Is this really GERD?

Hey Natasha,

Welcome to HealingWell :) We're glad to meet you and hope we can help you.

Your symptoms do sound like GERD (possibly LPR) to me. I myself have "classic" GERD (symptoms only in my stomach and chest) but I do occasionally have the feeling that something is stuck in my throat, so that really stands out to me.

Here is the 5-cent tour (I apologize if you know all of this already).

Our tummies come equipped with a valve at the top of them to prevent food (and the powerful stomach acids) from coming back up into the esophagus. When this valve - called the lower esophageal sphincter or LES - fails to do its job, we get symptoms like heartburn, chest pressure, nausea, etc. These "classic" symptoms are called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, aka GERD or acid reflux disease. Sometimes, the symptoms are felt higher (in the throat) and is then called Laryngopharyngeal reflux, or LPR (because of the area it affects).

So that's the lowdown on the condition. Both can be caused by a myriad of underlying reasons (see a fabulous post about these causes and their treatments here: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2405744).

Now, doctors will do a few things. They may suggest lifestyle changes (more on that later) or will probably prescribe one of two classes of drugs. One are Proton-Pump Inhibitors (called PPI's for short) or H2 receptor antagonists (called H2's). Both drugs attempt to lower the acid production in the stomach in order to minimize splashback into the esophagus and eliminate symptoms. They work well for most, just a bit for others, and don't work at all for some. Some examples of PPI's are Nexium, Somac, and Prilosec. Zantac is a common H2. Something to supplement these drugs are your normal antacids - Tums, Gaviscon, Carafate. There are also a lot of herbal and naturopathic rememdies (like slippery elm and manuka honey) but I can't speak too knowledgeably about them because I don't personally use them, but there are loads of posts here about them.

For most of us, lifestyle changes are essential. Here is a list of common foods to avoid, but I cannot stress enough that everyone is different and you will probably find your own triggers through trial and error:
-chocolate
-soda, tea, coffee
-garlic and onions
-tomatoes
-spicy foods (curries, peppers, etc)
-spicy spices like paprika and chili powder
-alcohol

Another way to help yourself is through lifestyle changes. You can start by:
-avoiding laying down for 3-5 hours after eating
-raising the head of your bed 6-8"
-eating smaller portions
-if you are overweight, lose it (GERD can be exacerbated by excessive weight)
-don't wear clothes that cut into your stomach

Anxiety can be a large and contributing factor. Have you tried something like Yoga to get you through the hard times? I find that the deep breathing helps quite a bit.

Feel free to ask questions and also use the "Search" box in the upper right hand corner of the page if you'd like to know any more information.

Again, welcome to HealingWell.

Take care,
Ashley

Natasha, im not a doctor or anything and don't want to scare you, but its not reflux that your having. This sounds like side effects from your protonix. To make a long story short ppis ruin lives and cause terrible side effects one being extreme anxiety that will only get worse the longer, your on them. Im 27 and have been to 3 neuroligist in the past year and found out it was all ppi side effects. Been on protonix since I was 12 years old. It took almost 8months for the side effects to go after stopping them and also terrible stomach pains but its worth it. If you have been diagnosed with gerd get a procedure. Everybody on ppis will eventually get the anxiety diognoses then comes the benzos and antideppressants. Sorry for the long post but I feel I should inform people how evil theses pills are and how they trick you. Good luck.

I mean taking ppis doesn't correct the problem it masks it by shutting down your acid pumps and creates a dangerous and unhealthy environment for your stomach. Over time this can led to a great deal of stomach pains and bowl troubles along with a long list of other problems that are not fun. When you treat an acl in your leg you can either get it fixed or take pain milkers to mask the pain and over time suffer the consequences of side effects and damage the pills are doing to the body. When I say surgery I don't ma'am Nissen. That scares me greatly. I mean torax linx sounds like it is the real deal and works a good if not better the Nissen without the awful side effects. Torax is the first procedure ever that acts lille a sphincter muscle. technology is only getting better and so at procedures, I think eventually torax will be the procedure that surgeons will recommend. If people really think that they will be able to use ppis forever they are in for a rude awakening. My story is not common a of right now because most people have only been on these pills for a fee years. Talk to the vets that have taken them for 12 or 13 years. Ask them how they feel. Doctors should be sued for giving this junk to babies. This is just my opinion and I feel I need to educate without scareing people. Im not advising people to stop taking there ppis, but i'm saying find a fix for the problem not a mask.sorry about the spelling errors.

Yeah well said. Linx looks like the best solution for surgery as of now.theres always a chance for failures and side effects with linx to. Iv just had my fill of pills.

Hello to you all!! I am currently experiencing the "lump in throat" feeling and the first doctor I went to put me on z-pack and medrol and this did nothing. I then went to a ENT and they put me a prilosec. I was planning on following all of the guidelines for diet when dealing with GERD. My question is "Is it okay to drink alcohol while on Prilosec". Before you comment and say this will bother your GERD..blah blah blah. I realize that. I plan on following all of the diet regiments but still enjoying a few beers on weekends. My question is will drinking alcohol while taking prilosec bad for me in other ways. Not will it be bad for my GERD but will it be bad on my liver and organs etc..

I think I answered this on another thread

What?

Been 17 days already