GERD or something more serious?

[gher14]

Hi everyone! I'm a male in my early 20s and I live a pretty healthy lifestyle, watching my diet and exercise. However, two weeks ago I began having a sore throat and felt fatigued/dizzy, but dismissed it as just a mild seasonal infection (there was something going around at the time). I also had to get a blood test for something else, so asked the doc to include a CBC and mono test just in case it was something else - neither came back positive.

Last week though, I realized that when I lay down to sleep, I'd have the feeling of something coming up my throat, leaving me with a burning feeling (presumably stomach acid). I bought some OTC Tums and cut out coffee/mint/chocolate, but this didn't really help too much. I then saw a doc who prescribed me one-a-day 20mg Rabeprazole for 4 weeks. She said that whatever I have is likely temporary because of stress or coffee consumption (I'm a student) and told me the drug would make me feel better and recommended some diet changes. After a week of taking this drug, there hasn't been much improvement. I still feel like there's food in my throat after eating a regular meal, I've lost my appetite (one piece of toast could keep me bloated and full for hours), I find it hard to breathe at times, my throat is constantly sore, and I would often burp after eating. Recently, my jaw and bottom two molars began to hurt, and I've also noticed some soreness towards the back of my mouth/gums --> this could be from the acid reflux? Even if I lie down 4-5h after a meal with 3 pillows under my head, I often get acid reflux.

I haven't experienced any heart burn, but this all seems pretty sudden considering I was perfectly healthy 2 weeks ago...Could this be something other than acid reflux or GERD/LPR?

Any insight or similar experiences are appreciated!!!

[selmaS]

  It is possible it was not that sudden....one condition of GERD is known as Silent Reflux...which most do not realize is a GERD issue...as some do not have typical heart burn and ignore the other symptoms as a result of other things, they do not connect the dots....and then when it gets really bad it is hard to ignore....

Ask ur Dr as to what is the best course of action for u....many meds, along with diet and life style modifications can help heal ne damage from these conditions...ur Dr will be able to tell u what ur possible outcomes will be.

All the best, and do keep us posted.

[gher14]

Hi there! Thank you for your reply! Just to follow up, I don't have a family history at all of thyroid disease. I was also recently diagnosed via Barium swallow with chronic esophagitis...I just don't understand how the disease could have onset so suddenly and so severely...Is this curable at all with proper lifestyle modification/PPI, especially since there is now damage to my esophagus...Should I get an endoscopy booked?

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the GERD forum.

The pillows will not help, u will need to elevate the bed as u can slide of the pillow and ur body needs to be on an incline not just her had and neck....

It can take time for these symptoms to be calmed by meds.....

U will also want to look at ur families medical history and rule out other possibilities...like a thyroid issue, or allergies as they can mimic this issue as well.

AS for ur gums yes if the acids are reaching ur mouth it can have an affect on the gums....tongue and enamel on ur teeth.

U may want to visit ur Dentist and as I mentioned get tested for a thyroid issue ...just to rule it out.....

Stick with the modified diet and look into other lifestyle tips that may help...see our health pages -http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=236