Think I may have GERD, advice needed please.

Hi, I'm new to this sub forum.

I'm a 28 year old female who has been very sick since September 2014. I have been suffering from severe stomach pains, chest pain and shortness of breath. I have recently developed the feeling of food being stuck in my throat after eating. I am on my second night of no sleep because of this. I haven't been able to eat anything in over 24 hours due to the terrible discomfort. I do not want to go to hospital as I don't feel like I'm ever taken seriously. Also I have noticed my stomach makes these strange gurgle sounds lately. I have been burping a lot too.

At first I thought this was all a lupus flair but after research I am wondering if this could be from GERD. I have basically been forced to become my own doctor due to a lack of care and concern from doctors I've seen. The first time this landed me in the hospital a few months ago due to severe abdominal pain I was immediately handed a Xanax, I was not having a panic attack. I recently went to the ER and I was told by the doctor that I had gastritis but I was healthy, no treatment, advice or referral was offered. I don't feel healthy. I actually feel like I'm on deaths door. I went from being a normal healthy body weight for my small figure and loving food and going out to eat to weighing 85 pounds, dreading to eat and not going anywhere. I am sick everyday. I feel bad for my bf who has to deal with all this, right now he is sleeping alone as I'm sitting upright alone(well my kitty is next to me) on the couch due to not being able to lay down flat.


I took it upon myself to book with a gastro but that appointment isn't until a month. I also tried prilosic otc but that made my chest hurt more. I also have been taking tums. I guess I have a few questions starting with If anyone has any advice or thoughts on these symptoms? Does it sound like gerd? I didn't think gerd was this bad I mean this is ruining my life. Should I be booking with any other type of doctors? If I still have these throat issues tomorrow do I need to bite the bullet and go to the er?

Thank you.

Post Edited (LAWCHICK) : 2/1/2015 11:45:36 PM (GMT-7)

Hi JBthegreat

It's common to experience chest pains when you have GERD

Why do they think you have Gastritis?

Have you been tested for delayed gastric emptying? Delayed gastric emptying can cause GERD/LPR. Symptoms can include: abdominal fullness, stomach pains, Gerd/LPR, bloating, burping, abdominal distention, weight loss, and in worse cases vomiting.

CAGU said...
Hi JBthegreat

It's common to experience chest pains when you have GERD

Why do they think you have Gastritis?

Have you been tested for delayed gastric emptying? Delayed gastric emptying can cause GERD/LPR. Symptoms can include: abdominal fullness, stomach pains, Gerd/LPR, bloating, burping, abdominal distention, weight loss, and in worse cases vomiting.

Thanks for the responses. The doctor at the er did some thing where he tapped on my stomach. He then nonchalantly said gastritis don't worry about it your healthy. He kind of seemed annoyed I was even there. I haven't had any testing no one has recommended any. I am on day 4 of not being able to eat a meal. I tried this morning and I could only get down a few bites of the scrambled eggs I made. I see my primary tomorrow. I'm not trying to be dramatic but I don't know how much longer I can go on like this I feel weaker everyday.

Post Edited (LAWCHICK) : 2/3/2015 4:50:07 PM (GMT-7)

CAGU said...
Hi Lawchick

I know how you feel, I was in that position not too long ago.

You might want to start drinking some Ensure drinks for nutrition and calories. You could also try chicken soup or chicken broth and also jello. I know it does not sound appetizing, but it is some calories.

I been eating yogurt but even with that I have issues. Had a boost today and right after I got severe pains in stomach and chest I don't know why because I have been drinking them. I think I'm going to ask my dr to please put me in hospital before I go down to under 80 that really scares me.

This really is terrible. I'm sorry you were in this position. What finally got you out of it?

CAGU said...
Hi Lawchick

I found out I delayed gastric emptying. Since I was not vomiting, I did not realize I had delayed gastric emptying. But GERD/LPR, abdominal fullness is another sign. With delayed gastric emptying food is staying in the stomach too long. The food does not break down quickly enough. It will cause the food and the remaining acid to be pushed up the esophagus.

I started getting better when I realized my medication was causing it. The medication I was taking was a PPI (omeprazole 20mg) which was slowing down my digestion. I had to go through three months of Acid rebound (hyper secretion of acid) to get off this medication.. It is an extremely bad withdrawal symptom of this medication. Once off this medication, my symptoms slowly started to reverse.

Wow this is horrible isnt it? Im happy to hear that you are doing better. Its been a week now since I have been able to eat solid foods. My primary was supposed to call in medication for me two days ago however only after me leaving a nasty message today I will be able to finally pick it up. The gastro doctor wont see me any earlier so right now im just praying I last until the appointment I feel weaker and lose more weight everyday. I know I sound dramatic but I have another serious health issue that already makes me weak and sick so this is really taking me to the cleaners.

Kellakk said...
Not sure what you have going on, but one thing you could try is to drink an 8oz glass of water with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in it. It can help neutralize stomach acid...IF it were gerd. Hope you feel better soon.

I was able to see an ENT today and of course he started talking about stress. He did the scope and he said that my throat was irritated. When he sprayed that numbing spray it was wonderful I felt relief I was even able to eat solid food afterwards and drink with no lump feeling. I could tell however when it wore out. He said that he didn't think the irritation would cause me to not be able to swallow but I explained to him that I felt like I had food in my throat and that's why I found eating food difficult. He recommends I get a endoscopy for possible gerd. I left that appointment not sure if he thought I was nuts or not. I don't understand why doctors seem to assume anxiety so much especially after they find something.

Right now I bought throat spray, aloe juice, some special throat tea, gavison and nexium. I can open a store with all the crap on my counter!

Kellakk said...
Lawchick-
Does it ever cause your heart to race?

No it does not. Just extreme discomfort. I noticed when I took the gavison liquid I felt some relief.