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Do any of you feel able to live a normal life?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 10/28/2010 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone. My stomach problems flared up a lot in July last year. Indigestion, intense nausea, belching, bloatedness etc, yuk! Normally I am free from acid reflux as long as I watch my diet, and stay away from PPI meds. For some reason, those meds have done nothing but make me more sick, and seem to have been causing my reflux.

I tried them again beginning of this week after them being suggested again by my gastro (BIG mistake) and have had much worse indigestion, and hello again to acid reflux. Today it feels like my stomach is on fire. Despite my symptoms, my upper endoscopy still came back as normal.

Question is, do any of you manage to live a somewhat normal life with all these problems?? I feel like I can never go on evenings out anymore, as I am always so scared of feeling sick, blech! It just restricts me so much. I want to try and live a normal life again as possible, but is it even possible? Is this going to turn me into a recluse forever?? sad

Just wondering if someone can share. I've had this for 1 year 3 months, which feels like forever, but unfortunately it seems some people here have been suffering for much longer.

Jude

Posted 10/28/2010 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
One thing you can do is find out if your reflux is triggered by specific foods. A lot of people do have food intolerances/sensitivities/allergies that cause symptoms from GERD to migraines. I get tachycardia and reflux from foods preserved with sulfites.


keep a food log, noting date, time, all foods and drinks, any symptoms at 1 hour, 2 hours, and in the case of migraines up to 24 hours or more. My symptoms usually come on in half an hour, but can take up to 2 hours.

Then if/when you have a list, break down the foods by ingredients and do "challenge testing."

Some people have to use PPIs for several days before getting good relief. If there is irritation it can take longer for problems to disappear.

Time of day and how you take PPIs makes a difference too, along with the type of preparation (instant or extended release capsules). I got best results taking PPIs first thing in the AM with my coffee, waiting a half hour to an hour to eat. But then you DO have to eat!
Posted 10/30/2010 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
Its a new normal, you adapt which is what we human beings do best.
Posted 10/30/2010 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jude
I know what you mean about not being able to be normal. It's so hard when you can't eat without fear!! I also avoid taking PPI's if I can, I find huge success for me drinking two capfuls of cider vinegar in a big glass of water. For me it seems to get rid of the indigestion and bloating fairly quickly.
Posted 10/31/2010 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jude,

I am very lucky as I do well on my PPI and avoiding a couple of trigger foods unless I am having a lot of silent GERD I don't know about.

I will admit I can be my own worse enemy when I think I can get away with eating a "no no" but as soon as I have regurge I promise once again never to make a bad choice ~ but the mind forgets when you doing well.

Kindly,

Kitt

 

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