GERD w/bloating

[HNS06]

Hi,
I am 29 and have suffered from GERD for several years now with little relief. I've had a few periods of time in which it has "calmed" but in the last year it has been much more consistent. My main symptoms are moderate to severe pain in my upper stomach (in the middle but not on the sides of the body), extreme bloating (I look like I'm 5 months pregnant), and foul-smelling gas. There are periods where I am in pain for days with little relief regardless of bland diet and medicines. I have these episodes numerous times each month lately. I went to a GI more than 6 mos. ago, and she did an upper endoscopy. I was negative for H. pylori and the only thing she found was stomach inflammation in the upper stomach. She then said it was GERD. I have been off and on various PPIs after having absolutely no luck with Tums, Pepcid AC, etc. Recently, I started getting loose stools on a regular basis (which never happened before) which were associated with the stomach pain (i.e., I would have a loose BM and within 30 minutes, I was in extreme pain). I was told it could be the "fillers" used in the offbrand PPI causing side effects, so I went back to name brand Prilosec. 1.5 weeks after starting Prilosec again, I have had three days of massive pain and loose stools. I am starting to wonder if the PPI is doing more bad that good. I eat a low fat, vegetable-rich diet ALWAYS, and I eat bland foods when I am not feeling well, but not on a regular basis. Ironically, white wine makes my stomach feel much better (every time), as does lying ON my stomach. When I am in pain, lying on my stomach is the only relief, which seems weird considering one would think an acid reflux problem would get worse when lying down. My doctor is very unhelpful and I need to find a new one, but will likely have to wait several weeks to get in for a first appt. Any advice (particularly from professionals) in the meantime would be GREATLY appreciated! Do you think it's possible I actually have low acid, or a different problem? Thanks!

[selmaS]

  Hmm well it could be u do have low acid not high.......

The equipment used in the esophageal pH test consists of a small probe that is inserted through your nostril and positioned near the lower esophagus. The probe is plugged into a small unit (or monitor) worn on your belt or over your shoulder. A newer, wireless device may make monitoring the pH level easier: Instead of having to have a tube placed down your nose for 24 hours, your doctor will place a disposable capsule into the esophagus using an endoscope. The capsule then wirelessly transmits information to a receiver worn around the waist.

[HNS06]

Thanks, Selma. Yes, my plan is to better track my diet... so far, though, no particular foods have emerged as triggers. I get GERD after eating salad, bread, plain crackers, beans, anything really. Sometimes I eat lots of bread, and I'm fine. I eat salad quite often and usually am fine, other times, two hours later I feel like dying. There doesn't seem to be a pattern. And usually I can eat things like tomatoes and citrus foods and other "off limits" foods with absolutely no problem. I don't think I've had a pH test - what does that entail?

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the GERD forum.

Eating bland foods only when u r not feeling well is not the way to go, u need to modify ur diet and stick with it , as something u eat may be triggering the symptoms to return...if u must eat something keep a journal and see what food, drink ect is the root of ur issues.

Not everyone does well on a PPI, and it may be u need something different.

Did ur Drs do a PH test to see if u have high or low levels of acids?

The pain and symptoms are the same for both so u can not go by symptoms.

U may also want to ask ur Drs about ProBiotics to see if they help.