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Newbie Questions GERD and LPR

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 11/1/2013 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry - I am new here and trying to learn what I can before an appointment with the doctor on Tuesday.  I feel like an informed patient is the best advocate - and the Primary Care is the gate keeper (to the real expert) and needs convincing that I need to see that expert.  I will try to educate myself by reading more here - but since the appointment is soon, any help would be appreciated. 

Seems like the doctors are happy to have me take omeprazole and wait for symptoms to go away.  And try the food elimination.  But I take it that doesn't always happen with GERD and LPR.  Been at 40mg omeprazole for four weeks now.

I apparently had LPR longer - developed food swallowing problems which seem to have gotten better with PPI.  But then came GERD symptoms and along with them LPR symptoms of feeling like something is stuck in my throat often.

Currently taking omeprazole 40 mg per day and trying to avoid coffee, tomatoes, eating late, etc.  Seltzer water seems bad for me too.  I have the head of my bed up six inches.  I am trying to lose weight with the Fast Diet (a whole different discussion).

GERD symptoms came on about 6 weeks ago.  Not effectively treated by PPI and food measures.  Swallowing issues have been about two - three years - only occasionally dry foods would get stuck in my throat and I would need to carefully wash them down with a little water.

Anyway, please if this interests you, correct any of my misinformation.  Thanks for any help.

GERD TREATMENT - PPI and food measures and if needed the operations?  

-PPI - Seems some sources say some PPIs are better than others.  Other sources say they are all about as effective.  Is going up to 60mg / day for a while a good idea?

-Probably no other food measures to take other than possibly finding other foods that bother me. Low acid coffee was bad for me.

-Fund... operation - my doctor said it is often unsuccessful and has severe side effects - but people on this list seems to have other experiences - it does take some recovery time, but is 80-90% successful?

LPR TREATMENT - I probably need a real diagnosis and not just a guess.  Then High PH water?  Throat stretching procedure? Gaviscon? What else?  Do PPIs really help with GERD?  I read conflicting things.  I think my doctor thinks one pill will solve all.

 

Posted 11/1/2013 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
Be careful with PPIs. Most doctors want to put you on them and send you on your way, but at best, they put a band-aid on the problem, they don't FIX the problem. Omeprazole was a nightmare for me.

Get your stomach acid level tested. Research I've read lately shows that most people with GERD and LPR have too little stomach acid (not too much). You need stomach acid to digest food properly, keep the LES valve working properly, and keep bad bacteria from growing. I'm getting mine tested on 11/22 (couldn't get in sooner).

Check for a hiatal hernia, too, which can be a cause of GERD.

Good luck!
Posted 11/1/2013 3:28 AM (GMT 0)
Just read the resources and treatment options section - particularly how to take PPIs and the difference between LPR and GERD - very helpful. I downloaded them and will review them with the doctor.

I didn't know you may have to wait months for relief with PPIs and that you should take them on an empty stomach and then eat high protein meal afterwards - or it will be 90% ineffective. Insert with med said take with or without food!
Posted 11/1/2013 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
icesk8er

Can you point me to the research about too little acid being the problem?

And has anyone read about the pepsin theory - it isn't acid but pepsin that causes LPR? So, drinking high PH water can deal with the pepsin. http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijoto/2012/646901/
Posted 11/1/2013 11:43 AM (GMT 0)
http://chriskresser.com/what-everybody-ought-to-know-but-doesnt-about-heartburn-gerd

Also, the book "Why Stomach Acid is Good for You" by Dr. Jonathan Wright and Dr. Lane Lenard.

Yes, they point out the link between low pepsin secretion and GERD/LPR, too. If you have low stomach acid, you probably have low pepsin, too.
Posted 11/2/2013 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
Its interesting to me that you have the most trouble w dry foods. That was my problem too. The Drs initially were treating me for LPR (my vocal chords were red, typical of acid making its way up), told me to be more patient, and upped omeprolazole to 80mg/day (too high imo). I switched Drs, new one actually had me do tests, which found "markedly poor esophageal motility" and I was diagnosed with achalasia. I'm now trying calcium channel blockers to relax my esophagus to help food go down. The worst foods for poor motility are dry foods like bread. I also can't eat sticky foods like peanut butter, and sometimes struggle with solid food in general.

I dont know, but reading your description does make me wonder if some motility issues may be causing the sensation of something being stuck. I hope you get some answers! Keep us posted.
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