I want to just give up... SO sick of it

I am just so sick of everything that is GERD and everything about it - food, lifestyle, etc.

I've had it for probably well over 10 years now and recently had a HUGE flare up it seems.
I had 2 upper GI's done in 2009, with one dilation to enlarge my throat which helped a TON I have to say.
I couldn't swallow food properly, I was choking and regurgitating food all the time.


Now back to my flare up recently.
I stopped taking Nexium for a few months (probably 4-5) at my own discretion, I treated it like a "Tums", took it whenever I felt like it.

Anyways, I saw a new general practicioner doctor and she told me to get back on it and take it as prescribed.
It has helped quite a bit actually, of course, eating chocolates, drinking the occassional coffee (not a big coffee guy), a few colas, some burgers, like crazy at my friend's place 2 weeks ago didn't help.

Not sitting properly while watching TV is a huge problem.
I sit on the couch, then creep lower with my back on the couch and my feet find themselves on the single chair called "occasionals".
Anyways, my feet are elevated (ankles literally in line or higher than my shoulders) + CONSTANT stress (old dog I'm scared of losing soon) + personal life not so great....
I don't smoke, don't drink, no drugs... ever.

I had a post nasal drip/phlegm which my original doctor couldn't really figure out, but I had to look it up online to figure things out on my own sort of.
My throat doesn't have as MUCH phlegm as it did a week ago, but there's still this cool minty feeling at the back of it.
I'm assuming it's the damage from the acid and I'm trying to get things under control.



Then there's GERD.


I honestly feel like throwing in the towel and saying screw it all.
The limitations for food is just insane (love pepper and onions, love chocolate, love my burger), PLUS, I was NEVER a big eater to begin with, one meal a day is enough for me.
But if you got GERD, it certainly isn't very smart it seems.


Then there's proper posture, sitting up, etc.
I'm tall, thin, lanky and we tend to slouch, that's obviously a no-no.


How on earth do you people get through the days?
I'm at wits end.


Sorry this seems like a rant or anything remotely close to it, I just feel so helpless and tired of it all.


Thanks.


(Btw, I read a lot of previous posts on here about it and all of you have had great tips and suggestions, so thanks for that)

Hi

I have only had symptoms for a month buy have been shocked at how quick the docs throw out pills in 3 weeks they gave me nexium, metocolpramide and prilosec. All have made me feel worse.
Anyhow I have stumbled across this website a doc has written 5 papers all on Gerd. It is the first site that actually went into details on the causes. It rang home with me because of diet etc and I am being tested for pylori.

Hope it helps.

http://chriskresser.com/what-everybody-ought-to-know-but-doesnt-about-heartburn-gerd

Read all 5 parts.

Hi bocado,

When I'm having a bad flare up and feeling down, I try not to focus on the flare up symptoms and instead try to remind myself that I've been through worse and that I'll eventually feel better.

Sometimes it helps to read this forum, since you will soon see that there are others in a tougher situation than you, and then you might feel glad your symptoms aren't worse than they are.

Slouching in front of TV is a no no, especially if you are snacking at the same time. You could try getting a recliner chair if you want to lean back like that.

I find that a good stress reliever is exercise. If you did some weight training to strengthen your back, I think you'd find it will reduce your desire to slouch.

10 years seems to be sort of a milestone for some people when they feel tired of the medication and want a more permanent solution. Your symptoms don't sound severe enough for fundoplication surgery since you don't seem to have breathing problems, but you might consider the new Linx device, which is intended as a gap therapy for people that aren't happy on PPI medication, but not bad off enough for the major surgery and side effects of fundoplication.

LJ, I have seen the article before but there is no plan for what you take or do instead of the drugs. The idea that GERD is due to too little acid is supported by others, but the "cure" of apple cider vinegar makes some of us so ill it's just not a viable alternative. Not sure if the author of this particular article advocates ACV or not, but I'd like to see the follow up treatment plan to all his theories!

MMM

Bocado,
GERD will help you form a thicker skin. One thing I will say as it has challanged me. Little things that used to bother me are ridiculous to me now. It seems like there are a combination of factors going on for you right now. I am a high stress person too, try deep breathing (in for 4 seconds, out for 4, nothing for 4). It does help. This reflux has gotten me so emotional though. There is a post on here about the positives of GERD (hard to believe, right?) You may want to check that out if you are really feeling bad.