I'm clueless

Can someone please explain the difference between acid reflux, GERD, and heartburn? Is it all the same thing?? I don't know what I have, but doc thinks it may be acid reflux. No burning or anything like that, but I feel like I have something stuck in my throat between my collarbones. He gave me Prevacid and it went away after a week. Now, a couple months later, it's back. It's felt that way for 3 days now and the Prevacid doesn't seem to be helping yet. Does this sound like acid reflux? It doesn't hurt; it's just annoying.

PS-I also have Crohn's and I've heard of people with Crohn's getting GERD more often.

Hi Stephanie.....Interesting, but scary.  I would have thought with you having Crohn's they would have checked that already? 

I'm recently new to this (couple of years).  I have gone on and off the drugs which isn't what you can do with the acid being churned up.  If I eat properly, I can manage it until I have a flare, like now.  I can't think of anything that my body would like.  Sometimes it comes up foamy...doesn't burn.  Just junk in the throat.  If you have sinus draining down and stuff coming up, it's tricker to tell what started what.  I didn't take this very seriously at first.  Thought it was a short-term deal or just aging.  Because my H.Pylori is still high, I'm more concerned because of the chance of an ulcer.   Carbonated drinks are a no-no.  I've never cared for lots of different or spicy foods so I couldn't figure out what was wrong.  Gastro said he didn't know...it could be caused by stress factors.  The little purple pill is very popular.  I'm using Protonix right now.

  Let me know what happens here, would you.  I hate to think of you dealing with more complications. 

Gluck, 

Hey Stephanie.........already wrote on the other post.  It certainly sounds like a complex disease.  GERD could be control much of the time by diet.  I think other things are already going on and perhaps GERD kicks in as stress.  Don't know.  If that taste gets too nasty, Twilite, have you read about bile..ugh.  I'm not much on holistic, but it has merit. 

  Marsha..are you still taking Zelnorm??  Just curious.  I do hope it helps people.  I'm not going there.  It's never been offered and I'm not asking.  I do have to find a way around it though.  Someone thought apple juice, prune juice used to be the big one, hot oatmeal makes a big difference for me.  Water soluable fiber and lowers my choelestrol. 

   I think of Crohn's, UC along w/Lupus being shotgun disorders.  (fms is as well)  Something goes off and it scatters and pops up everywhere. 

    Besides the gum that helps H.Pylori, I just discover that something I used to take helps lower it.  Vitamin C....that's easy.  I don't digest vitamins and forget about them. 

Hey Patoola........I know we've had someone else talk about cabbage juice.  When wholenurse was posting, she had lots of ideas and she has her own site.  Holistic.

  I've haven't been able to eat those types of foods for years.  I blow up like a hot air ballon.  I'm beginning to feel more like that anway.  

   I'll start back on heavier foods now that we've cooled down.  I don't know what people in hot climates eat as I change with the season.  Hot, hot climates eat HOT foods.  Not me, can't do it, never could.  When I fix ham/beans or just beans, I soak them overnight in water w/salt or even baking soda.  Not a lot.  If I just had GERD going on, this wouldn't be so complicated.  The only thing I ever went to was Phazme or Maalox when I was uncomfortable.  I have gone so long without a variety of foods that I'll probably have to start slowly and see what I can tolerate. 

    Wonder what that's all about..cabbage juice? I never really doubt these things do help people.  When it comes to me..it's usually something my body rejected early in life. No..don't eat cole slaw.  Thanks anyway...maybe someone else can try it.

Hugs,