GERD HELP INFO req'd please

[kevmos27]

hi
hope some one can help, i have acid reflux for 6 years now was diag 6 years ago with gerd and hiatus hernia, small sliding, i have been taken PPI zoton 15 mg one a day for 7 years whats the long term side effects?

also when someone has GERD do i need to be scoped so often has routine? or not? i have only had one scope 6 years ago, or do they only do scopes when required or other symptoms'?

i do worry about barrets ;o(
i get lots of anoying belching, wind sometimes acid thats if i eat the wrong foods, but if i lived on a bland diet there would be no enjoyment, i do try to eat healthy and swim regular im 5,11 and weigh 12 stone so not over weight

thanks
kevin

[selmaS]

  The Chiropractor that manipulates the sliding hernia into a place it is no longer causing distress....u may even be able to learn how to move or manipulate it urself by going a few times...but not all chiros can do this so u will have to research them to locate one that offers this.

  Hope this is helpful : )

[kevmos27]

Selma is right about Chiropractor that can improve the sliding Hernia!  If you can get Hernia fixed you should be able to do great without medication.

what do they do?

[kevmos27]

where did you get this info from
Younger patients:  under 44 that suffer from GERD and had it diagnosed via Endoscopy and taking medication or controlling symptoms and disease with diet and lifestyle, needs Endoscopies when alarming symptoms occur - normally starts with ENT issues or symptoms while on medication.

People above the age of 45 and that have GERD symptoms should get Annual Endoscopies and intervention before Barrets develops.  If patient has no Barrets, ulcers or alarming symptoms, then Scopes every 3 years.

my go said there is NO NATIONAL GUIDELINES TO SCOPE PPL and i dont need scoping unless alarming sypm

how are you with the fundo surgery is it worth it? can you still belch or burp etc?

[Smiley2000]

Thank you for the Bday wish :) had my 1st bday in Australia and my new friends here spoiled me and this Country is awesome!

Good news that you don't have alarm symptoms, so it sounds like you have the GERD under control.  Try to make a list of the foods that are acid-triggers for you and avoid them, or take Gaviscon on those days that you get severe symptoms from the acid-triggers.

The statement your GP made about Barrets:  not true!  it does not give you any symptoms if you have it!  your Esophagus will just tolerate acid up to a point and then the normal sells change into Barrets metaplasia and once the acid reaches your throat, then it is severe GERD and then you get symptoms of chest pains, typical ENT alarming signs...

Once again, not to scare you, but you should get an Endoscopy at some stage again to check that all is okay.  But I think you have your GERD under control, most of the times and that is a good sign.

All the best and let me know how you are doing from time to time :)

[kevmos27]

im not getting- chest pains, night time coughing or heartburn, any throat symptoms that becomes a chronic problem, voice issues/hoarseness, chronic bronchitis.

im getting- beching, wind, sometimes acid only when i eat certain foods

[kevmos27]

happy birthday!!!!

[kevmos27]

hi been tp my GP this morining he siad he would just increase my PPIs for one month and see how a go i metioned barets he said im not displaying symptoms of barrets (such has heart burn, pain etc) so he said we dont normally just scope unless there is alarming symptoms???

[Smiley2000]

Hi there,

I am also 37 :) on the dot!  born on the 4th of July!

Okay, so more on the serious side:  I think you should get a scope again as your last one was done 5 years ago.  With the Endoscopies the GI can look for signs of ulceration/erosion or Barrets metaplasia.  

I know that they are uncomfortable and where I come from it is a procedure done in Theater and with sedation.  Some people opt for no sedation as they go back to work after the procedure!  It could not be fun to be completely awake while they probe around in your esophagus!

Alarming symptoms - while on medication and after all lifestyle changes and while following a GERD-friendly diet:  chest pains, night time coughing or heartburn, any throat symptoms that becomes a chronic problem, voice issues/hoarseness, chronic bronchitis.

I had severe GERD due to a LES dysfunction and long segment of Barrets and voice and throat issues for more than 3 years.  After a lot of tests (manomatric studies, PH study, 24hr Impedance studies, opinions from 3 different Surgeons and a lot of Endoscopies) I had my Nissen Fundoplication done on the 8th of Feb. 2012.  It was a bit of struggle in the beginning and I lost about 10kg's but the damage to my UES/chrico muscle is permanent and the Barrets will have to be monitored for the rest of my life.

You should really go for Endoscopy and if you have erosion/ulcers or Barrets then consider the surgery as you are still young and prevention is better than cure.

Hope the info helps :)

[kevmos27]

When u say alarming symptoms occur what do you mean?  So I'm 37 lasts scope 5 years ago do should I be having one now? Hate scopes

[kevmos27]

I'm 37

[Smiley2000]

Hi there, kevmos27

You do not mention your age - and in my opinion that plays a big part in the management and intervention of GERD.

Younger patients:  under 44 that suffer from GERD and had it diagnosed via Endoscopy and taking medication or controlling symptoms and disease with diet and lifestyle, needs Endoscopies when alarming symptoms occur - normally starts with ENT issues or symptoms while on medication.

People above the age of 45 and that have GERD symptoms should get Annual Endoscopies and intervention before Barrets develops.  If patient has no Barrets, ulcers or alarming symptoms, then Scopes every 3 years.

You are right to worry about Barrets as that is a pre-cancerous condition that turns nasty in about 5% of cases.  Barrets-patients needs Annual surveillance and biopsies as Barrets Metaplasia can change into low grade dysplasia (cancer stage) and then it needs intervention such as Ablation, etc.

Selma is right about Chiropractor that can improve the sliding Hernia!  If you can get Hernia fixed you should be able to do great without medication.

But ultimately discuss your condition with your GI.

Let us know how you are doing.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the GERD forum.

U should be looking to family history to see if neone else had similar issues....and u can have a decent diet with out it being bland...yes we must avoid spicy and greasy....I even avoid red meat as it is harder to digest....but am happy with what I do eat.

That said u also have other things like bevs to consider, soda's, alcohol, even OJ  affects me as it is too acidic.

But once ur diet is ok, then u have ur lifestyle to contend with as well, look at ur weight, (do not know stone) and then look to stress levels....when u eat when u lay down, etc...and do things like elevate the head of ur bed to help....

Long term use of PPI's they can stop working, cause u to not absorb vitamins and minerals u need....so do get them checked  Vit D, calcium, potassium, magnessium....B12....

Since ur hernia is a sliding one has ur Dr suggested trying a chiro that knows how to manipulate it ?sometimes moving it can help symptoms and u may be able to slowly step off the meds...

Talk to ur GI dr about this possibility.