How long does GERD last for?

I was just wondering how long have some of you have been dealing with GERD and what are some of the medications you take? I recently been diagnosed with GERD, I've had it for 2 months but the 1st month I thought my symptoms were heart related so I got my heart and blood checked out and turned out fine. So by the 2nd month with the same symptoms occuring

the doctor figured it was GERD causing the problems with me. The doctor gave me a diet plan and also prescibed me to take

omeprazole (PRILOSEC) for 30 days. Im feeling a little better since I been watching what I eat and taking my medication but still have some trouble with GERD. Still not able to lay down flat on my back causing my heart rate to increase, and feeling pressure or tightness in my chest.

Thank you for your time!

 

I've had it for 3 years and have taken every medication possible. I didn't get a whole lot of relief with any of them so I opted for surgery which also didn't work. I've had the surgery done 3 times and still have problems, sometimes to the point where I can't eat or drink for days. I've learned to watch what and how much I eat which has been pretty tough at times.

As for your night problem, have you tried putting the head of your bed on lifts? It helps gravity do it's job to keep acid down.

Every person is different and has different symptoms.

Hi GERD GUY,
I think some have reflux as a result of some event (medication, overindulgence, even weight gain) and after a limited period of treatment it subsides.

If your reflux is more generalized in cause, you may be dealing with it long-term. Be sure to follow your doc's directions for meds and dietary changes. If things persist, you may want to raise the head of your bed with bed raisers or block. Often reflux is worst at night, as when lying down, gravity no longer helps keep the acid in your stomach.

I hope things get better for you soon, and stay that way!
Take care,
Denise

Thank you everyone very much for your replies, I really appreciate it. I was thinking maybe GERD would last only a few months, now reading that some of you dealt with GERD for years makes me kind of worried. But Im gonna stick to my new healthier lifestyle and take good care of myself for now on.

**Also, when my GERD problems first occured, I started sleeping on my couch with my head and back elevated using 2 pillows.
I would still wake up a few times to adjust my position. But recently I been sleeping on my recliner almost sitting all the way upright which seems to work but it's really not that comfortable.

Thanx miketx for the advice on the wedge pillows, Im gonna look into those forsure. Good luck to you too RDavid011, kinda

helps me cope with GERD knowing there's plenty of other people dealing with it.

Wedge pillows cause bending at the waist causing stress on the back and acid backage.

It puts pressure on the stomach and causes acid to be pushed up into your esophagus.
I'm surprise you're able to sleep on a wedge without sliding off of it like many people who have posted here. I tried the wedge but it killed my back something terrible.

The wedge I use is very long with a gentle slope. I'm 6'2", and it starts at my head and slopes down to my thighs. The dropoff between the wedge and the bed is barely noticable, and there is no "bend" from my thighs to the top of my head. I can see how a short, steep wedge could cause problems.

Hi Les23,

Check out the book Natural Alternatives to Nexium, Maalox, Tagamet, Prilosec & Other Acid Blockers: What to Use to Relieve Acid Reflux, Heartburn, and Gastric Ailments. It provides a great overview of the natural remedies.

I've researched a lot of the natural remedies, and they seem to fall into three categories: (1) lifestyle changes that prevent/minimize GERD episodes; (2) substances that heal damaged tissue, reduce inflammation, or prevent damage; and (3) substances/treatments that fix a broken LES.

(1) Lifestyle changes that prevent/minimize GERD episodes.

This is the list that you'll find posted over and over again. Lift the head of your bed, avoid tight-fitting clothes, don't eat three hours before going to bed, avoid bending over, stop smoking, lose weight, avoid highly acidic foods, avoid foods that relax the LES, etc. I've probably forgotten a few, but if you've done any research at all, then I don't need to repeat these.

(2) Substances that heal damaged tissue, reduce inflammation, or prevent damage.

To heal damaged tissue, reduce inflammation, or prevent damage from reflux, I've seen the following substances recommended:

- Slippery Elm
- Marshmallow
- DGL
- Aloe Vera (liquid)
- Gastrex (by Standard Process)
- Okra
- Cod liver oil

(3) Substances/treatments that fix a broken LES.

I've read that the following substances/treatments can tighten the LES or cause the LES to close:

- Calcium citrate (tighten LES)
- Melatonin (6 mg/night for 40 days; tighten LES? Reduce TLESRs? )
- L-glutamine (tighten LES)
- Apple cider vinegar (promote LES closing)
- Lemon water (promote LES closing)
- Betaine HCL (w/pepsin) (promote LES closing)
- Chiropractic adjustment (especially focused on the vagus nerve)
- Osteopathac manipulation (especially focused on hiatal hernia)

Only a few of these options have been systematically studied (e.g., taking melatonin, raising the head of the bed), and a few can reportedly cause harm (e.g., HCL, osteopathic manipulation). So please don't do any of these things without independent research.

Post Edited (miketx) : 4/7/2011 12:04:50 PM (GMT-6)

I have had bad heartburn for over 30 years didnt know it was gerd, but having the full wrap and gallblader out and hernia fixed next Thursday....hope it helps cuz nexium caused me to have ostoparous i know spelling is soooooooooo wrong...thats why the surgery my bones r falling apart..so take plenty of vitiman D and calcium while on anti reflux meds cuz they can do alot of damage to bones...my doc says you can never take to much vita D i take 3000 mg a day or more now..

dencha

im using carafate more and more as it seems to offer an effective protective coating. i dont swallow the pill, but rather grind it up , mix with water and swallow slowly while leaning back to try and coat the affected areas.

girdguy ,

in response to your question...ive had reflux for a long long time, (more than 20 years) but dont know how long its been bad enuf to call it "gerd". i was diagnosed after my lungs and larynx got involved and the pain drove me to see a doctor.

sadly my recent endoscopy turned up barretts esophagus so now my anxiety level is pretty high

mudmagnetmum

thanks for sharing your results and thanks for the links.

yes barretts is not a death sentence and in the past few years the medical odds makers have shifted the numbers to indicate better survival rates or rather longer years with lower ods of cancer.

and then again there is ablation therapy which is hopeful.

im thinking of getting scoped every two years to check if the metaplasia has progressed (regressed?) to dysplasia which then is a blinking red light with siren for action!

may i ask, how often do you plan to get checked?

how much mg. l-glutamine a day. I get it from chocolate whey, I,ll get vanila whey next time. Thanks for information. Jim