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Posted 3/5/2015 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
So I woke up to take my two nexium as usual and while the first went down with no issues the second gave me problems. Im not sure how to describe it but when I went to swallow I felt like my body was fighting it. I probably should of spit it out but I just forced myself to swallow. Since I have been short of breath, coughing, burping, overall not feeling well and have had throat pain. I had a somewhat decent day eating yesterday, it was uncomfortable however today has been very uncomfortable and painful.

I don't know if I aspirated this morning or not since I have issues feeling aspirations. Also not sure if that event aggravated my already irritated esophagus. I just don't know what to do anymore. No point of going to hospital, Dr's just look at you and give meds that don't seem to help, but really I guess what more can they do? I'm just tired of being sick, of feeling and looking so skinny, of feeling like im choking, having to avoid social situations, not being able to make dinner for myself and my boyfriend. I am thinking of canceling my upcoming trip I take with my mom every year because no way would I be able to enjoy myself feeling like this. I drag myself to work and stay home the rest of the time. Last time I forced myself to go to brunch with friend was on Valentines day and not only did I hate every minute of it I also felt so sick afterwards.I have never been depressed or suffered from anxiety however now I think I am starting too and I know it will only make my condition worse. I been thinking of maybe seeing a therapist. Has anyone here ever seen someone over this or I am I being too sensitive?

I don't want to sound like a crybaby. I know what it is like to be sick as I have lupus and also had to be hospitalized from sepsis which almost killed me. I am just having a rough time with all this for some reason.

I just don't want to sit here and complain about myself. How is everyone else here doing?
Posted 3/6/2015 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hang in there you need to go to a gastrotologist i feel your pain ive been having gerd for around 3 and half years all during my highschool years but we are all be good again dont worry and i would recomend you looking into having the linx surgery done but first you need a series of test done which a gastrontologist can help you with you
Posted 3/6/2015 5:04 PM (GMT 0)

sgperth12 said...
Hang in there you need to go to a gastrotologist i feel your pain ive been having gerd for around 3 and half years all during my highschool years but we are all be good again dont worry and i would recomend you looking into having the linx surgery done but first you need a series of test done which a gastrontologist can help you with you

Thanks. I actually have seen a gastro and found out I have a hiatal hernia contributing to my reflux. I also get very short of breath. I just miss the old me I guess. I have read so many bad things about surgery I would really want that to be the very last resort.

Im happy to hear you are doing good. How did you get your gerd under control?
Posted 3/6/2015 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
Nexium has a long list of possible side effects and what I've read should not be taken long term....

For me and I don't have the gerd issue, but want to protect my stomach as I take ibuprofen for chronic OA issues and hip replacement mess.....

I have been taking DGL (dgylercizzed licorice) and it's called a stomach lining tamer....I would not be without it in my life....so far so good....

Years back I ended up in the ER with stomach ulcer from pharma anti inflammatory...so I'm very careful.

I take digestive enzymes and probiotics without fail daily.

Do some research on DGL.....I haven't read a negative one. J

A friend uses it and she also uses peppermint drops in clean water with or before meals, I forget how she uses it..... she deals with horrible reflux issues and supposedly has the cleanest diet, a vegan, which I am not, I like my animal protein.... Hope you can find some help. J
Posted 3/6/2015 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
LAWCHICK,
I'm wondering why you take 2 Nexium at a time? What strength are they?

I feel as crappy as you do. The Nexium doesn't work and I'm always short of breath and my esophagus is constantly on fire. The doctors have NO answers other than 'take this, take that', etc. I also have a hiatal hernia (3 cm) and my LES is malfunctioning. Surgical correction has NEVER been mentioned by my doctors.

I am going to try to wean myself OFF Nexium but it won't be easy. The acid rebound is totally debillitating. I'm working up to trying to get off this poison, yet again in favor of natural supplements that will help soothe my esophagus AND stomach. Unfortunately, I don't think the natural supplements will work all that well as long as I am still taking acid controllers. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place!

I, too, just want some relief so that I can get up in the morning and not dread what everything I eat and drink is going to do to me. I'm becoming a recluse as I feel so sick all the time. We are in this together and I wish I had something better to offer you.
Posted 3/6/2015 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
On the acid control, I talk to many alternative healing friends and one suggested I take Hydrochloric Acid (with pepsin) and I bought a pretty large bottle from swansons and took them daily but haven't for a while....I just took one now after my late morning breakfast..... Pepsin alone is a good acid neutralizer as I recall. Gotta do some more reading right now on the HCI... j

Here is what swansons says about HCI:

Problems with protein? We all need protein in our diets, but for some of us, it poses a special challenge to our digestive systems. This special formula gives your stomach a little natural assistance to help it break down proteins more efficiently. It features pepsin, a naturally occurring enzyme that helps digest proteins, with betaine hydrochloride to promote proper pH levels in the stomach. Together they make an excellent digestive team to help tackle protein problems.

I use baking soda pretty much in some foods....cuts the acid....
Posted 3/6/2015 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

I'm so so sorry to hear you feel so low. I completely understand, when I was first diagnosed I was in a very very dark place for many months. I became an empty shell, I just wasn't living my life I was going through the motions and just trying my best to get through the day. I dropped so much weight I became skeletal I looked and felt awful. I was tired of coughing and scared stiff with worry due to the damage to my lungs. Ive become scared to sleep as I quite often wake with reflux but like you I don't always feel it as I refkux non acidic matter. I became depressed but depressed due to how low I felt. Ppi didn't really do a great deal and I was told by consultant that ppi work very well for people with heartburn and acidic refkux but if you reflux non acidic they are pointless. Reflux is irritating my lungs and sinuses constantly. I've said on other post that I've had a. Fundo which wasn't a success at controlling my symptoms but I'm feeling hopeful and positive the redo will be a success. I think I've just been very very unlucky. Ultimately it's obviously your choice whether you have surgery performed but I really think it should be something you keep in mind. Don't write it off it could be the answer you are looking for. Hoe you start to feel better in yourself soon
Posted 3/7/2015 4:18 AM (GMT 0)

Linda Sue said...
LAWCHICK,
I'm wondering why you take 2 Nexium at a time? What strength are they?

I feel as crappy as you do. The Nexium doesn't work and I'm always short of breath and my esophagus is constantly on fire. The doctors have NO answers other than 'take this, take that', etc. I also have a hiatal hernia (3 cm) and my LES is malfunctioning. Surgical correction has NEVER been mentioned by my doctors.

I am going to try to wean myself OFF Nexium but it won't be easy. The acid rebound is totally debillitating. I'm working up to trying to get off this poison, yet again in favor of natural supplements that will help soothe my esophagus AND stomach. Unfortunately, I don't think the natural supplements will work all that well as long as I am still taking acid controllers. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place!

I, too, just want some relief so that I can get up in the morning and not dread what everything I eat and drink is going to do to me. I'm becoming a recluse as I feel so sick all the time. We are in this together and I wish I had something better to offer you.

Talk about being a recluse, I am with you there. I seldom socialize outside of immediate family. I have GERD, LPR, Barretts and a HH. Looking into LINX but reading some bad stories, especially people with hernias, repaired or not during sugery.
Posted 3/7/2015 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
@lawchick i still havent got my gerd under control im still suffering everyday i still havent got any test done yet but surgery would be the best option because ppis dont really solve gerd im really concedering the linx surgery heard great things about it way better things than the nissen surgery but i hope you cure gerd soon cause it realy sucks
Posted 3/7/2015 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
I too read some glowing stories about the Linx. But seems for every success story, I have read some major complication story. Some of the stories can be found here. I am wondering if they are reporting accurately. Seems from what I read, people with H. Hernias are not good candidates. I will find out this coming Thursday.

My GERD has made a real change. I seldom feel the GERD anymore. LPR however I do feel. I do not know if I have silent reflux or not. I know my throat hurts all the time and I do burp but I do not regurgitate like I did before. When I burp, I don't really feel the burn anymore.
Posted 3/8/2015 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
What are the physical limitations after the Linx is installed? I have been reading of others that did something physical and it resulted in problems.

I run and lift weights (under 35 lbs) etc. Plus I wear a 30 lb police belt.

Thanks

G
Posted 3/8/2015 12:48 AM (GMT 0)

Linda Sue said...
LAWCHICK,
I'm wondering why you take 2 Nexium at a time? What strength are they?

I feel as crappy as you do. The Nexium doesn't work and I'm always short of breath and my esophagus is constantly on fire. The doctors have NO answers other than 'take this, take that', etc. I also have a hiatal hernia (3 cm) and my LES is malfunctioning. Surgical correction has NEVER been mentioned by my doctors.

I am going to try to wean myself OFF Nexium but it won't be easy. The acid rebound is totally debillitating. I'm working up to trying to get off this poison, yet again in favor of natural supplements that will help soothe my esophagus AND stomach. Unfortunately, I don't think the natural supplements will work all that well as long as I am still taking acid controllers. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place!

I, too, just want some relief so that I can get up in the morning and not dread what everything I eat and drink is going to do to me. I'm becoming a recluse as I feel so sick all the time. We are in this together and I wish I had something better to offer you.

I take 2 nexium at the same time because insurance refused to pay for the 40 mg I was prescribed. I have to buy the 20 mg over the counter and take two of them since that makes 40. That wasnt helping besides getting rid of the constant lump feeling in my throat so I called my dr and he said to add 20 mg at night. However now I am trying 20 mg in morning and 20 mg at night because I was getting terrible pains on my side while on 60 mg. I been looking into natural remedies I also watch what I eat however today I slipped up and had a couple shrimp dumplings with soy sauce and what a mistake that was! I had to stop as I started burping and had to run for the gaviscon.

Im sorry to hear you feel as crappy as I do. Having digestive issues really does mud up your life. Im suppose to be happy right now as me and my partner are looking to buy a place and we are blessed that we can pretty much get exactly what we would like however I find myself just not caring. I dread going anywhere anymore. My 10 year highschool reunion is coming up and I have decided not to go. I hope you start to feel better somehow.

One thing I am trying is cutting dairy. Dairy has always given me some issues and my dad also cant tolerate it. That would be wonderful if I cut it and started to feel better even just a little bit. I think maybe some light exercise may help but I just get so short of breath, im short of breath now sitting here typing this for goodness sake.
Posted 3/8/2015 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
I was told to cut back on nexium during my last GI visit. They switched me to Protonix which did not seem to help so I went back to nexium. Round and round we go. Going to try Protonix again tonight and just drank some baking soda and water before eating dinner.

Sorry, did not mean to hijack Lawchick. I had Linx on my radar for so long but with the burping issues and LPR, unsure if it will help at all. Thursday is the seminar.

G
Posted 3/8/2015 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
Im sorry to hear that we are all in the same boat here. Funny thing is I use to think acid reflux was no big deal. I know people around me who have it and they take medicine and they are just cruising along eating whatever they want, I get so jealous.

Trotters I hope that the redo helps you.

Spperth I will look into linx surgery. Im just hoping that I can get on the mend without surgery but the way I feel I know something is really really wrong so maybe surgery may be best.

Jaminhealth, thanks I am going to look into some of the stuff you have mentioned.

GIANA, the throat pain from this is awful. My throat luckily isnt sore all the time but in the morning its awful. It has to be the reflux coming up. Do you sleep elevated? I have started to and heard its suppose to be rather helpful.

Dont worry you didnt hijack me at all. I really want this thread to be a place where everyone can come and talk about their struggles, not just me complaining.
Posted 3/8/2015 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
Lawchick, I have bricks under my bed for about 3 years now. Don't even sleep with my wife its so bad. But then again, I work graves so it is not as bad there as it seems. I have emergency tums beside my bed. I have an ENT who seems to have more time and better advice then the GIs. He always examines my throat via camera. Found a granduloma last year. Severe inflammation in my stomach as well as throat. Polyps also, good thing is biopsy all negative thank God. Even at work I am distant, everyone loves going out to eat, I decline. I need my voice though for sure. Cant work without it. I have been trying to suppress my belching. It is helping some if I can suppress it completely. Once I cannot do it, I know there is hell to pay. We cannot even get Gaviscon Advance over here so I order it from UK. It helps until I burp, then the raft is sinking.
Posted 3/8/2015 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
I notice the Gaviscon does help me quickly atfirst but it really doesnt last. It does work wonders though for the terrible food stuck in my throat feeling after eating which by the way has given me terrible eating anxiety. I actually am in charge of planning office lunches. Im suppose to be planning one in April and I am so nervous. I have the repuation of being a big foodie so literally at these lunches all eyes were on what I would order. Talk about pressure!
Posted 3/8/2015 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
I hear ya. I cannot adapt myself to sleeping in a chair or recliner. I have stayed up more then 24 hrs (mostly because of job etc) and I cannot remember how I felt at that time. I am taking Sulfacate again, I have a lot of bottles left and have to get some relief from this LPR. I have plenty of other medical issues but GERD and its relation to the big "C" is most pressing.
Posted 3/8/2015 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
I got myself a wedge pillow off of amazon. Issue is though I slide down it at night and then my cat parks her behind on top of my head so I am not as elevated as I should be. I do think it helps somewhat though. Also have you tried eating small meals throughout the day? I am starting to give that a try. Its really such a chore to eat anymore.

What is the big C? this is all new to me. Cancer? That runs heavily in my family.
Posted 3/8/2015 9:29 AM (GMT 0)
Yes C for Cancer. It runs in my family also.  I hate to even say that word.  I have a cat that sleeps at my feet.  It is quiet cold right now here in Texas.  I too have tried to sleep on pillows under my head but slide off. 

Yes I try to eat small meals all the time I am awake.  Been at this stuff for many years.  Its a miracle I am still alive.

I work the graveyard shift.  There are so many things I have adjusted in my life.  I can deal with all that but its just knowing there is something eating my inside plumbing is so dang scary.   My primary doctor even called it "scary" bless her heart.  cry

I have taken most home remedies out there.  Just started back backing soda and water.  I thank God for every day I am alive.

I am aiming to get black blackberry tablets soon.  I hear they are very good antioxidants.  I use Turmerick on just about everything.

Post Edited (GIANI) : 3/8/2015 3:37:10 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/8/2015 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
I purchased an adjustable bed 18 months ago so that I can sleep at a steep elevation without sliding down in the bed, but that has NOT improved my condition. It would probably be worse not being elevated but it sure hasn't helped. I'm still miserable and feel like 'death warmed over' every morning.

I start burping and belching as soon as I get out of bed! This is BEFORE having anything to eat or drink!
Posted 3/8/2015 6:49 PM (GMT 0)

Linda Sue said...
I purchased an adjustable bed 18 months ago so that I can sleep at a steep elevation without sliding down in the bed, but that has NOT improved my condition. It would probably be worse not being elevated but it sure hasn't helped. I'm still miserable and feel like 'death warmed over' every morning.

I start burping and belching as soon as I get out of bed! This is BEFORE having anything to eat or drink!

I wake up with reflux issues also. Sometimes I wonder if not eating several hours prior to bed and them waking up on a empty stomach makes the acid feeling worse upon waking, I don't really know. Seems like nothing makes sense with this illness.
Posted 3/8/2015 7:01 PM (GMT 0)

GIANI said...
Yes C for Cancer. It runs in my family also. I hate to even say that word. I have a cat that sleeps at my feet. It is quiet cold right now here in Texas. I too have tried to sleep on pillows under my head but slide off.


Yes I try to eat small meals all the time I am awake. Been at this stuff for many years. Its a miracle I am still alive.

I work the graveyard shift. There are so many things I have adjusted in my life. I can deal with all that but its just knowing there is something eating my inside plumbing is so dang scary. My primary doctor even called it "scary" bless her heart. [img]/community/emoticons/cry.gif[/img]

I have taken most home remedies out there. Just started back backing soda and water. I thank God for every day I am alive.

I am aiming to get black blackberry tablets soon. I hear they are very good antioxidants. I use Turmerick on just about everything.


My mom had cancer young, I was just a kid. I never met my grandfather because he died from cancer young when my mom was a kid. My great grandfather had throat cancer when he was in his 30's, my other grandpa died from cancer and the list goes on and on. I hate that word too.

It's been freezing here in New York I think my cat uses my head as a heater lol.

This is a very scary condition, I'm scared too but all I can do is try to go about my day. I hope the tablets give you some reliefs. I heard licorice is suppose to be helpful.
Posted 3/8/2015 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
The black berry capsules are just anti oxidants. I read they reduced tumors in rats.
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