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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 9/27/2013 5:22 PM (GMT 0)

dears

I am in the middle of life and death. I have been suffering from GERD/ acid reflux since 12  years. I went through five endoscopic procedure and one is awaiting for me now.  I have been taking ppt medications over the years and none of them have worked for me. they gave me some relief but once it came due to dietary change it doesn't go with out lettimg me suffer. I am really suffering and I am not doing any thing other than thinking this worst pain. I am still burning while I am writing this email to you. I can not sit ,sleep, exercise and speak out even.  I eliminated almost all kind of foods and end up with nothing.  The doctors told me to take the meds but they don't help me out of the problem. I am thinking of going for surgery if I am a candidate. I am not sure. the way doctors perceive the problem and I is different. I am suffering but they took it simple. I can not make life at all. Please share me what I am supposed to do. I don't hesitate to do every thing in so long as it liberate me from this sufferings.

thanks 

Posted 9/27/2013 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome,
I hope that we can help you in all the ways we can.
GERD is a really stressful disease to have and it can really wreck havoc on you emotionally. Many of us have been there, and are still there working to improve our health.

My first question to you would be What other tests, than endoscopies have you had?
I know that prior to my surgery, no dietary change or medication even touched my problem. I had a battery of testing including a baruim swallow, manometry of the esophagus, gastric emptying study and 24 hour dual probe PH study which helped my doctors realize that I was a great candidate for my surgery. Have you had any of those tests and if so what do they show?

It might also help us help you more if we know what country you are in, there are different waiting times, tests and options you might have for surgery depending on where you live.
Posted 9/27/2013 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
thank you for the concern

I only had endoscopy for five times. I didn't do all those you mentioned. They always say GERD and prescribed me PPTs.  I am currently in Washington DC, from Ethiopia. I would love to answer any thing you want.

Thanks

Anbessaw

Posted 9/27/2013 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
If your medication is not working for you and you are not finding relief, you may want to ask your doctor for further testing. The barium swallow is an easy test and will help your doctors see how bad your reflux is, and if you have a hernia. Do you know if they found a hernia while performing your endoscopy?

If they find you have a hernia, then I would ask to be referred to a surgeon so you can discuss the possibility of surgery, or other surgical options if they can not get medication to provide you with the relief you need. They will then recommend the other tests to make sure you are a good candidate for surgery, and will help you determine the best kind of surgery for your particular case.

If you are currently only seeing your general physican, I would ask for a referral to a gastroenterologist or GI doctor. If you are currently already seeing a GI doctor, you may want to be more firm in telling them that your medications are not working and you wish to have them give you more options.
Posted 9/27/2013 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Stephanie. You have to advocate more for yourself. I assume you are already seeing a GI Doctor. Maybe you need a different one. Tell the GI doctor the acid reflux is making your life so difficult. Tell them you have heard good things about the success of Nissen Fundoplication surgery, reducing GERD.

Prior to getting approval by a surgeon, you will need Esophageal Manometry and ph testing. Tell them you want it done. Based on your testing results, you will need referral to a surgeon that has done a lot of the Nissens with great success. I'm sure there are good ones in the DC area. John Hopkins would be an excellent hospital with teaching surgeons.

Good luck!
Posted 9/28/2013 6:07 AM (GMT 0)
Gotta agree with the others. Just doing another EGD without the other tests isn't doing much good. Especially since the meds don't seem to work. Might be time for a new GI.

Sometimes you have to push them hard to get answers, but you deserve answers.

The surgeon who did ny 1st nissen redo actually thanked my wife and I for pushing so hard to find out what was wrong with my initial nissen and asking for exploratory surgery. they had a hard time finding out what was wrong, but when he went in to look it was obvious the first surgeon did it wrong. Don't take I don't know for an answer.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 9/28/2013 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
dear all
thank you so much again. i am still on bed couldnt gi to school. the pain gets me worse especially when i speak, sit and read despite the meds that i am still taking. i couldnt get sleep and even sit when i am up. The doctor gave me a one month appointment despite the current situation i explained to you. what do u you think i need to do further? shall i wait him til then or what other thing shall ido.
thanks
Posted 9/28/2013 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
Try a different GI doctor - Tell the person scheduling your appointment of your extreme difficulty and discomfort, hopefully they can get you in sooner. Take all the information you received here with you to your appointment.

What medications are you currently taking for GERD? Maybe others here can suggest something to help you in the mean time.

Stress causes acid reflux in many people. It sounds like you are extremely stressed out now. Maybe there is something you could do for that, too. I like a product called Bach's Rescue Remedy for stress and anxiety. You can find it locally at places like GNC or Vitamin World. You may need something prescription strength, though.
Posted 9/28/2013 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
anbessaw,

I am sorry to read of your difficulties.  may I ask what was the outcome of your many GI scopes, any biopsies done?

You problems appear to have taken your everyday life away from you and therefore you should try to see a GI specialist sooner and do look at getting a new Dr.

Do you feel that anxiety could be causing any of your problems?

Kindly,

Kitt

 

Posted 9/29/2013 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
dears
thank you so much again for the ideas you are sharing me. By the way my doctor is a GI specialist and he is the one who prescibed me nexium 40mg*2/day and antiacids too. my endoscipic result showed that there is friabilty and erythema
in the antrum but the pain got worsen after the procedure which i presume would have problem along with the lining of the gut if i undergo another endoscopy procedure. concerning my biopsy result i didnt have it yet the result. I hopefully recieve it soon. i will definately share with you. If any one of you can suggest on the how of relieving the pain, i love to hear.
Thanks
Posted 9/29/2013 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
To kitt
yes i do believe that anxety would cause my problem of GERD.
thanks
Posted 10/14/2013 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
Dear all
Its been a while I appeared on this forum. As I explained this before , I am still on medication but the reflux is not improved. It is burning me inside, cannot do at all. I am in a difficult situation and couldnt eat any thing for the last three days. I have nothing to go for bath room. Consitipatef for a week. I am experiencing persistant burning all the day and night. Some one advised me to take siberian pine nut oil. I ordered and started using. Is any one who found it useful? Please do advise me any thing that help.
Thank you
Anbessaw
Posted 10/14/2013 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
Have you tried apple cider vinegar with the mother. That does a quick fix on severe bloating and reflux .
Posted 10/14/2013 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
I wish you could get a 2nd opinion, from another GI doctor - if your current doctor is not helping you with your problems. I've never heard of the supplement you are taking. Maybe others have.

If things are that bad that you can't eat at all, maybe you need to go to the emergency room. Call your GI doctor and ask him/her what to do, now, please!
Posted 10/15/2013 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
i have tried to use apple cider venegar with the mother but didnt help
my biopsy result shows negative for helicobacter bacteria. i am.diagnosed vjronic gasttitis and GERD. is that possible to have both at the same time? does nexium work for both? now am on bed and cannot sit and walk. feeling pain on my body..serious cannot bend at all. still your ideas are valuable to me.
thanks
Posted 10/15/2013 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry you are not feeling well I suggest you try an herbal remedy called reflux away for now (worked very well all natural made me feel ok for 2 days before I needed more) I also ordered zinc carnosine ( japanese use it please research you will see te benefits) and I preordered d-limonene (please research about this suppose to stop heartburn for up to 6 months after 10 pills taken every other day) hope you feel better soon please keep us posted :))
Posted 10/15/2013 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry I need to add reflux away is available in vitamin shoppe and
For everybody's use d-limonene is also natural ( I belive is aan orange peel oil 1000mg supplement) thanksand sending healing thoughts to everybody :)
Posted 10/15/2013 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
Have you tried diety changes? Please continue to search for a good GI doctor also. Do some research and go through the testing.
Posted 10/16/2013 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
i visited my GI doc yesterday and he prescribed me dexilant a different brand of omeprazole and to keep on taking carafate. i kept on telling him.as.my pain got worse and he wanted me to go for endoscopic procedure again. i afraid to do it again as my pain still get worse. do you advise me to go for upper endoscopy again? i afraid if it worsen my pain. is there any effect this is going to be my 6 th time to do it.
thanks
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