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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 10/21/2017 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
I have been lurking around this board since I first got sick about five months ago.
I am still really really sick and am hoping there may be some treatments or help I missed somehow
Here is my story. I've always been healthy , 54 years old work out golf don't drink smoke or overeat, 106 pounds ( usually)
about five months ago I got a pinched nerve in my neck and doc put me on celebrex. Then I got what I thought was flu /cold runny nose blocked ears no cough.
I was then put on antibiotics and got very sick. Belched terrible severe burps for 36 and in the end was left with terrible burning from tongue to stomach every day all day made worse upon eating or drinking anything also belching still happen just not for that long. and ears are still blocked.was quickly taken off those meds put on ppis scoped two weeks later to find I had a fungal infection of esphogus . 3 weeks anti fungaltreatment Infection was gone but all burning etc continued.
Over next two moths went down to 85 pounds and was admitted to hospital for 50 days. 4more scopes endless blood test , MRI, c scans , manometery, barroium swallow I left there still burning alive undiagnosed with a feeding tube, a pat on the head and a good luck to you. So now my husband and I are out here trying desperately to figure out what to do next, any relief would help even for a momoment.
Here's what meds I take or have taken
Dexilant currently bumped to 120 mg per day 2 weeks ago
Ativan .5 as needed for stress
Just finished 6 weeks of lyrica with no effect
Tried domperidone in hospital only for about 1week.
Many and all tums, pepto, gaviscon type mixtures
To date nothing touches the burning .
I am open to any and all suggestions to try and get even a little of my life back .
By the way have also elevated head of bed, changed to bland diet, I do not drink coffee or much sugar.
The hospital called me a mystery like it was funny but that in no way helps me. If anyone can I would be so grateful. I am lost at what to do
Posted 10/21/2017 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
Why would you have been put on antibiotics for the flu and/or cold-like symptoms? While no one can say for sure what the problem is, there is a lot of new research coming out (like studies that are part of the 'Human Microbiome Project') showing that the average person has hundreds or thousands of difference species of bacteria in their digestive system, which are essential for digestive and general health. A disruption in the bacteria in your digestive system can result in acute or chronic illness.

Thus, taking antibiotics or being 'too sanitary' can throw your body out of whack. There is even research showing that babies born via C-section don't get all the bacteria during delivery from their mother and have a variety of negative health outcomes as a result, like 50% increase in the probability of having allergies.

In your post, you mention that you went on antibiotics and then had a fungal infection in your throat - it seems like something with the microbes in your gut became imbalanced and let fungus take over, which may have resulted in some sort of permanent damage. Or maybe you could still find a way to balance you gut bacteria.
Posted 10/27/2017 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
You have candidiasis, an overgrowth of candida from not taking probiotics while taking your antibiotics. Get some good probiotics, yogurt with lots of different cultures (Chobani has 4), kefir (it has 8-10 different cultures) and eat, eat, eat on them. You have to get some "good" bacteria into your system to kill the bad ones.

Also, fresh garlic, eat , one to three cloves every day will kill off the candida faster so the good bacteria can take over.

Also, eat alkaline foods. Bad bacteria can't live in an alkaline environment.
Posted 10/27/2017 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
I'd agree with that this sounds like Candida/fungal infection. Google SIFO, which stands for Small Intestine Fungal Overgrowth. I believe I have something similar (called SIBO where the B stands for Bacteria). I am on domperidone, but it took about 6 weeks for me to notice a difference (after 6 weeks my burping stopped completely). My understanding is that domperidone just makes your esophogeal and small intestine muscles move quicker, so processing times speed up. With food not sitting in your small intestine as long, the fungus will slowly depopulate. This is all theory, I am not a doctor, I'm just throwing out ideas.

Are you still on a feeding tube? I'd avoid all food with sugar as that feeds fungus from what I read. I remember drinking ensure, and weight gaining protein powder (as my weight plummeted) and it caused me hell. I'm all about theories and with fungus and bacteria, the theory is that as these organisms are feeding on sugar (or starch, grains, fiber) they create gas that stretches out your tummy. And as you eat, or drink, this gas has nowhere to go but up (sending stomach acid, pepsin, digestive juices, bile) with it.

I've switched to coconut oil to keep my weight on and slowly started adding a bit to my food until I got used to it. Probiotics rich food are good too, but you should slowly integrate this as well. Some say instead of eating sauerkraut right off the bat, just have a teaspoon of brine once a day and work up to a tablespoon of sauerkraut, and then work up further. I'm on the same page as others that you want that good bacteria in you.

You've been through a lot, and you are clearly a fighter. You will get through this. The process is just so incredibly slow, but you will get your life back.

Again, not a doctor, this is all theory, but It's helped out me. My advice is to just google "SIFO", "SIBO" and "The Fast Tract Diet" as you might find more clues to help you out.
Posted 10/27/2017 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your replies . The theories the doctors left me with were , post virus vagal neuropathy ( hence trial of lyrica ), sudden onset non acidic reflux and even a cancer scare that turned out to be false . No one could however tell me how my blocked ears are related so the docs often brush this off even though it's never resolved and makes it very difficult to sleep at night .SIFO was never even mentioned to me but I will for sure look into this and speak with my Doc whom I see on Monday. The hospital has put it all back in her hands and she like me is out of her depth with this ....I still do have the feeding tube and am completely lost on what to eat as I can still swallow it's just agony with all the burning .i really really need to gain weight . I am wondering is there a specific test to be down to pin this down? As I've said before any and all help is appreciated . I will report back with any news or progress I make .
Posted 10/30/2017 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Saw my gastro Doc today. He believes I have stomach / esphagus hypersensitivity brought on by virus. He also thinks the belching could be coming from small bowel creating gas.
He wants to put me on nortryptiline for six weeks. Then if that doesn't work donperdone . For some reason he doesn't want me on them at the same time. Has anyone tried either of theses methods? I'm going to go forward with it but also plan on working on the sibo/sifo at the same time. Looking into finding a naturopathic doctor to help with this. Any advice is welcome. Trying very hard to get some sort of life back
Posted 10/30/2017 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
You wouldn't take them together as they are basically antidepressant drugs also used for nerve pain, but now commonly used to treat a hypersensitive esophagus. Everyone is different, but a lot of people have had great success with them.
Posted 11/5/2017 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
Went to naturapth doc last week. She believes I have sibo and yeast problems. It was a long appointment and she was very professional but I'm still not sure what to think. She believes the burning in my mouth to stomach is from the yeast and that it is not reflux. She thinks the sibo is causing the terrible belching episodes. So far she has me on probiotics, catazyme, and glutamine complex to try and heal the digestive track. Has anyone had any experience with these?
Sorry to keep posting I'm just so lost with all of this and no firm diagnosis. And still very very sick and help is welcome.
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