Chronic dyspepsia

Hi,

I need help and advice please...

I was originally diagnoised with GERD however I have no heartburn / reflux.  I visited a GI after 2 years of problems, he has done an Upper endoscopy and tells me that it is nothing serious and that I should stop taking the 40mg Omprezole (which is the only thing that offers some relief) as I am 27 and he doesn't want me on those long term, so basically he told me to go home and work out how to manage my symptoms.

So I have now been off the Omprezole for 1 week and I am in agony, I have bloating, gas, chest pain, back pain, it's much worse at night and I have to sleep sitting completely upright.  Last night I spent around 4 hours walking around the house trying to burp and free the gas, it was agony.  In the end a peppermint and Fennel herbal tea helped a little and I finally managed to get to sleep at 3am.

This morning I am writting this with what feels like a cramp in my lower stomach.

My problem is that I feel that as the GI has offered a diagnosis that I cannot go back to my GP and ask for help as what more can he do for me?

I'm really at a loss as to what to do next.  Help I'm getting pretty desperate...

Thanks ;~)

Just because your endoscopy didn't show anything, doesn't mean that you're not refluxing and suffering. I read someplace that 50% of people with GERD have normal endoscopies - I happen to be one. The 48 hour Bravo pH test seems to be the "gold standard" for GERD these days. It measures the pH in your esophagus for 2 days. I had one and it showed a lot of reflux - I didn't have any heartburn either, but had all of your symptoms + TONS of nausea, too. If you think the medicine was helping, I'd go to another GI or your primary care and explain this. I know that anyone would prefer not to be on any medication, but sometimes your life is so miserable without it, you really need it. Maybe another doctor could offer advice on how to slowly taper your dose to a lower amount. Have you tried Pepcid, Zantac or any of those other over the counter drugs. Pepcid used to work for me but then it stopped so now I'm trying to find the right PPI, which can take awhile (months). You really need to advocate for your self. If you're not happy with your care, change doctors.

Apple Cider Vinegar should be cauioned if there is over acid production and may cause irritation if there is any tissue damage.

Generally most people are under acidic through a lack, of acid secretion/production under acidic stomach acid leads to helico bater pylori infections as well as bloating and gas cuased from fermentation (food taking way to loing to digest) which in turn leads to the stomach churning vigorously (cramping) to physically smash the food before it heads into the lower bowel. While the stomach is churing the esophagus may lax allowing acid to surge upward causing the irritation (even with low stomach acid).

The use of HCL supplements or Apple Cider Vinegar are to increase th low acid environment to break down proteins properly.

I would also like to mention that peppermint is well known to relax the espohageal sphincter which would contribute to acid wash back.

Slippery Elm is an amazing product which can protect sooth and aid digestive function. I used it in water mixed until looks gel like then slowly drank it down to coat as it is consumed.

I am not sure about where to get in the UK but it is Native to North America but can be purchaased here in Australia from any health food store or pharmacy. It's botanical name is Ulmus fulva, essentially it is a tree back ground into powder.

Hi Marthamae,

You're right!!! I tried 4 sips of apple cyder vinegar diluted in some warm water after lunch today, and it has certainly helped. Not feeling quite so cramped and achey as before.

Thank you