HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Finally found out what's wrong with me!

Support Forums
>
GERD & Acid Reflux
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/6/2012 4:16 AM (GMT 0)
I had a follow up appointment with my GI doctor today and got blood tested for h pylori, those results won't be back for a few days. I found out the reason food was getting stuck when I swallow is because I have reflux esophagitis, and also a few small gastric erosions and duodenitis. The GI dr said it takes awhile for the omeprazole i'm taking to work completely and that the reflux is why food got caught even last week when I had some chicken noodle soup. I just wish I knew when my reflux would be all gone and when it's safe to try solid food again. I have to take the omeprazole twice a day now so maybe it will work faster that way. I am just still nervous to go back to eating solid food for fear it will get caught in my throat again. Does anyone have any advice?
Posted 10/6/2012 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi x,

Take it slowly when trying to heal esophatitis.  Before my Nissen surgery I'd get it at least once a year and maybe more.  It takes consistent careful eating for a long time.  I would always lose about 20 pounds and could only eat smooth foods until it was healed.  Egg custard was my mainstay--very nutritious and smooth.  I could only eat a little at a time during my healing.

My GI doc said that I should wait until I felt "perfect" for two weeks before trying to introduce normal foods back into my diet.

Slowly...patience.  You can have healing and undo it by eating something scratchy, acidic, or spicy.  Bland and smooth should be your eating mantra. 

Hang in there.  I know it's hard, but it will get better over time with meds and careful eating.

Best wishes!

Denise

Posted 10/6/2012 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
I didn't even know that I had it, I just had heartburn after I drank pop. Right now I feel fine and have no heartburn but I don't know how to tell when I'm healed enough to try solid food without worrying about it getting stuck due to the reflux.
Posted 10/6/2012 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi x,

It's not the hearburn that you can feel or not (silent GERD can be just as erosive), but the healing necessity of babying that inflamed tissue until it has a chance to heal.  My recommendation remains the same.  Smooth, bland foods are the best right now.  Keep it up for several weeks and then try reintroducing the foods you had trouble with (noodles, etc.). 

Another option is to eat like someone who recently had a Nissen.  Eat only those foods that can be chewed to a liquid/creamy consistency.  Take small bites and chew, chew, chew.  If something doesn't chew completely, don't swallow it.  Rather, have a handy paper napking available to deposit the offending food.

Here are two very helpful diets that will help you make good choices:

http://www.upmc.com/patients-visitors/education/nutrition/Pages/diet-after-nissen-fundoplication-surgery.aspx

http://www.nissenfundoplication.com/nissen-fundoplication-diet

Good luck!

Denise

Posted 10/6/2012 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, that info helps a lot!
Posted 10/7/2012 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
I am just so tired of having only liquids, I have been on them for 3 & 1/2 weeks now and lost 25 lbs. Applesauce, chicken broth, beef broth, yogurt and milkshakes are getting so boring. I'm getting some Ensure powder to add to my milkshakes so I don't lose any more vitamins/minerals. I hate this!
Posted 10/7/2012 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi X,

Many who have the Nissen fundoplication surgery are put on liquid then soft diets.  Thankfully, my surgeon's eating protocol was much more liberal.  Honestly, if you were to follow the "small bites and chew to a liquid" you could eat a lot more things and find it less tiresome.  You'll still have to stay away from spice, alcohol, acidic foods, but you'd have a lot more variety.

Good luck!

Denise

Posted 10/7/2012 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
I'm going to try some mashed potatoes, I am just so afraid of getting something stuck in my throat again like I did two weeks ago. I haven't heard of chewing things to a liquid before, I hope to try that.
Posted 10/7/2012 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi X,

If you eat mashed potatoes, be careful.  When my surgeon turned me loose 6 days post-Nissen he singled mashed potato out to demonstrate how a soft food can get stuck.  Be sure they are watered down with plenty of milk, and whipped.

Really, chicken, toast, crackers, of course squash, crackers...all those things can be taken in small bites and chewed to a liquid consistency.  Clam chowder, minus the clams, can be handled well as long as you are taking small bites and chewing everything until it's a liquid.  Your mouth works as well as a blender if you're careful.  As I said, don't swallow anything that isn't chewed thoroughly.

Once your esophagus is healed, you'll be fine.

Good luck!

Denise

Posted 10/8/2012 6:53 AM (GMT 0)
Had some mashed potatoes with water and milk and butter tonight, they went down great! I took really small bites and let them sit in my mouth to melt a little before I swallowed them. I might try those other foods you suggested too. :)
Posted 10/21/2012 8:50 AM (GMT 0)
Going to try more solid food tomorrow since it's been a month since I started taking the omeprazole - Im going to try a fried egg and chew it really well, I hope it goes down ok. I've been having maltomeal a lot lately and that seems to work out ok.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply