HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Getting so confused

Support Forums
>
GERD & Acid Reflux
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/13/2011 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
The more I read about all this GERD and LPR stuff the more confused I get.  Why does it take so much longer to see results when it is LPR related.  Also, I keep finding sites that say TOO LITTLE acid can cause the same symptoms! 

I am on the 2 week diet and my lump in throat is better but I still have alot of stuff in my throat and hoarseness.  I have been on nexium for 10 years and added the prilosec 3 weeks ago after having LPR symptoms since around March/April 2011.  Before that, I had no GERD or LPR problems.  Was diagnosed with GERD 10 years ago when I had a scope done and had to have my esophogus stretched and also found out I had hiatal hernia.  I was able to get by on 40 mg nexium every other day until last fall had some GERD symptoms when I would exercise so Dr. told me to take nexium every day.  It was a few months after that when I got a pretty bad upper respiratory infection and then the LPR started.

Could I be contributing to my problem by taking MORE of the nexium and now the prilosec 20 mg added in?

Confused. shocked

Gingin

Posted 10/13/2011 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
Forgot to mention that sometimes I feel more symptoms when my stomach is empty and having hunger pains? Is that normal?
Posted 10/13/2011 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
Gingin-
I too have read about too little acid causing problems, but thought that was more towards the stomach problems vs. esophagus. Have you found info about it causing esophagus issues also?
As for LPR being harder to treat, I believe that is probably because of the delicate things it effects are more sensitive. Since the vocal cords and such can be irritated easily(I assume they are), I can see it taking longer to heal.

Also I wonder if your body has built up a tolerance for the nexium. Might try a different PPI all together. I know I had PPIs that worked good for a while then slowly stopped being effective. You could try something like Zantac that is OTC and see if it works better in combination with the prilosec. Probably best to talk with your GI though and see if they would recommend a change to see if it helps.

I too got worse symptoms when my stomach was empty. I think it my stomach felt best with a small amount of food in it, not completely full or empty. I bet a lot of people have the same issue.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 10/13/2011 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Bill.

I haven't specifically read anything about the esophagus and too little acid. Just some that say we are all taking meds and don't need to be because most symptoms are caused from too little acid.

I haven't tried to change from Nexium because I am very med sensitive and don't know if I could tolerate another one. I don't have any issues with the Nexium and don't think I ever did but over the past few years I have gotten sensitive to alot of meds and supplements. Think a lot of it has to do with my changing hormones, if you know what I mean. Most meds cause me anxiety now. I started the prilosec really slow like every other day at first, then every day, then when I went I upped it to 40 mgs (which is what the dr wants me to take along with the nexium) I was hit with severe anxiety after 3 days so I went back to 20 mgs. Maybe I should try to increase it again and see if that helps.

I did raise my bed over the weekend and hope that will help.

What do you do for hunger before bed? I work out at night and am hungry when I get home from the gym but know I shouldn't eat 3 hours before bed. I went to bed starving last night and that makes me feel like acid is coming up. Maybe it is not but it just kinda feels that way.

Gingin
Posted 10/15/2011 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Gingin,

GERD vs. NERD vs. LPR vs. Gastritis vs. Esophagitis... whew! It can be so, so confusing and frustrating. We all feel you on that one.

As for the exercise, I have the same problem as my Yoga classes are from 1830-2000 and I usually go to bed at around 10... it's tough. I usually try to eat something at about 1730 and then just hit the sack a little earlier on those days, which doesn't always work - sometimes I just have to stay up until midnight. I know this isn't feasible for everyone, so unfortunately you might just have to work it out through trial and error. Be careful that your tummy doesn't get too empty, though... once my stomach was hurting so I didn't eat for about 8 hours and I ended up in the ER with terrible, terrible stomach cramps.

I'm sorry you're suffering. I've also been researching Nexium and effects and found the same studies that say we may have too little acid production, etc etc. Without a degree in medicine, I think certain aspects of this disease might always be a mystery to us. It might be a good question to ask your PCP or GI doc.

In the meantime, I hope your symptoms subside and that you get some relief soon.
Ashley
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply