What is it?

[Lola1985]

I have had constant problems for the past 10 months....
My question is do I know I dont have GERD if I had an Upper GI done and the only thing that showed up was Gastritis?

I am in so much pain - please help x

[Lola1985]

Listen guys.....

I have never felt so good as I have for the past 6 days.

I am off my tablets, had KFC and other 'SIN' foods which I would never be able to digest.

I take one cod liver oil tablet every evening, I had 2 cups of Apple Cider vinegar everyday (diluted with warm water) and I have one glass of Acai drink (powder mixed with water)

I read about a guy who swore by the Acai powder and thought what do I have to lose (xcept more money)........ and I feel great.

I feel very scared to be so positive as for 10 months I have been in constant pain etc.

Maybe you should give me routine a try and see if anyone gets any results???????????

[karenhaston]

I have to agree about feeling totally worn out and exhausted with the whole condition - it just never leaves your thoughts, even on good days there are twinges and pain - it is relentless and gets you down. The nexium really made me worse, the burning went through the roof. I have tried all 5 of the medications used for gerd / burning / thoat tightning etc - I am no better on them as I am of so I gave them all up as it was pointless. They gave me other medication for nerve pain in the stomach - they were saying my brain wasn't talking to my stomach (!?) and that results in pain - Nonsence indeed - they just keep giving me the wrong answers - I said so if the brain and stomach ain't taking to each other then there has to be a reason!? NO REASON. DEpending on what the cause is to whats happening they can't go ahead with surgery - The esophagas can be stretched with a balloon if it is to tight - The stomach valve can be tightened if they find it is loose (normally takes years for them to come to this conclusion!!!) If this valve is loose it causes so many problems (the LES - type it into google) You can get gerd and all the things that brings like burning, feelings of something been stuck in the throat, severe stomach pain, pressure in the chest, aches and pains - the list is endless - But how long till they find what is wrong, the wait is so long. I must look up 'cracopharyngeus achalagia' and then get back to you on that! I could write for hours - it's just been such a long road with this. Karen

[bluestocking]

I am so grateful to you two for describing all these symptons, which yes...are ruining my life as well....it all started with sinus infections, post nasal drip and suddenly GERD symptoms, but now I feel so mentally exhausted from thinking about all this all the time....Dr says esophagus hasn't large enough opening for him to get the endoscope down...ever heard of anything like that? Barium swallow shows 'nothing sinister' to quote him.  But he has no solution for my relentless coughing, half the night and aching chest (breastbone area)...cannot take Nexium forever, it has a bad rep for the long term.  Also, can't say it really helps...have rarely had the 'burning sensation' in the night.  Has anyone mentioned to you 'cracopharyngeus achalagia? (sp) ...My big question is, what kind of an operation, or procedure can be done to correct these issues?

[karenhaston]

That is very odd - the pain I also get feels like it comes up to my throat and as you said its like a pressure deep pain in the chest - IDENTICAL! 100% - with added burning - The chest pressure always worries me )o: I did have a chest x-ray in April - CLEAR - It is so confussing - The Doctors are so passive - I get really angry with mine - he has no idea what I feel - and then says I am anxious 'HELLO' anxious - yes as it's been going on so long I am fed up with no answers and passive 'so be' professionals! You get fed up of appointments taking so long at the hospitals - then they don't listen and then talk to you in science way - send you away with no answers - BUT NEVER TAKE ON BOARD YOUR POINT OF VIEW OF HOW IT FEELS!!!!!! 100% sick of it - a year next month!

I read on a health board that once you get gastritis you can have bother with it for years - but after the 2nd scope they never mentioned it was still their - You never know if it is still their is some way - The stomach is so complex )0; You only realise that when you have trouble with it and when you eat - drink etc your aware of everything that goes on...

I have tried the apple cider vinigar - I think I will go back to it again - I got it in Holland and Barnets a few months ago - give it a go!

[Lola1985]

Hi Karen,

Dont worry abotu length of post - its nice to hear some similar symptoms.
Here is a list of what I have had....

Blood Tests – All Fine (done 5 times)

Chest Xray – All normal

Upper endoscopy – Gastritis

Ultra Sound – Dilated Left Kidney

Linda Mccartney – Teats syndrome

I am currently trying Apple Cider Vinegar and have come off my PPI tablets as I read they are not recommended to be taken too long and I have been on them for 10 months.

My pain feels like it comes up to my throat and it is like a pressure and a deep, deep pain inside my chest?????

[Lola1985]

thanks for all your info - the thing that is confusing me is the fact that GERD usually effects the upper left area and round to the back - mine is all in the right side?????
Mine feels like a constant pressure on my throat and deep, deep inside me........

[karenhaston]

My problems sound so much like yours - I've had many tests - ultrasound - 1st one  in Jan 2010 - that showed sludge in the gallbladder and a dilated pancreatic duct - Had endoscope in Jan 2010 - showed mild gastritis (no HPylori) - Second ultrasound in Feb showed the pancreatic duct had closed and the specialist thought a possible stone had passed but was not sure - I then had a further private scan in March to make sure the pancreas was normal - It was. April 2010 I was really in agony everyday with pressure under the breast bone - burning - constant feeling of something stuck in throat -  I ended up in hospital and they done another ultrasound - all normal and I was put on a waiting list for a further endoscope in June - That showed the polyps (many) they were biopsied and all was fine - All PPi's (meds) have failed to work - I have tried them all - I have changed diets and nothing changed - food I ate did not / does not make any difference at all (I am a healthy eater and not over weight either) - Since June the burning in the chest has been constant - I have also had a yellow tongue (I don't smoke or drink) since February 2010 - Nobody from the doctors to the GI specialist were interested or concerned about this. I have read and read and read for 9 months on everything to do with the stomach - I am non the wiser - is it bile reflux - is it acid reflux - hypersensitivity they say - I wish I had some answers - I go back tot he GI specialist on the 18th of November -  That about sums it up - Oh - I have tried many vitamins and supplements - tried and tested with no reprieve - I will try anything!!!!

Sorry this is so long! Karen

[patient915]

Gastritis is usually caused by something, usually H pylori.  You can randomly start suffering from acid reflux at any age for no apparent reason.  GERD doesn't have to be caused by something.  Here is a quote from the internet "Upper central abdominal pain is the most common symptom; the pain may be dull, vague, burning, aching, gnawing, sore, or sharp. Pain is usually located in the upper central portion of the abdomen, but it may occur anywhere from the upper left portion of the abdomen around to the back."  According to that the gastritis could be causing all your pain.  I would recommend talking to your gastroenterologist about switching your medication to see if that helps more.

[Lola1985]

Yes they took samples from my tum and after losing the results for a while I was informed that everything was fine.
I am a bit confused ?

I have never suffered from Acid reflux / Indigestion until 10 months ago and now its an everyday event.
I have pain high up on my right side? Gastritis seems to be on the left after reading internet posts?
I have a lot of back pain where my kidney probably are?

Surely GERD is caused by something? I do all the self help tips and still in constant pain?

Thank you

[patient915]

You can have gastritis and GERD.  Did they do biopsies during your endoscopy to test for things like H pylori?  GERD could definitely be causing the problems you are experiencing and I would talk to your gastroenterologist about trying a different medication.

[Lola1985]

Yes I had an upper endoscopy which only showed Gastritis, so does that mean I dont have GERD?

The doctors dont know what is causing the Gastritis, I just have this sickly taste all the time..... I feel much better in the morning but once I start eating I feel awful.

I get a band like pressure feeling on my chest and constant discomfort.

I am convinced its something that is not functioning correctly in there and the more it is going on the more it is ruining my life.

I am a 25yr old female, normally very healthy, skinny and great diet.

I just dont think there are any more self help things I can do and the Lansaprozole aint touching the sides with this sick taste etc.

[patient915]

An upper GI series (which is different then the test with the camera down your throat, which is normally called an upper endoscopy) is a good test for GERD.  Did your doctor's say what the gastritis was from?

[Lola1985]

Hello

Thank you so much for your reply.

Right I have had constant things (one thing or another)….. a have a band around my chest and a pressure (like someone is standing on my chest) after eating anything.
I have right sided pain that is more like a constant nagging, dragging, un comfy feeling……

I am currently on Lansaprozole 15mg a day….. used to be 30 mg a day but I cut myself down as the doctors don’t care what I do.

I have had a Upper GI camera which only found Gastritis
An ultra sound which found I had a dilated kidney (left side)
Various blood tests (all fine)
Chest Xray (waiting for results)

[patient915]

Welcome to the gastroenterology community!  What are the problems that you have been having?