How can I get through the day?

[josietoo309]

Three and a half months ago I was a happy, healthy young woman. Today I am miserable. Losec didn't work. Nexium didn't work. Supplementing with OTC remedies has done nothing. Developed horrible case of esophagitis. I don't know how to even get through the day. Symptoms just keep getting worse with no relief. Doctor has no idea what to do - says my lifestyle is "perfect" and that PPIs don't seem to be working. I'm negative for H-Pylori. They are now looking for rare causes - like gastrinomas.

I am severely, severely depressed – to the point where I don’t even want to be alone. I’m crying most days and am completely detached. Two specialists have told me that this is likely a chronic condition that I’ll have to “deal with” for the rest of my life and that the standard treatments are not working (medication and lifestyle changes). One of them told me I probably shouldn’t have children because of this. I have received absolutely no follow up or support with respect to this. Shouldn’t telling someone these things should be countered with some sort of plan or counseling? These are pretty dramatic things to tell a young, previously healthy and newly married woman.

I feel like I’m flying in the dark and that no one is addressing this as a long term issue. Everything is about treating my immediate symptoms for the day. But what are we going to do long term? Or even short term – like over the weekend? How am I supposed to survive when I can’t even eat? I appreciate that the standard approach is medication and lifestyle – but it’s not working.

On top of all this, I’ve been told the only way to cure esophagitis is to get the acid under control and that I “must” do that. How do I do that? Nothing we have tried is working. In the meantime, I’m deteriorating further – now with a lump-like feeling in my throat.

At this point don’t we need to look at other options? Shouldn’t we be looking at other types of medication? Shouldn’t we be finding out about what naturopathic remedies may offer some relief? Shouldn’t we be consulting with other specialists? I’m not a doctor – but there must be other options for patients that don’t respond to medication? Can I be the only one?

I am so desperate that honestly, I would like to just be put in the hospital. I could get an IV drip so that I wouldn’t have to eat and it would give my throat time to heal. I realize that is a colossal waste of hospital resources, but I have no idea what else to do! If this is even a possibility, I would welcome it!

My doc suggested taking a mix of Pepto Bismol and Doviol (sp?). However, taking that on top of 12 Gaviscon, 4 Tums and Nexium just doesn’t seem safe to me. Even the pharmacist said that was not a good idea. This may be a standard protocol but I’m just not comfortable putting all that into my body without being under close medical supervision. Am I supposed to take this combination all day long? The nurse said when I have symptoms – but the symptoms never go away!

Help! Anyone?

[silverfox67]

     Please try  Nux Vomica.  It is a homeopathic remedy.  Some people respond very well to it, and it has been known to cure ulcers.  According to Dr. M. Stengler, Natural Physician,
"Nux vomica has a specific action on the digestive system.  It is one of the best remedies for heartburn, ulcers, cramps, hiccups, food poisoning and constipation.  It also has a detoxifying effect on the liver."

      You might also ask your doctor about Dexilant.  It is the only antacid that has worked for me.      

       Nux vomica has also been recommended for colitis, IBS and Crohn's disease.    

     Hope this info is helpful... Wishing you the best

[seekanswers2012]

actually i hope this piece of advice helps some people. long story short. i was diagnosed with gerd but i only started having problem with food allergy and indigestion about 6 months back.  i did switch coffee brand and i been doing coffee for years without problem so i'm not really convinced if a doctor tell me that all a sudden i have caffeine allergy and gerd.

my suspicion is on pesticide coffee as i later discover that normal coffee is one of the heavily sprayed crop so i switch to organic and things seem better but i still need something to get rid that stuck feeling from indigestion.

i find that normal western medicine is poor at treating stomach problem.  two precriptions from my fd i suspect may actually make things worse.  she prescribed ppi and antacid and i refused. i looked into the ppi and the documented risk were not good.  no reason anyone should take such risks. ppi is supposed to lower acid and if you have low acid ,thats just making things worse.

it is really stupid prescription but then again seems gerd is linked both to heartburn and indigestion so i dunno if that why some docs are confused.

my best treatment so far is hot sauce, i take about 6 tbs of curry soup and works wonder, stuckness goes away fast. the theory is that it stimulate acid production, and not enough medical articles cover this for some reason, again seem like a weak area in western medicine.

if anyone has discovered an actual cure in which they don;t need to rely on this anymore ,let me know.

i'm going to try follow up with functional medicine when i can and this field seem hard to find as only 20 docs do this in my state from the fm site.

[shell1925]

I'm right there with you with the frustration and depression.  I too was a "healthy" 35 year old female just 2 months ago.  I had no symptoms, issues, nothing.  One day I started having chest pressure and it snowballed into left arm pain, jaw pain, pain between my shoulder blades and now I too have the lump in my throat feeling.  I had cardiac workup done and my heart was fine so I went to a GI Dr and had an endoscopy done.  I have GERD, Barrett's Esophagus, Hiatal Hernia and numerous ulcers in both my esophagus and duodenum.  I have answers but no relief.  Everyday is a constant battle to get through the day for my 2 children.  Everyday I say to my husband "I just want to feel normal again".  I'm literally falling apart and can't seem to get better :-(

[Flycaster305]

What tests have you had?  The usual protocol is to have an Endoscopy, a test to determine your swallowing ability, and then a procedure to determine if you have hiatal hernia and what shape your LES valve is in.

Don't worry about eating, unless you have diabetes or some other issue that food is essential. I'd suggest getting the depression under control with meds or other means, then sort out the rest of your issues.  Keep us informed.