severe gerd

[greg2012]

Hello,

I was dx with gerd just over two years ago in January 2011. I had symptoms of acid reflux many years prior, such as water brash, mild indigestion, and a few times waking up choking. It was never enough to warrant a doctor visit and it even went away for a few years (maybe because of excerise and weight loss).

In October 2010, I began to have daily symptoms of upper mid stomach discomfort/burnin pain just below my sternum, sometime burning sensation in the throat, and some nausea but no vomiting. This went on for about three months. I visited the ER twice which an ultrasound and CT scan were performed (both normal except two small gallbladder polyps).

In January 2011, I visited a GI doctor who performed a upper endoscopy with biopsy (normal). I was dx with gerd and given dexilant with sulfate to coat my stomach. My symptoms started to subside a few months after the procedure. I felt much better but not 100% better. I was also given a HIDA scan (normal)

In Feb 2012, I felt good enough to take my self off the meds. I went back to excerise and stayed off but my mistake was continuing to eat junk food. Oct 2012 when I began having rib pain. Again I had a ultrasound and HIDA scan both normal except for the gallbladder poylps which grew less in 1 mm. I was dx with costochondritis which went away after three months.

I than began having rectal bleeding and had a scope done which only a hermmoid was found.

My employer switched insurance companies and denied paying for my dexilant medication. So I had to switch to protonix. Since Feb 2012, I began having the same mild stomach discomfort/burning sensation I was having two years ago, sometime indigestion. Food seems not to make a difference except pizza which makes symptoms worse or really greasy foods. This goes on almost daily now despite protonix and sulfate.

I am a 30 year old male, 5'6 162 pounds with a 37 inch waist size. I made my goal to lose 3 inches off my waist to see if this helps me. I bought a pedometer to keep track of my steps and began daily excerise despite the symptoms. My doctor said this should help but I should also consider the new LNX surgery should the weight loss fail to relief my symptoms.

The acid reflux is not severe enough to stop me form working but has put a damper on my life having to miss out on opportunities of traveling and sometimes staying home on weekends instead of going out have having fun.

But the question I have is why does the mainly affect my stomach and not get heartburn often? Sometimes I question weather I do have GERD not something else but since all my tests, procedures and bloodwork are normal it shouldn't be something else either. Other than the reflux, I am a healthy individual.  

[odo958]

It may take you some time to determine the appropriate amount of medication to effectively control your symptoms.  As the previous poster said, definitely wean yourself off ppis gradually because rebound symptoms can be brutal.

If you're not sure you have GERD, you may want to ask your doctor about the 24 hr ph monitoring test or esophageal manometry.  Both these tests are used to diagnose GERD.

Hang in there.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the GERD forum.

Once on meds u still must follow a modified diet, the meds alone can not keep the symptoms at bay. U should also modify life style as well.

Spicy, acidic, greasy foods need to be avoided, as well as carbonated and caffeinated drinks...soda,coffee and some teas.

Stress can be a trigger, so try to find ways to relax....

Any weight gain or loss can trigger a flare.

Reflux meds when stopped can cause rebound effect so step off these meds slowly and under the care of a Dr.

  Not everyone with reflux suffers from heartburn, that does not mean it is not reflux....

Look to ur diet, keep a journal of what u eat and how u feel to see if u can figure out ur trigger foods so u know what to avoid.