Alternatives to PPI's Part 2

imlily said...
Hayley, You must be really proud of yourself for finishing the test. Isn't it always the way when you want something to happen at a crucial time and it doesn't. So very annoying. I am sure you are very relieved it is over What did it show or do you have to wait for the results. Now you can get a decent nights sleep and something to eat. You should treat yourself to something nice.
I have been soaking the black beans today and will fix them shortly and have a little rice with them.
I haven't had nausea since Monday thank goodness but I had to contend with 2 days of it. Since then I have been pretty good but I am always sort of waiting for it if you know what I mean.
Off to fix the black beans for my dinner. We will talk again soon.

Hi Lily, I am excited for you making your own beans. They are so healthy and taste yummy when they are made without all those processed ingredients. I am glad you haven't had that awful nausea to deal with too! Things are looking up :)

As for me I am not proud of myself per se but just relieved I pushed through the pain and finished the test. Otherwise I would be forever guessing what if.
Results are in already but I wasn't expecting them so soon because when we dropped off the equipment this afternoon with the doctor he said he would go through the data and call me sometime beginning of next week. Well imagine my surprise when my phone rang at 5:30 and it was the doctor.

To make a long story short (too late LOL) my results are basically normal. I reflux about 3% of the time and those reflux events don't mesh with when I pushed the button to heartburn or chest pain symptoms. He said that's called functional heartburn.

The only reading that *might* have been abnormal was on the Manometry I think it was the LES number and the reading was 17 and normal is up to 16 or something like that. I'm not sure what that means but he said he really thinks it is a normal variant since I don't get food stuck in my throat usually and that's what that number would signify (just during the 24 hour impedance today LOL).

I have to call Monday to ask his secretary to send me a copy of my results because he spoke too fast on the phone and I could tell he was in a hurry. It was friday at 5:30 so I understand and it was very nice he did it before the weekend so I could have my results. I didn't ask him to rush doing it but it was nice to get the results so fast.

So I am happy about that but I am still in discomfort with burning and chest squeezing so yet another round of tests with no diagnosis. Don't get me wrong I don't want anything to be wrong of course but what is going on with me? I have been through such a multitude of tests-MRIs, CAT scan, chest x-ray, 2 endoscopies, these 2 tests I just had, a round of blood tests, echocardiogram and so on and so forth. I think I need a break from doctors for a good long while and will just deal with my symptoms as best I can unless they become worse or I have no choice.

I'm still here for you guys though!

Thank you my dear Hayley.

I appreciate your words very much. I am so thankful to have all of you. I pray that the Lord heals every one of us.
It is not easy to be alone, but with all of you, I do not feel alone. Thank you Hayley.
You also take care. I hope you have a peaceful and rested night.
Hugs.

I edited my post.

Hi Hayley,

I did not read your thread about your results! They are wonderful! I am so glad for you. To tell you the truth, I did not know that the test you took was for measuring the acid, is that right? I am happy for you, please do not leave us. Now RELAX.

Keep in contact.
A big hug.

Post Edited (pazshalom) : 5/10/2014 3:58:03 AM (GMT-6)

I took the freedom to post what your tests were, because many of us did not know about them. I hope it is OK.

pH/Impedance Testing
To determine if you have the reflux disease, you may need to undergo pH/impedance testing. A pH test measures the amount of acidic material that comes from your stomach into your esophagus and into your throat. When evaluating laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR, or reflux that affects your throat), it is particularly important that the acid levels be measured in both the esophagus AND your throat – testing that it is not available at most centers. We offer this dual-probe pH testing in combination with impedance, which both tells us the direction of the reflux (helping to distinguish a reflux event from a swallow) and also tells us if you are having NON-acid reflux.

Most reflux medications usually control acid production very well, but they don’t stop reflux. You may still be having reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus or throat, although it may be less damaging with less acid content. Some people are still very sensitive to this weakly acid, or non-acid reflux, particularly for cough and throat clearing. The impedance portion of this examination allows us to evaluate you for non-acid reflux.

What to Expect

Manometry is the first step in the pH/impedance test. After this 30 minute pressure test, the 2 mm soft catheter will be placed through your nose and positioned precisely in your esophagus. Then it will be secured to the side of your nose with clear tape. This catheter stays in place for 24 hours. Yes, you go home with it in place. Yes, people can see it. And yes, you can and should do all your normal activities, including working. The only thing you can’t do with the catheter in place is take a shower or bath (the water will ruin the equipment). You will have a monitor with buttons to push when you are having symptoms. You will also have a diary on which to record when you eat and when you lie down. The catheter is removed quickly the next day in the clinic. The results have to be analyzed carefully by our physicians, so they will not be available for 1-2 weeks.

Tips for improving the diagnostic value of your pH/impedance study:
Do not get the equipment wet.
Try to record the times of meals and lying down very specifically.
Avoid sipping on beverages through the day. If you do have a drink, remember to record this.
Try to do your normal activities – remember, if you are having reflux, we want to see it! You may not have any reflux if you sit very still on your couch all day and don’t eat anything! So eat your normal foods and do your normal activities, including exercise and working.
If you are frequently coughing or throat clearing, try to only push the button when the episode starts. Pushing the button 50 times during a cough episode makes the data much more difficult to interpret.

Hi Hayley - I am glad your test results are good. I am going through the exact same thing as you. PPIs caused me chest pain which (for me) is really costochondritis - inflamation of the rib cage. If I press on certain spots on my ribs, I can feel the trigger points. I stopped taking the PPIs, but now I am trying to get rid of the costo. My primary did an ekg (fine) and blood work (waiting on results). I am also getting an echocardio as well. I am really not worried that there is anything serious with me. I have had different meds in the past cause the same problem. My primary wants to do these tests because my blood pressure went up while on the meds. It is dropping now. I hope I don't need to take steriods to knock this out of me. Rest helps a lot. I hope you get better soon.

Dear Hayley and Imilli,

I am doing OKish. I will write more details later. Howare you doing? You both are in my prayers and thoughts also. We are like family now. I Hope that we all have a good night sleep.
How are you feeling today?

A big hug! HOPE ALL WELL.

Sunshine99 said...
Hi Hayley - I am glad your test results are good. I am going through the exact same thing as you. PPIs caused me chest pain which (for me) is really costochondritis - inflamation of the rib cage. If I press on certain spots on my ribs, I can feel the trigger points. I stopped taking the PPIs, but now I am trying to get rid of the costo. My primary did an ekg (fine) and blood work (waiting on results). I am also getting an echocardio as well. I am really not worried that there is anything serious with me. I have had different meds in the past cause the same problem. My primary wants to do these tests because my blood pressure went up while on the meds. It is dropping now. I hope I don't need to take steriods to knock this out of me. Rest helps a lot. I hope you get better soon.

 

Hi Sunshine,

 

I hope all the ugly symptoms go away, very far away and gone for good!

 

Everything is going to be alright.

 

Big hugs to you.

Dear Angel,

I am so sorry that you are going thru this.
Everything is going to be OK.
Tell us when your test is going to be, so we will be praying that day . This saying, somebody told me, helps me a lot, I need to pratice it more:
Do not worry about anything, pray about everything. And leave it there.
Send you a big hug. We are with you.

Hi guys, I hope everyone is doing well this morning.

Pazshalom, thank you for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. I am doing the same for everyone here and sending lots of hugs your way too. I hope you had a lovely weekend and Mother's Day and are feeling well today.

Lily, hope your feeling well this weekend continued and that you enjoyed your Mother's Day. Yes, I am trying to regain my weight back and I think I am doing fine with regards to that as my pants seem to be fitting well now though my arms look a bit too skinny so perhaps a bit more to go. We don't own a scale lol but I have my annual physical next Monday May 19th so I am sure to get the number then.

Angel, good luck with your tests. Sending good vibes your way.

I still have chest squeezing at times and burning but not constant so fingers crossed the frequency keeps decreasing as well as the intensity. Of course there is always something happening because this morning at 5:17 AM we got a call from our alarm company saying the alarm at our beach house went off and they sent the police. However my dh just left to go (hour and a half trip each way) there and check because it was the shed alarm and the police probably didn't check the shed and we have our custom bikes there so I am just holding my breath everything is OK. I feel so drained with all that we have been through and really don't need any more worries!

And to top it all off I haven't been sleeping well so when the phone call woke me this morning I was exhausted.

So please everyone, I hate to ask for more help but please think good thoughts for us about this as well. I don't want to think what we will do if our custom bikes were stolen. It was the one thing I was looking forward to this spring and summer and I haven't even gotten to ride yet due to all the health issues these past months whereas normally we start riding in April after the cold weather has gone.
:(

angelcat said...
I'll pray that everything will be fine for you and around you hayley.
Last two weeks there was a huge fire that destroyed 200 homes so near in our place. The smoke in the air and worries added up to my anxiety. I felt so awful that night. Every symptoms appeared. But still, I silently managed to keep it by myself because I don't want my family to Worry about me.
After hours, the fire was gone, our house was safe.
Just calmly believe that everything will be ok. Maybe sooner or later, but still it will be ok. It's really hard to say not to worry because it's also my problem. All I can do is pray for everyone here.
I sincerely hope everyone of us gets better and healthier-- physically, mentally, spiritually!

Thanks angelcat and I'm so sorry about all the people who lost their homes! How awful :((
That really puts it all in perspective and makes my worries about our carbon tandem and bikes look so foolish. My heart goes out to all of those families and I am relieved your home is safe. Thank you for your good wishes and thoughts and I am doing the same for you.

Stress does play such an important role in our health and while we all know that it is difficult to readjust our thinking and reactions but it is the one thing we can control. We cannot always control what is going on with us health wise and other wise but we can control our reactions to what happens and it is one change for the positive we are all capable of making. No matter how difficult it may be we can do it.

I think that is what is so difficult for me especially. I have always been a person who likes predictability, hates change and likes to be in control of what is happening. That's not how life works though is it lol. When life happens the one thing that is for sure is we really cannot control so many aspects of what happens to us. But the critical factor we can control is how we deal with what happens to us and how we feel about it and how we allow it to affect us and what changes we make to do the best we can about what we cannot control.

Sending hugs and healing vibes and the ability to feel calm amidst whatever chaos might be happening at the moment. It's the one thing we can control and the one gift we can give to ourselves no matter what.

Good morning everyone,

I pray everyone had a great Mother's Day, I got back from the beach last night and was going to post but I had so much to do. How is everyone?

@Haley I am so glad you got through all your test and all is well, you should give yourself a hand on getting through it, (whew) I'm not so sure I would have. :) praying nothing serious going on at your beach house and that all is well when your husband gets there.

@Lily, so glad you are having some better days.

@Angie, praying all goes well with your test today.

The last few days have been okay for me, I have been dealing with a little rebound, headache, off balance, queasy stomach. Also after going down to 20mg of ppi approx 3 weeks ago, my orginal symptoms are back. I can tell the difference between my GERD and rebound, so I am going to keep pushing and continue with weening I just pray some of the things I am doing will help my GERD once I'm off the Nexium. I'm back to chewing gum because it really helps with keeping my throat from burning but it causes me to burp a lot because of all the air I swallow and the burping causes a little regurgitation which is one if my biggest symptoms. Ugh!!!

I'm trying so hard to not let the anxiety take over, then on my way to the beach last week my BS called to say he found another BS to do my excision biopsy. So my surgery is back on for tomorrow, I have been on a roller coaster of emotions lately, but I'm managing and staying in prayer helps a lot. I'm just ready for things to settle down.:)

Hi Mouche, thinking of you for tomorrow and hoping all will be well. yes, you are entitled to feel some anxiety but it will be over soon then you can concentrate on getting off the PPI. I found around the 31/2 week mark when I switched from the 40mgs nexium to the 20mgs omeprazole was when I started to have the same symptoms you are now experiencing. I really wanted to get on with reducing the medication but I just could not with the nausea and weird feelings I was experiencing. I am still on the 20mgs for now. I want to get my tests over with next week then I will start again to reduce.
Hang in there and go slowly so that the end result will be no more medication.

Hello everyone. I hope you all had at least a decent weekend. Mine went fine for the most part. I decided to stop drinking the alkaline water to see what would happen and so far I think I will go back on it, just watch how many alkazone drops I put in. The results are that the dry throat went completely away but now I have the feeling of phlegm or something in my throat that makes me want to constantly clear it. I have also been taking note how I feel after eating certain things. I tried to do an all protein meal to see how that work. Doing that seems to give me the most problems. I then tried all fruits and vegetables for a meal and that gave me very little to no problems. That helps with meal planning a little more as now I know to eat more vegetables during the meal and less meat and then to eat some fruit right afterwards. That seems to work the best for me. I have also decided what to make for my breakfast. I now make fruit smoothies with just fruit in them as I don't like yogurt or other things other people may add to them I buy frozen fruit pieces that have a mixture of pineapple, peaches, strawberries, and mango. I don't remember if it has anything else or not. I'm on my 3rd day with that so far and it's going good. It keeps me satisfied longer than the juicing was. It does save me some time as well because I don't have nearly as much prep work and cleaning up the blender is much faster than the juicer. I may end up adding some vegetable source like kale to the smoothies at some point. I will try to remember to pick up some next time we go to the store.

Things I shouldn't have done:
Made some fudge brownies with Reese's pieces and ate that with ice cream on the top. One time Saturday and two times Sunday. Plus ate some additional brownies Saturday. Those didn't help at all. That was the last box of mix in the house so I'll just have to refrain from buying another one.


I hope everyone continues to improve. It is really a tough road to go down but trying to find something that works long term and keeping on it are really tough. As time passes by you tend to miss some things and want to eat them. Sometimes I regret it, and other times I don't.