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Did your GERD come "out of nowhere"?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 4/26/2017 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I recently got diagnosed with GERD (4 months ago). While I've always had an ultrasensitive stomach, this seemed to come out of nowhere. It might have been that I was taking chewable b12 supplements (I never seem to react well to vitamin supplements), but I only had them for 4 days before quitting. I was feeling very mucus-y so I was drinking a lot of club soda. I also quit the diary for a month to try to stop the mucus but then GERD hit shortly after. It almost feels like the dairy was acting like a stomach "buffer" but I have no idea.

Can this really come about due to very little triggers? I've done all the lifestyle changes (working on the weight loss part) but I still seem to be in trial and error mode with the food triggers.

Just curious how everyone else's GERD came about. Such a bizarre condition!

Thanks!
Posted 4/26/2017 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, little triggers can just crop up.

I acquired a sensitivity to sulfites several years ago that caused me to have what I call "reflux episodes." My stomach would start to heave when I ate something that had a lot of sulfite in it.

Since I already had a bad lower esophageal sphincter, the reflux stuff would come up into my esophagus, causing burning pain.

This particular sensitivity also caused symptoms elsewhere along the vagus nerve, which goes to all the major organs. In my case, and this is unusual, my heart was affected, giving me tachycardia. I could generally get the tachycardia to stop by trying to get up a burp (aka Valsalva Maneuver).

Now that I avoid sulfite-laden foods (especially processed foods), I don't get the heaving or tachycardia.

This is just one example. There are many other foods that can suddenly cause a reaction. Lactose intolerance is common in adults.

The easiest and cheapest way to find your own intolerances is to keep a food diary. (Look that up in the archives - the search box at the top of the page.)
Posted 4/28/2017 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
Processed foods are a real issue aren't they? I've cut most processed foods as well. For me it seems the more bland the better. Guess I have to get my head around how very small things can bring this on.

I'm going to be more diligent with my food diary like you suggested. Though it seems each day I just remove another food from my "ok" list.
Posted 5/3/2017 5:19 PM (GMT 0)
We all think it comes on suddenly, but the more I think about it I was doing everything to cause it. In fact now I know what it feels like, I had symptoms for a long time, let me explain that. So two things I noticed that probably were a precursor. One, was excess saliva during my daily 4 mile walk. I was constantly feeling like I needed to spit. Also when walking I cleared my throat a lot, normally only when walking. That was something coming back up my throat, but I never put two and two together. Also at night, if I burped I would either taste food or acid in my throat.

So I say I caused this? This is what I was doing that probably brought all this on.

Coffee drinker - 2~3 cups a day
Put Tony Chachere's on everything, even rice.
Put Jalapeno's on all kinds of things, even my salads
Red Wine drinker - a full glass every night
Late night eater and drinker - I would wait late as possible to eat and then top it off with a glass of wine 30 minutes from bedtime.
Fast eater - Barely chewed my food. More like inhaled it.
High stress person - I am wound up tight, worry about all kinds of crap, especially medical related.

So you see, a perfect storm.
Posted 5/4/2017 8:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,

My GERD symptoms seemed to come on all the sudden, but in reflection I had some warning signs on and off.

I just stumbled across this website and it is a great relief. My GERD symptoms were subtle for months, tightness in chest and lots of mucous, I took it for allergies. I developed two chest infections in a period of 3 months and then realised I may have an underlying condition. After my second bout of bronchitis cleared my doctor ordered a Sprirometry test. I did the test and it revealed no asthma. What came next really surprised me. The day after the test my lungs were in a world of pain, tightness and stabbing and aching pains from the middle of my breast bone all the way up my esophagus . Extreme mucous production and a dull ache in my chest, right in the middle. To be frank it didn't feel like the kind of heartburn I associate with fried food and beer.

Without having an appointment with my doc planned I instinctively went for Acid blockers ( esomerprazole) from the chemist which provided some relief. It did help somewhat.

After seeing my doctor 7 days ago she has ordered every test under the sun as well as a scope of esophagus coming soon. She asked me to stop the esomerprazole for a week and then get tested for H pylori. During the week of no inhibitor it was very uncomfortable and I could hardly eat a thing.

Im not sure what my final diagnosis will be but it is pretty scary. My main questions are 1) how has this spirometry test contributed to my symptoms. 2) does anyone else completely lose their appetite after taking the acid inhibitors like nexium.?

I look forward to any advice that can be offered.

Kind regards
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