Weight Loss

Hey guys I have come to join your ranks as a sufferer of GERD. I am 25/m and I am very sad by what has happened. I was wondering what effect does weight loss have on GERD/Acid Reflux? I have been to the doctors and they prescribed Omeprozole which did nothing and then a couple samples of Aciphex which worked wonderfully; however, my insurance is not going to cover the Aciphex which is nice. I really can't understand why I have insurance at all at this point they have left me pretty much all on my own. Any help would be appreciated.

Well I have lost weight because I have changed my diet some. But I am wondering if weight loss will help me get back to a normal life. This is my story:

I was fine until this past Christmas. I developed a dry cough and then problems breathing so on and so forth my Doctors decided Acid Reflux/GERD

Symptoms:
-Shortness of Breath
-dizziness
-stomach pains
-lump in throat
-pains under ribs
-lots of farts/burps <- the only problem i don't really mind hahaha

History:
Last year I spent finishing my masters while getting my butt kicked at work I worked 16 -18 hour days for 17 straight months and gained a significant amount of weight (20 - 25 lbs). I want to get back to my previous life of rock climbing and mountain biking but I'm scared of the shortness of breath and dizziness. So far I have lost about 5 lbs and I feel a bit better. My question is will weight loss help me get back to my former life or as close to it as possible?

It has been noted that losing weight can significantly help with GERD. There will be less pressure on the LES as a result of the weight loss.

There are so many symptoms that result from GERD. I experience sharp pains in my back, stomach, shoulders, and ribs.

I don't think I have acid going into my lungs. How can I tell? Every time they listen to my lungs they say they sound "Crystal Clear". I was also told by one GI specialist that most of this stuff was "In my head." I don't think I wanted to punch someone so bad in my life.

I do have a lump in my throat which is bugging me. Unfortunately I cannot afford the medicine that helps me with it. YAY health insurance!!

If you loose 20 lbs, I guarantee it will help without a doubt.

Sad to say, but allot of people with gerd are overweight. Some are not, but allot are. There have been articles writen, saying that if someone who needed it lose the 20lbs, they could aviod stuff like surgery. ect.

Remember less that 1% of gerd suffers actually need surgey. With gerd its own you. You have to be the one to loose weight, watch your diet, and eay healthy things, take your medicine, and listen to the doctor.

My lungs were crystal clear and I had- have MAJOR breathing problem.

Sleep in a recliner for a couple months. If it goes away thats your problem.

Sorry but the bed blocks dont do crap. I think I might do a study on this, cause I have allot of evidence to prove it.

Couchtater-

Yea you hit a majority of my symptoms, the nasal, coughing, short breath, etc...please share some good news with me that if I stay on my Asiphex and continue my weight loss and healthy diet then I stand a chance to be able to go back on my bike rides and hiking.

What doctors should I see to help myself out here? Is a pulmonary specialist on my list to see? Any help is much appreciated.

JB

Yea, I just started with this whole thing. Grad school and work really kicked my butt for a year and I put on A LOT of weight. I have several appointments lined up down the road one for a ENT another for a GI (beginning and end of March). My biggest problem right now is my breathing is slightly affected. I have nasal congestion which gives me slight shortness of breath and is a HUGE concern. I saw a GI in Columbus GA (I am on travel for work) and he told me everything was in my head. I can't agree with him less. My PCP in MD told me to make another appointment so I did back at home with the GI specialist that saved my dad's life.

Currently I am on Aciphex 20 mg twice daily and the lump in my throat is gone (thank goodness) along with most of my stomach pains. I wonder would the "hill" procedure have any effect on LPR? I have lost about 10 lbs this month, eating much smaller meals more frequently, sleeping inclined, taking my meds, and I feel better than I did at the end of December but I am not the man I once was. I really want to loose a total of 20 lbs. I am down from 200 to 190. I am hoping that dietary changes take me to 180. At that point (depending on if I feel safe enough to exercise again) I'd like to get back down to my target weight of 170 but that is if my breathing gets straightened out.

Well...I guess I am a temporary resident. I am in Columbus until mid March. I am working down here and I really miss my family and friends (esp. since I don't feel well). I have been sticking it out pretty well down here and just staying calm. I usually have very little problem breathing through my mouth so when my nose (most of the time) is gunked up I am open mouthed. I have several appointments in March for a new ENT and GI back in MD where I live. My game plan is this:

Continue with the no fried food/small meal diet
Continue with the meds Aciphex 20mg 2 x a day
Sleep sitting up or inclined
Continue trying to loose weight via better diet

Make all my appointments and see what happens.

I think it is a pretty solid plan, it gives me enough time to lower my weight, try out the meds to see if they really have any effect or not so I have plenty of information to inform my Doctors when I get back to MD. I think that is pretty solid plan. If I am wrong or someone has some other advice I am open for suggestions.

BTW I really appreciate all the advice and calming words coming from everyone here. It does a lot for your mental strength knowing that A) you're not a lone and B) there is some light at the end of the tunnel even if it's forever small meals as long as I can breath and rock climb again.

Quick question when you guys first started out with all of this did you feel kinda fatigued? I am not sure if it is due to the long hours at work (14-18) or my new found problem.

I must say, today is the first time in over a month I have felt close to a normal person. My nasal passages have cleared up a bit, breathing is pretty good, I even had a cup of coffee....it was DELICIOUS! I really hope this trend continues.

I'm not out of the woods yet unfortunately.

Yea, tonight I had a bit of an episode with the lump in the throat and clogged nosed. But it's all good.

I would worry about it.

Its a good thing you lost 10-12 right?

You should be happy

Dont overdue it though

I work outside so I get to walk most of the day. I just have never dropped weight at this rate before. Then again I have never changed my diet like this either. Thanks