Is there any real help for Gerd?

[bcgal]

I apparently have had gastric reflux disease for many years, with only the occaisional problem, Since the beginnning of this year my life has crashed, I am suffering, and all the medications I have been given do not seem, to help.I have read a lot of old comments on this site and most of them tell me that there are many people out there with the same kind of symptoms,
I do not have a lot of belching or regurgitation but my stomach is on fire most of the time. Bad episodes seem just like a heart attcak with periods of rapid heart beat, pain in the center of my chest as well as between shoulder blades, a squeezing tightness under my ribcage. What I do understand is that it could be esophageal spasms. But why and what is happening to me is hard to beleive. I am taking a ppi of 20 mg twice daily 300 mg of zantac twice daily, metocloppramide 5 mg 3 times a day before meals. The metoclopramide is supposed to increase the motility of the small bowel. I think i am being killed with medications and nothing helps. Does anyone heave any further suggestions??? I spent yesterday in Emergency and there are no problems with my heart and blood work looks Ok only low on potassium.
Thanks for any reply

[bcgal]

What a good idea and my Dr. agrees with you
Thanks

[bcgal]

Thank you. you have some very good suggestions and I did get a stress test and have a slight heart problem but not serious. Now I think I have found the solution, for the last two days I have had a lot of releif from the reflux,.Mmy Dr. gave me some beta blocker, this is usually used when you have angina pain. It stopped the squeezing pain in my chest and back, like when the reflux comes right up in your esophaegus. Well ,it does not do that now and I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope it stays that way.
I do not know why this has helped so much. Wish I could afford a bed like yours.
Thanks agin

[bcgal]

Thank you so much for your information, I have doubled up on the magnesium and potassium and that is starting to help. I have modified my diet to eat almost nothing but fresh vegetables and fruit. It is hard, but better than the suffering.
I am off the PPI and and only using the H2 blocker, tired of runnng to the Dr. and and being given another pill to try. I don't know what coffee tastes like anymore and I have discovered that stress is a big factor in starting the belly fire.But at least I will be seeing an internist in a couple of weeks and perhaps getting some help there.I have had a lot of blood work and ECG's and told there is nothing wrong with my heart, but if this keeps up I am sure there will be. Thanks again for your comments

[Lauralight]

Air hunger can come for low thyroid according to some sites, but if you are over 60, its also caused by fluid build up and is then a symptom of congestive heart failure. I know someone who has that, and it's hard for them to breath!

[Lauralight]

Potassium, magnesium and calcium deficiency are gigantic spasm producers. Have you had your magnesium levels checked? I'd get on that for sure. My whole world shifted when I started to take 3x the daily allowance of magnesium, I had fibromyalgia like pain, and now I simply don't. But if I miss one dose, it comes back immediately.

[Gasandmoregas]

I think I have finally found the answer to this issue of waking up gasping for air.  I have been experiencing this for years and found the solution by accident.
My wife and I bought a sleep number bed.  A bit on the pricey side but we got the base unit with the Bed that raises your head above your stomach.  I raise mine about 8 inches at night.  I no longer wake up gasping for air and my excessive belching is gone!  Thank the Lord!

I think that my stomach acid sat in my throat all night long.  I rarely tasted acid but I was constantly clearing my throat during the day.  Also excessive burping gas gave me pressure that eventually turned into anxiety attacks.

Guys, all these issues have cleared up.  I tried the books under the head of the bed but that wasn't enough height.  You do not have to buy a sleep number bed but the cool thing is it bends at the waiste area so you don't slide down the bed at night.

Anyway, I always had a pact with others....whoever found the answer to this debilitating set of circumstances would post it on the boards for others to benefit from.   It only took me about 16 years of suffering but here it is.  

I hope this helps   Assuming it does, please do pass this on to other boards to help others and or friends that are suffering from this same issue.
God Bless.

[Flycaster305]

It sounds like you have a problem that may be difficult to sort out. Did the emergency room docs suggest you see a Cardiologist?  Also, did they do an Angioplasty study, or a stress test?  An EKG(ECG)  test basically determines if you are having a heart attack.
If you haven't had a stress test, I'd ask for one.  It is difficult to sort our GERD/heart issues, believe me.  I'm not a health professional so take what I suggest with a grain of salt, but I've had both stomach/intestinal/heart issues and they are difficult to sort out.  I think you need a stress test to rule out heart issues.  Keep us informed.  

[selmaS]

  Hi....these meds can deplete our magnesium, potassium and calcium  as well as vit D and B12...or keep us from absorbing what we need....so do take this seriously and talk to ur Dr about those low levels.

As for the med not working have u also modified ur diet?...liefstyle?...these also need to be done in order to help the meds help u feel better.

  We r all different and it is possible that the med is not the right one for u, so do talk to ur GI dr and see if u have done all the possible things to aid the meds and on them a sufficient  amount of time....

  I had to go from a PPI to a H2 blocker which works better for me....