GERD with no symptoms

[asterie]

Hi,
I recently went to the Gastroenterologist as I had right -side pain after eating. I had my gall bladder removed years ago but the symptoms were identical and had come on quite suddenly. After the endoscopy, he told me I had: a hernia, Barret's esophagus, gastric reflux, bile reflux and gastritis!  He now wants me to have a CT scan which i am not keen on. He gave me sucralfate to protect my stomach from the bile reflux but no antacid medication. I now have to have a reduced diet ( no alcohol, tomatoes, onions, garlic coffee) which is awkward as I am also pre-diabetic and already have a reduced diet! Has anyone else had chronic GERD without pain?  I am assuming that the Barrets has stopped me from feeling the acid. Should I go through the expense of a CT scan? ( not to mention all those x-rays!)  Will it show anything else? The right-side pain has gone away since I went on my new 'diet' but i have lost another 5 LBs ( BMI  of 19)

[asterie]

Thanks Selma and Flycatcher. I have had none of the above symptoms except for perhaps post nasal draiange, which I attributed to slight alergies. I never had violent vomiting from the gallbaldder issue either. I did have GERD post operatively form back surgery, due to strong paikillers. To me, it is such a mystery as I am not overweight either so I  don't have any pressure around my middle. They did biposies of the stomach and esophagus when i had the endoscopy. At the moment, I have decided not to have the CT as I don't want all those x-rays. i am going to ask for either an MRI or an ultrasound instead. Thanks for replying.

[Flycaster305]

I'm glad "selma" gave you the symptoms of silent reflux.  

I had no usual GERD pain, but I had acid reflux problems caused by some violent vomiting problems after experiencing a bowel obstruction.  The vomiting damaged my LES valve that prevents acid from going to the esophagus, and the acid burned out my vocal chords and also in a a very short time period, eroded the enamel of my teeth.  It was suggested by my doctor that indeed, the change of the cells that causes Barretts also blunts the usual pain symptom of GERD.  I had surgery to repair the LES Valve and HH.  

Often, gall bladder problems present  with violent vomiting, I wonder if this is what happened with you?   I suspect your doctor wants a CT scan to eliminate possible issues like a bowel obstruction/cancer, etc.  Given your problems, and if you can afford the procedure, I'd have it done.  Keep us informed.  

  

[selmaS]

  Hi, there is a form of GERD called Silent Reflux...which means u do not have the typical symptoms, there are symptoms but u may not have ones u associate with GERD/acid reflux.Here r some symptoms u may have had:
Symptoms of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux are:

Continual throat clearing
Chronic throat irritation
Chronic cough
Hoarseness
Excessive phlegm the throat
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
Constant sensation of something in the throat
Swallowed food comes back up
Post nasal drainage
Weak voice
Cracking voice
Blockage of the breathing passage
Spasm of the larynx (voice box)
Wheezing
Heartburn

Elevate the head of ur bed to help keep the acids down out of ur esophagus...
Follow the modification of ur diet...it will help...

   "selma"