GERD misdiagnosed?

[will123721]

Okay, I went to the Doctor as I've been suffering with a lot of funny symptoms for the past few months:

1) Lots of Burping, 20-25 times a day
2) Pain in my ribs
3) Lots of coughing
4) Difficulty swallowing occasionally
5) Sometimes i get this thing where I need to burp and can swallow the burp.
6) Coughing and then the burp coming out in the cough.

The Doctor gave me Omeprazole for this which I've been taking for 5 days and it hasn't been helping. The Doctor told me it's Reflux, but I'm paranoid that it's Stomach or Esophageal Cancer.

[will123721]

I think my doc does help, i just get very panicky and worried. I am going to give the pills a week and then see if i need to go back

[selmaS]

  Oh yes, I am aware our health systems are different...but had no idea where u were from...u did not include that in ur profile....

But I know u can push to get to a specialty Dr.....and I suggest u try to do what ever u need to with in ur health system to get to a Dr more inclined to help.

Glad the pills are starting to take effect....it can take some time, patience and modify ur diet and lifestyle and u may feel better soon : )

[will123721]

Plus i'm in the UK and our health care system is different to yours, we have to always initially see our GP

[will123721]

Actually the pills may have started working. Today I have felt a bit better, i don't want to speak to soon but hopefully they carry on working

[selmaS]

  U will want to see a GI Dr....this Dr specializes in the digestive tract...and as Flycaster  mentioned u do need to take the meds at least 30 to 60 mins b4 u eat,,,,and do not take other meds or vitamins along with it as they also can affect this med.

U will also need to avoid foods that are adding acid to ur system.....this will help u make sure u  r doing all u can.

The GI Dr can do testing (not blood test) to see if u have high or low levels of acids as they both will have similar symptoms but are treated differently.

Chewing gum can also help as eating several small meals a day...the saliva created when chewing/eating  helps break down the acids....
And the foods also use up the xcess acids to be broken down....so less laying in ur stomach.

IBS can be related to how u feel with this,..so do not think it is not....

Do get to a GI specialist and have testing done.

See the health pages for foods to avoid and lifestyle tips to use in the meantime, -http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=236

[will123721]

Doctor didn't do any tests or anything, i just told him my symptoms and he diagnosed GERD. However I had had blood tests for an unrelated IBS matter in November and the Doc said anything serious would have shown in them. I have been instructed to take them in the morning with a glass of water

i haven't edited either lifestyle or diet

[Flycaster305]

As a followup to selmaS post, are you taking the medication exactly as prescribed?  Generally it is suggested you take it 1/2 to 1 hour before a major meal.  If taken at other times, it tends to be ineffective.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the GERD forum.

First it will take more then 5 days for these meds to have an effect...2nd have u modified ur diet and lifestyle to aid the meds?

  Also may I ask what testing ur Dr did to determine ur DX?