Upcoming impedamce - a bit worried

zeldagoblin said...
Hi there, Daxter. You sound exactly like I was a while back. I know, I know, I know. I feel you. I had all the LPR symptoms, but zero results from every test. Please keep knocking on those doors. I finally got them to agree to do the surgery after seven years based purely on my testimonial, and my persistence.

This illness really does affect you psychologically, especially when no one in the medical profession seems to believe you. There is nothing more isolating and lonely than this.

I know it's hard to focus on anything else, but it does help if you can just get out of the house or something. I also found anti depressants to be a really huge help. They made me feel I could cope and be strong, and I'm not really a strong person. I think I got through the worst times because of them meds.

I know you might have heard this, but keep a diary. Even just for a week or month, if you can. I found this to be very good ammunition when seeing my GI doc.

Don't know if you can PM me on healing well, but if so, please do, because I know exactly what you're feeling and you don't have to face those dark feelings alone.

Sending strong coping vibes your way

Liz x

Hi Liz,

I was wondering if I could ask you what antidepressant you took? It's just that I have LPR-like symptoms and was told by my consultant that sometimes they can help with what they call functional GI problems (meaning you have symptoms, but they can't find a cause or enough evidence to do anything for you beyond prescribing more PPIs). He advised Mirtazapine, but I am wary of it as it tends to make my mouth and throat dry and I am afraid that this will eventually worsen my symptoms.

Noelle

Hi Liz,
Thank you so much for that information. Interestingly, Amitriptyline was one of the medications the consultant mentioned. And of course, this has a reputation for causing dry mouth/throat also. I have discussed this with my doctor and she said that if I feel it's worth a try that I should come and see her after Xmas about it. I think almost anything is at least worth a try and as you say I can always stop if I'm not happy with it.

Thanks once again for sharing your experience

Noelle

Daxter, I had perfectly normal test results time after time, but eventually my surgeon did the fundo. I'm in the UK. He also is one of the few surgeons who does reversals if you're unhappy with side effects and such.

Although sadly many of my symptoms persist, I must say the guy did a sterling job. All the tests show zero acid getting through, and I can eat easily and burp without issue. I'm in the North East, his name is Mike Tilston. He does both NHS and private cases.

You can request to see pretty much anyone, my sister proved this recently in the case of her husband needing reconstructive rib cage surgery. Her local hospital in Stoke said no, so she googled around, found the top guy in the UK who fixed her husband up brilliantly.

You are right, our symptoms are very real. Unfortunately for us, though, stress is a huge trigger for our LPR. Our symptoms worsen, no one listens, we get stressed, which worsens the symptoms, and so on. You sound really desperate, I understand that and relate to it. This condition really is all consuming.

I wish there was more I could do, but all I can say is you're not alone. Keep fighting. Don't lose hope, try to hang in there.

Liz x

Hi Daxter, you sound like you are where I was a couple of years ago, I know how depressing and soul destroying the symptoms are and I hope you can find some relief. I went through the same stress, tests all saying I was fine, but my symptoms were intolerable.

I just hanged in there, not sure why, there were many times I wanted it to be over for good, but one day my reflux symptoms drastically reduced, Im not sure why or how. I wont pretend I dont still have many problems but I eventually went from that place of constant pain and misery to one with moments of feeling fine and feeling more in control of my symptoms.

There is always hope, however remote it may seem, even if all your medical routes are closed off. I hope you find some relief soon.

I suffered with mental health problems along with my reflux and would not be surprised if you aren't the same. Taking care of yourself mentally is as important as physically and I found great improvement in my physical symptoms as well when I got help for mental issues. I had therapy for anxiety and did relaxation several times a day - I have still never found a drug as powerful as those relaxation exercises at reducing reflux and pain! I also take anti-depressents for the depression this ordeal brought on, and Elavil the one I take also helps reduce pain which helps with the heartburn and stomach.

Post Edited (Andy1986) : 12/6/2014 5:13:26 AM (GMT-7)