New to the site new to GERD

Hi all I have been suffering with reflux, heartburn, almost feels like I'm being strangled at times, pains in my chest for about 4 months ( I've had 3 ECG I'm fit as a fiddle in that department) also breathing difficulties ( I am Asthmatic) It's very different to asthma though. I'm also having burning almost daily between or just below my breast bones, I can't lie down or acid will hit the back of my throat and the insomnia is dreadful . I'm glad I stumbled across you guys as my partner doesn't understand the pain that goes with this it can be extreme sometimes. Okay, so far had an gasto endoscopy nearly 2 weeks ago and since then the pain has got worse, I was wondering if any of you guys suffered the same when you had yours, and for how long?

I know I have oesophagitis caused by reflux grade 2 as that was told to me I have had biopsies for reflux and h pylori but haven't got the results back yet.

Too be honest I feel very much alone and that no one understands what I am going through


Some comforting words would be most welcome

Lozzy


P.s I forgot to say I'm on 40mg of Pantaprazole daily but have upped it to 80mg for 2 weeks advised by my GP. ( they don't seem to be working very well)

Many thanks in advance

Post Edited (lozzy42) : 7/17/2011 6:59:36 PM (GMT-6)

Lozzy

psychology is a big part of handling reflux

getting tense and upset seems to magnify the physical problems for many of us

for many the stress and pain of the injury causes a mountain of worry especially when the pain is bad or we feel an obstruction or feel more burning...

i remember a year ago putting a flashlight and a dentists mirror to the back of my throat and seeing damage and swelling and discoloration and wondering if i would be alive in a month

i want to second the suggestion that you elevate the head of your bed...or...for me even better was to sleep in an upholstered reclining chair with my back never reclined more than 45 degrees

i usually switch from the chair to the bed when i do my usual wake up at 1am . this gives my back and hips a break

may i suggest you only eat whole foods...avoid stuff thats prepared and in cans and bottles or frozen entrees etc, those preservatives, food colors and long ingredient lists are a mine field of problems... (shop the outer perimeter of the grocery store...the veggies, fruits, meats fish grains and breads (go for the natural organic etc when you can)

reflux is weird and seems to me that a person is wise to keep a list, learned from trial and error, of the foods they can and can not eat

a meal that works for me is chicken white meat (no skin), broccoli, brown rice, limiting the total meal to a volume to about 8 to 12 ounces

remember liquids count towards total volume, so if you eat the meal above and then soon after, chug an 8 ounce glass of water...yikes that would push me way over the edge

takes me two hours to digest the chicken rice and broccoli meal above and then after two hours or a little more, i drink a big glass of water and a little later im back for another small meal

very important....dont let yourself get dehydrated

hang in there , the odds are very likely you will find improvement but it is going to take some time...dont give up hope

and as you get insights from your experience tell us how you are doing , we all share wisdom and experience here (and even mistakes!)

ps...are you familiar with the standard list of bad foods? habits etc?

examples, avoid carbonated beverages, alcohol in general and wine in particular...cut back or quit coffee if you can, chocolate and the mint family is a problem for many etc...smoking very bad for reflux

best wishes
mock turtle

Hi,
I am also in the uk. I asked for Carafate, which is Sucralfate here, but I was told it went out with the ark! The gps are loathe to prescribe any "add ons" as their guidelines indicate if the ppi is doing its job you shouldn't need them. They are more likely to use higher drug doses than add anything else in. I use Gaviscon sometimes. I think Gastrocote helped me, which you can also buy OTT but it did no more than Gaviscon does for me.

Have you been tested for Helicobacter? You need to be off ppis to be tested for that.

There is a supplement from a company called Biocare which contains licorice and the cabbage extract you mention. I had great success with it when first had GERD. Since it came back nothing really works, but the drugs sometimes make it more liveable.

Hope you get some relief soon.

MMM

PS: It's called Enteroplex. Maybe I should try it again - I was drug free on it once upon a time!

I forgot to say, I have been tested for h pylori but haven't yet got my results. Will keep you posted . Lozzy x