Posted 12/2/2015 11:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,
DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor! Please don't follow any of my advice until you've cleared it with your doctor first. Things that worked for me may not work for you(may actually harm you), YMMV, etc.
I've been a lurker and occasional poster here since early last year when I was diagnosed with GERD and gastritis. I'd like to share my story and the things that helped me to get better and some observations along the way. I feel confident in that I'm about 95% cured of GERD and gastritis and have been for a solid 2 months. (Before I would feel great for about 2-3 weeks and then relapse).
I spent from March of 2014 to about September 2015 battling with a multitude of issues. I started with just throat issues and I blame my stint with Nexium and Zantac for the rest of the symptoms. I started with the following symptoms in March of 2014:
* lump in throat, when passing saliva, it would feel like I was passing something, mucous?
* sensation of someone choking me that just would not go away
* intense burning
After seeing my family doctor and following up with a gastroenterologist (I had an endoscopy which confirmed the esophagitis/GERD), I was put on 40mg of Nexium (1 capsule a day). I was also put on a low-acid diet and avoided all the usual GERD triggers. My symptoms changed to the following over the course of March 2014 to December 2014:
* throat issues were a lot less
* I started experiencing gas-related pain in my stomach
* bloating
* easily full after eating just a small portion of food
* I started exhibiting food allergies, I could no longer tolerate dairy, certain vegetables, nor anything that was cooked in anything but olive oil or avocado oil.
* I couldn't stand any sort of pressure around my stomach area, pushing my stomach would cause a feeling of acid coming up to my throat. I had to wear loose-fitting clothes. :-P
* Nausea
* Burning in my stomach
* I went from weighing around 225 pounds to 180 pounds
After checking with my doctors, they determined that I had come down with gastritis on top of GERD. :-( After reading the forums and reading about the nasty side-effects of Nexium I stopped it. (I gradually weaned myself off of it using Zantac as a substitute). I also started taking VSL#3 (a very potent probiotic to restore my gut flora). I was still not anywhere near feeling normal. Even while off of the PPIs and eventually off the H2 blockers, I was still experiencing the bloating, food allergies, etc. I even started going through episodes where I would aspirate acid into my lungs and LPR type symptoms(Excessive mucous in my throat, nose felt like it was always on fire, ear aches, etc.) My gastro doc eventually told me that the only other thing to try is perhaps go back on Nexium to treat the LPR and gastritis type symptoms that would flare up occasionally. I figured that I would try changing my diet instead. I went from eating a bland GERD-friendly diet to a gluten-free, low sugar, low FODMAPS diet. Within a week I could already feel a noticeable difference, the bloating was less, etc. Not earth-shattering, but, the LPR symptoms also diminished somewhat, etc. I knew I was onto something. What's interesting is that in the low FODMAPS diet, citrus fruits are encouraged(oranges, lemons, grapefruit, etc.) Stuff I had been avoiding due to my GERD diet. I figured, it's been a while let me try it! One of the first things I tried was orange juice and lime juice after a meal. (I wanted to make sure I had something in my stomach in case the extra jolt of acid would cause me pain/discomfort) To my surprise, it didn't and quite the contrary!!! It actually seemed to make me have less gas, bloating! I thought I was dreaming! Over the course of 2 weeks, I followed the low FODMAPS diet and would drink a glass of water with juice from 1 lime. Around week 4 I was no longer feeling much bloating or LPR symptoms. I gradually started introducing gluten and other types of foods that had caused me issues in the past. To my surprise, I could tolerate them now! As an experiment, I also stopped drinking the lime juice and I noticed an uptick in gas and such after meals for about a week. So, I started the lime juice back up and the symptoms diminished again. It appears that at some point, the PPIs and H2 blockers lowered my stomach acid too much and caused the LPR issues, gastritis, and gas/bloating issues. I could finally exercise again without feeling like acid was getting squeezed into my throat and I'm able to eat almost anything now! (Coffee still caused me stomach issues). However, I haven't had any further issues and I'm off of all meds, supplements, etc.
Along the way I found these things to help:
* VSL#3 helped me when weaning off of the Nexium, I took it for about 3 months. Good probiotics are beneficial, however, they should only be taken for a short duration(once I went off of them, I could notice that my stomach wasn't as noisy any more and my stools were less hard). I don't think you should take them for extended periods of time as there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. I have no scientific data, just my experience.
* Exercise, even walking daily helped with getting rid of the excess gas wreaking havoc. Even at my worst, I could still walk without causing any ill effects.
* Low FODMAPS, this helps to get through any sort of gas-related issues.
* Avoiding processed foods. A nice clean diet does wonders and reduces the amount of the symptoms
Stuff that I tried and either it didn't work or didn't cause any noticeable improvements:
*Gaviscon, I tried it for the LPR symptoms, I bought the UK version aniseed flavored one, didn't seem to help and it cause some discomfort in my throat when swallowing it.
*Pepzin GI, I tried it for my gastritis. no effect either way.
*Aloe Vera juice, I tried it for my gastritis, no effect either way.
One of things I learned is that our bodies have an amazing ability to heal themselves on their own. As long as you are eating healthy and such(and it's not a chronic illness or caused by say a hernia, injury, etc.), your body can and will do the heavy lifting to recuperate. I think we are too quick to try to "help" our bodies heal quicker through supplements, medicines(PPIs, H2 blockers). That is when we create an imbalance and it sometimes slows or impedes recovery.
Looking back I feel that, while I suffered, it was a much needed wake-up call. I was overweight, border-line high-blood pressure, poor diet, etc. Now that I'm past the issues, I haven't been in this good a shape since high school and I hope to continue eating a healthy diet and exercising. I'm never taking my health for granted ever again!
Never lose hope!