Severe Acid Reflux/throat lump and pain on lying down.

Question

I have been living with GERD now for the last four years or more. I recognise a severe acid build up by the pain in my chest which radiates towards the back and a lump develops in my throat. I am able to eat normally so i know there isn't an obstruction. I have been taken to hospital with suspected cardiac problems which always turn out to be an acid reflux attack. Although I always make reference to the fact that I suffer from GERD I am nonetheless checked out for heart problems and nothing further done on the reflux problem. I am on 40 mg protium a day and I may as well be taking smarties. I have tried other pump inhibitors i.e. 'Nexium' but these caused my hair to fall out. I only drink wine but find that I have now had to stop taking even a small glass as this sets of an acid attack and I end up having to get up out of bed walking the floors for hours on end. I cannot lie down at all or even go over on my side to try and gain some relief. A cardiac consultant advised me recently that the "nitrog..." spray which is given to people suffering from angina is very helpful when the acid reflux is bad. I have tried this and find it most helpful. I have cut out tomatoes and anything else that is acidic but yesterday I ate a slice of juicy melon and the pain came again almost immediately. I have come to the conclusion that anything I eat or drink (including water) causes an attack. I have had the camera down three times in the last few years and have been told that I have a severe acid/gas problem. I had my gallbladder removed nearly 30 years ago and the pain and symptoms that I am now experiencing are almost as painful as the gallbladder atacks. Is there any other pump inhibitor that is stronger than protium and doesn't have the result of causing hair to fall out? Thanks, Rosbeg.

This discussion is related to lump in throat feeling plus chest pressure.

NayaPixie · Answer

Diet change diet change diet change, I cannot stress that enough I took myself off the medication because I couldnt handle the sideeffects and miss work because of it nor do I want to entertain the idea of surgery

Heathmcmi · Answer

Hello!

My 14 month old daughter actually suffers from a severe case of GERD. Upon doing an endoscopic they found a hernia in her esophagus, and ulcers in her small and large intestines. Although they don't know whats causing the ulcers, they did find out that part of her failure to thrive was being caused by her GERD. From day one laying on her back was extremely painful and she would bellow out until she was laying on her stomach. Individuals that suffer from this could have a hiatial hernia which is causing backsplash from the stomach. She is on prevacid, and pepcid for relief. Although the two  isn't quite enough it she is slowly rising out of 0% and is getting closer to being out of 3-6 and 6-9 month clothing!! I hope this may have helped in anyway! Best wishes!

selmaS · Answer

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Gastroenterology/Ways-to-Help-Control-GERD-Symptoms/show/668?cid=236

We do have Health Pages with very good tips and info to help-

Rosbeg · Answer

Thanks for your interesting comments.  I never eat after my dinner in the evening after work but will certainly elevate the head of the bed and see if this helps.  Have cut out wine altogether and found I am getting some relief!  Have heard ffrom others that Nexium also caused hair loss with them - interesting!