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Loss of Appetite-Is this really GERD?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 10/9/2012 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
After reading a lot of posts, I am starting to wonder what type of GERD I could really have. I have nausea, always a couple hours after I eat, and I have no appetite whatsoever. I can't eat very much, and I burp more than usual. However, I have no reflux and no pain at all. I'm not sure if I've ever experience heartburn in my life, and I never have any odd taste in my mouth or feeling like there may be any acid coming up at all. I don't burp up food. So why did I lose my appetite so completely? Has anyone else experienced this? Will my appetite come back?
Posted 10/9/2012 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
This is not GERD.

Are you by any chance under stress or feeling anxious?
Posted 10/9/2012 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, but that's my life in general. It started after a period of very heavy drinking. I was drinking heavily one afternoon and got an incredible pain in my stomach. I quit drinking completely, but my appetite has been gone ever since. I did take 80 mgs of nexium a day for about 11 weeks and am wondering if that has extended the problem ... just don't understand. I had an endoscopy and they said everything looked fine, but a culture on my esophagus revealed some slight gerd, but the doctor didn't think that could cause any of these problems.
Posted 10/9/2012 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome to HealingWell,

Did your Dr. test you for  Helicobacter pylori ?  I have many resouces and all of them include nausea, loss of appetite and burping as sympttoms of GER/Heartburn.  You may want to get a second opinion.

You can lessen the occurrence of acid reflux attacks by incorporating some of the following habits:

You must avoid acidic foods, which include beverages, alcohol, chocolate, tomatoes and onion.

Stress is an important aspect. Stressful routine can cause acid reflux. Exercising is the best way to have a stress-free life.

Obesity can be another cause for acidity. If you are obese, then you are recommended to lose those extra pounds to live a life without acidity and its adverse effects.

Nicotine is a major cause of acidity and you must avoid taking it in any form.

You must not go to sleep or bend immediately after you have your meals.

While sleeping, lift the upper part of your body by 6-8 inches using pillows or blocks to lift the top of your bed  so that the acid will not flow out to the esophagus when you sleep.

You must not wear tight-fitting clothes, which may cause a problem after eating. Tight fitting clothes will press the abdominal part causing acid reflux.

Drink a lot of water to dilute the acids in your stomach.

These are just a few tips that may help you but again remember we are not professionals so do consider getting a second opinion if your problems do not resolve soon or they becomes worse.

Posted 10/9/2012 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
I have endured the same exact symptoms and was told it is silent GERD. I am not sure why someone, who I don't think is a doctor, would tell you it isn't for sure. GERD has many different symptoms. Anything from sinus issues/ear issues(this is what I had) nausea, loss of appetite to the point i could lose 5 pounds in a week. I never had classic heartburn symptoms, barely a belch or a burp either.

Have you seen a doctor yet? I went thinking I had an ear infection and was told it was silent GERD. I can't say for certain this is what you have but I just want you to know that you could have GERD especially if you have nausea after you eat. I had to cut out chocolate, dairy and greasy anything for the most part. Can you correlate your symptoms with certain food or is it after every meal?
Posted 10/10/2012 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
That could very well be it, but would that have shown up in an endoscopy? Did your appetite eventually return? I do tend to have sinus congestion, so it's possible. I just wanna eat normally again ... It seems unheard for someone's appetite to permanently disappear, and that's what's getting me through this.
Posted 10/10/2012 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
Nothing showed up on my endoscopy and then i left feeling really like a crazy hypochondriac but I knew I still did not feel well. I have also been diagnosed with gastritis as well and that too can cause lack of appetite and nausea. It would come and go and I figured out what to eat and what not to eat as well and some stress modification and exercise. I do take a Zegerid everyday as well and that helps a lot!! Do you take anything at all like even a Gaviscon tablet? That always helps too and it also helps my stomach to calm down enough so I can eat. I just had to get over the fear of "not eating" if that makes any sense. I now know that if I am having a bad day I can just eat a little if i can, like toast or cereal or soup and I will still be fine. Don't try to force yourself to eat a big meal if you don't feel like it and the stress of thinking about it just makes it worse anyway. The gerd/gastritis + anxiety= big appetite loss so it is possible to feel the way you are feeling. I know, I have been there.
Posted 9/26/2015 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
I need some help, I was diagnosed in 2013 with gerd didn't have any problems until last month woke up one day burping and not being able to eat at all my appettite is completely gone, I had a colonoscopy done on Monday everything is OK but my Dr hasn't said anything about endoscopy could it be my gerd that is really bad I'm still burping no appettite and scared thinking the worse can it be cancer! Someone help
Posted 9/26/2015 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
I need some help, I was diagnosed in 2013 with gerd didn't have any problems until last month woke up one day burping and not being able to eat at all my appettite is completely gone, I had a colonoscopy done on Monday everything is OK but my Dr hasn't said anything about endoscopy could it be my gerd that is really bad I'm still burping no appettite and scared thinking the worse can it be cancer! Someone help
Posted 9/26/2015 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
I think cancer is a big leap from loss of appetite so don't worry too much. I get really bad nausea at times from Gerd but it is disctinct from nausea I get in my stomach, I can feel my esophagus and throat is irritated but my stomach feels OK. Is that the same feeling you get?

Are you taking any acid inhibiting medication?
Posted 9/30/2015 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for responding , yes I'm taking omeprazole and its been a month already, I'm going to see a different gastro Dr today, I am so so scared I can stop thinking I have stomach cancer😢 no I don't feel any pain just no appetite at all and burping all day.

Gerd since 2013 anxiety meds no appetite at all

Post Edited (Mickey) : 9/30/2015 8:32:02 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/1/2015 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mickey

Doctors do not realize PPIs can cause delayed gastric emptying in some people. Loss of appetite, burping, bloating, nausea, reflux are all symptoms of delayed gastric emptying. You do not have to be vomiting like some people believe to have this.

I developed delayed gastric emptying from taking (omeprazole 20mg). I had to wean of all acid suppressant medication to get this to reverse. There are many studies that link PPIs to delayed gastric emptying. But the doctors have chosen to use the studies that only say its unclear the affects of PPIs on delayed gastric emptying.

There is a test called a gastric emptying test. For this test they have you eat some eggs or some other breakfast item and they will see how fast your stomach empties the food. However, this test does not explain what caused the delayed gastric emptying.
Posted 10/1/2015 5:12 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Cagu, I had my gastro Dr today, I have an endoscopy scheduled on Monday, I am do nervous and trying to keep it together. Dr for one reason or an other assured me I don't have cancer not sure because she felt sorry for me she even said she promised and asurred me 100%.9999 that I didn't have cancer. I hope she's right!!! Prayers to all having these horrible symptoms.
Posted 10/3/2015 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
Good morning Cagu but do you have any pain in your stomach??
Posted 10/3/2015 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mickey,

It's good you will have your check up this Monday. I do too will have my ENT scheduled as my routine check. I was diagnosed with GERD last June and stomach pain was part of it. Not sure how intense is yours but mine was just a constant blah dragging pain. It's more of being uncomfortable. That was because I was taking PPI and one of the side effects on me plus getting weak. I try chewing gum (organic sugar free/all natural) after each meal and it helped too. Don't think negative thoughts it will just worry you more. Yes you are right prayers to us. I do pray a lot and this have helped me recover.
God bless.
Posted 10/4/2015 4:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Tu Wang , my symptoms are burping a lot no heartburn, I do have nausea and no appetite at all. Today I ate a bit more I forced myself I do think I am getting super depresseed due to all this I feel like I'm dying, seriously! My stomach is tender everywhere more under my right rib...thank you for responding it always helps to talk to someone that understands.

God bless
Posted 10/5/2015 3:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mickey

Below are some of the signs of delayed gastric emptying. I had all the symptoms except the vomiting and nausea. Stomach pains is listed as one of the symptoms of delayed gastric emptying, but not everyone will have all these symptoms listed.


Nausea
Abdominal distension
Bloating
Heartburn (gastroesophageal reflux, acid reflux)/ worse cases vomiting
Excessive belching
Lack of appetite
weight loss
Gastric pain – upper middle abdominal pain, left upper abdominal pain
Fluctuation in blood glucose levels – high and low blood sugar
Stomach cramps
Signs of vitamin deficiencies as a result of malabsorption
Offensive odor of the breath
Altered bowel movements may be noticed, particularly constipation
Dehydration, especially if there is constant vomiting
Posted 10/5/2015 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
Mickey

I know how you're feeling, I've been plagued with GERD and stomach problems for years and I know how anxious and depressing they can be. What kind of foods are you eating? Not eating for long periods can make things like stomach pain worse, I find it best on my stomach if I eat a little bit often, usually some boiled potatoes are easiest on my stomach.

Unfortunately a month isn't really a long time in recovering from stomach issues, mine takes months to really settle down and that is now that I know all my food triggers and what safe foods I can eat. You may want to keep a food diary to try and see what foods give you the least symptoms, that can really help.

Try not to worry about cancer, it really is a million to one chance.

Also anxiety and depression can have big impacts on the stomach, and you can develop hypersensitivity to the normal functioning of the stomach and esophagus. If your test results all come back completely normal then this may be part of the issue. You should perhaps think about treatment for your anxiety and depression in these early stages before it gets bad, because I know how quickly it can go downhill when you are dealing with such depressing symptoms like stomach pains and nausea.

Hope you start to feel better soon, God bless
Posted 10/6/2015 12:57 AM (GMT 0)

Mickey said...
Hello Tu Wang , my symptoms are burping a lot no heartburn, I do have nausea and no appetite at all. Today I ate a bit more I forced myself I do think I am getting super depresseed due to all this I feel like I'm dying, seriously! My stomach is tender everywhere more under my right rib...thank you for responding it always helps to talk to someone that understands.

God bless

Mickey have you had an upper abdominal ultrasound or a HIDA scan done? I ask because I had actue cholecystitis earlier this year and the first changes I noticed were horrific nausea and zero appetite. Normally people have excessive vomiting and fever as well but I didn't vomit once, certainly spent the better part of 3 months feeling like I was going to, but I never did and my immune system was trashed so I didn't get a fever either which meant it took longer than it should have to diagnose, but the abdominal ultrasound was all it took to conclusively diagnose cholecystitis. The gallbladder is closer to your right side rather than the left but it is close to your stomach and there can be referred pain, most of mine was actually on the left side rather than the right.
Posted 10/6/2015 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
I experienced a similar lack of appetite while experiencing indigestion. It was like I was never hungry, but I had to force myself to eat due to issues with my blood sugar. I would try some pepto 15-30 minutes before you eat and see if that helps you to feel better.
Posted 10/31/2015 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hey all I have suffered from gerd for years thought it was mild because I would just take a pill when I had a bout. A few weeks ago I had the worst gerd symptoms ever chest pains feeling like I was catching a heart attack. Went to the er all test came back negative for heart problems. Went to a gi after I started to have a problem swallowing they did an upper endoscopy and founds nodules of gastric metaplasia from high acidity in my stomach. It's non cancerous and not much of hey do for that. But now my gerd Symptoms are basically sour taste in my mouth when I wake up in the morning and having upper left back pain and occasional gas pain. I was taking protonic which made me feel worst and now I'm on dexilant which gives me gas and this upper back pain and 😳 Light green stool. Is this ask from gerd or these meds are making me more sick??
Posted 10/31/2015 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
Not to mention my appitte hasn't been the same.
Posted 11/1/2015 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Loped, Welcome to the forum. I had also my ER visit last June 14. Praise God all results were normal. Was diagnosed with GERD. This was triggered by the antibiotics I took. Sour and bitter taste, pain in the back, lose weight no appetite, dizziness, weak and horrible feeling all day long. I was taking PPI for 6 weeks and it made me worst. I'm not a doctor but I wean myself from all meds. It's been 3 months now after I wean from PPI and I felt better everyday without those meds.

Try to do the strict GERD diet, eat small portions and chew your food to almost liquid. I have my food diary, I have to do food monitoring if which ones triggers any acid attack/food sensitivity. I am also drinking food supplements to stop my weight lose. I can handle Boost very vanilla flavor. Also i'm taking probiotics. Chew some organic gum after each meal. This had helped me too.

Hi MICKEY, how are you doing. Hope you are eating ok now.

All the best my friends.
God bless.
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