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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 8/9/2009 8:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hi i am a new member to this forum and thought i would write a new post just to sort of get to know a few people, would b nice hearing from anyone wiv the same problem as those around me dont understand how nasty gerd can be! Im 24 and basically i suddenly out the blue about a 1 and half ago got this intense burning sensation in the middle of my chest and at first was pretty scared as to what it was, doc said too much acid and put me on a ppi! other tests were done bloodworks, camera down throat e.t.c and all came back fine and am in pretty gd health otherwise! Over a year and half later and i feel the same, its got better through taking the tablet and eating a certain way so after a while i guessed it was gerd as i cant even lay down wivout feeling something refluxing! My docter seems to think it will go in time and its just my personality cause i get nervous alot e.t.c but i know myself im stuck like this? does it ever just go? Im just curious is there other tests that can b done so i know for sure what i have and why??? is surgery a option at my age as i dont like the thought of taking the tablet for life. One thing ive loved since i was young is working out and staying fit and having gerd has kinda ruined it to some degree i find running and doing certain weights really effects my stomach and i am now alot more limated as to what i can do! I also worry about further complications i can get down the line as a result of this acid coming up my throat! Anyway i feel as if im writting a essay here but just wanted to give people a backstory and would love to here from others in similer situations and hear peoples advice and learn and make new freinds as having to live wiv gerd has made me pretty down and depressed and just talking to people that understand would help greatly thankyou     lloydy
Posted 8/9/2009 11:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lloydy,
Welcome to the GERD forum! Glad you've joined us. There are lots of people here who've experienced what you're experiencing, so you should get lots of support and information here.

I have a 27 year old son who loves to exercise and lift, so I certainly know how important that is for you. I don't know if you've tried this, but I'd suggest you don't eat for 3-4 hours before you lift/run. I know that before surgery, I couldn't even fitness walk without getting reflux symptoms. Give that a try if you haven't already. You'll just have to plan your exercise schedule so it's before meals/snacks. Let me know if you've already tried that.

Have you been to a GI doctor yet? Besides an endoscopy (which I assume is the "pictures" that were taken), there is a 24hour PH monitor, that measures the amount of reflux you're getting in 24 hours. Another test is the barium swallow, which can check for a hiatal hernia and sometimes reflux. Also, a manometry, that measures your swallowing reflux and the strength of your LES (the sphincter that holds the acid in your stomach.)

Yes, reflux starting at your age could certainly create a dangerous situation in your esophagus. The delicate tissues of the esophagus weren't designed to tolerate the acid that your stomach lining was designed to hold.

There is a surgery that has been done for 50 years open, and probably a little over 10 laprosopically--it's called a Nissen Fundoplication. I had the surgery done on February 27th of this year. Mine was done because I had uncontrolled asthma from the reflux. Thankfully, the surgery solved that problem, so I'm very thankful.

The surgery can be done at any age--babies and children have it--it's actually more common with the tots. The PPI's have been very successful in keeping many people comfortable, so they don't need the surgery. It's not a perfect surgery...there are changes that occur as a result, but it's certainly a lifesaver for those of us who have symptoms that don't clear with PPI's.

A GI doc may be able to get your symptoms under control with just a change in meds. Did you try elevating the head of your bed with risers? That keeps the acid in your stomach at night, when it tends to migrate into your esophagus because gravity isn't working for you.

Anyway, I'm sure that lots of other members here will be by to give you advice, encouragement, and support.
You're in a good place to find information!
Take care,
Denise
Posted 8/9/2009 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome, Another option for surgery is the EsophyX procedure. They go down your throat with a special endoscope and "staple" the top of your stomach around your esophagus therefor strengthing your LES. But it is new and not many doctors are quailified to do it. You must make sure they are experinced in it or there can be serious problems.

Denise is right about raising your bed, it helps alot. Also watch those late night snacks they come back.

Joy
Posted 8/9/2009 2:48 PM (GMT 0)

Hello lloydy187

Welcome to HealingWell and the GERD/Heartburn Forum.  I am so glad you found us and thank you so much for the introduction.

Denise has given you great advice an information.  You posted " My docter seems to think it will go in time and its just my personality"

May I suggest you get yourself a new physician, a GI specialist who will take your sx more serious.

GERD is caused by frequent acid reflux — the backup of stomach acid or bile into the esophagus.

When you swallow, the lower esophageal sphincter — a circular band of muscle around the bottom part of your esophagus — relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow down into your stomach. Then it closes again.

However, if this valve relaxes abnormally or weakens, stomach acid can flow back up into your esophagus, causing frequent heartburn and disrupting your daily life. This constant backwash of acid can irritate the lining of your esophagus, causing it to become inflamed (esophagitis). Over time, the inflammation can erode the esophagus, causing complications such as bleeding or breathing problems.

Many people with GERD feel anxious or stressed as this is not a nice disorder and like any other illness or disorder living with a chronic illness is going to cause you stress and anxiety.  There ae many ways to work with stress reduction so if you are interested I will post some ideas for you.

Again a warm welcome,

Kitt

Posted 8/9/2009 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
hi everyone and thankyou for the responses! firstly denise i do find like u said that eating a few hours b4 lifting to b the best option and aslong as i leave out certain lifts i seem to b o.k, its running i seem to have the worst problem wiv as it seems so matter what i do reflux seems to happen! its tough cause cardio is a huge part of my workout and i love how it makes u feel so gd but since having this i just feel unhealthy! im gonna try and keep a diary now of what seems to effect the reflux and what doesnt, ive learned all the foods to avoid over the year and half and eat quite healthly most the time anyway so have not found that 2 difficult, its pizza i miss the most! I dont lay down for a few hours after eating and make sure i drink 2 litres of water a day! I dont drink so havent found that 2 difficult but sometimes things come up where its nice to have a few like christmas but i dont bother! from what ive read its best not to bother atall am i right? plus i avoid cofee now which i used to often b4 and wonder if that has anything to do wiv it, i need to get something to rise the bed as u have said at the minate i just use loads of pillows but find this very hard cause ive always slept on my belly and also move around alot as i sleep! I feel alot better than i did when i first got this i think cause im now not worring about what it is and the meds seem to b working better. I havent been back to the docters in a while but am thinking of going to a diffent one as kitt pointed out! Because i was anxious from the gerd when i first saw him he seems to think its the worry that has caused it and doesnt seem to help me much! Ive kinda lost faith in there help! like u also said stress reduction is a important part of keeping it under control and i find exercise to be brilliant for this but am always willing to here of any other things i could do do help. I think the best thing to do now ive had it over a year would b to go back to the doctors and see a diffent one there is a new guy there im told is very gd and very understanding and as denise has said maby have a 24 ph moniter, barium swallow or a manometry to actually see how much im acid im refluxing and the condition of the valve, only thing i worry about now is coming off the tablet as the reboud seems to b so bad i go back on it straight away and i would have to come off them to take these tests. i also dont like the long term side effects of taking these meds but of course they out weight what would happen if i didnt! i must admit surgry seems very tempting to me but i guess i need to find out what situation im in more clearly first! as joy pointed out i have heard about the EsophyX device and on paper sounds pretty gd but like she said not many people have had it yet and thats what made me think i should see what heppens wiv this and see how it helps people for a while first, ive also heard of the Nissen Fundoplication aswell which seems to have alot of side effects in some people but also a life saver for allot of people, theres seems to b a few diffent things and we seem to b making advances in technology all the time so wiv any hope better things will b on the horizon! I was quite suprised at first at just how common gerd actually is! i seem o.k on the meds wiv the right diet and exercise and feel happier on the most part and am going back to coldge next year and am thinking of joing tae kwon do so i am helping all these things will help take my mind of it but it seems no matter what its very hard not 2 think about it and on the bad days i feel very emotinal and upset! It seems to effect my head alot aswell when my stomachs not right do others get these symptoms aswell? Anyway thankyou very much for support and advice and i look very forward to hearing from u all again! Its nice to talk to people that care  lloydy
Posted 8/9/2009 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
pleasure to meet u! Yeah gerd is tough living with, i'm currently stuck with buring chest and throat, pain in muscles, tiredness, spewing acid on occassion, acid reflux etc.. life's a pain but u keeep the spirits up!:) see a new gi and he'll run more tests and go from there...
im 22 and dealing, but im awaiting my surgeon to call to set up a surgery date, yay! it took sum times, it started out of the blue.. if u ever need to chat shoot me a line and hopefully ur with us for a long while!
griff ^_^
Posted 8/10/2009 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
I'm going to have the EsophyX procedure in November. I'll let everybody know how it goes.
(crossed fingers)

Joy
Posted 8/10/2009 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lloydy,
Just a thought about your sleeping situation. The pillows aren't recommended, because they can place your body in a bent position, which can put pressure on your stomach, and actually cause more acid to reflux. If you can get the risers, that's the most ideal. If not, a wedge would be better. You will slip down on a wedge sometimes, but it works better than pillows. Before I had surgery I used both--the bed risers AND the wedge, to get myself up even higher.

As far as food and drinks go...you need to stay away from your triggers. Caffeine and coffee are bad. Coffee has a double-whammy. It's caffeine causes your LES/valve to become even more relaxed, AND the acidity of the coffee is bad for you. If you like a hot drink, try weak decaffeinated tea. Some people like herbal teas, but I don't. Peppermint and chocolate are also no-nos, because they both relax the LES as well. Fried food is especially rough if you have GERD. I think it might be the grease makes things slip even more easily through the LES. Other things are variable, depending on each person. Most often acidic foods cause problems. Stay away from orange juice, etc. Spaghetti sauce can cause problems.

You need to monitor your own symptoms. A diary sounds like a great idea. You may find you can eat some pizza without a problem. One glass of beer may be fine for you. Things that bother one person, may not bother another. On the other hand, if you're in a GERD crisis, with a burned, uncomfortable esophagus, you'll have to eat very carefully, to give it a chance to heal. I that case, you'll also want to stay away from rough foods, like popcorn.

Good luck with your workouts. I know you'd prefer to run, but if you do some aerobic walking--really fast and challenging, it might not pop so much acid into your throat, and you'll get your aerobic exercise. I know that runners don't find it as satisfying, but it's better than nothing. You might find you like it!

Good luck, Lloydy!
We're here to provide support, encouragement, and information to each other.
Keep those questions coming. (If you'd skip lines/put some breaks in what you write, it would be easier for people to read it. It's sometime hard to read through one big post. It gets overwhelming to my old eyes!)
Take care,
Denise
Posted 8/15/2009 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
hi everyone havent been on for a few days! im going through a bad patch at the minate and its kinda wierd cause ive had it under pretty gd control for a few months now! its so depressing when its like this i kinda loose passion for everything i love! Im very curious too about the EsophyX procedure and think it could really put a end to this so i can lift properly again and start to enjoy my life more! I think im starting to worry more about the whole thing and that in turn could b making me feel worse! I talked to a guy on utube where i watched a video about EsophyX and he said its been as close to a cure as u can get for him and the only thing he avoids now is indian and other hot food but can eat everything else again! I really hope things go well for u joy and look forward to hearing how u get on and i think in the furture theres a gd chance i will consider the same procedure. going back to see a diffent doc very soon, will let u know how i get on

take care everyone
lloydy
Posted 8/15/2009 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
lloydy, My doctor takes out of state patients, if your interested. :-)

He also teaches other doctors how to do the procedure. He's done over 130 of the procedures. You can send your files to him by email. He does insist on doing another endo on you to make sure you are an acceptable risk.

He tries to get all of his testing and the operation done in one trip for out of town and out of state patients, which will take about a week.

Just type in his name on the web and it will pull up his information: Dr. Vito John Bagnato, Georgia.

There's a Super 8 just down the road from his office to stay while you wait.

I decided to go in two trips due to my work schedule. Two days Thanksgiving week for pre-op and endo. Then, if everythings good, I'll go Dec. 21 for the surgery. (crossed fingers)

I chose this because I'm a wuss when it comes to pain and doctors. cry

I don't relish the thoughs of someone poking around inside of me. It takes all I can to survive going to the dentist for a cleaning. smilewinkgrin

Joy yeah

Posted 8/17/2009 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lloydy,
If you were to choose the Nissen surgery, you needn't worry about severe side effects. If you carefully select your surgeon, those side effects will be minimal. I guess it comes down to--how bad are your symptoms. Are they bad enough to make it worth taking a chance with surgery? Mine were, and I am so thankful that I finally had the courage to move forward with it. I wish I'd done it years ago.

I know Joy is excited about her EsophyX procedure, and I hope that it is all she hopes it will be. I couldn't go that route, because I had no support from the GI doc or family doc that I see. My first GI doc (that I fired) said that it wasn't an option because it hadn't been around long enough.

Yes, the Nissen isn't always successful. Some have to have it redone. I've been impressed, however, by the folks here who have opted for redos. It is an indication of the success of the first surgery in regards to providing a higher quality of life for GERD sufferers.

You are the one who ultimately has to make the decision of what route you'll take.
I wish you all the luck in the world as you make that decision.
Take care,
Denise
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