not symptom-free anymore :(

Well, the Prevacid took away my LPR symptoms completely for 2 days...only 2 stinking days. I just don't get it. I knew that PPI's have the potential to stop working after a while but I really thought a while would be like years or something.
Anyone have any similar experience? Symptom free on meds here and there with random breakthrough symptoms despite no new foods? I don't get it...if my acid pumps are shut off, then where the heck is the acid coming from??

Thoughts?

This is making me super sad :(

-Liz-

The thing with LPR is .... even small amounts of acid causes problems .. and PPIs can not stop all the acid .. at least not in just 2-4 days. This is one of the reasons they say that one has to be on the PPIs for long periods of time to see if they make a difference to the LPR symptoms.

I know what you mean.. I've been on ppi for a little over two weeks and it was fine.. so I tried stopping a few days back. But unfortunately it came back much worse than before.. so I resumed the ppi.. but it seems like it didn't work as well before.. do u guys think it might have to do with me trying to stop? Now I'm constantly bloated and my chest hurts after I eat my normal meal.. and that is after I've taken my ppi dose. When my stomach is empty, I think the symptoms are worse.. my heart races and had to take heart medication to slow down the rate.. are all this the result of me trying to stop?

I'm quite worried.. especially on the heartrate thing.. it only happens when I have problems with my stomach..

Hi Ashley,

Thanks for your reply. i'm extremely worried about myself. Yesterday, i didn't feel like eating anything at all because i was worried that it might trigger some sort of heart racing episode.. i ate about 5 spoons of rice and some leafy vegetables and 3 bananas the WHOLE day.. i still drink Milo (a sort of chocolate drink) every morning. The only reason for this is because it said to have high calcium, iron and B12. And i think i need that since i'm not eating much of anything else.. Anyway, I'm try to eat in VERY small portions as to not get my symptoms coming back. I'll also try ur no meat rule, because i ate meat the night before i got into this trouble. Do u think it affects me only after 12hours? hermm.. i wonder about that.. But in any case, I think i'll stick to fish though, because i still think i need some source of protein. And i'm not big on soy products that much.. We'll see how it goes and i'll still keep to my ppis (at least for now..). Are u still on ppis, by the way? I wish i can get myself off this ppi prescription. *sigh*

- Ridz

efit, I have had many ups and downs with my LPR. Since I don't have heartburn it is very difficult to tell what foods are bothering me. The Koufman Low Acid diet has reduced my throat symptoms significantly, but it took several days for me to see a change. You may want to read at least the first post of the thread and try it.

Hey Ridz,

Don't forget that chocolate is a huge trigger for many of us. Maybe see if there is a vanilla form of your nutrient drink?

Yep, still on Nexium 40mg/day. I want to be off of it pretty badly, but I'm going to wait until after the gastroscopy to happen (sometime within the next 2 months). I will keep everyone posted.

Best of luck to you!
Ashley

Efit:

Do not despair!

There is more than acid that refluxes...in fact I have yet to meet someone that can selectively reflux acid...your stomach is full of acid, bile(which is basic) and other enzymes, usually weakly acidic.  If you reflux it all comes up at once!

If you responded initially to a PPI or acid lowering medicine you must consider 3 issues:

1) you are still promoting reflux by using caffiene, chocolate, alcohol or peppermint...also no eating within 3-4 hours of bedtime, and try having the head of your bed angled 30 degrees or elevated 6".

2) your body may be compensating for your trying to shut off the pumps and you may need even more medicine

3) you are effectively stopping the acid, and with there no longer being any acid around, you have unneutralized base or bile, which can be just as damaging.

Consult with your physician and ask about using carafate suspension, which is a liquid medicine that neutralizes acid, bile and coats the raw tissue and speeds healing....oh and don't forget to pay attention to #1 above.

If medications do not work, your doctor can look for other contributory causes like a slow emptying stomach ( especially if you are diabetic), which can make medical treatment ineffective.

If all else fails, there is the non-surgical endoscopic treatment known as the Stretta procedure, which in the 10 year follow up data is 85% effective   or you can do surgery known as a Nissen fundoplication.

Gastro-doc

P.S.  weightloss if your are overweight is one of the most effective and low cost treatments available.

Gastro-doc,

I am still eating chocolate but it has never seemed to exacerbate / cause my symptoms of LPR. I eat chocolate everyday and that includes the 2 week periods without reflux. I feel as though hormones or something internal is causing my reflux since it comes and goes without any changes to my life. I eat immaculately healthy with the exception of chocolate (grilled chicken, roasted / steamed veggies though not acidic ones, oats, egg whites, etc.) No one can explain why this comes for 2 weeks then leaves for a week or 2. My doc has not mentioned a gastric emptying test but I am very regular with regards to bowel movements and I eat every 3 hours and am usually hungry at the times I eat.
Am I correct in assuming you ARE a gastro doc (judging by your moniker)?
I have never heard of the Stretta but I have heard of the Nissen. I asked my GI doc about the Nissen and he said it carries only a 50% success rate which is 40% lower than I have heard on this website and what I have read online. He did say the TIF was not nearly as effective as the Nissen though.


Thanks,
Liz