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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 9/16/2013 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
about Me:
Male
23 y/0
135 LB (down from 157 Since February of this year 2013)
5'9"



I used to have occasional heartburn which was always taken care of with Alka Seltzer. On a more serious note I would take my dad’s Nexium 40 mg once for 1 day and I was good for the next 2 months. I am a very active person used to work out regularly. I pinched my nerve 2 years ago and suffered for about a year with nerve pains coming from my spine. Doctors could never figure out what it was, it was one of those things that just went away on its own. This past February is when everything happened:

I developed pain again in my left hand and couldn’t feel my fingers. I went to the Neurologist and he prescribed me Naproxen. I took it once when I left him and ate a Greek salad at a cafe right after. That evening I had terrible gas which then developed into Nausea and I had burning in my stomach (sour stomach?) I never had this feeling in my life.

I came home and went to bed. All night I couldn’t sleep, I had persisting pain in my upper Abdominal. I actually felt as if it was inflamed. I woke up with a high fever and severe dihreah that lasted 3 days. No matter what I ate, or drank, was followed by an instant run to the bathroom. Right after I began having heartburn, where I felt acid going up my esophagus. I took tums which didn’t seem to help and I switched to Nexium 40MG at the advice of a GI Friend. In the next 2-3 months I had bloating, gas, and IBS, I tried quitting the PPI's 3 times with no luck and burning kept coming back and back I went on the PPI.

One day in June I completely stopped taking the Nexium because I had diarrhea. They checked my stool for H-Pylori NOTHING. They did a small blood test for some Celiac and all.. (NOTHING) Finally after 4 days without Nexium. The burning was HORRIBLE. I got Pepcid for it, ranitidine, tums and nothing worked. I had pains and finally after going to another GI he scheduled me for an endoscopy. Found Small Hiatal Hernia, Mild Gastropathy, and Duodonitis was full of bile. He took about 6 biopsies and said that it could be from H-Pylori infection (90%). All tests came back negative. He put me on Dexilant 60MG once a day for 3 months and behavior modification. I felt horrible this whole time, I did the best I could and the pills helped me but felt like I had fumes coming out of my mouth for about a month. Then I had sour taste in my mouth, and I switched over to Nexium 40 MG a day in the morning and felt better. After 1.5 month of this I was symptom free and then all of a sudden I started having the Symptoms again even with being on Nexium and all. I went to a natural doc and he gave me some herbs. I took them and stopped Nexium for 10 days. I felt better. After 10 days the herbs ended and I again I had terrible burning, so I had to go back on Nexium. I felt better after about a week. But I lost weight and I do not feel 100%

2 days ago I went to my regular Doctor and he took full blood work from me and stool test for parasites. He said he thinks that there is something inside me that is causing all this. (I did not get results yet)

My stools are loose these days, and I again started taking Nexium today. I don’t think it kicked back in yet since my darn throat burns again when I am writing this. But I am tired of this feeling

I feel like Nexium is causing all this. And I want the correct way to wean off or figure out what the hell it is that is causing all these problems.

I just bought:

1) Coconut Oil
2) DGL Licorice
3) Mastic Gum
4) Aloe Vera Juice
4) Apple Cider Vinegar

I want to know how I should incorporate all this and if I should wean myself off these PPI's

What to do, I cannot go like this any longer :-(

Post Edited (Ax1226) : 9/15/2013 10:46:12 PM (GMT-6)
Posted 9/16/2013 4:31 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like bile reflux. Have you had your gall bladder evaluated?
Posted 9/16/2013 4:32 AM (GMT 0)

couchtater said...
Sounds like bile reflux. Have you had your gall bladder evaluated?

No I haven't had that evaluated. What do you think I should do?
Posted 9/16/2013 10:35 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear you are having these problems.
An MRI scan can rule out or confirm if you have gall bladder issues .. ie biliary disease. I had this done as a routine test and it was negative in my case. All the best.
Posted 9/16/2013 2:31 PM (GMT 0)

Noelle3 said...
Sorry to hear you are having these problems.
An MRI scan can rule out or confirm if you have gall bladder issues .. ie biliary disease. I had this done as a routine test and it was negative in my case. All the best.

I doubt I have that. I have no pains. Just burning up and down my throat and esophagus. I'm not losing hope, I need an answer though
Posted 9/16/2013 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
I'm no expert but here's what I have to say in response to all the symptoms you have described.

If you feel like a part of your esophagus or stomach or deodendum has inflammation, do NOT drink any kind of vinegar. It could help with the heartburn but it will irritate the tender spots of these areas. I have experience with this. I was drinking kombucha with each meal (which is a wonderful way to prevent heartburn, and has vinegar) but when I developed inflammation in my esophagus it started to hurt on the way down, and eventually it made my esophagitis worse. So I had to stop drinking it. And I miss it very much because it really did help with the heartburn.

I would definitely try the licorice tabs. I believe they are taken between meals, 30 minutes before, or during. Whatever works for you. I would just try taking them right before eating. To be honest they did not work well for me so that is why I don't use them anymore. But you might be one of the people it helps so don't let that deter you.

Aloe Vera gel is something that I have tried but it tastes awful and I was pregnant when I tried it so I just couldn't stomach it. I do think it could be really helpful if you can handle the taste.

Cook your vegetables with coconut oil. I can't think of another way to use it.

I haven't ever used Mastic Gum but my understanding is that it's specifically for hpylori. I would just google it and be open to learning both positive and negative things about it and make a decision based on what you know.

One thing that has helped me with all my struggles is chamomile tea. I drink about 2-4 cups a day. It is a natural anti-inflammatory, feels GOOD on the way down, and keeps me relaxed. When our bodies are suffering this much we get stressed out about it. Chamomile treats anxiety. It also helps relax the intestines.

Are you experiencing any anxiety? Are you getting exercise?
Posted 9/16/2013 4:23 PM (GMT 0)

sidiosquiere said...
I'm no expert but here's what I have to say in response to all the symptoms you have described.

If you feel like a part of your esophagus or stomach or deodendum has inflammation, do NOT drink any kind of vinegar. It could help with the heartburn but it will irritate the tender spots of these areas. I have experience with this. I was drinking kombucha with each meal (which is a wonderful way to prevent heartburn, and has vinegar) but when I developed inflammation in my esophagus it started to hurt on the way down, and eventually it made my esophagitis worse. So I had to stop drinking it. And I miss it very much because it really did help with the heartburn.

I would definitely try the licorice tabs. I believe they are taken between meals, 30 minutes before, or during. Whatever works for you. I would just try taking them right before eating. To be honest they did not work well for me so that is why I don't use them anymore. But you might be one of the people it helps so don't let that deter you.

Aloe Vera gel is something that I have tried but it tastes awful and I was pregnant when I tried it so I just couldn't stomach it. I do think it could be really helpful if you can handle the taste.

Cook your vegetables with coconut oil. I can't think of another way to use it.

I haven't ever used Mastic Gum but my understanding is that it's specifically for hpylori. I would just google it and be open to learning both positive and negative things about it and make a decision based on what you know.

One thing that has helped me with all my struggles is chamomile tea. I drink about 2-4 cups a day. It is a natural anti-inflammatory, feels GOOD on the way down, and keeps me relaxed. When our bodies are suffering this much we get stressed out about it. Chamomile treats anxiety. It also helps relax the intestines.

Are you experiencing any anxiety? Are you getting exercise?

Exercise was my life. I do not feel any anxiety. This all started after February when I had that stomach problem. That is why the Internal doctor right now took the blood test and stool sample for bacteria and parasites. Still waiting on the results. He doesn't think this is because of Nexium rather something inside of me that is causing all this. I think that too. I thought I had H-Pylori because half my family had it including my dad, and he was having heartburn all his life. Eventually after they found it he took the Prev-Pak and all went away. I did not have it back when they checked in June. (Maybe recheck again?)

Anyways if I do not have anything I have another GI doctor who I found on the internet and I would like to see them and see what they can tell me. Supposedly they have outstanding reviews and are one of the best teams here in NYC.

Overall, this all could be nothing. Just the fact that I have been taking the PPI's on and off for the past 6 months. Maybe it is just that (REBOUND) I guess I will lower the dose myself because I do not think every other day helps me. I am back on it after 2 days of not taking it. I would like to take it for like 2 weeks (Nexium 40MG) until I feel like all is healed again inside and then I will wean myself off.

I need to get my life in order. What ever this is that is bothering me needs to be taken care of. I have very high hopes and I know I will get through this. My confidence is through the rough even when it burns like hell. So anxiety is out of the question.

What do you think?
AND/OR what was your story? Still on meds?
Posted 9/16/2013 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Get a full GI work-up e.g. scans, barium swallow etc. That's a good starting point. Given your symptoms, any GI doctor would do a thorough work-up to rule out any number of conditions or issues.
Posted 9/16/2013 6:59 PM (GMT 0)

Ian Victor said...
Get a full GI work-up e.g. scans, barium swallow etc. That's a good starting point. Given your symptoms, any GI doctor would do a thorough work-up to rule out any number of conditions or issues.

I don't know what all those tests will do for me. But I am waiting on those results for now, then we'll go from there.

I feel like Nexium caused all this BS
Posted 9/16/2013 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
My story? Maybe had heartburn 5 times in my life before last May. Then I had a lump in my throat. Naturopath said it was reflux. I didn't believe her. But I did everything she suggested for 6 weeks and when blood started shooting into my mouth from my raw throat I finally submitted to PPIs and seeing a gastroenterologist. True heartburn began after I started worrying about all of this. I tried a gluten free/dairy free diet for 6 weeks. It only got worse. I had an endoscopy which revealed a healthy esophagus, stomach and duodenum. I couldn't believe it! Where was the blood coming from?

Finally saw a conventional doctor who referred me to an Ear/Nose/Throat specialist. He looked in the back of my throat via sinuses and saw an inflamed throat but no ulcers. He couldn't find where the blood was coming from either. But it still happens almost every day. I suddenly taste blood and I spit it out for about 5 minutes until I stop tasting it. And then my throat hurts really bad.

It's rough because I accidentally got pregnant in July. I'm 12 weeks now. Pregnancy has exacerbated all of this for me. I have never experienced so much pain and suffering before all of this. And I still don't know where I bleed from.

I can't do any further investigation until after my pregnancy is over which is 6 months away.

One thing you may not understand about PPIs that I think I should share is that it takes 3-10 days to to stop feeling heartburny after you stop taking them. If you've only given your body a day or two to adjust you aren't giving yourself enough time. The worst heartburn times for me have been when I was weaning off PPIs. So next time you wean, just treat the heartburn with mylanta or something like that until the icky feeling goes away..

I look forward to hearing about your test results! You have a great attitude.
Posted 9/17/2013 5:01 AM (GMT 0)

sidiosquiere said...
My story? Maybe had heartburn 5 times in my life before last May. Then I had a lump in my throat. Naturopath said it was reflux. I didn't believe her. But I did everything she suggested for 6 weeks and when blood started shooting into my mouth from my raw throat I finally submitted to PPIs and seeing a gastroenterologist. True heartburn began after I started worrying about all of this. I tried a gluten free/dairy free diet for 6 weeks. It only got worse. I had an endoscopy which revealed a healthy esophagus, stomach and duodenum. I couldn't believe it! Where was the blood coming from?

Finally saw a conventional doctor who referred me to an Ear/Nose/Throat specialist. He looked in the back of my throat via sinuses and saw an inflamed throat but no ulcers. He couldn't find where the blood was coming from either. But it still happens almost every day. I suddenly taste blood and I spit it out for about 5 minutes until I stop tasting it. And then my throat hurts really bad.

It's rough because I accidentally got pregnant in July. I'm 12 weeks now. Pregnancy has exacerbated all of this for me. I have never experienced so much pain and suffering before all of this. And I still don't know where I bleed from.

I can't do any further investigation until after my pregnancy is over which is 6 months away.

One thing you may not understand about PPIs that I think I should share is that it takes 3-10 days to to stop feeling heartburny after you stop taking them. If you've only given your body a day or two to adjust you aren't giving yourself enough time. The worst heartburn times for me have been when I was weaning off PPIs. So next time you wean, just treat the heartburn with mylanta or something like that until the icky feeling goes away..

I look forward to hearing about your test results! You have a great attitude.

Blood in throat? Never heard of that but is very interesting indeed. Seeing a doctor is not a problem for me. I saw the best doctors at Cornell University and private doctors as well. Now I am waiting for all these results.
As I mentioned earlier these Herbs were some chinese herbs that the natural doc gave me and I stopped taking Nexium for 10 days!!... I had to go back on it because the Meds ended and heartburn came back. I heard acid rebound can go from weeks to months, how did you come to the conclusion of 3-10 days?

Are you weaned off already? Feeling better?
Posted 9/18/2013 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ax1226,

Read what I posted here. www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=876758&p=1&ord=d

... and try Gaviscon after meals to help normalize your stomach. Then take a teaspoon of ENO (or other bicarb ant-acid) in a glass of water once or twice every day for awhile as a refreshing drink. Bad bacteria likes acidic environments and this might help improve things.
Posted 9/18/2013 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome to HealingWell.   Glad you've found our online community. It’s a great place to connect with others traveling the same road...you'll find much support, encouragement and advice from our members  who understand where you are coming from and what your going through.  I hope you find the answer to what is going on when all your tests results are in. Kindly, Kitt  
Posted 9/18/2013 4:59 PM (GMT 0)

Ax1226 said...

Blood in throat? Never heard of that but is very interesting indeed. Seeing a doctor is not a problem for me. I saw the best doctors at Cornell University and private doctors as well. Now I am waiting for all these results.
As I mentioned earlier these Herbs were some chinese herbs that the natural doc gave me and I stopped taking Nexium for 10 days!!... I had to go back on it because the Meds ended and heartburn came back. I heard acid rebound can go from weeks to months, how did you come to the conclusion of 3-10 days?

Are you weaned off already? Feeling better?

The 3-10 days was just my experience and from what I've read from others. I don't think I have ever experienced the rebound longer than 3 days max. But I've only weaned maybe 5 times. (When I was 18 I was misdiagnosed with gastritis and ended up taking Prilosec for 4 years, even though I had no problems after a few days of taking it, long dumb story).

I'm taking 40mg of Protonix every day as well as 4 grams of Carafate each day. I'm still surprised that I don't feel that much better. :(
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