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Posted 11/9/2012 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
Besides the 24/7 heartburn my other symptoms are continually burping and upper abdominal bloating/pressure. I burp constantly. Does anyone know what causes the excessive burping? I don't just burp after eating, I burp all day. Even water makes me immediately burp. Can it be that somehow I started swallowing air every time I swallow? I held my nose to see if swallowing was different and strangely, I had enormous difficulty swallowing while plugging my nose. Is this normal?

Marie

[on Prilosec 40 mg for 20 years but in September stopped working and can't find one that both works and I can handle the side effects. Failed at Dexilant, Nexium, Zantac and am trying Aciphex tomorrow. Endoscopy showed inflammation of esophagus and stomach. Will be getting an ultrasound of the abdomen in a few days]
Posted 11/9/2012 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
By the way, I meant to also ask if anyone knows if the reason i find it difficult to swallow with a plugged nose is either 1) air wants to go out the nose when you swallow, or 2) air wants to come in the nose and get swallowed. I know this seems like a strange question but I am trying to figure out if the burping is from a digestive problem or I am swallowing air. When I told the GI doctor about the burping he didn't seem concerned or have an explanation.

Marie
Posted 11/9/2012 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi MaMom,Welcome to the Healing Well GERD/Heartburn forum! It sounds like you're in the right place! GERD is one definite cause of excessive belching. I've heard from many that people with GERD tend to swallow more often, thus introducing even more air into our stomachs.

As far as plugging you nose when drinking...you can compare it to the vent on a sink drain. Without that vent, water can't freely flow down the drain. Same thing with drinking...the nose acts as that vent. It's nothing to worry about.

Here are two links that discuss excessive burping and other digestive issues.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/19052-causes-excessive-belching/

http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/tc/gas-bloating-and-burping-topic-overview

You just might be a candidate for a Nissen fundoplication. Here's a link that provides a lot of information regarding GERD and treatment options.
http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/search-for-guides-reviews-and-reports/?productid=756&pageaction=displayproduct

Good luck! Stick around and keep asking questions. There are a lot of people here who've suffered as you are, and I'm sure they can offer support and information.

Very best wishes,
Denise
Posted 11/9/2012 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dencha,

Thanks for your reply. From the first two articles it looks like my belching/burping could be due to any number of things. I doubt i am a candidate for surgery because 1) it would make it harder to burp and pressure would build up which is bad enough as it is, 2) I tried to do that manometry swallow test once and couldn't do it due to a very strong gag reflex and I thought that they don't do that surgery unless you've had that test, 3) I haven't tried every single PPI yet although from the looks of things I doubt I will find one that both works and without horrible side effects, 4) I don't have Barrette's (yet). Plus I still have some other tests they would probably want to do first like a colonoscopy and Barium swallow. I have had problems with Ibs in the past and they would probably have to also go through all the different drugs to see if the IBS is causing a back up in my stomach which can be relieved by some drug.

At this point the Prilosec is no longer working but if I stop it I get a horrible rebound so i am in a catch 22. i wish I had never been given it in the first place but 20 years ago they didn't know about the dependency problem or the becoming resistent problem. It did work great for 20 years, I just don't know why none of the others I have tried so far work.

Anyway, thanks again for your warm welcome!

Marie
Posted 11/9/2012 4:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Marie,

If you've had success with PPIs for 20 years, it seems as if you needed them. Generally we aren't provided with PPIs by our doctors unless there is very good reason.  It's not likely that your GERD has improved over that time.  If you're anything like me, it has progressed, and is worse than it was when you started on PPIs.  It's a fact of life that as we age, things stop working as well. Boo hoo.

Actually, noone should have surgery before having the following tests:

Barium swallow

Endoscopy

Manometry (I know it's tough, but you can do it!)

24 hr PH monitor

Stomach Emptying (in your case this would be important, because if that's the issue that's causing your burping, it would be critical to know.)

Your belching could be a reaction to a very loose LES, which allows gas (and acid) to escape at will.

I assume you're seeing a GI doctor.  Believe me, most GI docs will not recommend a Nissen surgery unless they think it's absolutely necessary.  Just be aware that it is one of the options available.

Have you tried Zantac in addition to your PPI experiments?  Don't take them at the same time, but it might be helpful in the interim.  Ask your doctor.  Be sure that you're taking the PPI an hour before eating and make sure that the first meal you have after your PPI is high in protein, which helps it to work.

Good luck!

Glad you've joined us.

Denise

Posted 11/9/2012 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
I am seeing a GI specialist.  This reoccurance of GERD started in September and I finally saw my GI specialist (whom I hadn't seen in a couple years) in October and he did an endoscopy which showed inflammation of stomach and esophagus.  He tested for H. pylori but I don't think I can trust the negative result since I was told to stay off my prilosec for 10 days prior and I didn't (rebound acid was too severe).  I want to ask him the next time I see him if there is any other test for H. pylori.  I also want him to consider if I need my gallbladder tested.  On Monday he is doing an abdominal ultrasound because of my bloating and pressure in the upper abdomen.  I also have an appointment in a couple weeks for a gynecological exam which I haven't had in years.  I also wonder if at 49 I am having hormonal changes which could be causing this although I am still very regular in my cycle.  The other disturbing thing is now I am starting to feel dizzy and light headed all day.  I don't know if this is due to losing weight all of a sudden (I have no appetite and now follow a very restricted diet for GERD) or all the trying of new medications. I tried Zantac and it didn't do anything even though years ago I switched to Zantac while pregnant and I managed to get by on it until I could go back to Prilosec.  So lots of confusing symptoms.  I probably have a lot of tests in store.  Thanks for your help and concern!

Marie

Posted 11/9/2012 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi MaMom,
Here's a journal entry regarding the fact that the vagus nerve can become irritated via GERD/acid reflux, and in doing so can create other symptoms in reaction. One listed is changes in vascular tone.
http://drkurtbarrett.com/serendipity/index.php?/archives/53-Vagus-Nerve-and-Neurogenic-Inflammation-Their-Role-in-GERD.html

Here's something I found regarding your feelings of faintness:
http://www.medicinenet.com/dizziness_dizzy/page5.htm
Vasovagal syncope
"Vasovagal syncope is a common cause of dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. The vagus nerve is overstimulated and causes the body's blood vessels to dilate and the heart to slow down. This anti-adrenaline effect decreases the ability of the heart to pump blood upward to the brain. Without blood flow, the brain turns off. In Victorian England, when this happened because young ladies' sensibilities were easily offended, this was called a swoon."

From what I understand, irritation of the vagus nerve can cause fainting, which I have actually experienced pre-Nissen...I was eating at a restaurant and ended up fainting dead-away and my blood pressure wouldn't go back up, so I was transported to the ER...no decision regarding what happened.

I did have a time when my inner-ear was disturbed and I had a lot of dizziness and even walked crooked at times. You might check into that as well.

Good luck finding answers!

Best wishes,
Posted 11/9/2012 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
Marie-

When I had a deviated septum and sinus surgery they had to pack the inside of my nose and it was near impossible to swallow. Yep, nose needs to be able to let air vent to swallow.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 11/10/2012 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
Bill, it's funny because I had that same surgery about 20 years ago and I no longer remember about the swallowing.

Denise, that was really enlightening information on the Vagus nerve and now i am thinking that it has something to do with all this. I wonder if it's stress that started all this.

Marie
Posted 11/10/2012 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
I too have TONS of belching, all the time, when I eat, after I eat and when I drink water or anything. I just had an endoscopy done and it turns out I have a hiatal hernia. THAT could be the cause of your burping!
Posted 11/10/2012 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
I had an endoscopy done and the doctor said I have inflammation of the stomach and esophagus but didn't say I have a hernia. Is it possible to miss a hiatal hernia despite an endoscopy?

Last night I took 150 mg Zantac and although it dried out my mucus membranes it didn't stop the reflux at night. Today I started my next PPI experiment, Aciphex. Took it this morning and waiting to see if I get diarrhea. Heartburn just keeps getting worse and worse and now my chest hurts all day and all night while my throat is starting to get a numb/fullness feeling which is scaring me. Meanwhile I am still taking Prilosec because if I stop it I get terrible rebound. So I have to find something new that works and then wean off the Prilosec. I am taking more and more Tums during the day for emergency relief but it doesn't last long.

Marie
Posted 11/10/2012 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Marie,

Until you get your reflux under control, you could ask your doctor about Carafate suspension, or even Sulcrafate tablets. I have a very reactive stomach, and have had times when my stomach hurts a lot. Thankfully I have good prescription coverage and I can get Carafate suspension. You have to follow the directions for taking it very carefully (2 hrs. before or after medication, an hour before and 2 hours after meals). I find it very helpful and relieves a lot of discomfort.

If you don't have good coverage you can try the generic Sulcrafate. If your lower esophagus is irritated, you'd be best to put the pill in a medicine cup and add a little water, then mix it with a toothpick and throw it back like a shot.

I find that it can really make me feel more comfortable when I'm having a stomach flare-up.  Even post-surgery my stomach is touchy, and my wrap (which  is made of that stomach) can get very uncomfortable. Carafate suspension coats it all and makes everything feel better.

Good luck!

Denise 

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