New Members Check in Here First Part 1

nrthngrl

Welcome to HealingWell and we are so happy to have you with us. I am sorry we have to meet here but this is a great forum and the members are very wise so please know you have come to a good place to find caring and support.

Again a warm welcome and thank you for sharing your story with us.

Kitt

Hi
I am new here as well. I am 37 y/o and have had reflux for approx. 10 years, of and on medication.

For the past 2 years it has become more serious and have been diagnosed with GERDS. I use to take prepulsid until it was discontinued and then went on Rinitidine which recently stopped working. Now I am trying 20 MG omeprazole. I have been on it for over a week and don't seem to notice much of a difference. My symptoms include brief bouts of hiccups, coughing (but not any mucus, etc) severe back pain and pain in-between my shoulder blades. My jaw sometimes hurts (infrequent) and i feel liquid come up in to my throat along with food at times. I also have a perpetual sore throat (burns a lot) - feels like something is stuck (around my adams apple area) and use to have an ache in my left ear. My stomach right up to my ear burns. I am not over weight - in fact quite fit and I also eat healthy (although I did like coffee). I dont drink or smoke. I have done the life style dietary changes however I have a high stress level (went through an extreme traumatic experience). I am afraid to eat sometimes because I am not sure how it will affect my acid level. I find I like to drink a lot of smoothies or cold liquids as it brings little relief to my throat.

I guess I am on here looking for support as I am starting to get depressed. This is effecting my quality of life and the more I read about this, the more it scares me. I sleep sitting up and so I feel lethargic a lot of the time.

As for tests, my GP has already done an ultrasound on my abdomen (spleen, liver, gallbladder, etc..etc) and has done blood work for H. pylori (came back neg.) and recently mentioned a endoscopy if this new medication (omeprazole) doesn't work - which doesn't appear to be. I am wondering what usually happens after the endoscopy if the doctor doesn't want to use the meds anymore.... what is the purpose of the test?

I have finally felt some relief after reading this forum as there are others experiencing the same issues. It is effecting my work and social life as I feel dragged out most of the time.
Any support or insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thank-you

Hey Sarah,

I am new here as well. Also from Ontario, Canada! (Hamilton/Dundas area). Just wanted to say good luck with your surgery

Hi, I'm new. Only lately have I really been aware that I was experiencing acid reflux at all. I found this site through several links when I went online to find out as many possible side effects of pantoprozol. My doctor prescribed it when I went last week as I was suspicious I had an ulcer. After stating my symptoms he said I probably just had a little acid reflux. For several days I had been researching many herbal solutions to many different types of gastro problems, but my doc obviously didn't want to hear about them or encourage me to use any of them. Why would he? He's there to prescribe medicine. I was starting to get this panicky feeling because all of my life I've been healthy and now the possibility of struggling with this forever! I was quite depressed. I mean, I literally haven't been to the doctor in years and most certainly have never taken any type of prescription drug for an extended period of time!

Reading everyones' posts is kinda freaking me out! How do I avoid getting to a place where it's that severe? My first inclination was to change my diet. Coffee went first. But that didn't last long! Quitting cold turkey was like whiplash! I finally gave in after about three days when I realized my withdraws was causing me to feel ill. I only drink a little in the morning and thats it. I've only taken the pantoprozol twice, but after reading up on the between the lines side effects, I'm definitely going to try and battle this the natural way. oh yeah, I tried cabbage juice and it worked pretty well. It works kind of like aloe juice I guess. It has some of the same properties. Ok. I'm done with my novel.