Noob here looking for some insight

Hi all,

I signed up so I can seek some knowledge and possible answers for my son's condition.
He is 15 yrs old, and just started getting GERD symptoms this past April 2012 at the age of 14.

A little history:
He started complaining about nausea, bloating, and gas, accompanied by the occasional diarrhea.
After a few weeks of trying home remedies, we were off to the doctor for a check up.
On-line searching seemed to lead towards Lactose Intolerance.
Doc said he was showing signs of acid reflux and told him to take Zantac 150 and check back.
Well, that didn't work, so we up'd it to 250's and that didn't seem to help either.
Next was going to see the pediatric gastronomic / specialist.
After the visit, we learned that the symptoms over lap the multiple conditions, and it was time to start testing for them to see what we could nail down.
They prescribed a stronger antacid, Prilosec or something like that, can't recall.
Scheduled the scope, took the blood test for Celiac.
Scope showed a little inflammation, negative for Celiac, biopsies negative, no ulcers.
Doc prescribed, Nexium to heal the esophagus and stomach and hopefully minimize some of the acid.
After a month of Nexium w/ no relief of the symptoms, and added episodes of diarrhea, we switched to Lansoprasole to see if that would help. Well it helped a little but all the same symptoms are there.

A few weeks ago we had a follow up w/ the doctor, explaining that all the original symptoms are still there:
Gas, Bloating, Nausea, Belching (mostly air).
Took the Lactose breath test. (negative)
Gave stool samples (negative for bacteria)
Waiting on one more sample test.
Started taking VSL#3 probiotic for possible IBS.
Still taking all meds (Lansoprasole 1 per day) (VSL#3 2 times/day)

All symptoms still there. The only thing that has had a slight relief is the nausea.

After pleading for more things we can try, the nurse said that he could be Gluten Intolerant while testing negative for Celiac.

So, we are going to try the gluten free diet to see if that helps us out.

Thanks for reading....
Look forward to some replies and hopefully some answers from others in the same boat.

- Dan

I had bad stomach upset in my teens and started Metamucil every morning. This was before GERD was coined. A tablespoon and 1/2 in a full 12 oz glass of water every morning since about 18 has made me regular, but I still had bouts of bloating and gastritis. Protonix worksfor me, but after 7 years of that I've decided the potential broken hips and osteoporosis is a worse outcome. 5 Grams of Vitamin C spread out thru the day and Oil of Oregano have kept me under control for a month without the Protonix... a PPI. I'm happy with my outcome so far, but there are plenty of people here if you read thru old threads that have had success in many different ways.

I learned a lot recently by looking at retail vitamin sites. I looked at the ingredients of some of the supplements that are aimed at treating GERD or indigestion. Then google GERD + "ingredient" it led to very interesting reading and lots of detailed information.

Good luck.

The diet is probably the most important part of managing GERD. I'm On a gluten free low fat low acid diet. You can also try gaviscon it's an OTC that is very helpful for some as an additional medication. You may also want to explore natural remedies and tell your son to make sure he chews his food well and eats smaller meals.

We've tried GasX and it has not helped.
Tums, Pepto, only help a little w/ the nausea part, but nothing has stopped the belching.

I've encouraged him to eat slowly, and smaller portions. Hard to do for a sprouting 15 yr old, but we're working on it.

The Gaviscon may help, can't hurt to try.

This is from the site:
What is Heartburn?
Heartburn, also known as acid indigestion, is a common condition that affects millions of people. It can last for a few minutes or a few hours, and is described as a burning or painful feeling in the chest. It often strikes after a meal or at night when lying down.

He almost never has the burning or painful feeling in the chest. Kinda makes me wonder if GERD is what's going on.

We've tried a few different gluten free products and so far they are aweful tasting.
But I guess this is expected of things like bread and other substitute things.
Still learning here, and I'm sure there are plenty of foods available that are gluten free natrually and not some processed substitiute.

Thanks again.....

I rarely had burning in my chest. I'd get something like a cramp in mine.

im jasmine, 15 with gerd also, been on zantac didnt help i did the endoscopy in jan 2012 showed inflammation gave me omeperzole didnt work i did the barium test showed a hital hernia still on omeperzole symtoms only got worse i got drowning sensation major chest pains feels somewhat like a heart attack would feel like i feel the acid playing in my esophagus hurts when i eat after i eat and when i dont eat. my GI put me on nexium got a bad allergic reaction to it. he hasnt mention any diet though buy ive been eating small portions of food and knowing what to eat and what not to eat but doesnt seem to help much i just now switched doctors because the one i had wasnt doing much for me im hoping the suggestnthe surgery because ive been on like 3 medicines and they dont help the most they help is for about an hour or so then i start to hurt again