The New Guy.. help with GERD

Hi guys, new to the forum but have read quite a bit on here. Which can be very educational, as well as very grim! I'd like to share whats happening with you guys and get any feedback for something I might be overlooking.

I have had bad GERD symptoms for about 3 months. 28yo/male. Recently they have gotten to the throat burning everyday, bed raised, always feeling it situation.

First attack happened about 4 months ago, woke up in the middle of the night with harshly burning throat feeling and started taking 2 zantac 150s/Day. I did that for about a month then got my doc to switch me to Nexium generic. It was working out okay, not really getting rid of the symptoms but certainly making them less noticeable. After 8 weeks of nexium he decided to try tecta, which really didn't work. Then put be back on nexium and motillium. So far today its just as bad as it was the first day, perhaps worse since the burning throat won't subside.

A few years back (2009 I think) I had a similar epidsode. Kind of struck me out of no where. (When i say no where I mean the middle of the summer while I was enjoying beer and food more often than normal, same as in this case 2012) In 2009 it took 4 months to get a endoscopy done, and by the time it came around I was completely fine, and the results were fine as well. That time I was on Nexium for only 1 month.

The endoscopy I have booked now is not till June! (Canadian health care.. but hey its free)

So am I bit worried this time I just did in my LES and its never going to heal or get better. Im not sure if that is the case. And I take the internet forums with a grain of salt because people who feel better don't often come back to say how great they feel. They move on with their life and stop googling acid reflux.

First off.. is there any way to fix this? Right now im trying to eat things that dont bother it much. 12 grain bagels, salad with no dresing, wheaty cereal with skim milk. I have never smoked, I am losing about some pounds per week cause im not eating much with the GERD. (6 foot male, weighing about 160lbs, when this first hit 4 months ago it was closer to 185lbs)
I'm not drinking coffee, at all.
I do love beer, and I have tried to stay away from it entirely. On the weekends I might have 4-6 overall. It feels okay when I do, but days after it may feel worse. Its hard for me to pinpoint where the pain came from.

Also sometimes, this hasn't happened lately, I will get what I think is a Esophageal Spasm where from a movement or sudden lift, it feels like a sword or pound of bricks in my chest for several hours. Happened real bad once on a stressful day and since hasn't been as bad.

I was tested for H. pylori in the beginning and wonder if I could have got it since?

Also, is it bad to take Nexium with Zantac 75s?

I've read some encouraging posts about getting off meds. I gave it a go for week, but I could almost eat nothing and the burn was worse. I worry about barrets a little bit, so I decided to hop back on nexium (not generic).

That was a lot for you to read, if you made it this far thanks. I think venting makes it better. Sick of bothering my family and friends with the negatives.

Dan

I was on 80mg of nexium with 300mg of zantac at bedtime. But please ask your doctor if this is safe for you. High doses of PPIs especially nexium causes a side effect of vitamin loss and stomach polyps.

I'd leave the beer off until you're settled down with your reflux. Think... you have a sore and you pour alcohol on top of it, now refer it to your acid washed esophagus that is inflammed. OUCH!

Also Johnah - Where did you get your scope done?

I know you are a beer drinker, but between the carbonation, and the PH level of 4, plus the wheat (which is fatty) you are asking for trouble. I had to give up the beer too. I used to love going to Beer Festivals but I had to give them up sadly. I am able to tolerate coconut or vanilla rum mixed with water (I use a high PH water called Evamore).

hi ya johnah reflux is not i disease.... is a condition of the nervous system,vagus nerve.Look at my web site ,www.mfi-therapy.com. People only treat the symptoms caused by the nerve plexus behind the solar plexus.This nerve is connected to all our internal organs,and when it is restricted ailments like ibs reflux happen . THIS AFFECTS HOW THE BODY OBSORBS ENERGY thus affecting what food we eat.

http://www.ruddclinic.com/index.html

Says on the web site average wait time is 3 weeks. Not sure where you are in Canada,

Any tips for avoiding weight loss?

I have a bit more to spare before I look frail, but i don't think it's a good look. With the pain I haven't been lifting weights either.

My understanding is sugar isnt much of a trigger so things with sugar and no fat are a good place to start? What about non fat frozen yogurt or something?

Dan