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GERD - just been diagnosed

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 9/24/2014 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I've just been diagnosed with GERD or 'Gastro-esophageal reflux disease'. I was just wondering if anyone could give me an idea of when my symptoms might start to get better as currently I can't do much.. I have constant pain in my oesophagus which makes it difficult to eat or drink anything as it hurts to swallow anything down. I am extremely tired all the time and just generally feel horrible. I started these symptoms 3 days ago and have been prescribed 'omeprazole' which I have been taking for the past 2 days. I realise it will never go away altogether and I intent to change my diet and lifestyle as I believe its drinking which triggered it (especially red wine) and eating fatty foods. I just want these current symptoms to improve so I can start doing normal day to day things like exercising etc. again. Anyone had similar experience could give me some comfort that with the meds I'll be back on my feet soon?

Much appreciated.
Posted 9/24/2014 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hey, Jamz.

It might take a little while for the medicine to take effect. Try and be patient with it. If you're not seeing improvements within a few weeks, you may want to talk to your doctor about changing the medication. For example, DEXILANT is stronger.

The inability to swallow without pain is a little concerning. Who diagnosed your GERD (a gastroenterologist?) and how was it diagnosed? You may want to consider an EGD. Your GI doctor will sedate you and put a tube down your throat to peek around.It doesn't hurt.

In the meantime, there are some things you can do.
1. Avoid fatty foods, alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, peppermint, tomatoes, citrus fruits, and chewing gum.
2. Don't eat late at night.
3. Don't overeat. Small meals are best.
4. Don't bend over or recline 2-3 hours after eating.
5. Elevate the head of your bed six inches.

Hope it helps,
John
Posted 9/24/2014 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jamz,

Sorry to hear that you are having a tough time. It takes a few weeks for the omeprazole to fully kick in. You could also get pro kinetics to help speed gastric emptying and it also has the side effect of tightening the LES - in the UK we have domperidone.

I would follow the advice from 1039smooth, and sleep on your left side as well.

Hope that you feel some relief soon

All the best

Pink
Posted 9/24/2014 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
Also eat slowly.
Posted 9/24/2014 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Smooth, I see in your post you said not to chew gum. I have read quite a few times that chewing gum is recommended after eating and I have found it useful as the lump in the throat feeling is less noticeable while chewing gum.

Hi Pink, my doctor prescribed me Domperidone as I have lost so much weight since I started on PPI's 4 months ago and because I am still having symptoms. I am a bit reluctant to take it as I have read about the side effect of heart rhythm disturbances and deaths from this drug (reported in a British newspaper). Do you take it and have you had any side effects?
Posted 9/24/2014 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
Loucath, I forget the reasoning. It might be swallowing the air.
Posted 9/25/2014 8:07 AM (GMT 0)
Loucath,

Yes I was on Domperidone for about 4 months 3 tablets a day before meals and it worked great, then it started wearing off after that. I am in the UK and I would give it a try, if you feel any strange symptoms you can stop it Immediately.

The chewing gum helps your upper sphincter and lower sphincter by producing more saliva which clears the reflux, but you do get more air in the abdomen.

Have you tried Gaviscon Advance?

Pink
Posted 9/25/2014 10:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

Thanks so much for your reposes and advise. Smooth - when I say trouble swallowing, I don't actually mean the swallow action but rather the sensation of the food travelling down - it feels like when you don't chew your food properly or eat too big mouthfuls and its painful all the way down (this is even the case when drinking tiny sips of water). My GP diagnosed me but I kind of realised what it was before I went as been suffering from bouts of heartburn and indigestion for some time and it was always induced by drinking red wine. This weekend I drank quite a bit and then had a takeaway the day after.. the next day woke up with this pain.. it seems the reasonable explanation that it is GERD.

I took the advise of sleeping with my torso raised and lying on left side last night and I have to say I woke up this morning much improved - can actually drink water now without it hurting and generally the pain isn't as constant so I'm feeling ver relieved (must be combination of meds, sleeping correctly and diet). Going to continue to be cautious with what I eat and hopefully make a recovery soon (as I have a very important job interview next week! eek!)

Thanks all for your contributions and I wish any fellow sufferers all the best

Jamz
Posted 9/25/2014 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
Pink, I looked for Gaviscon Advance but they only had Gaviscon Double Strength, is that the same? I'm in New Zealand so might not sell it here. We only have 3 PPI's available in the public health system here in NZ - Omeprazole, Pantraprozole, and LanSoprazole. Omeprazole didn't help me much, Pantroprazole is better but I get tight feeling in throat and horrible taste in mouth after eating, do you think it is worth trying LanSoprazole?
Posted 9/26/2014 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
Nice, Jamz. Keep it up.
Posted 9/26/2014 7:38 AM (GMT 0)
I had to switch to lanzoprazole and I found they worked ok for me. Never completely took the symptoms away but I think you have to do all of the other things too, raising the bed, not eating for 3 hours before dinner and avoiding triggers etc.

Gaviscon double action isn't the same unfortunately. It's meant to actually sit on top of the stomach contents and create a barrier. It's a bit more potent than the double action but can be used with ppi too. Think you may be able to get it on Amazon.

Hope you find your symptoms easing very soon.
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