What is wrong with me?

[Hazel30]

I am a 28 yo femal, since I was 17 I've had some acid reflux problems that I would normally take care of with zantacs.  It would come and go every few months sometimes 2-3 times a year.  Recently the past year its been getting progressively worse and frequent and painful.  The past 6 months its gotten very bad where zantacs no longer help so I've been taking some of my fathers nexium which used to help for a short time and then stopped working.  Went to GI doctor, said it could be few things and scheduled a END test and some prevacid.  Prevacid does help and I take it once in the morning but now Im beginning to have the same pains after my dinners.  I did notice that if I eat a light dinner I dont have the pains and milk does help me during my 3-5 hours of excruciating pain episodes.  My test isnt for another 2 weeks and Im starting to feel worried because nothing seems to be really helping me.  Any ideas or advice.
thank you

[Matthew007]

you're welcome :) wow yeah h. ploryi is a virus that causes the majority of ulcers and usually requires a triple antibiotic theapy to fix it.  I'm suprised you were never tested for it, that's a cheaper test...  It's a simple blood test.  If positive that would save $$ on not doing an endoscope.  Without the antibiotics I don't think acid blockers would do anything for it so maybe that's why your meds have failed.  BUUuuuut what do I know.. follow your doctors advice.

Well if you do have an ulcer your doctor should/hopefully will run into it, and by finding where it is in the digestive tract they will be able to treat it with the best drugs for the location it's at.  I've heard you'll feel worse on the treament before you feel better, but if it is an ulcer and gets treated you won't have to rely on those acid blockers anymore.

Unless you live with my parents then you might have to.  (j/k..sort of..)

[Hazel30]

thank you for the help...ulcer is what I was thinking as well, but I thought the prevacid would help it.  I have not had any blood test or any test yet, hopefully the END test will show.
thanks again

[Matthew007]

mmm since milk helps you out and you have strong pain and reflux that pretty much points out an ulcer of some sort - milk has calcium that helps ulcers so that's probably why you feel better on milk, i'm curious if some sort of ulcer has developed...usually with all the acid blocking meds you've taken you wouldn't get one unless it was an infection like h.ployri.  I'm sure you've been tested for h. ploryi..if you haven't you should do the blood test and that might save you money on your endoscope.. but one drug you could try is I think it's called carafate..giant horsepills that cover the stomach and let's ulcers heal..sometimes used in combination of acid reducers.

that END test is a endoscope right? That's a good idea..the edoscope to see if there's any reason why you're having such bad reflux/gerd issues like a plain ulcer.  You could try protonix or acidphex both require prescription or try if you want...or in the meantime you could try prilosec at the grocery store.  2 before breakfast 30 min..but they won't be anywhere near as strong as nexium/protonix/acidphex.  Have to be careful on all these acid reducing medicines..they can cause long term issues and encourage bacterial growth (SIBO) in your small bowel with lowering your acidity level...least that's what i've heard *shrugs*

Buuut in the meantime while you wait for your test, after you eat I wouldn't lay down for a good hour or 2 but if you have to prop your chest/head up to help digestion.  Try and lie on your right side to help digestion as well..   Go easy on spicey foods of course..avoid stress at all costs...eating probably helps but that will just increase acid after you're done eating so easy blah diet might help like applesauce or anything that would nuke the acid...like milk..oo try a milkshake.... you could try tums or even bepto bismal short trials of it and see what that does but those should be only used *short term* since they can cause stomach problems and constipation.  

Good luck on your test, I think you have a bad ulcer..if you're drinking at all - totally stop.  If you think it's rough on your tummy..like tylenol totally stop that as well. NSAD's will just make it worse to the point of going to an ER room.