Patients of Dr. David Gutman

Good Morning and thank you for sharing this site with your Doctor.  I am gald to know you like your physician as that is so important in dealing with your disorder. It sounds like you advocate for yourself very well.

Happy New Year to you.

Hi longislandchick,
I am new to these boards and found your recc. for Dr. Gutman. I too am a "long island chick" and I have an appt. with him tomorrow. Thanks for getting this info out there, I was very worried about finding the right Dr! Will keep you posted.
Best,
Nick

Hi Michele!
Thanks for your reply. Thanks so much for your info on Dr. Gutman. Believe me I do not mind waiting for a Dr. who actually cares and listens (imagine that!), which Dr. Gutman seems to be! I have had my share of B.S. with Dr.'s, not just with G.I. issues, but that's another story... I've actually been doing the "Dropping Acid" diet by Dr. Jamie Koufman. It has helped the throat/ LPR issues, but I have still been getting reflux, not alot but it's still there. I am thinking I have a motility issue as I have had chronic constipation since childhood and accompanied by stress, I guess this is the result, the body gets tired and can't fight anymore... Hope your biopsy results help to put your puzzle pieces together. I will definitely keep you posted on my appt.

Best,
Nick

P.S., not to be too nosey, but I will LOL, where on Long Island do you live? I'm in North Babylon/ Deer Park in Suffolk county.

Hi Michele,
Well well, Huntington, we'll have to get together for a Non-Acidic lunch! LOL!
Well, I have never had any tests, I'll admit I have been scared... I smoke so I keep thinking the "C" word... Anyway, I kinda came to my own conclusion on the LPR, just because my symptoms really match: Lump in Throat, Sore Throat, not too much Reflux... It has been on and off for the last 4-5 years. Started when a Dr. Overdosed me with Oral Progesterone, which relaxed my LES, Yay! I love Dr.'s! I went to an ENT who took a look and said, "Yup, you got GERD", and gave me Aciphex. It totally worked and I just went on with my life like nothing happened... Then about 1 1/2-2 years later, a seriously stressful event happened and Blammo, woke up with the darn ****t again! Tried Aciphex and I think Prilosec OTC, and they helped again, then after that the episodes got closer and closer, like once every few months, then 2 months, now weekly, but my stress has also been unrelenting...coincidence? I think not! So, I have tried/ used Tums, Prilosec, Aciphex, Nexium, Zegerid, Zantac, DGL, Aloe Vera, Magnesium, Chewing Gum, "Dropping Acid" diet... What seems to be helping right now is the "Dropping Acid" diet and the Zantac before bed. Also, DGL and chewing gum throughout the day with Magnesium at night, whew! Let me ask you, do you have tightness in your diaphram area? Sometimes it feels like it is so tight it is actually pushing up gaseous acid. Oh, I also have all those Nasal LPR symptoms which have just recently developed, FUN!

nick,
The testing isn't that bad.
EGD is done under sedation. You can have the Bravo inserted at the same time.
The barium swallow is just drinks a chalky mixture while they take a video xray or photos. The video methods the best.
The stomach emptying is a breeze. Eat food and stand in front of a special camera.
The only one I hated was the manometry. You have a sensor on a cathetor stuck down your nose to your stomach. You have to drink 10 perfect swallows of water before they take it out. I didn't like the chokey feelings and not being allowed a sedative to calm my nerves.

The barium swallow must be done on an empty stomach. So he will probably schedule it later.

I was excited until the manometry. Thank goodness it was the last test or I might have chicken out.

I was so nervous for many of the tests they had to give me 20mg of valium to relax me.

It's always fun the get those kinds of surprises. :S

I didn't know what an manometry was until they did the test. :<

Nick:
That's great news. I am sure he will get to the bottom or top LOL of what is causing all of this. I know stress must have a part in mine somewhat. I was symptom free for a long time and then my Dad passed away about a year or so ago. It seems weird but right after he passed away my acid was out of control. Everything that Joy (couchtater) love that name has said, is correct. She has been through a lot more then the both of us. I have to thank her as well. Since I talked with her that made me have that endoscopy again. And hence Gutman found the patches. Please keep us updated on how everything goes. Once I get my results back I will let you know how I make out as well.
Now hunker down and get ready for the 2 feet of snow coming our way. I could use an acid free lunch, after this all gets put to rest.
(: Michele

So glad you've found a good doctor both of you.
Yes, stress is a big factor in Gerd. Mine started the year I moved to a new town by myself and started a new career- elementary school teacher. Talk about stress! Wow!!

I took on the name couchtater because my mother called me that growing up. I would plant myself in front of the tv when I got home from school and not move. She'd shoo me out the door telling me to go play and not be a couchtater.
I'm still a bit of a couchtater today, but it's the computer more than the tv now.

Hello,
I am writing because I have a strange question/ symptom. I did tell Dr. Gutman about this, and I hope he can figure it out. In the evening, like just now, but ONLY in the evening, I sometimes sneeze, and I get this itchy/ burny irritation in my throat about 10 mins later. It clears up within 10-15 mins later and is gone. I am assuming it has something to do with the
GERD, but the weird part is that I sneeze, only at night, oh, and ONLY ONCE, and then it happens.... ???????
Could this be an allergy? I guess I should probably keep track of what I have for dinner to see if I kind find a pattern.
This is weird though, right?
Thanks!
Best,
Nick

Hi Joy,
Thanks for the advice! Yes, I really need to keep a journal! I usually chew some gum, and it helps. Does this seem weird to you though?

Oh yes, it is the saliva washing the acid down. But I think the part about sneezing only at night and only once is weird. I would think you would be more likely to sneeze during the day while your outside in the elements?????