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about to go crazy

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 4/5/2008 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,  I am new here and so glad I have found this forum.

I have not been officially diagnosed with acid reflux.

It started a week ago.  pains in chest, lump in throat, shortness of breath, heavy chest.  nothing like this ever happened before.  Ended up in the OR.  They did a EKG and it wasn't my heart.  Also had bllod tests done.  The OR doc said everything sounded like acid reflux. and perscribed me novo-rabeprazole 2 - 20mg's a day for 2 weeks then 1 a day after that.  So I started searching on the net about the drug and about acid reflux and here I am.  This forum is awesome and has helped me alot.  I have read just about every post here.

Now why I am about to go crazy.  I am 29 and weigh 90lbs now.  I am so scared to eat as I do not want the pain to come back yet if I don't eat I feel really weak and tired.  I have read about the foods to avoid and eat less and more frequent but I just am so scared of the pain as it is really intense.  How do you all manage to live a normal life?  I also smoke so that is not a big help.  Mind you I do not smoke no where near as much as I did before the pain started.  I read it also causes the pain but it is so hard to completely quit.

I have a doc's appointment on friday so i should know more then exactly what is happening to me.  I am almost 100% sure after reading everything here I do have acid reflux.  I am wondering if there is anything specific I need to ask my doc or certain tests I need to push for to find out for sure if this is acid reflux or not.

Thanks

 

Posted 4/7/2008 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
Hello muise, and welcome to the GERD forum here at healingwell. I have to say when reading your posts that one of my biggest concerns was your weight. I want to assure it wasn't a typo...you weigh 90 pounds??? May I ask how tall you are? I am glad you have found help in this forum, and that you have taken the time to read all the posts. This forum holds a lot of information!!! I know you know that quitting smoking would help you out greatly, so I am not going to preach to you...but I am going to say please, try to quit. It is good for you in a number of ways. I do know how hard it is...from experience. I would like you to talk to your doctor about foods you can eat that will help you to gain some weight. I am just worried about you being 90 pounds...my son is almost 8 years old, and he weights 84 pounds. He isn't overweight either. So, I can't even imagine. You can try puddings, and jellos...that is a good place to start if you are having burning in the throat. Also, liquid antacids are really great for coating your throat. Please do stick with us...and let us know how you are doing. Also, PLEASE tell us how your appointment goes on Friday. I am looking forward to hearing from you again!!! Wishing you all the best!
Posted 4/7/2008 12:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Muise! Try not to get into a panic! I was just like you when I first started having symptoms but I didn't get diagnosed for another 3 years. I lost a lot of weight because I was scared to eat. I think knowing what it is is half the battle.

I needed to take the meds for about 3 months before I saw a significant improvement in my chest pains. They seemed to ease the burning a bit more quickly than that.

Also don't be afraid to ask your doctor to try different types of PPIs as some may work better than others.

The most valuable tests are the manometry and ph studies. These will detect if you have swallowing problems and acid reflux.

If you want to know anything else just ask! Either on here or you can email me (email is in my profile).

Good luck on Friday!

Posted 4/7/2008 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
Forgot to say try and eat small meals and often (I know you've heard it all before). Don't eat anything for about 4 hours before bed. How about milkshakes and soups? I have some Complan (UK). Are you in the USA? I think you have Ensure Plus which is a similar thing. confused
Posted 4/7/2008 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your responses.

And yes Tammy it is 90 pounds. I am 5 feet 7 inches. and yes I am underweight. Always have been. It is not that I don't eat. I did before all of this. I just hate to lose any, could cause serious issues I would think.

I will keep you all updated on how the doc's appointment goes. I will be pushing for any and all tests to know for sure.

Thank you again for all your help and advice.
Posted 4/8/2008 9:30 PM (GMT 0)

Muise,

I'm new here too and just wanted to wish you the best at your doctor's this week.  Do what you can to take care of yourself, and don't be shy about posting for advice.  This forum is full of good information.

percycat

Posted 4/12/2008 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
Well, went to the doc yesterday and just more confused the before I went in. He said i didn't have acid reflux. He said he wouldn't argue that the pains in my chest was heartburn but the rest of the symptoms where something else. There was an extremely slim chance of me having it due to my size. He said mostly overweight or larger people get it. The rest of my symptoms ( heavy chest, shortness of breath, lump in throat, and racing heart) were symptoms of panic attacks. after going over my other symptoms that I have on occasion that was his final diagnosis. After I left his offic I have had no symptoms at all. I just wanted to let you all know.
Posted 4/12/2008 3:25 PM (GMT 0)

This might sound  a little weird, but one way I kept weight on when I could only do liquids was with Slim-Fast. I know it is for weight loss, but it went down really easily and tasted good. The Ensure was gross. (IMO). Also try crackers, mashed potatoes, 2% milk, chicken noodle soup, any puddings (not chocolate at first). Yogurt and cheese were also good.

Milkshakes are excellent, but I found them messy to make. If you buy them (at a fast food place) they're fine, but I went for the Slim-Fast.

Posted 4/12/2008 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
I disagree with your Dr. about small people not getting it. I am not as tiny as you, I'm 5'3" and 125 lbs, so I'll still on the small side. No one would ever consider me overweight and I have it pretty bad (confirmed by a 48 hour Bravo pH test).
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