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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 10/7/2013 7:32 AM (GMT 0)
I have been suffering from acid reflux symptoms for as long as I can remember (into elementary school) but was not diagnosed with GERD until I got very ill in 2009. I had endoscopies in 2009 and 2010 that showed moderate damage to my esophagus and a hiatal hernia. I was prescribed PPIs but they didn't help me at all. I got pregnant (by surprise, haha) in 2010 and reflux made my pregnancy almost unbearable. I took Zofran, Reglan, Carafate, and Zantac multiple times a day and would still vomit up acid.

Anyway, I feel like my reflux has gotten worse the past few years, and it significantly interferes with my every day life. I'm depressed and at my wits end. Not only do I get heartburn but I also have strange symptoms like chronic nausea, the inability to burp while laying down without regurgitating my stomach contents into my mouth, the inability to drink water while running without it splashing back up into my mouth, burping up the taste of my food for 6+ hours after I've eaten it, etc.

At the recommendation of my D.O. I made an appointment with a doctor who specializes in surgical treatment of GERD. So far I've had the manometry, a failed 24 hour ph test (couldn't stop gagging so I pulled it out after 5 hours), a BRAVO capsule, a barium swallow, and an upper GI. So far everything has come back normal except for the first day of the Bravo. I was especially surprised by the GI results as the endoscopies I've had in the past showed damage and a hernia.

Now the doctor wants me to do the "Smart Pill" test to see if I have gastroparesis, and we're waiting on insurance approval. They wrote me another script for Reglan in the meantime, but it's not something I'd like to be on long term. I'm on enough medications for other issues that I wouldn't like to be on any medications for this long term if that's an option.

I feel like a crazy person for having all these tests come back ok. I am so nauseous and depressed all the time, and I feel like I don't know what's causing it anymore. As I type this I can feel hot acid in the back of my throat, but why did the BRAVO only show one day of reflux?

Have any of you who have gotten surgery had these tests come back ok? I am desperate for a solution and now I feel like I'm never going to find one.

Sorry for the book! I'm just looking for some support. :(
Posted 10/7/2013 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum.

My Bravo fell off at about 24 hours, but while it was attached in the esophagus it recorded pH of 0 or 1, meaning it was all acid. I wrote down the readings.

Pay careful attention to side effects while using Reglan. After a few months taking it 4 times a day I got facial tics. This type of effect can be permanent. If you get it call your doctor immediately. I stopped it and can never take it again. Too bad because it was helping me.

With the symptoms you describe I'm surprised you aren't having positive tests. Your food should not be still in your stomach at 6 hours. You may one of the unfortunate people who have more than one diagnosis.

I hope you and your doctor can identify all your problems. Since a couple of them were not completed you may have to try to repeat them. The pH can't be counted as normal and possibly not the Bravo, although I would count that one as abnormal since it did record for a day.

I can't even try to swallow the "smart pill" because of its size. I can't even get a full-size vitamin down. The doc who did the pH test called my swallow "wimpy." But I had polio as a kid.
Posted 10/7/2013 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hey. The hernia may not have showed up in the Endoscopy because it's a slider one, sometimes comes up and sometimes stays down. I think it comes up only when you eat sth heavy or something (not sure though). Now about the damage, you should be happy that it's not there anymore! But I know that it's frustrating to be in such a mess and everything to come back normal. How many hrs does food stay in the stomach normally? Because sometimes I eat and I get heartburn the next day. Can this even be possible??
Posted 10/7/2013 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the welcome Alcie! My Bravo stayed put for 7 days before the horrible, choking sensation subsided. I definitely never want to do that- or the PH test (especially the PH test!)- again!

I took Reglan about three times a day for six months while I was pregnant and luckily didn't have any adverse side effects. Now I only take it if my reflux/ regurgitation is bad enough to cause me panic attacks since I'm really worried about the tics. My doctor said there's another stomach motility drug out there they could prescribe depending on my smart pill test- but they want me to get an EKG beforehand because it can mess with your heart? That does not sound like something I want. Especially since I hope to go back on an MAOI anti-depressent sooner than later.

So far my doctors have been really understanding regarding my symptoms even with the "ok" test results. I really hope we can come up with a good treatment plan.
Posted 10/7/2013 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the reply SaggitariusGirl! My doctor said it was likely that my hernia is sliding- I really hope that's the case and my old doctor had my diagnosis right! I also am thankful that they didn't see any damage- do you think my esophagus could have healed? Like I said, I feel like a crazy person having had these diagnoses in the past and having these test come back ok. Especially since I've been having so many symptoms!
I can still taste my food for up to 6 hours after I've eaten it. Sometimes I will eat food at night and then still taste it in the morning. Do you still taste your food when you get heartburn the next day? I know that I get heartburn pretty much 24/7, but especially when my stomach is empty!
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