests, 2 holter monitors, 2 (30) day event monitors, 2 echocardiograms and countless ekgs (always abnormal).  

The cardiologist in a large teaching hospital here in Baltimore did a 30 day event monitor but did not feel the need for an additional stress test.  Reverted back to my former cardiologist and she feels as though Acid Reflux/GERD is what is causing a majority of my symptoms and put me on Omeprazole.  Recent followup and she has changed the rx to Pantoprazole, I believe it is supposed to be longer lasting.  She mentioned also wanting to do another stress test as well.  Personally don't want to endure more radiation as I am scanned all the time for one reason or another in trying to provide a dx for all my problems.

The question I have is if Acid Reflux/GERD would cause the following symptoms:

Heart Palpitations (most often occur when sleeping or lying down after eating but can be random times)
Hoarse Voice
Nausea
Migraines
Stomach Pains
Chest Pressure/Tightness
Fatigue
Weakness (bilateral upper and lower)
Dizziness
Sore Throat
Horizontal Nail Ridges (they come and go, can have none to the entire nail being ridged)

I get episodes when bending over and lifting heavy things which were originally thought to be some sort of orthostatic hypotension however a tilt table study was inconclusive and given borderline dx solely based on
symptoms.

Any information you can provide would be excellent help for me.  I was thinking about trying an elimination diet but not sure where to get information on this process.

I had H. Pylori 3 years ago (retested recently and still negative) and found a B-12 deficiency afterwards.  I take monthly B12 injections but was not diagnosed with Pernicious Anemia.

Thank you very much for your time.

[selmaS]

  LOL....I went into early menopause and I know it is not from that...as I have not had symptoms for yrs....

But I do not feel like I walk in a fog, and I do have a bit more energy too....I have times when the weather affects me, but outside that I am doing better.

[bean418]

It is very interesting because I was told by several doctors to take allergy medications.  Never knew why so I just did it here and there...

Yikes....will start back up tonight.

Wooooowwwwwww.......the fogginess I hate...and couldn't figure out if it was menopause or what !  

[selmaS]

  It was post op, and I was on GERD meds on a reg basis, and TOPAMAX, and I could not sleep...it was just like b4 surgery...up all night....fatigued all day....

My PCP told me to try the antihistamine and to take b4 bed as it can make u drowsy....I tried just as I was getting ready and I was still awake till 2AM so I kept taking it earlier each night until I was 2 hrs b4 bedtime and it works great for me...plus I noticed I do not need the GERD meds on a reg basis, only if I am going to eat something that will trigger  it...like pizza...lol..things I should not eat, but eat once in a while.

I do not feel as foggy as I use to either...

Watching Dr Driscoll explain all this and suggesting doing what I was already was like a light going on....and I can see y I was feeling better and sleeping better...there is more to all of this then we know...and I am just glad my PCP was on point with the suggestion.

[bean418]

AND....the other NL told me ....  you know allergies can cause migraines as well !

Just thinking about all the drs. appts. gives me a migraine anymore so we will never know what the cause is, lol.

[bean418]

What I thought was interesting was the fact she discussed Diamox.  The last NL visit he mentioned if Topamax wasn't working then he would try Diamox.  He claims they work the same.  I suppose it's true.....I don't have experience with Diamox so wouldn't know.

How exactly did an antihistamine work for you and was that before or after your surgery?  What were your symptoms ?

An antihistamine was suggested to me by my cardiologist in 2011 and again it made me drowsy until 1pm when taking before bed so I would take it periodically...most recently she said to try Allegra instead.

I also have rx for Singulair.  It is supposed to work in a different way ???

[selmaS]

  Glad u saw that....and u will give the antihistamines a try....I have several of her video links in the EDS group here on MedHelp and u may also find them very informative as well....

As I said I do see many improvements with taking it....but I do take it b4 bed, spprox 2 hrs  as they make me drowsy and that way I sleep better.

[bean418]

I did not test positive for Hashimoto's in 2010 but should probably get checked again for it.  Just went yesterday for my TSH, T3 and T4....he will call me today/tomorrow and as he said....will probably have to increase dosage.  Ughhh.

I was taking an antihistamine but stopped as I really didn't think it did anything for me.  Will start again this evening though.

Going to email my PCP the Driscoll Theory....I found that to be very interesting....

[selmaS]

  Do u have Hashimoto's as well?  Have u tried an antihistamine?

[bean418]

As you already know....I spend my life in the drs. offices.  Today I went back to my former Endo for thyroid because my levels were higher than where he and I agree was a good level to stick with as far as feeling better BUT the other endo....not so much....she wasn't listening so.....I had to move on.

My endo today said....well, GERD isn't going to cause ALL of your symptoms.  This I know however just trying to get a feel for people with palpitations and if it has a relation to GERD.

I do get an A for effort.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the GERD forum.

And u forgot to mention u also have Chiari Malformation.
Yes Gerd can cause many of those issues as can Chiari....I know it is not easy to know which one to treat.

If u do have EDS as well the bending and lifting would affect u  for many reasons, Chiari, EDS, and GERD if u have a hiatal hernia....

It is also possible since u have Chiari that u may have POTS as well.

The biggest problem is many of the symptoms u listed can be from so many related conditions and issues those with Chiari do suffer from....

Hope this is helpful <3