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chronic gastritis and severe reflux for over a year....help!
I am a 27 year old Canadian woman who has been living and working in Japan for the last 2 1/2 years. For the last year and a half I've been having a lot of problems with gastritis and reflux and I can't seem to get rid of them. I first noticed the symptoms last year when I felt a terrible burning in my stomach and had a lot of belching and heartburn after I ate. I had an upper GI X-ray done and there wasn't anything wrong except for excess acid production. I was given Zantac to take twice a day (75 mg at a time). It seemed to help at first, but then a few months later the symptoms got worse. I had an endoscopy done about 10 months ago and I was diagnosed with having gastris and some acid reflux. I was also tested for H-pylori at that time, and the results were negative. I was given famotidine (20 mg twice a day), but then when that didn't help I was given lansoprazole (30 mg after evening meal). I took lansoprazole for about 6 months and it seemed to be helping, but in the last couple of months I noticed it wasn't nearly as effective as it had been at first. The doctor changed my medication to omeprazole (20 mg twice a day), but I found it didn't help anymore than the lansoprazole. In the last month or so, the symptoms have become very uncomfortable and distressing. I'm continuing to take lansoprazole along with antacids the doctor recommended(Gaviscon and Maalox), but I still have trouble. After every meal I have terrible burning pain in my stomach just below my ribs and I feel nauseous but never vomit. Sometimes I have heartburn all day and my esophagus and throat feel really raw and painful from all the acid. I am reduced to eating bananas and bread becasue any food with even a little acid or oil causes terrible discomfort. I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night from the pain of reflux, and often the pain radiates up into my left shoulder. The doctor here told me that lansoprazole or omeprazole should have cleared things up, but I've been on the medication for more than 6 month and things are worse than ever. The doctor says my problems are caused by stress from my job and life in a foreign country, but I don't feel particularly stressed. I can't understand why none of this medication is helping me. Can stress be a main cause of gastritis and reflux? Since the discomfort has been getting worse, I've started to worry that maybe I have a more serious condition like gastric cancer. My endoscopy was done about 10 months ago, but do you think I should have another one done? Any advice anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated. I'm so frustrated with this problem and I can hardly eat anything.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Hmmm.. Sue..I posted something below you, and in doing alot of reasearch on my own troubles, I have come across many many Americans living in Japan with the same problems you describe.
It makes me wonder if its something in the food there?
Maybe you should think on that? Like maybe sushi? the rice? There has got to be something that American people are eating or drinkiing in Japan that is causing this.
I just find it interesting that there are so many Americans in Japan, complaining of this. Coincidence maybe? I don't know. But maybe you should look into it some how, some way.
It makes me wonder if its something in the food there?
Maybe you should think on that? Like maybe sushi? the rice? There has got to be something that American people are eating or drinkiing in Japan that is causing this.
I just find it interesting that there are so many Americans in Japan, complaining of this. Coincidence maybe? I don't know. But maybe you should look into it some how, some way.
Sue,
I'm sorry to hear about your undiagnosed problems. Just want you to know that my wife and I are with you, as my wife has been experiencing undiagnosed gastric symptoms for over a year now. She had her gallbladder removed Aug 1998, was treated for H-Pylori in Dec 1998, had bile duct stones removed and a sphincterectomy in Jul 1999. Her weight has dropped from 140 to 116 since May 1999. The most persistent remaining symptoms are upper right-side pain, itching, reflux, fatigue, loss of appetite, and sleeplessness. Her GI still has no idea what her problem could be. Amazing. Isn't he the one who has been trained to diagnose and treat gastric disorders? Every test that he has ordered has been negative. We are nearing the end of the line as far as our expectations go. Hope things go better for you.
Jack
I'm sorry to hear about your undiagnosed problems. Just want you to know that my wife and I are with you, as my wife has been experiencing undiagnosed gastric symptoms for over a year now. She had her gallbladder removed Aug 1998, was treated for H-Pylori in Dec 1998, had bile duct stones removed and a sphincterectomy in Jul 1999. Her weight has dropped from 140 to 116 since May 1999. The most persistent remaining symptoms are upper right-side pain, itching, reflux, fatigue, loss of appetite, and sleeplessness. Her GI still has no idea what her problem could be. Amazing. Isn't he the one who has been trained to diagnose and treat gastric disorders? Every test that he has ordered has been negative. We are nearing the end of the line as far as our expectations go. Hope things go better for you.
Jack
Sue,
My 13 year son has suffered for chronic acid reflux for almost 2 years. Two weeks ago today, he had his 3rd endosopy. He also takes up to 80 mgs. of prilosec daily plus malanta. He was diagnosed after this last scope with Barrett's Esophagus, a
very uncommon condition for someone his age. We have to meet with his dr to discuss the treatment for this which will possibly be surgery. Maybe you should ask your dr. if you could possibly have this. Good luck.
My 13 year son has suffered for chronic acid reflux for almost 2 years. Two weeks ago today, he had his 3rd endosopy. He also takes up to 80 mgs. of prilosec daily plus malanta. He was diagnosed after this last scope with Barrett's Esophagus, a
very uncommon condition for someone his age. We have to meet with his dr to discuss the treatment for this which will possibly be surgery. Maybe you should ask your dr. if you could possibly have this. Good luck.
I was battling major digestive problems for over a year. I thought I was dying! I recently was referred to Bio-Flora from an herbalist. I've been using it for just a little over one week and I feel like I've been cured!!! The Flora I bought cost me approx. $30.00, but it's worth every penny. Go to a reliable nutrition store and get this stuff! It's a miracle enzyme! If you have any questions, feel free to email me at ***@****.
Yes, the drugs are the same. Prevacid is lansoprazole and Prilosec is omeprazole. The drugs have different brand names in Japan, so I was using the names of what the drugs contain.
I was reading about your chronic problem and find it hard to believe that with no medication help, that the Drs. aren't checking further for esophagial problems such as a weak LES muscle or for signs of Barrets Syndrome which I have after suffering for too many years with GERD. I am currently having a procedure done to help me called a Nissen Fundoplication, as I cannot take the medications, Prilosec and Prevacid without side effects, such as polyps in the esophagus from meds.
I had to have an EGD done for 5 years to monitor my Barrets and it should be done more frequently if you are suffering like you say you are.
I hope this helps you a little and you can e-mail me at ***@**** if you need to talk further.
Karen
I had to have an EGD done for 5 years to monitor my Barrets and it should be done more frequently if you are suffering like you say you are.
I hope this helps you a little and you can e-mail me at ***@**** if you need to talk further.
Karen
dear sue,
I have been dealing with the same symptoms as yours for 6 months
it is driving me crazy some of the things i have tried is pepsid
gaviscon,tums, I also had a upper gi and was told it was normal.
for the longest time i thought it was my heart and I even was rushed to the hospital because i thought it was a heart attack thay did every test you could think of and found nothing I to can only eat bread if I want to be symptom free. I feel like I am at the end of my rope it really has had a effect on my life and I feel bad for others who suffer if you come across anything helpful please write good luck
I have been dealing with the same symptoms as yours for 6 months
it is driving me crazy some of the things i have tried is pepsid
gaviscon,tums, I also had a upper gi and was told it was normal.
for the longest time i thought it was my heart and I even was rushed to the hospital because i thought it was a heart attack thay did every test you could think of and found nothing I to can only eat bread if I want to be symptom free. I feel like I am at the end of my rope it really has had a effect on my life and I feel bad for others who suffer if you come across anything helpful please write good luck
Dear Sue,
We often evaluate patients who provide a similar history to yours. The initial treatment and investigations includes H2-receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors and endoscopyto look for other causes for the symptoms. If your endoscopy was carefully performed by an experienced endoscopist, it is very unlikely that you have developed a new condition.
In sutuations like yours, it is necessary to have a better understanding of the cause of the problem. We would do an esophageal motility study and 24 hr pH probe tests to assess the frequency/duration of the esophageal reflux. If there was still uncertainty regarding the cause of the symptoms, we would consider other possible etiologies e.g. gastroparesis, gall bladder problems, small intestinal pathology, infections. the nature of the evaluation would depende on the history that we obtained.
Before your symptoms are labeled as 'stress-related' it is necessary to exclude all the likely treatable conditions.
We often evaluate patients who provide a similar history to yours. The initial treatment and investigations includes H2-receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors and endoscopyto look for other causes for the symptoms. If your endoscopy was carefully performed by an experienced endoscopist, it is very unlikely that you have developed a new condition.
In sutuations like yours, it is necessary to have a better understanding of the cause of the problem. We would do an esophageal motility study and 24 hr pH probe tests to assess the frequency/duration of the esophageal reflux. If there was still uncertainty regarding the cause of the symptoms, we would consider other possible etiologies e.g. gastroparesis, gall bladder problems, small intestinal pathology, infections. the nature of the evaluation would depende on the history that we obtained.
Before your symptoms are labeled as 'stress-related' it is necessary to exclude all the likely treatable conditions.
Dear Sue
Consider your diet..And your life style. Look to your emmune system, you might consider more exercise. If you are not drinking water, In addition to your regular regimen, you might consider hyro - therapy and more exercise. My research denotes our emmune system is the best for curing any disease. But it must be given time to work...I also suggest drugless therapy
as drugs according to research have side effects...Look for the cause of your condition...
I hope you feel better, all the best
Ahragon
Consider your diet..And your life style. Look to your emmune system, you might consider more exercise. If you are not drinking water, In addition to your regular regimen, you might consider hyro - therapy and more exercise. My research denotes our emmune system is the best for curing any disease. But it must be given time to work...I also suggest drugless therapy
as drugs according to research have side effects...Look for the cause of your condition...
I hope you feel better, all the best
Ahragon
Sue,
Your symptoms sound just like mine. I have had recurrent "heartburn" for several years, but in the last 6 months has gotten increasingly worse. Usually pain at nite which feels like a knife stabbing me directly in the middle of my abdomen and pain radiating up over the left shoulder, also around the sides and into my back; lots of gas too. I thought it was "stress" and reflux. I was taking Prevacid for about 5 weeks with minimal relief and went to a GI specialist. After listening to my symptoms, he told me he thought it was biliary colic--related to gallstones. He ordered some blood tests and an ultrasound of the gallbladder, liver and pancreas. My liver enzymes went up after an attack and my ultrasound showed gallstones. I am scheduled to have a laprascopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) tomorrow. I was looking through anything on the internet gallbladder-related because I'm a little nervous. But with my tests, it seems pretty clear what the problem is. If you want to contact me, my email is ***@****
Good luck and I hope you feel better!
Your symptoms sound just like mine. I have had recurrent "heartburn" for several years, but in the last 6 months has gotten increasingly worse. Usually pain at nite which feels like a knife stabbing me directly in the middle of my abdomen and pain radiating up over the left shoulder, also around the sides and into my back; lots of gas too. I thought it was "stress" and reflux. I was taking Prevacid for about 5 weeks with minimal relief and went to a GI specialist. After listening to my symptoms, he told me he thought it was biliary colic--related to gallstones. He ordered some blood tests and an ultrasound of the gallbladder, liver and pancreas. My liver enzymes went up after an attack and my ultrasound showed gallstones. I am scheduled to have a laprascopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) tomorrow. I was looking through anything on the internet gallbladder-related because I'm a little nervous. But with my tests, it seems pretty clear what the problem is. If you want to contact me, my email is ***@****
Good luck and I hope you feel better!
My oldest daughter has been treated for gastritis with prescription strength Zantac for one year, based on physical exam only. That is, the doctor talked to her. Without the Zantac, she cannot eat....I thought perhaps she had anorexia the doc's first impulse was diabetes because she lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks. At five foot two she had gotten to weigh only about 89 pounds....she complained that she wanted to eat but eating made her stomach hurt. The Zantac was given as a trial and it did help. She regained the weight she lost and more....to 112 pounds. Every time we stop the Zantac she starts losing weight again....I'm going to have to start it again since her weight has dropped again from 112 to 103....she says she cannot eat. She does not seem to have the typical behavior patterns of anorexia, and she claims she wants to eat. When on the Zantac, she does eat!
She has never had any tests done, just the doctor talking with her. Since she has had ot use the zantac long term, should she have some tests done on her stomach? She has no other symptoms....just the pain with eating that causes her not to eat even when hungry....the tendency to lose weight when not on zantac, adn the improvement in symptoms while taking zantac. What are your suggestions?
She has never had any tests done, just the doctor talking with her. Since she has had ot use the zantac long term, should she have some tests done on her stomach? She has no other symptoms....just the pain with eating that causes her not to eat even when hungry....the tendency to lose weight when not on zantac, adn the improvement in symptoms while taking zantac. What are your suggestions?
hi sue, i am sorry to say this but you seem to have joined that perrenial group of unfortunate sufferers around the world.(keep this in mind) WHAT WORKS FOR ME WILL NOT NECESSARILY WORK FOR YOU.Having suffered with gastro-intestinal problems since 1980 or there abouts i have noticed a few things.(1) the onset of my symtoms were and are always stress related.(2)i had to modify my diet during each course of treatment,which have included zantac, losec all types of antigas and antacids.(3)I only had to take the treatment for 4-6 weeks.(4)OH i have had peptic ulcer, gastro this gastro that you name it, included the dreaded ACID REFLUX. THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY REAL CURE ONLY SUPPRESSION OF SYMTOMS
1) I TAKE GRAVOL 50MG FOR THE NAUSEA. IT WORKS.
2) I TAKE LOSEC FOR 4-6 WEEKS. IT WORKS. MG WILL VARY
3) I GO ON A BLAND VEGETARIAN DIET(NO MEAT) SMALL MEALS OF SOFT FRUIT AND VEGETABLES (PAPAYA,MANGO,PEAR(NO CITRUS)BOILED PUMKIN, IRISH POTATO,EGG WHITE(NO OIL,NO FAT)WHOLE WHEAT BREAD ONLY,AND GENERALLY ANY FOOD THAT MAKES ME UNCOMFORTABLE IN ANY WAY IS OUT. I ALSO TAKE PREPULSID TO ASSIST WITH PERISTALTIC MOVEMENT.SPICES AND NUTS ARE OUT AS WELL.AS WELL AS ANYTHING THAT TAKES MORE THAN THE USUAL 3-4 HOURS TO DIGEST. PLENTY OF REST AND I IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE STRESS AND REMOVE OR MINIMISE IT. HAVE FAITH AND PRAY A LOT WHILE YOU EXERCISE AND PRACTICE WHATEVER RELAXATION TECHNIQUES YOU'R COMFORTABLE WITH.I ALSO FIND THAT ANXIETY INCREASES THE SYMTOMS ALSO A FEW DAYS OF A LIQUID DIET ALWAYS HELP AT THE BEGINNING.IN THE ABSENCE OF SYMTOMS I GO ON A COURSE OF TREATMENT EVERY THREE TO FOUR MONTHS.DISCUSS THIS WITH YOUR DOCTOR WHO KNOWS SOME OR ALL OF IT MAY HELP YOU LET ME KNOW. GOD BLESS. nove.d@batelnet .bs
1) I TAKE GRAVOL 50MG FOR THE NAUSEA. IT WORKS.
2) I TAKE LOSEC FOR 4-6 WEEKS. IT WORKS. MG WILL VARY
3) I GO ON A BLAND VEGETARIAN DIET(NO MEAT) SMALL MEALS OF SOFT FRUIT AND VEGETABLES (PAPAYA,MANGO,PEAR(NO CITRUS)BOILED PUMKIN, IRISH POTATO,EGG WHITE(NO OIL,NO FAT)WHOLE WHEAT BREAD ONLY,AND GENERALLY ANY FOOD THAT MAKES ME UNCOMFORTABLE IN ANY WAY IS OUT. I ALSO TAKE PREPULSID TO ASSIST WITH PERISTALTIC MOVEMENT.SPICES AND NUTS ARE OUT AS WELL.AS WELL AS ANYTHING THAT TAKES MORE THAN THE USUAL 3-4 HOURS TO DIGEST. PLENTY OF REST AND I IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE STRESS AND REMOVE OR MINIMISE IT. HAVE FAITH AND PRAY A LOT WHILE YOU EXERCISE AND PRACTICE WHATEVER RELAXATION TECHNIQUES YOU'R COMFORTABLE WITH.I ALSO FIND THAT ANXIETY INCREASES THE SYMTOMS ALSO A FEW DAYS OF A LIQUID DIET ALWAYS HELP AT THE BEGINNING.IN THE ABSENCE OF SYMTOMS I GO ON A COURSE OF TREATMENT EVERY THREE TO FOUR MONTHS.DISCUSS THIS WITH YOUR DOCTOR WHO KNOWS SOME OR ALL OF IT MAY HELP YOU LET ME KNOW. GOD BLESS. nove.d@batelnet .bs
I was diagnosed with moderate esophaegitis, mild gastritis in February 1999. He put me on Prilosec 40mgs and said it should be cured in 6 weeks. Well now after several months, the taste in my teeth and mouth is terrible. If I don't chew gum it taste like putting a 9 volt battery on your tongue. Is there anyone out there that could help? I am very healthy otherwise, and do not have the classic symptoms like pain in the stomach or anything but the acid taste. Please enail at ***@****
My husband suffered from the same problems for a long time. The reflux was unbearable at night. One of the many things we tried was raising the head of the bed. Not by adding pillows but by actually raising the bed. My husband used pieces of 2x4's. He cut one piece about a foot long and another shorter one say six inches. He nailed the shorter one on top and we placed these under the headboard on the bed. In the beginning the headboard acutally had to be placed on the top of the top piece which really brought up the head of the bed. After the reflux was reduced by about 90% we lowered it to the bottom board where it still is today. I'm not saying this was easy. It's a little uncomfortable to sleep on (actually pretty uncomfortable) in the beginning but you do get used to it. And it really seems to have helped him. Try it. At least it isn't another thing taken internally so it can't hurt!
Watch those symptoms. About 5 years ago I took my husband to the hospital thinking he might be having a heart attack and it turned out the pain was from the reflux. Two years ago he was making a 3 hour drive home from Connecticut and thought he was having trouble with reflux. He drank Maalox and chewed tums and rolaids and didn't tell me when he got home. The following morning we had to rush him to the hospital with a heart attack. He never had the pain in the left arm just what he thought was reflux. So stay on top of it.
Watch those symptoms. About 5 years ago I took my husband to the hospital thinking he might be having a heart attack and it turned out the pain was from the reflux. Two years ago he was making a 3 hour drive home from Connecticut and thought he was having trouble with reflux. He drank Maalox and chewed tums and rolaids and didn't tell me when he got home. The following morning we had to rush him to the hospital with a heart attack. He never had the pain in the left arm just what he thought was reflux. So stay on top of it.
DEAR JACK'S WIFE, I READ YOUR HUSBAND'S LETTER ABOUT YOUR ILLNESS
AND I ALSO HAD MY GALLBLADDER REMOVED. I GAVE BIRTH TO MY SON (9.5 LBS.} AND THE WEEKS FOLLOWING I THOUGHT I WAS GONNA DIE, I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ME! I HAD PAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF MY CHEST,UNDER MY RIBS AND IT FELT LIKE LABOR ALL OVER AGAIN. SO 4 WEEKS TO THE DAY I HAD MY GALLBLADDER REMOVED. I FELT BETTER FOR THE FIRST 4-5 DAYS THEN IT STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN AND IT WAS WORSE,I HAD TO GO TO THE BATHROOM AT LEAST 10 TIMES A DAY AND IT WAS LIKE WATER NOT EVEN LOOSE STOOLS. I WAS NEVER ILL AS A CHILD, AND AT THE TIME WAS ONLY 24. I WENT TO MY DOCTOR AND HE SUGGESTED TRYING A DIET WITHOUT ANY DAIRY, DID NOT WORK! THEN I TRIED NUMEROUS DRUGS AND A FEW SEEMED TO WORK BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME ( 4-5 DAYS}. THEN I WENT TO SEE A G.I.SPECIALIST.I FIRST HAD AN UPPER G.I. THEN A ENDOSCOPY AND FINALLY A COLONOSCOPY. ALL CAME BACK NORMAL EXCEPT HAD A SMALL POLOP REMOVED(NON-CANCEROUS. IN BETWEEN ALL THESE TEST THEY HAD ME TRYING ALL THESE DRUGS PRILOSEC,ZANTAC,CIPROFLOXACIN,PREVALITE,LEVBID,FIBERCON,DICYCLOMINE AND I AM PROBABLY FORGETTING A FEW! I COULD NOT WORK AND HAD A NEWBORN TO TAKE CARE.MY WONDERFUL PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT DROPPED MY INSURANCE,I GUESS THAT IS WHAT I GET FOR BEING A LOYAL EMPLOYEE FOR 4 YEARS. AS SOON AS THE G.I.S. HEARD THE WORDS NO INSURANCE , I NEVER HEARD FROM HER AGAIN!! SO I WAS ON MY OWN !!
I WOULD WAKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH ACID IN MY THROAT AND FELT LIKE SOMEONE HAD A ROPE AROUND MY RIBS!! I WOULD DRINK ICE WATER THAT HELPED ALOT!!I FELT THE DOCTOR'S SOMETIMES DIDN'T BELIEVE WHAT I WAS TELLING THEM BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG !! NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT WAS IN 1996 AND IT IS NOW 1999 ALMOST 2000 AND I HAVE TO SAY I FEEL 97% BETTER !!! I CAN ACTUALLY FUNCTION ON A DAILY BASIS. I HAD NO CURE FROM A DOCTOR. I FELT ILL FOR ABOUT 2- 2 1/2 YEARS IT WAS A VERY LONG TIME BUT I AM MUCH MUCH HAPPIER!! I CAN ENJOY MY SON WHO IS ALMOST 4 !!
I GUESS MY BODY HEALED IT SELF AS BEST IT COULD . I WISH I HAD RESEARCHED THE SURGERY BEFORE I HAD IT , BUT IT WAS AN EMERGENCY SURGERY I HAD MULTIPLE STONES THEY ALSO HAD TO REMOVE.
ALTHOUGH I FEEL BETTER I AM STILL WONDERING EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG , AND I RARELY HAVE AN EPISODE. IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON AFTER EFFECT OF THIS SURGERY BUT THEY DON'T TELL YOU THAT IT IS! I ALSO WANTED TO ADD MY OWN MOTHER HAD HER GALLBLADDER OUT AFTER HER FIRST CHILD AND THEY HAD A BAG ON HER SIDE REMOVING ALL THIS NASTY STUFF OUT OF HER STOMACH, IT WAS THERE FOR A LONG TIME (1-2 DAYS). I KNOW THIS WAS IN 1968 , BUT WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS WHY THEY DON'T DO THAT ANYMORE ? DO THEY THINK THE BODY CAN HANDLE ALL THAT STUFF GOING THROUGH YOUR INTESTINES? OH! I FORGOT WE HAVE EVOLVED SO MUCH MORE SINCE 1968!! I BET THAT GARBAGE IS WHAT MADE ME ILL !! WELL I HOPE YOU GET A DIAGNOSIS AND SOME MEDICINE THAT MAKES YOU BETTER!!!! I WISH I HAD A COMPUTER BACK WHEN I WAS SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS !! I REALLY WISH YOU WELL! I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR BACK FROM YOU OR YOUR HUSBAND !! I AM STILL LOOKING FOR ANSWERS MYSELF
AND I ALSO HAD MY GALLBLADDER REMOVED. I GAVE BIRTH TO MY SON (9.5 LBS.} AND THE WEEKS FOLLOWING I THOUGHT I WAS GONNA DIE, I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ME! I HAD PAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF MY CHEST,UNDER MY RIBS AND IT FELT LIKE LABOR ALL OVER AGAIN. SO 4 WEEKS TO THE DAY I HAD MY GALLBLADDER REMOVED. I FELT BETTER FOR THE FIRST 4-5 DAYS THEN IT STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN AND IT WAS WORSE,I HAD TO GO TO THE BATHROOM AT LEAST 10 TIMES A DAY AND IT WAS LIKE WATER NOT EVEN LOOSE STOOLS. I WAS NEVER ILL AS A CHILD, AND AT THE TIME WAS ONLY 24. I WENT TO MY DOCTOR AND HE SUGGESTED TRYING A DIET WITHOUT ANY DAIRY, DID NOT WORK! THEN I TRIED NUMEROUS DRUGS AND A FEW SEEMED TO WORK BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME ( 4-5 DAYS}. THEN I WENT TO SEE A G.I.SPECIALIST.I FIRST HAD AN UPPER G.I. THEN A ENDOSCOPY AND FINALLY A COLONOSCOPY. ALL CAME BACK NORMAL EXCEPT HAD A SMALL POLOP REMOVED(NON-CANCEROUS. IN BETWEEN ALL THESE TEST THEY HAD ME TRYING ALL THESE DRUGS PRILOSEC,ZANTAC,CIPROFLOXACIN,PREVALITE,LEVBID,FIBERCON,DICYCLOMINE AND I AM PROBABLY FORGETTING A FEW! I COULD NOT WORK AND HAD A NEWBORN TO TAKE CARE.MY WONDERFUL PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT DROPPED MY INSURANCE,I GUESS THAT IS WHAT I GET FOR BEING A LOYAL EMPLOYEE FOR 4 YEARS. AS SOON AS THE G.I.S. HEARD THE WORDS NO INSURANCE , I NEVER HEARD FROM HER AGAIN!! SO I WAS ON MY OWN !!
I WOULD WAKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH ACID IN MY THROAT AND FELT LIKE SOMEONE HAD A ROPE AROUND MY RIBS!! I WOULD DRINK ICE WATER THAT HELPED ALOT!!I FELT THE DOCTOR'S SOMETIMES DIDN'T BELIEVE WHAT I WAS TELLING THEM BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG !! NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT WAS IN 1996 AND IT IS NOW 1999 ALMOST 2000 AND I HAVE TO SAY I FEEL 97% BETTER !!! I CAN ACTUALLY FUNCTION ON A DAILY BASIS. I HAD NO CURE FROM A DOCTOR. I FELT ILL FOR ABOUT 2- 2 1/2 YEARS IT WAS A VERY LONG TIME BUT I AM MUCH MUCH HAPPIER!! I CAN ENJOY MY SON WHO IS ALMOST 4 !!
I GUESS MY BODY HEALED IT SELF AS BEST IT COULD . I WISH I HAD RESEARCHED THE SURGERY BEFORE I HAD IT , BUT IT WAS AN EMERGENCY SURGERY I HAD MULTIPLE STONES THEY ALSO HAD TO REMOVE.
ALTHOUGH I FEEL BETTER I AM STILL WONDERING EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG , AND I RARELY HAVE AN EPISODE. IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON AFTER EFFECT OF THIS SURGERY BUT THEY DON'T TELL YOU THAT IT IS! I ALSO WANTED TO ADD MY OWN MOTHER HAD HER GALLBLADDER OUT AFTER HER FIRST CHILD AND THEY HAD A BAG ON HER SIDE REMOVING ALL THIS NASTY STUFF OUT OF HER STOMACH, IT WAS THERE FOR A LONG TIME (1-2 DAYS). I KNOW THIS WAS IN 1968 , BUT WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS WHY THEY DON'T DO THAT ANYMORE ? DO THEY THINK THE BODY CAN HANDLE ALL THAT STUFF GOING THROUGH YOUR INTESTINES? OH! I FORGOT WE HAVE EVOLVED SO MUCH MORE SINCE 1968!! I BET THAT GARBAGE IS WHAT MADE ME ILL !! WELL I HOPE YOU GET A DIAGNOSIS AND SOME MEDICINE THAT MAKES YOU BETTER!!!! I WISH I HAD A COMPUTER BACK WHEN I WAS SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS !! I REALLY WISH YOU WELL! I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR BACK FROM YOU OR YOUR HUSBAND !! I AM STILL LOOKING FOR ANSWERS MYSELF
I have been suffering with alot of the same problems for over 9 monthes now. Nausau upon wakening, some reflux, terrible heartburn every 3 days or so that lasts all day and a pain in my upper right quandrant that flucuates between severe and just a gnawing feeling. Have had too many tests to mention. Had my gallbladder removed a few weeks ago. Still feel the same. Now my doctor is thinking maybe it's the sphincter of the oddi. Does anyone have any information about this? Any comments are truly apprectiated. I am so discouraged and really feel bad about anyone else going through this.
Also, Peggy, if you are reading this....tell me about this Bio-Flora. Is that a supplement of good bacteria? Did you have some of the symptoms I'm experiencing and how do you feel now??
Also, Peggy, if you are reading this....tell me about this Bio-Flora. Is that a supplement of good bacteria? Did you have some of the symptoms I'm experiencing and how do you feel now??
I was diagnosed with severe esophageal reflux about 6 years ago. I had what is called the "Hill Repair", where my doctor strengthened the stomach valve so that stomach fluids wouldn't back up into my esophagus. It has helped a lot, but I do have to watch my weight, and eat smaller meals, etc., otherwise I go into coughing spasms. Instead of Heartburn, I get a real itchy feeling at the bottom of my rib cage and to the left just a fraction,where the opening of my stomach meets the esophagus. Then my whole esophagus gets itchy and inflamed and I cough for about an hour, until the itchy goes away. I also experience terrible bouts of belching and flatulence. This occurs every night and most every morning. Does anyone else have the cough? I know its quite rare, but I can't be the only one. I can't tell if my esophagus is swollen or dry, constricted or expanded. I haven't been back to the doctor, he's out of state. All the other doctors really keep me going, but none of them has been able to help. Please email me at ***@**** if you have similar symptoms.
i was having severe migranes for a few months.(i know, what's this got to do with stomachs)i was taking excedrine migraine all the time. sometimes i would take 6 pills a day.i noticed i had massive heartburn and reflux after i ate.i went in and got scoped a month or two ago.they found numerous ulcers in my stomach and esophagus.my doctor said it is most probably caused by something in the excedrine.is this possible?if so,why does this happen?
I don't know whether to feel happy or sad... there are so many of us with this undiagnosed problem. I also have the pain around the ribs, heartburn. I had my gall bladder removed at 19, but still often have "attacks" of what feels like gall bladder pain, but milder, under my ribs, going through to my back. Am taking 40 mg (20 mg 2X day), but still get heartburn. It was very bad recently and I almost went to emergency... but... you get tired of hearing that there's nothing wrong.
I am seeing a internist, who will refer me to a GI person. Wish me luck.
I am seeing a internist, who will refer me to a GI person. Wish me luck.
I am having the same as the rest of you.
My doctor gave me a prescription that is called: BENYTL, this has worked for me for several years as I go thru these stomach pains. I lost weight and got rid of my stress and the stomah pain went away for a couple of years, but guess what? I am having stomach,side, reflux again, but I am under a lots of stress again, so I am back on Benytl. helps the irratible bowel syndrome also. Use olive oil in cooking, also garlic, for that helps the bowels. Good Luck and God Bless to us all this Season!!
My doctor gave me a prescription that is called: BENYTL, this has worked for me for several years as I go thru these stomach pains. I lost weight and got rid of my stress and the stomah pain went away for a couple of years, but guess what? I am having stomach,side, reflux again, but I am under a lots of stress again, so I am back on Benytl. helps the irratible bowel syndrome also. Use olive oil in cooking, also garlic, for that helps the bowels. Good Luck and God Bless to us all this Season!!
I am 46 years old and for fifteen years I have suffered from chronic reflux problems.I also have food and chemical intolerances which severely restrict my life. I would be interested to know if any other reflux sufferers gone on to develop these intolerance problems.
I suspect I developed these problems because my oesophagus and
stomach were constantly inflammed and this has damaged the
delicate lining.
I suspect I developed these problems because my oesophagus and
stomach were constantly inflammed and this has damaged the
delicate lining.
I need to get information on Barrets' Esophagus cancer. I need symtoms, treatment, how to be tested etc. My husband has been bothered with severe reflux for almost two years now. He is being treated with medication, but has developed high blood pressure. He has severe headaches, stabbing pains in his chest,dizziness besides the regular reflux. I'm not sure if the blood pressure and other symtoms are related. He also gets very red in the face and at times turns a greenish color around his temple. Do you think all of this is coming from the same source.
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