My GERD / Acid Reflux Diary

Hi All,

It has been almost a week without PPIs now and I feel relatively good. My problem is really in the evenings between 8pm-11pm - It is not much but I can feel the acid climbing up in the evenings and disturbs my throat a bit (not too much - compared to what it was).

I am waiting for Barium test and also we will do H. Pylori bacteria test after 2 weeks without PPIs.

Take care

Hi...roberto,
Good to hear that you are feeling ok without ppi's. I also have controlled my reflux pretty well lately, I'm still continuing to eat small portions of food, now I eat 5 times a day and continue with my gluten free diet as well. I will try the gluten free diet for 2 months and see if my reflux continues to get better.

At the moment I have come off gaviscon as well, I have replaced it with chinese herbal medicine for my ulcer, and sarsaparilla does help indigestion. I have also taken sarsaparilla root in capsule, but I never knew it was also available in a juice.
are you taking any medication at all or just dieting now?

It's a pity your endoscopy didn't go very well, I don't understand why they didn't put you asleep, here in Australia everyone that I know who has undergone a colonoscopy or gastroscopy have said that they didn't know anything until the nurse woke them up.
It must be very awful feeling for you for someone to put the camera in while you were still awake, I really feel for you.

Please let us know how you go with your barium test.

Dear all,

Thank you very much for your replies.

I have got some very good news. I have been to the barium swallow test today. It went very well - a much more pleasant experience for me than the endoscopy.

Long story short, the doctor said, everything looked perfectly fine. My swallowing muscles working ok, liquid is going to the right places and more importantly there is no hernia or narrowing on the tubes. This was great news as I was really suspecting a hernia but now I know it is not the cause of my symptoms.

Talking about the symptoms, I feel much better lately. The alkaline diet is really working (please do it yourself and see the results) and I have started to introduce some meat (mince meat and chicken bits) to the diet (needs to be done moderately).

Overall I hardly use Gaviscon now only if I feel very bloated after the final evening meal (I eat around 6-6:30pm the latest - it really helps to eat early and then go to bed with empty stomach).

Regarding the question on ginger root, we buy it fromthe local store. the we peel it and the. we juice it using a juicer. It has a very strong taste and I sometimes drink it first thing in the morning before anything else (just one tea spoon - trust me it is more than enough!). Other times I mix it with other fruit juices (such as banan and apple juice that I drink every morning now).

Another great find of my fiancé was coconut water. This is so great and alkaline drink (not the coconut milk but coconut water). Th sell it in the health shops and supermarkets nowadays. I drink at least 2 glasses every day. Sometimes I mix it with "UDO's beyond greens" - it is basically powdered greens, SUPER good for you. You can find it again in health shops or at amazon strore...

The last check we will be doing next week is the H. pylori test. If it comes negative then the doctor thinks that my severe acid reflux was due to too much stress and ulceration which is hopefully on the way of healing.

I will update you again soon.

Take care

Hi Dencha,

Thank you very much indeed. You are very right. We all should try to reduce stress in our lives (easier said then done!)

Take care

Hi All,

Just a quick update.

Generally I am OK and still careful at what I am eating. Time to time I am still getting some swallowing problems (especially in the evening around 7-8pm 1hr after the meals, etc.). I don't drink much liquid in the evening before bed time which helps immensely.

Overall I am much better compare to 3 months ago but still not perfect. I introduce more variety to my alkaline diet but in moderation. This seems to work for the time being.

I wish you all sufferers very well and I hope you will feel better in no time.

Roberto

My symptoms started about 6 months ago with bubbles gurgling in my throat and getting instantly full when I would try to eat after feeling extremely hungry. I was so busy at work I didn't see a doctor, but 3 months later it progressed to extreme burning breath in my throat. Ice water didn't even touch the burn.

My doctor put me on Prilosic. After 2 weeks I became extremely sick during the night, diarrhea and projectile vomiting...hardly made it to the bath room. From that point on I had extreme nausea without vomiting. When the nausea would hit me I got very weak, like it pulled out all my strength. I dropped 17 pounds in 3 weeks.

Iwas also experiencing hoarseness where I would almost lose my voice. My doc sent me to a gastro specialist. From there I had the hydrogen breath test, a nuclear MRI to see if my gall bladder was functioning, a CAT scan on my GI tract with all negative results. Next I had the endoscope with biopsies: a stomach polyp was negative, no Barrett's esophagus, no H Pylori....all was normal. Next I had a colonoscopy because the CAT scan did show. Thickening in the intestine wall. When he went in, all was fine! In the meantime I tried to wean myself off the Prilosic since I have no follow up and feel I am on my own.

After 2 weeks of weaning I went back on the 20mg per day and the 2x per day Zantac I'm also supposed to take. I was never told I had GERD, I'm just assuming I do. This is very frustrating. As a person who also, always ate and drank whatever I wanted, my life as I knew it has been put on hold. No coffee, alcohol, chocolate, fried foods, butter, cream or creamy sauces, spicy foods, citrus foods and drinks etc.

What helps me when I feel the swelling in my throat is a hot cup of ginger tea with honey. It does help me burp to get relief. I also drink lots of water, sometimes with lemon which has an alkalizing effect on the body. I also occasionally take Aloe Vera juice which is supposed to help heal the esophagus. Deglycerized licorice 20 minutes before food is supposed to help coat the stomach.

The worst part of all of this is not knowing why this happened or if it is a life long affliction. I tend toward panic attacks and fight the fear frequently over this whole thing. I am praying and hoping for a miracle! I want my life back! This ruined my whole summer....and my daughters wedding is coming up in 6 weeks and I am praying I'll get through the night (of course no wine or wedding cake for me!!!).

My progression this last week has been ringing in my ears, a sore throat, headaches and a dripping burning nose. God bless you all, this is more than any human being should have to handle. My doctor also told me stress probably brought it on I own 2 businesses- a dance studio and store....some of the parents are crazy lol). But I am trying to be positive. I will continue to monitor these posts. Please let me know if any of you have gotten relief. And Roberto, thanks for sharing! Subie2