Wondering what’s going on with my upper GI. I am a non smoker, not overweight, not diabetic and have no chronic history of heartburn, but in the past, I have been unable to take large doses (800mg) of ibuprofen without having strong reflux problems at night time. Other than that, reflux was infrequent and sporadic. However, I do like my coffee as well as my spicy and fatty foods.
About four weeks ago, I started having mild heartburn symptoms at night, that were generally relieved by Zantac. About two weeks ago, I had a 24 hour type stomach virus that included vomiting and body aches, but no diarrhea. Following that episode, I had a consistent acid reflux problem that included upper chest and esophageal burning, as well as upper chest discomfort that would be relieved by changing position or belching.
I started watching my diet, eating less at dinner and cutting back the acid producers as well as snacks. I also started taking Zantac twice a day which stopped the heartburn, but I still had some of the mild chest discomfort around the sternum area. Just yesterday started my first Prilosec. I will wait a few days to see if the Prilosec regimen changes anything.
Although I have had no esophageal burning since taking the acid reducers, I have had consistent excessive belching ever since the stomach flu incident. The belches come at all times of the day, not just after imbibing. Also of concern is a weight loss from 198 to 192 in a week and a half. The vomiting and diet change might be the main reason, but I am still watching it, and concerned with how fast it changed. I am also still exercising regularly.
I am wondering at what point I should consider seeing my GI doctor for an endoscopy or other tests. I understand this is probably GERD, hiatal hernia, gastritis or gastroparesis. However, just yesterday, I found out a friend of mine is in the hospital with esophageal cancer, which set me back a bit, and which I would have to consider as another possibility for an elderly male. Any suggestions or ideas are appreciated.