Symptoms, Please help.

[JessicaBari]

   Hi There. My name is Jessica. For the past several years, on and off, I've experienced some interesting symptoms. I've been to a doctor but as I was not certain on how to describe the symptoms they pretty much dismissed it.

   First off, within 2 hours of eating and I bend over or something, I feel acid coming up my throat.
   My throat has been sore from it.
   I feel a water balloon or some kind of pressure under my sternum or near my heart that feels as if it is a water balloon and it's expanding. The only way I can think of to get it to pass or whatever is to fan myself consistently and eventually I'll yawn or burp, and it'll release the pressure for a few seconds then come back again. The only method I've found that gets this to go away is going to sleep.
The doctors said to focus on diet and stuff but it's legitimately anything I eat. I'm in class and can't focus because an "attack" as I call it will occur which is when that pressure happens and won't go away.

What is this? How do I cure it? HELP :D
  

[mkh9]

Well, I hope the meds help you. I have had a gastroscopy and that wasn't bad, they gave me valium. The longer term test would be harder but I think they would keep you sedated. Try to think of today and getting through trying these drugs. I wish you the best.
mkh9

[Jaycielle]

I get it year round too. I noticed it went down since they started me on a strong acid reflux regiment. I take Protonix twice a day and 300mg of Ranitidine 30 minutes before bed. The cough would always occur in the morning or at bed time.  Sometimes randomly during the day.  It can get so bad that it will last forever and I'll turn red and get really dizzy or pull a muscle from coughing.  When I can stick with the acid reflux meds, it seems to help. My doctor told me that if it doesn't, they would have to do a test where I'd have to have a camera down my throat for 24 hours to see what was going on.  I'm just hoping it's the acid reflux at this point.

[mkh9]

Yes my cough is totally dry and I just tend to hack especially in the morning. Some days I don't have it. I did have stomach pain for a while but that was because i was on Ibupropin and they put me on Zantac for about 3 months until the pain went away. They did an upper GI and I had reflux but in the upper area not down low where people feel the acid coming up. The doctor doesn't have me on anything for it. It seems to be there when it is dry outside doesn't matter whether it is cold or hot. Here in San Diego the summers are mostly dry and the winters more humid so i guess I get it more when it is dry.
mkh9

[Jaycielle]

Is your cough really dry sounding and very persistent? I've had mine before the onset of acid reflux and gerd.  I'm seeing an ear noses and throat doctor now who is saying that the acid sits high and little drops may be getting into my lungs.  They put my on inhalers as well as cough syrup with codine. Any of this familiar to your cough? It is especially worse in cold weather for whatever reason.

[mkh9]

Hi Jessica,
You need to get an upper GI done and see what is really going on. It does sound like reflux but could also be an ulcer. It is best to make sure. I couldn't take omeprazole (it gave me really bad diahrrhea) but if it doesn't it works very well. If you have a problem with it try Zantac. I have reflux but I only have the acidity feeling in my throat once in a while. Instead I cough in the morning. The doc said I have it in a different place I think higher up. Anyway, good and hope this helps.
mkh9

[Suzi20071]

Hi Jessica, I get the very same feelings after eating certain foods or eating too much of a certain food.  I even get the warm feeling you describe.  My dr has prescribed hyocosamine for sporadic use and I take omeprazole daily.  But I have to say I bet it will turn out to be a combination of drug therapy and avoiding of certain foods that will improve your symptoms.  But only a doctor can really help you with this. If you haven't tried a gastroenterologist you might want to get a referral to one.

[Jaycielle]

Hi Jessica,
I can somewhat relate, I'm not sure if I have entirely the same symptoms.  After lots and lots of testing  I was diagnosed with acid reflux and gerd.  I was told to avoid certain foods such as chocolate and coffee, but it doesn't matter even if I drink water I can feel it come right back up into my throat.  It is a very uncomfortable feeling.  If i drink a glass of milk it will curtle in my stomach and come up in my throat.  Right before and while it's near my throat I get this really really uncomfortable feeling just within my ribcage/upper stomach area.  I was told that laying down is one of the worst things you can do with gerd, but sometimes it's an only way to get somewhat comfortable.  I find that burping definitely helps to relieve the pressure and discomfort.  I will burp several times in a row.  Unfortunately for me, my body tends to regurgitate and throw up anything that I swallow that gives me this feeling.  It typically gets worse with stress, but it's ALWAYS there.  Due to this, I am also left with this awful dry cough that once it starts, it doesn't stop.  So I'm on a treatment of protonix twice a day and ranitidine 300mg.   When I'm able to take it consistently it seems to help all symptoms, but this is the fourth medication regiment I've been on.  It's a lot of trial and error to find what works best for you.  I hope this was somewhat helpful?  Good luck!