Severe GERD

[micky184]

I am a fifteen year old female with severe GERD. I take nexuim, 40 mg, twice a day. I have reflex after every meal, and even though I have changed my diet, I can't get rid of it.  I am sick of the heartburn, reflex, and the acid taste in my mouth. It keeps me up for up to two hours a night. I am also nauseous every day. I would just like to know if there are any treatment (new or not) that you would recommend. I have to keep missing days of school because I am too sick, or tired to go. I also just wanted to add that I am chronically constipated (even though I eat 20 grams of fiber a day), and have asthma, severe food allergies, and have chronic upper and lower abdominal pain as well as nausea. I have a pediatric gastroenterologist, and have had an upper endoscopy. Nexuim is not the only medication I've tried. I've tried prevacid (15 and 30 mg twice per day) as well as zantac, tums, maalox and other over the counter medication. I also sleep on a raised pillow so that I am on a slant (special medical pillow). Sorry, that's a lot of info to take in. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[micky184]

Thanks for all of your comments. I really appreciated the advice. I am going back to the doctor in a week, so I will see what she says. I might have to take some more tests. Also, I am going to the allergist in a week, and will ask him to do some more allergy testing.

I also read somewhere that chewing gum helps with acid reflex, and I tried it, and I actually felt better. So, I would recomend it. I hope that helps. I will talk to you all soon!

[HealthQuest]

Hi Micky,

Am new to this site and realize now that I shouldn't have posted my last comment/question on your discussion board...  My apologies.  

Hope you get better soon!

[HealthQuest]

Hi everyone,

It's actually my boyfriend who has really bad GERD plus hiatal hernia.  He's on Nexium, 40 mg twice daily (has been for two years), and sleeps sitting straight up because elevating the head of his bed was insufficient - he was regularly waking up, choking on acid.  He just purchased a hospital bed, so we're hoping that will help.  

He is not overweight even though doctors at clinics tell him to lose weight -- this is winter, he's wearing warm, bulky clothing (in layers).  So, that seems illogical -- especially because they can't see his body through the layers of clothing.  

He doesn't drink, smoke, consume sodas or fast food.

He has had the endoscopy which only showed irritation of the esophagus.  Basically, the drugs aren't working anymore.  While he is considered a prime candidate for surgery, the doctors (specialists) aren't recommending he have it because most of the time it doesn't work (is an impermanent fix).  Some patients even lose the ability to burp after...which can, in itself, be painful.

He has started a walking program in hopes that this will help.  (He is not out of shape either...but no longer goes to a gym...which he did religiously in his teens and early/mid twenties...he is 30 years old now.)

If anyone has any recommendations -- things that have worked for them -- or if anyone has found successful alternatives to Nexium twice daily -- I'd love to hear about it!  

Thanks so much!  

Wishing you all good health!!!

[Theresa526]

Hi Micky!  I just wanted to respond to your post bc I started having this horrific issue (I refuse to call it a "disease") when I was about your age.  I am now 26 years old and have been taking the PPIs for about 10 years.  Have you always had problems with constipation?  Because sometimes the PPIs - esp 40mg 2xday - can make you real constipated.  It happened to me a lot.  I of course am not a doctor, but have been dealing with this for soooo long and I would think that if the meds along with certain life style changes do not help with your symptoms you may want to ask your doc to run some more tests.

I am very lucky in that the meds have worked for me most of the time.  I still get some breakthrough acid, but Its only when I eat certain foods, drink alcohol, or a lot of coffee.  They are also VERY RIGHT that yoga and medatation work wonders for this ailment.  You may not feel "anxious" but believe me your body could be handling it differently.  And both exercises are wonderful for the body anyway so you should try.  

Keep in mind that alternative therapies do not work as fast as medicine!  They are in fact very slow.  So give it time.  I hope you find relief.  Keep us posted!!  

[Ratnakar Kini]

Hi Micky184,
My suggestions for you -
-  Nexium 40 mg twice a day immediately before meals
-   Life style modifications -
          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

- For stress relief : Meditation and yoga
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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.

[Heidi101]

I came across a site that suggests Apple cider vinegar mixed with water, drink that a few times a day has worked for people. If you search Apple Cider vinegar all these sites will come up about what it can do for you, one is helps with acid reflux. I have gotten desperate and have put in home remedies for acid reflux to see if there is anything to try, if it is natural the worst that can happen is it won't work. Unless you have food allergies. Let me know if you find something. Good Luck

[micky184]

I haven't been feeling very well the last few days. I've had so much reflex and nausea that my throat hurts. But, anyways, I've always wanted to try yoga, so if its going to help I might. Again, thanks for all the advice. I really appreciate it.

[Heidi101]

I too tend to be a stressed out person. Try to work on that cause stress will definitely make your symptoms worse. Nothing is worth getting stressed out about, especially when you suffer with GERD. Also, you may want to try yoga or meditation for your stress, once you get that under controll you may see a difference in the severity of your reflux.
Keep me posted and take care!!

[micky184]

Thanks for the advice. I will try it. In response to one of your questions, I am a very stressed person, but am not nervous. When they did my endo they found that I had a very irritated esophagus, but that's about it. Thanks again.

[Heidi101]

I too suffer with GERD and also take Nexium twice a day, I feel your pain. A few things have been helping me lately. Try eating frequent small meals during the day. I read that apples are supposed to help with acid in your stomach so I will sometimes eat an apple during the day or after a meal or in the evening and it helps me. Did they find anything when they did your endo? Are you a nervous person? stressed? I have also started bike riding, exercise is important and it clears your mind.