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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 5/9/2013 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
I was doing "ok" for a while, but out of no where, I am feeling symptoms I had not had in a while. Diet is the same, medication is the same. I feel like I go through these cycles where I do ok and then out of no where, I get strange symptoms. Then I start stressing out which only makes things worse. It could be that I have not been able to sleep for the past few days, which I know can affect cortisol (which affects acid production). UGH. I see my GI doctor at the end of the month (which will probably be no help). Right now I have pains around my ribs and a mild sore throat. The back pain alternates with the rib pains. Sharp pains. I also had heartburn at night a few nights ago which I have not had. This is really annoying. I had a stressful work week last week so maybe it has to do with that. I am downing enough alkaline water for a small army.
Posted 5/9/2013 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Erica,

It's hard. Sometimes it flares up and you don't know why, sometimes with hindsight you can figure it out. I just try to accept it has a little lifecycle of its own and you have to keep tweaking treatments and diet as you go. It's very very frustrating when you get flare ups after such hard work but it's not your fault and try to keep focused on the fact that it will pass.

MMM
Posted 5/9/2013 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the comfort. I thought I had made peace with the fact that I could get flare ups but I guess it still bothers me. I hate taking more medication but maybe I need to take Gaviscon more when this happens.
Posted 5/9/2013 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
erica,

I couldn't help but notice you're on the road to nowhere.....I'm headed there myself, mind if I bum a ride? lol. I know how you feel, I have a "good day" and change nothing and the next day is bad! Ugh....hang in there.

Posted 5/9/2013 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
I definitely know what you mean about it being fine one day and the worst possible pain the next.I can't say I have a great answer, but trying to think about anything else or even taking time out if your day to do what you need to do to relax often works the best. I play trombone, and when the pain gets bad, sometimes I just play as loud as I can to get the stress out. Find something you can do.
Posted 5/9/2013 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone. Doggbones, we seem to have paralell experiences, I hope we all eventually get somewhere. I did see that you are off the PPI which I guess is more progress than me. My confusion lies in if it is a LES issue, what makes it malfunction one day more than the other? In my case I think it may be that my LES opens up when it is not supposed. I will have to go through the awful PH test and Mamotry test to confirm that. In the meantime, I will conftinue to complain on here, write in my journal and hopefully get some sleep. I know I work too much but at this point in my career, I can't yet leave my full time job for my private practice. I took Gaviscon an hour ago and I don't feel much different. Who knows, it could be another problem besides GERD. I really wish there was more communuication between the involuntary functions and the concious mind. Then I could just ask what is wrong lol
Posted 5/10/2013 10:36 AM (GMT 0)
erica,

Well as fate would have it, we all did get somewhere.....we got here. shocked   ugh, lol. Yes, I did get off the ppi's, but so far I seemed to have traded one problem for another.....go figure. mad . I'm hoping it's still rebound but I'm starting to have my doubts. Oh......to be normal again!

Posted 5/10/2013 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
To be normal again sounds like a dream. Today I feel a little better than the last few days. I was thinking about the last time I felt normal....I was 21 years old. I have not had a cup of coffee since then. And I have not eaten a piece of pizza in over a year. That just sounds insane to me.
Posted 5/10/2013 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
I know exactly how you feel, and at this point I just hate the word normal. I love cheese and above all things I love pizza, but I haven't eaten it in 10 years because I can't digest lactose and casein, and I'm still only 18. I've had my conditions all my life, so I've never known what it's like to be normal, but that goes for a lot of people on this forum. I wish I had more answers, but right now I am really struggling and today is not a good day.
Posted 5/10/2013 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
So sorry to hear that you have had to live with this for so long. I have been struggling since 22 and I am now 30. I think I have always had reflux but it was managed well and I only occasionally had symptoms. Once I hit my 20's things changed.
Posted 5/10/2013 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Erica

I've had many of the same thoughts. Some days I can risk a whole extra half a cup of coffee. Other days, despite not changing anything, I feel horrible and have significant pain.

I too completely and totally dread pH monitoring etc....... but I think I'm headed there because it may be the portal to a different solution. If it isn't, then at least I won't have the thought of it hanging over me all the time!!

MMM
Posted 5/10/2013 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
Oh my! you guys, I am so glad I read this, I thought I was going crazy, I can relate when it comes to having good days and bad days, for me it's been like weird symptoms out of no where this past couple weeks, so I know it might be LPR/GERD flare up. I wish we could be normal again but what's normal at this point when we have gotten so used to our daily lives with an unpredictable illness.

Erica: haha I am currently 21 so I might be like you in couple years reminiscing the last time I had my coffee/pizza/brownie/ just some of my favorite things. I really hope you get better, and I have not gotten the mamo and 24hr yet, but I will be getting them done before the summer ends. I want to know what is it that is causing my weird symptoms. Are you doing yours soon? I am really nervous about them but I think it will help us both understand when our symptoms are at their worse. The only downside about the tests is sometimes it can be false because I know; say the day you are having 24hr probe you can be refluxing less while other days more, these are some the points I might discuss with my doctor like how do I know if I am in danger when my test say comes back normal within limits but it might be really dangerous because you didn't catch me at bad reflux days. I do not know if I am making sense but just some hypothesis about the whole test thing. Do you have LPR/GERD or just one? FEEL better!!!!!
Posted 5/10/2013 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
Erica, drinking too much water can really slow down your metabolism. Your electrolytes get out of balance. So this could be making your situation worse.
Posted 5/15/2013 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
I thought water helps digestion?????
Posted 5/15/2013 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
erica,

Water is good for the digestive system, however it's kind of a no-no when eating. I don't drink when I eat and only drink a little right after meals.

Posted 5/15/2013 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
I never drink when I eat, it is usually between meals that I am drinking a lot. I take a few sips after I eat to make sure all the food gets to where it should be
Posted 5/16/2013 11:48 AM (GMT 0)
erica,

Has usual, we seem to be thinking the same. Great minds must think alike! smilewinkgrin

Posted 5/16/2013 12:03 PM (GMT 0)
I've given up trying to figure out what I did 'wrong' to cause symptoms. They just come and go randomly at times, I just try and not change too much each day and stay consistent. Seems to work ok.
Posted 5/16/2013 12:44 PM (GMT 0)
andy,

I try to be a "good boy", but I tend to agree with you.

Posted 5/16/2013 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
I agree as well. Doggbones: Great minds think alike! It is probably that we are GERD vetrans at this point! There is just no rhyme or reason as to why I am ok one day and not the next. If the LES is weak or opens too often one day, what makes it stronger and open less another day?????? Makes no sense!
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