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Newbie who is terrified.

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 4/14/2014 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi folks

I just recently discovered this forum and I am hoping you guys can help me out. I was diagnosed with GERD in August of 2013 (although I had on and of heartburn issues/dry cough for about a year though nothing that ever needed attention). Then out of nowhere I began getting really nauseous whenever i would eat meals. I never threw up but always felt like i was on the verge. So I went to the Dr and he put me on 30mg of Prevacid and because I was worried about the side effects, I took one every other day and naturally it never did anything for me. February I took it upon myself to see a GI and found out that my RX was actually for two 30mg of Prevacid a day. which I have been taking for about 2 months now.

April 8th I went in for my follow up and explained for the most part the nausea after eating has gone away but now I am having actual heartburn almost once a day. and again nothing major, just some general discomfort for a few minutes and goes away. My GI said with amount of PPIs Im on I should have no symptoms and has scheduled me for an endoscope on the 22nd.

Of course I am online looking up stuff about Barrett's and the possibility of cancer and I am scared out of my mind. I just turned 29 and i am in a panic that i wont make it to 33.
Posted 4/14/2014 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
Also I have been making huge strides to improve my diet since the new year. I've had a cheeseburger twice, im weening myself off coffee by cutting it with chicory. I have given up eggs at breakfast for oatmeal, bran flakes or a mango/banana/coconut milk/aloe smoothie. lunch and dinner are chicken salads with kale, olives, feta. I've given up alcohol except for maybe twice a week. I have gone from 230 pounds to 212. I dont know what else to do. I dont want to die.
Posted 4/14/2014 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
odds of cancer are very low even in the presence of severe and longstanding reflux

odds of cancer are lower among those who continue to have severe symptoms while on PPI's in relation to those who have few or no symptoms
Posted 4/14/2014 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
Don't know if this will make you feel any better, but I was started on Omeprazole a few months ago, and although it helped some things, it made the heartburn worse! Talked to the doc, switched to a different med, and things are fine. I had an endoscopy (which isn't bad at all) and was dx with chronic gastritis. There are so many parts that can get irritated in the GI system, and different meds work differently for different people.

2 things:

1. Always be honest with your doctor, especially when it comes to taking/not taking the meds they prescribe. They can't help you if they don't know what's going on.

2. Step away from the computer!!! So many of us get a symptom and race to find out what it could possibly be, and usually get sucked into the parts of the website that describe the worst possible scenario. I have learned to only look things up after diagnosis (and even then, limit it) to get more information. Try to limit your internet searches. I know you want answers, now, but hang in there, try to distract yourself, and soon enough you will get some real answers!
Posted 4/14/2014 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I know it is frightening, but the chances of cancer are really slim, even if you have Barrett's. I have had Barrett's almost 30% of my life, and it has not progressed to cancer. (I'm 29 now, so have had Barrett's and GERD relatively young)

As was mentioned before, many things can cause GI upsets, and some PPIs work well (or not) for different people. I tried loads of PPIs with no relief until I found the right one and dosage. And if you still are looking for things to change, there are the lifestyle modifications like raising your head at night, eating many small meals during the day, and so on. They might help you find additional relief if the symptoms are still bothersome and you're still figuring out the right PPI.

I would say the first step is to try and get a diagnosis and really figure out what is going on, and in the meantime, definitely get away from Dr. Google. It is totally easier said than done, but try!
Posted 4/14/2014 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
Good post Altair. I like the cut of your jib. Or is it gib? It must be jib, right? Either way I like the cut of it, unless it is uncut, in which case I like the fact that is hasn't been cut yet.

Important to point out: as per my understanding, the majority of people that still have symptoms while on PPI are having them for which acid is not the operative factor. In other words, the PPI's are doing their job, but some secondary factor is at play (i.e. hypersensitivity, or something else).
Posted 4/14/2014 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone for the input, it helps quite a bit. I just want this to be over and done with so I can move on with my life.
Posted 4/15/2014 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
life isn't about waiting for the storm to end, as they say, but about dancing in the rain. Of course who am I to preach that though.
Posted 4/15/2014 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
Can I borrow a rain coat and umbrella, I'm getting wet...... idea
Posted 4/15/2014 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
Take them from my cold dead body, floating face down...lol
Posted 4/16/2014 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
Well that got cryptic fast
Posted 4/16/2014 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Have GERD long enough and you will come down the rabbit hole too
Posted 4/16/2014 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
Amen!
Posted 4/17/2014 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
****
Posted 4/17/2014 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
It's so dark in here and I'm cold sad ...........but I just got a new rain coat and umbrella smilewinkgrin    Thx arm turn
Posted 4/17/2014 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
Sunny13 gave perfect advice.

I have Barrett's with no signs of cancer as of say a year ago. To monitor it, my GI doctor wants me scoped once every two years. I was sad to see alcohol can aggravate the Barrett's, but it is what it is. Since my Nissen, I've not consumed booze.

I remember how I felt when I was diagnosed. Freak out mode! It gets better. Something else will come along to cause you worry in your life and this will seem less important. Maybe that's just my life...
Posted 4/17/2014 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
That's one thing I am having the hardest time giving up - COCKTAILS. Giving up fast food and anything fried and greasy was more than easy. Giving up red meat and dark chocolate sucks; but it is what it is. Being told to give up spicy foods was a stab in the heart. But cocktails too?! I have 1 or 2 drinks a week and never enjoyed being drunk; but i love making cocktails. The craftsman ship and all that jazz. *Le Sigh* sad
Posted 4/17/2014 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
Many can't enjoy anything they like. It's unfortunate.
Posted 4/17/2014 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
Interesting points. I still eat citrus and dark chocolate, and very rarely drink coffee. Dr's will say the dietary recommendations have hardly any evidence, they are more anecdotal, so go with what your symptoms tell you. If they don't give you symptoms, then who cares. No dietary thing has ever given or not given me symptoms in an identifiable way.

Be that as it may I don't break the rules to eat unhealthy food (fried) or food I don't like (spicy). But if eating a piece of chocolate gives me no additional symptoms, then no doctor would tell you I am being a moron for eating it. Its based on individual symptoms.
Posted 4/17/2014 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
In some cases you may not have to give up something entirely, but just lower the amount you consume. For me I thought I would have to give up red meat which I was not happy with but have found as long as I don't eat a 16 oz. steak in one sitting, then red meat doesn't give me any problems. Now instead of getting two steaks, one for me and one for my wife, we now just get one steak and split it and fill up more on the vegetables. Based on this I find that I can still enjoy pies and ice cream as long as I don't take in too much at one time.
Posted 4/17/2014 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
The only triggers I have really noticed that do me in is fatty, greasy and fried foods for sure and when I eat too fast. Tomato sauce (but I make my own and "sample" a lot of it as it cooks with bread). I went to New Orleans when this all first began and couldn't eat much ; but could down mojitos without a problem. However in the last 6 weeks whenever I drink alcohol (beer and wine) I get burning sensation in stomach. But that's ever so often and dont get it from juice or coffee.
Posted 4/17/2014 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
Ugh I'd kill for some jambalaya and a Negroni right now.
Posted 4/17/2014 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, moderation is key. I've noticed no triggers, but something is wrong.
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