New Members Check In Here First Part 2 :)

By Chipsgrl

Hi
I am new here as well. I am 37 y/o and have had reflux for approx. 10 years, of and on medication.

For the past 2 years it has become more serious and have been diagnosed with GERDS. I use to take prepulsid until it was discontinued and then went on Rinitidine which recently stopped working. Now I am trying 20 MG omeprazole. I have been on it for over a week and don't seem to notice much of a difference. My symptoms include brief bouts of hiccups, coughing (but not any mucus, etc) severe back pain and pain in-between my shoulder blades. My jaw sometimes hurts (infrequent) and i feel liquid come up in to my throat along with food at times. I also have a perpetual sore throat (burns a lot) - feels like something is stuck (around my adams apple area) and use to have an ache in my left ear. My stomach right up to my ear burns. I am not over weight - in fact quite fit and I also eat healthy (although I did like coffee). I dont drink or smoke. I have done the life style dietary changes however I have a high stress level (went through an extreme traumatic experience). I am afraid to eat sometimes because I am not sure how it will affect my acid level. I find I like to drink a lot of smoothies or cold liquids as it brings little relief to my throat.

I guess I am on here looking for support as I am starting to get depressed. This is effecting my quality of life and the more I read about this, the more it scares me. I sleep sitting up and so I feel lethargic a lot of the time.

As for tests, my GP has already done an ultrasound on my abdomen (spleen, liver, gallbladder, etc..etc) and has done blood work for H. pylori (came back neg.) and recently mentioned a endoscopy if this new medication (omeprazole) doesn't work - which doesn't appear to be. I am wondering what usually happens after the endoscopy if the doctor doesn't want to use the meds anymore.... what is the purpose of the test?

I have finally felt some relief after reading this forum as there are others experiencing the same issues. It is effecting my work and social life as I feel dragged out most of the time.
Any support or insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thank-you

By Chipsgrl

Hey Sarah,

I am new here as well. Also from Ontario, Canada! (Hamilton/Dundas area). Just wanted to say good luck with your surgery

By Singer27

Hi, I'm new. Only lately have I really been aware that I was experiencing acid reflux at all. I found this site through several links when I went online to find out as many possible side effects of pantoprozol. My doctor prescribed it when I went last week as I was suspicious I had an ulcer. After stating my symptoms he said I probably just had a little acid reflux. For several days I had been researching many herbal solutions to many different types of gastro problems, but my doc obviously didn't want to hear about them or encourage me to use any of them. Why would he? He's there to prescribe medicine. I was starting to get this panicky feeling because all of my life I've been healthy and now the possibility of struggling with this forever! I was quite depressed. I mean, I literally haven't been to the doctor in years and most certainly have never taken any type of prescription drug for an extended period of time!

Reading everyones' posts is kinda freaking me out! How do I avoid getting to a place where it's that severe? My first inclination was to change my diet. Coffee went first. But that didn't last long! Quitting cold turkey was like whiplash! I finally gave in after about three days when I realized my withdraws was causing me to feel ill. I only drink a little in the morning and thats it. I've only taken the pantoprozol twice, but after reading up on the between the lines side effects, I'm definitely going to try and battle this the natural way. oh yeah, I tried cabbage juice and it worked pretty well. It works kind of like aloe juice I guess. It has some of the same properties. Ok. I'm done with my novel.

Hello, I am new here and wanted to say hello to everyone.

I just started experiencing a weird feeling in my throat this weekend and went to see the doctor today.

I was prescribed to prilosec, to take one every morning (30) mg to thwart my so called "acid reflux disease".

I find this a bit odd considering I never had much problems with heart burn or acid reflux.

I will be posting a thread on this so I though I would check in.

My name is Colleen and I am 24 years old. I have dealt with acid reflux on and off for a few years. I basically came here for support as I am coming off of a PPI. Hoping to find other ways and learn from experiences as to how I should help my reflux.

And also to spread the word about healthy lifestyles! I was one of those people who flocked to a PPI instead of changing my habits. Then I went and got mad at my doctor because the pills made me sick. I feel it's so important to evaluate how you live and your habtis and try to alter them first!

Now, I'm smoke free, healthier than ever and awaiting the rebound hypersecretion to be over.

And on short note, my mother has been an extreme GERD sufferer for years so I'm kind of reading over other people's experiences.

Hi! My name is Amanda. I'm 23 years old.  I've been suffering from GERD since I was little.  I just had a lap nissen Feb 3rd. The full liquid diet is killing me. I'm craving everything I can't have.  Also laughing and sneezing KILLS my stomach. It feels like my insides are ripping. I can't wait til I'm fully healed and can eat normally again.

Hey you guys i'm the newbie!
Well just wanted to share a little info with you all.
My husband has suffered from GERD and Heartburn, which we all know isn't fun at all. A few months ago while at a friends house we were discussing my husbands issues, our friend started telling us about Dr. Nor**** Hearburn Honey, that she had been using for the past few months to help with her heartburn.
She gave us half a tube she had left and told him to take it 2-3 times a day with half a tube a 2 days worth of honey he noticed a difference.
Well to make a long story short he's been using it for a bit now and feels 90% better!
Dr. Nor****s Hearburn Honey is a natural and organic product mainly made out of Manuka Honey so its worth a shot, and its also rather inexpensive compared to all the other medication we had to buy.
Hope this helps some of you guys out.

GOOD LUCK! :)

Hello, I stumbled across this site looking up the newest diagnose I have had lately. ((and I say that sarcastically, because it seems it never ends these days.)) I was diagnosed with Crohns disease quite awhile ago. Then last July, I started having problems which they said was Panic attacks, and I've seen a therapist and they've said I have panic disorder and Agoraphobia.

But after having a potassium problem, and having to take potassium supplements, I went to the ER after having new symptoms, which the doctor told me was GERD. And then I read that taking potassium supplements by pill can actually contribute to this. The most difficult part will be trying to stop smoking, but I should have stopped for my Crohns to begin with, so maybe it's the wake up call I needed to get myself back on track. I also, am an avid Pepsi drinker and switched to non caffeinated, but it suggests steering clear of anything carbonated. I'm going to read the threads and see if I can pick up any tips. But now I'm wondering if I haven't had Gerd this whole time and got misdiagnosed. I'm currently taking Zoloft and Xanax for the panic problems, which means I'm limited to what meds I can take for this, which makes it abit harder.

Magik

Welcome to HealingWell and the GERD forum.  I am so glad you stumbled accross us.

We love new members and you will find the  members here wise and knowledgable.  I hope we meet your expectations so do start a thread of your own whenever you feel up to it.

Again a warm welcome.

Kitt

Hello all! I am new today. I have both IBS and GERD, and a "small" hiatal hernia. Having recently started taking hyoscyamine for "spasms" for the IBS, I am now suffering bad heartburn.

I've taken the 20 mg. omeprazole twice a day for many years now, one in the morning, one before dinner. The heartburn has not been a problem until I started taking the hyo.

The d'rhea is under control now, for the first time in 8 months straight. I am so happy about that but I wonder if the sudden heartburn is a result of the hyo? If it relaxes the intestinal muscles, perhaps it is relaxing them so much that acid is now leaking up thru the hernia?

Anyhoo, it's comforting to see others working thru these awful conditions.

I have lost 14 lbs in the last 8 months ( I am a skinny minnie so I am now down to 111 lbs.) and my entire life had to change as the IBS made me basically homebound.

I look forward to some additional tips for relief here!

sadtummy,

Welcome to HealingWell and I am glad you found us.  I am sorry to hear about your IBS and glad to hear it is somewhat under control now.

You will find the members here kind, caring and very wise.  I am so happy you found us.

Again a warm welcome,

Kitt

Hi Kitt - thanks for the welcome.

LOL re: not raising the bed too high. Yeah, the first time I did it, I was sliding down! Not much fun.

The GERD is improving over the last few days and I'm not sure whether it's because I (a) have been taking several thousand mg. of vitamin C daily, or (b) I cut out coffee in the AM or (c) it's because I cut out milk that I was having in the coffee. I was noticing that whenever I had milk, I would feel sort of nauseated. Have never had a bad reaction to milk in the past, but I think maybe as I'm getting older I might just have a slight bit of lactose intolerance.

In any case, it's nice to have some relief.