Hey! Hoping someone might be able to offer some advice or share a similar experience. I had not had heartburn until I had my gallbladder removed almost 5 months ago. Still only had it a few times since but I've been having a bunch of issues since.
Last week I had an upper endoscopy and found out the results today. My doctor did say there was irritation in my esophagus and did say Barrett's when talking about it. He said that I've clearly been having reflux for a while. I get so nervous, when going to the doctor, and fail to retain information and ask necessary questions. He, however, didn't seem to concerned by anything the endoscopy showed.
I've tried Prilosec, Nexium, Prilosec, and have also taken Carafate some during the past few months. Nothing is helping me! Still having issues with my chest aching and some times one spot burning a bit. Also having back aches, abdominal tenderness, burping, and frequent hiccups. The most bothersome symptom is probably the chest achiness which sometimes comes shortly after eating, same with my back. It sometimes happens fairly soon after I get out of bed and start moving around in the mornings and almost always occurs if I eat anything early in the morning. I wake up every morning feeling just a slight bit of nausea, nothing that really bothers me though.
I've been going to the general surgeon that removed my gallbladder and his thought, since the PPIs aren't really helping, is maybe it's not acid reflux but bile reflux. He prescribed Ursodiol, which is apparently used primarily to dissolve gallstones but said it may help if it's bile reflux. I'm supposed to go back to him in a month, from here, if I haven't shown improvement, he is going to refer me to a gastroenterologist. If I really have Barrett's, how long would that take to develope? Anyone else have possible bile reflux?...Taken Ursodiol?
If you have any thoughts on what I should be doing to help my symptoms or any advice, please share. Thanks!