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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 3/12/2015 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
I have not been diagnosed with anything as of yet but I am meeting with a gast (not sure how to spell it correctly) specialist in the very near future. What questions do I ask him? What tests will he do?
For years I have suffered with pains right below the sternum and always get what I think is heartburn. Every now and then I get a sour taste that comes up into my mouth, or I feel I have to get something that is stuck in my throat out and it is just white foamy phlem. I have seen a few doctors and they have tried most PPI's which have not worked and the one that did work the best for me (nexium) caused too many side effects that were dragging me down. for instance anxiety. The strange thing for me is I do not burp or pass much gas. I just get a weird feeling in the back of my throat, a headache and chest burning. I was using zantec but I feel my times needing it are increasing and am worried my body is getting used to it. I had a pancreatic attack a few years ago and they thought it was my gall bladder causing the problem. so they took it out and within a few months, I started getting all of these symptoms I now have. Could removing my gallbladder be causing all this?
Posted 3/12/2015 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
Gall bladder removal does cause a lot of people problems. I would just go to see him and tell him your whole story, don't think you need to be prepared with a list of tests you want running, he will know what tests to run, my guess would be they will get a camera in there first to check for any signs of inflammation or damage. Then they may move onto a reflux test like the impedance or pH test.
Posted 3/12/2015 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
I thank you for your reply regarding the specialist and that helps ease my mind on that problem. It seems strange no one else has made any suggestions or comments regarding my problems. Am I the only person on here that has them? If so, where can I go to find the answers or for people to help me learn more..I am not trying to be rude but I am a walking anxiety freak because of this. it is changing my life and not for the good.
Posted 3/13/2015 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
oohboy, there are literally dozens of topics here dealing with exactly your issues, myself included. Please check out some of them for more information so that you can compare your symptoms with others who've had the tests, tried the acid controllers and have had surgical repair of hiatal hernias.

I am one of them. I've been suffering for 6 years and doctors just don't listen! I believe I need surgical repair of a hiatal hernia which causes the LES to remain open all the time allowing stomach contents to reflux back up the esophagus to burn the throat, vocal cords, lungs, and yes, even the back of the tongue. I too, had my gall bladder removed and just continued downhill!

You are in good company on this forum. Check out some of the other topics posted that deal with exactly what you're experiencing. I wish you well and hope you get some answers
Posted 3/14/2015 6:49 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Linda for replying to my comments. I am sorry you are going through this problem as well. I hope you find some help soon. The doctors around here just look at me when I try to tell them my problems like I am making it all up. I had one tell me to try pepto bismo as it helps hundreds of others. It has staterted to make me wonder if it is all in my head. The last two days for instance I have been getting a feeling after I eat right below my sternum that something is stuck and not passing through. Then I get a chest burning that scares the you know what right out of me...Is this all in my head like they think? I use zantecs and take two or three a day and they do nothing anymore..
Posted 3/15/2015 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
oohboy,
No it's NOT in your head! I've had the same experience with gastroenterologists and wonder how well trained they really are. If you can get a referral to one that CARES about actually getting to the root cause, and will LISTEN, that would be great.

Write down ALL of your symptoms when you go and remember, YOU are HIRING him/her to treat you and you expect RESULTS. It's easy to be intimidated by doctors as I have been as well and NOT pressed for answers. If the doctor evades/avoids giving you answers, you just have to move on and find a better doctor. This is frustrating as I've been there. I just happen to know a doctor who has given me the name of a top-notch surgeon so I can skip going to yet ANOTHER gastroenterologist.

Acid controllers do nothing for me either; just add to the reflux and chest pain!

I wish you well and hope things work out for you. Remember, you TAKE CHARGE and don't let the doctor intimidate you. Pepto Bismol, HA! He's definitely NOT for you!
Posted 3/15/2015 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
The medications (PPI's) made my reflux worse because it caused delayed gastric emptying. It was taking the medication so I could eat spicy foods & drink things with caffeine/citric acid. I never realized in my wildest dreams it would make my problem ten times worse.
Posted 3/20/2015 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
I am glad you all came on here to give me advice. I saw a specialist for the first time and if he was in a race, he would win..man he was in and out before I had a chance to ask questions. he would ask a question, i would start to answer it and he would cut me off with another question and next thing I knew I was in a room waking up..I did get a scope done but he never took anytime to talk to me. It felt like I was in the movie Doc Holiday and was a patient being fitted in just before a golf date..I feel worse today and have no answers..
Posted 3/20/2015 5:47 AM (GMT 0)
You sound like you had a GI doctor like me - no communication skills what so ever! It's really frustrating too - as you suffer for months and months - go through the pain and worry of having these tests to feel dismissed in an instant. Sometimes you have to be like a bull in a china shop and be really pushy to get the answers you need. Hopefully the next tests will be a bit more informative to your GI and you won't get sidelined!
Posted 3/20/2015 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
CAGU..if your PPI's were making it worse how did you find that out? How did they fix that problem?
I used to be on nexium but I was getting anxiety and a upset stomach all the time. I read on here the side effects and got off it and am now trying Tecra
Posted 3/21/2015 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
oohboy,
You just described my most recent gastroenterologist! I waited MONTHS to see her and felt rushed from the moment she came into the room! After my recent endoscopy, she had no time for questions my husband wanted to ask as I was still groggy from anesthesia. SHAME on her!

My first gastroenterologist did take more time but had no remedies for me other than MORE acid controllers and that he'd never had a patient with my symptoms!! Unbelievable, isn't it?
Posted 3/21/2015 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
Oohboy,

PPIs ONLY treat symptoms and sometimes do not even do that. They do not resolve the under lying issue. Once on a PPI, it is extremely difficult to get off this medication due to acid rebound and patients are not being warned about this.

Have you been tested for delayed gastric emptying? Have you seen an allergist to get tested for food sensitivites? Do you have a hiatal hernia? Some people can have bile reflux after they have their gallbladder removed, but it sounds like your problem was before you had the gallbladder surgery.

In my opinion, appropriate testing should happen before ever prescribing a PPI. Acid rebound is a horrible thing to have to go through to get off this medication.
Posted 3/25/2015 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
CAGU, you asked if I have a hiatal hernia..my first test show I had a small HH but the last one shows nothing at all. I have not been tested for delayed gastric emptying. I do think my Gallbladder was a "he has pain,lets remove that gallbladder and see if it goes away". Now it is worse and they have no answers except..some people do not have a problems after we take that out...As for PPI's..I had a summer of intense anxiety, headaches and stomach pain along with severe chestpains..I read about the side effects of nexium and dropped it cold turkey..but doctor never warned me about the rebound..I think I was lucky because I was starting to take zantec at the same time..
Posted 3/25/2015 2:06 PM (GMT 0)

oohboy said...
For years I have suffered with pains right below the sternum and always get what I think is heartburn. Every now and then I get a sour taste that comes up into my mouth, or I feel I have to get something that is stuck in my throat out and it is just white foamy phlem

You sound like me. I haven't had my gallbladder removed however I do have a hiatal hernia. I know my hernia is the cause of my problems. Not sure why your last test wouldn't show it I mean as far as I knew they didn't just go away and are only repaired via surgery. My suggestion is to find another gastro doctor as the one you saw seemed to not care much about what you are going through.
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