Gerd or not

[Swazi1]

Hey doctor. About a year ago i got married during a stressfull period. A week into honeymoon i got stomach bug that doctor treated. Immediatly after that i started having bowel changes, cramps heartburn and stomach pain with gas and bloating. 3doctors including gi said it was ibs and put me on pantoloc40mg and colofac. It didn't work out too well until my doc diagnosed me with mild depression. I was put on zoloft 50mg. I was always checking out my symptoms and thought the doctors weren't doing their job and i was going to die. However in a few weeks i started feeling great and stomach settled down. After 3months the problem faded away. Recently, i started getting a burning in my throat only. Starts in morning and last on and off the whole day no matter what. 40mg nexium not helping. Got slight nose congestion and post nasal. Always clearnin my throat off clear or brown flem. Sometime i cough so hard i vomit yellow liquid. I smoke cigs and marijuana. Doctor says its heartburn. He says the first time i had stomach bug could be h.pylori. What do you think. Lpr? I know you want me to do diagnostics, but what do you think. Thank you

[Ratnakar Kini]

Hi,
Upper GI Endoscopy and 24 hours pH monitoring are the tests to confirm GERD.

But  4 weeks trial of PPI (Nexium) along with lifestyle modifications can be done first.
If the symptoms are due to GERD they will subside with these measures.

The lifestyle modifications include-
1. Head elevation while sleeping
2. Small frequent meals
3. Going to bed 2- 3 hours after food
4. Avoiding bed time snacks
5. Avoiding smoking and alcohol
6. Avoiding tight fitting clothes
7. Avoiding cola, citrus drinks, carbonated drinks, tea, coffee, spicy food
8. Weight reduction
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.
- Ratnakar Kini M.D.

[Swazi1]

Sorry doc for bad question. Would just like to re phrase last bit. I get burning in throat only. On and off whole day. Post nasal drip with cough. Clear my throat of flem whole day. In morning i wake up with a hard cough that goes away as soon as i vomit flem or some yellow bitter tasting liquid. My throat seems better when its clear. 40mg nexium for two weeks not helping. Its only a mild burn but its got me worried. Starting to check out symptoms and stuff one way. Amazingly when i play soccer etc i dont have the problem.