Hi Jolisey,You've come to the right place! Welcome to Healing Well. You're in good company here...many have experienced symptoms very similar to yours.
It's very common to have NSAIDs (like Naproxen) create a gastritis condition that makes your reflux much worse. I've had it happen with both NSAIDs and some antibiotics. They've gotten my stomach going, and created terrible reflux which, in my case, caused severe asthma problems.
What you described happening in the night is definitely a problem that severe reflux can cause. It's called Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion (Vocal Cord Dysfunction), and it can make it very difficult to catch your breath.
While I don't experience this, my asthma doc gave me the following information for dealing with it. Until you get this problem straightened out, it would be good to practice the breathing exercises.
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Relaxed Throat Breathing ExercisesDuring practice:1. Sip water before and after doing these exercises.
2. Exercises:
A. Shoulders Down
This is the cue for you to relax
B. Hand on abdomen
This helps you focus on easy abdominal breath support--the best and most relaxed way to breathe.
C. Gentle, quick "sip" of air IN (sip, sip, sip)
Breathe through your mouth
Relaxed lips
about
1 second inhale each sip
D. Gentle blow OUT (blow, blow, blow)
Through slightly tight lips
about
2-3 seconds for each blow out
3. Practice 5 reps, 20 times per day when you are NOT having symptoms.
4. Make it automatic, and use it at the first sense of throat tightness to prevent or suppress the VDC. You may start with the inhale or the exhale.
5. Use it to "pre-treat" yourself before known triggers for VCD.
6. This technique can also be a "stress buster" tool to use in other situations.
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Do you have the head of your bed elevated? If at all possible, put bed risers/boards/blocks under the legs at the head of your bed and raise it 7 or 8 inches. That way, gravity will also help keep the acid in your stomach.
If you can't do that, then go to a medical supply store and buy a wedge pillow to raise your body up. Some people sleep in a recliner until things get better. The problem with a wedge is that you can slide down on it, and it can put your stomach in a bad position, which may put more pressure on it. The elevated bed is the best bet if you can do it.
While you're healing eat only smooth and soothing types of foods...stay away from acidic, spicy, rough foods that can irritate your stomach lining and esophagus.
Liquid antacids like Maalox or Gaviscon will be your best bet, as they do a better job of coating. Hopefully, your doc will prescribe Carafate or (even better) Carafate Suspension...it coats your stomach and esophagus to protect it from acid for a longer time than liquid antacids can.
Your doc will hopefully adjust your PPI's while you're dealing with this. Somehow, you will need to overcome your fear of getting an endoscopy. Many here have had them done, and we can definitely help support you and get you ready. Really, I've had them lightly sedated, not sedated at all, and sedated enough that I didn't even know what was happening! It's really not that difficult. You can do it!
You may find (now don't worry about
it until it happens) that you need a battery of tests to find out what is happening. You are sick of being sick (I totally get that and experienced the same feeling), and in order to get well, you need to let the doctors do what needs to be done.
Perhaps you could find a cognitive therapist who can help your work through your fear and prepare you for the necessary tests.
Whatever happens, you've got us as your cheerleaders
for support and encouragement!
Again, welcome!
Relax...it'll be okay!
Denise