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Is this GERD, Gastritis or something more serious?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 8/5/2015 11:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone! I'm new to this board but hoping you will be able to give me some advice based on your own experiences (I'll try and keep this short)!

I woke up on 1 July with an upset tummy - griping pains, nausea, indigestion and loose stools. After 24hrs the griping pains had disappeared but the nausea and indigestion remained. This carried on quite persistently for a week so I went to the docs who prescribed Omeprazole 20mg and did a stool sample to test for h. Pylori (which came back negative) I took the pills for 2wks as prescribed and started to feel better. I had a few good days after I finished the Omeprazole but within a wk my symptoms had returned. Went back to the Dr last wk who has prescribed me another course of Omeprazole & scheduled blood tests for this Friday. She isn't concerned that it's anything serious, but also has no clue what's causing these symptoms either. I have also asked to be referred to a private GI who I'm seeing on 18 Aug.
Can anyone please help with what this might be?
My symptoms are:
Indigestion & heartburn which is very frequent
Acid reflux
Nausea
Lightheaded-ness
Feeling as tho I have something stuck in my throat/chest (isn't painful or difficult to swallow tho)
I don't have any stomach pain, but I do have some discomfort in the very top of my stomach, right under my breastbone
Burping
I haven't been sick at all and don't have blood in my stools
My weight is pretty constant although I guess I've probably lost about 2lbs but I think this maybe because I'm worrying a lot and the nausea is putting me off my food. I'm also still trying to figure out whether the symptoms are worse when my stomachs empty or I'm hungry.

Any advice you can give me would be great as I'm really panicking! I'm not an anxious person, but am definitely worried about this which is probably making my symptoms worse! Viscious circle :-(

Thank you
Beth
Posted 8/5/2015 12:20 PM (GMT 0)
Those are almost word for word the same symptoms I started with, though I can't say if its GERD or not because I don't know myself yet.

The nausea is really hard, just keep up eating whenever you can tolerate it. Try things like dry crackers e.g. Saladas, Saltines - whatever is in your neck of the woods. Soups are good too, they can be easier to tolerate when you are nauseous. Ginger can be good for calming the stomach, as can peppermint, but I know peppermint can aggravate reflux, not sure about ginger its never been a problem for me. Just be careful that you don't get constipated and keep an eye on your weight, I started out only losing a small amount but it seems to snowball quickly, now even though I am eating more than I was I am still losing weight steadily.

One thing which will be invaluable for you and your GI is to start keeping a food and symptom diary. You may find some foods you can avoid, or you might notice a pattern in the symptoms you experience.

Also keep an eye on your dental health, if the reflux is getting far enough up that it gets in your mouth it will be eroding your teeth, esp the back ones, so just be extra diligent.
Posted 8/5/2015 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your reply. Have you had any tests done to determine what it is? I'm so anxious to see the GI Dr so I can get to the bottom of what's causing it. I'm sick of feeling like this and I'm driving myself & my husband nuts fearing the worst!

My problem at the moment is that I'm not totally convinced it's being caused by food, it just seems to be pretty constant no matter what I eat. The mornings seem to be worse - where I've been led down all night and then wake up hungry. Not sure how well the Omeprazole are working either. I have a slight suspicion that the symptoms are worse when my stomachs empty - it makes some awful noises and seems to be relieved when I eat...sometimes.

I'm also completely fixated on my weight at the moment, weighing every morning, which isn't doing me any good!! HATE behaving like this but I think anxiety has taken over.
Posted 8/5/2015 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there! Thanks for your reply. Yes I'm 31 and never really had any stomach problems up until 5wks ago.

I'm not constipated and go at least once a day which is normal for me. Stools appear to be normal, no difference in colour and no undigested food.

Yes I am worried about stomach cancer but I'm trying not to focus on that too much and trying not to let my anxiety take over - Dr Google is a terrible thing!

I see a GI dr on 18 Aug and then hopefully an endoscopy soon after that. The waiting is the worst part!
Posted 8/5/2015 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with ssjgogo... you really need the endoscopy. If you can, don't let the GI dr just keep giving you PPIs as that is a cycle that can last years when those pills were not made to take for years. All of those symptoms could be GERD and if you have a hiatal hernia, which is common, could make matters worse. The acid reflux/GERD symptoms can feel like a heart attack. I use to get those same feelings during the middle of the day at work just sitting at my desk. The endoscope will give a diagnostic result and give a better path of recovery. I just had Laproscopic Nissen Fundoplication surgery to get rid of 30 years of PPIs and those horrible symptoms of GERD. Good luck.
Posted 8/5/2015 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
CaliJR if you don't mine me asking, why did it take so long before you could have the nissen fundoplication?
Posted 8/6/2015 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Bethahr1984, hang in there. I have been to emergency last June 14. Same symptoms as you have. Did all check, EKG stress test. Last week did a CT scan. Praise God all results are normal.
I was suffering from GERD for almost 2 months. I took Ppi which was omneprazole and pantoprazole for 6 weeks. Unfortunately those medications did not work after a week. I got weaker and lost 14 lbs for 6 weeks. I went back to my doctor and urgent care twice. I was told its anxiety. Was prescribed with ativan and prozac. After reading all the side effects did not take those meds. I also. stopped the Ppi I tried taking Zantac 150 MG 3 x a day for one week. Drinking Yakult and pribiotic supplement once a day. I attended prayer Healing. This had helped me. Relaxed myself and helped me from being anxious. My hands and feet sweats like crazy and that scared me too. I'm a cancer conqueror 8 years ago and I was so scared that I can't eat and was losing weight. Right now I'm eating strict diet, white rice seems to work and just steamed fish. I also drink Boost vanilla flavor to help my recovery. I'm now down to one Zantac a day. Taking it at night and I'm sleeping better.
Prayers works for me. Hope you feel better.
Posted 8/6/2015 7:55 AM (GMT 0)
Yes sounds like gerd and gastritis to me. It takes a lot longer than 2 weeks to settle down, also uu need to ween off omeprazole when u r healed and not just quit cold turke

Also watch ur diet, do not have any coffee, alcohol, chocolate, onions, tomatoes, cucumber, fruit juices or soft drinks, garlic, cigarettes and you will heal much faster

Post Edited (Andy1986) : 8/6/2015 2:01:36 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/6/2015 8:12 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone, for taking the time to reply. It's comforting to know that I'm not the only one suffering.

I have an appointment to have bloods taken tomorrow and I have bumped up my appointment with the GI dr to Tues next wk. Fingers crossed I can get an endoscopy done ASAP.

Beth
Posted 8/7/2015 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Andy1986, thank you for your advice. Are you still taking any GERD medications? How did you stop if you are not taking anymore? I did took the PPI for 6 weeks but as mentioned on my other post, it did not work after a week. Then I switched to Acid Blocker Zantac after 6 weeks. Now I'm down to 1 Zantac 150 mg a day. I am on a diet of rice and fish and bitter melon vegetable which so far worked for me. I am eating frequently every 2 or three hours. I'm sleeping better now. Did you take other supplement or remedies after taking PPI. I cough sometimes due to dry throat. Could be from GERD? but I can't take vitamin C, it gives me bad acid effect. I tried Robitussin DM once but got scared taking it again.

Anybody have dry cough during recovery of GERD, what medications (over the counter) that work?. Thank you.

Bethanr1984, keep us posted how your blood work went. I had mine taken few weeks ago and all was normal. My blood sugar was up but not bad, I was eating white rice and honey for 6 weeks before my blood test and that had justified it. Those were the only food my stomach could take. They might be looking for Pylori virus on the blood test. After that if everything is normal they will advise for endoscopy. I requested for CT scan instead of endoscopy. I can't do pasting for long hours with endoscopy. I'm not expert on this, but I think the doctor can see everything on the CT scan. Hope you feel better.
Posted 8/9/2015 5:05 AM (GMT 0)

Bethanr1984 said...
Thanks for your reply. Have you had any tests done to determine what it is? I'm so anxious to see the GI Dr so I can get to the bottom of what's causing it. I'm sick of feeling like this and I'm driving myself & my husband nuts fearing the worst!

My problem at the moment is that I'm not totally convinced it's being caused by food, it just seems to be pretty constant no matter what I eat. The mornings seem to be worse - where I've been led down all night and then wake up hungry. Not sure how well the Omeprazole are working either. I have a slight suspicion that the symptoms are worse when my stomachs empty - it makes some awful noises and seems to be relieved when I eat...sometimes.

I'm also completely fixated on my weight at the moment, weighing every morning, which isn't doing me any good!! HATE behaving like this but I think anxiety has taken over.

Hi Bethanr1984,

I have had a ton of tests done, they ran through a range of scans and blood tests to rule out infections, cardiac problems and thyroid problems and now I've just finished the last of the GI tests to decide if I am suitable for surgery. I've had a barium swallow, gastroscopy with I think 4 biopsies, manometry and a 24-hr pH test so if you want to know anything about them just ask.
Posted 8/9/2015 7:50 AM (GMT 0)
Tu Wang, no I'm still on PPIs, I take 40mg Nexium a day, without it I have severe pain in my chest, even with it I don't get full relief from the heartburn but it is bearable.

I've tried all sorts of remedies and supplements,I take probiotics and pepsin gi but nothing works as well as Nexium for me
Posted 8/9/2015 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Andy1986, thank you. I hope you will feel better soon with Nexium. I heard that's the best PPI. When I was taking my PPI my doctor told me to mix it with acid blocker towards the evening as my PPI did not work. I was taking the PPI in the morning. Also I have thyroid medication so it's my tyhroid meds first and after 40 mins or an hour take the PPI. I did not have Nexium but Omneprazole and Pantoprazole 40mg. I was taking it for 6 weeks and did not work anymore. I was still losing weight. I am a cancer conqueror (sinus area) 8 years ago. So being scared was just part of the package. Chemo side effects was same feeling when having the acid attack. Having been thru all those feelings is not easy. I become weaker everyday and getting anxiety attack. My anxiety meds worked to calm me down but it gave me more acidity and I become so dependent and scared.
I tried remedies like Apple Cider, Aloe Vera juice and probiotics. I even did the coconut oil pooling. But still did not work. For me, when I was taking PPI, all those remedies did not work because I was dealing with the PPI side affects like headache and dizziness. I was so desperate and helpless, nothing works anymore. The PPi did not work, anxiety got worst and I got so scared. I went to a prayer healing and from there slowly I got healed. I know the intensity of GERD is different to each one of us. I'm just sharing my walk to recovery. Now I'm down to one Zantac 150mg as needed and taking Yakult every meal and probiotic tablet at night. Get well soon.
Posted 8/9/2015 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
I Swear this was my post about 5 months ago. EXACT same symptoms! Mine too started with nausea and no appetite. Then because i wasn't getting better after two weeks they gave me a zpac and thats when the Acid Reflux started. I was also put on prilosec and it helped but it took about 3 months for the nausea, burning and pain to go away in my stomach. Now fast forward to the present, I have my appetite back and no nausea or burning. My stomach actually feels wonderful, but Im still dealing with the reflux. I had my scope done in March and everything was clear but because I felt like my GI never really helped me I have now changed doctors and I have another scope scheduled in 2 weeks because I still have issues with food getting stuck and pain in my chest. Im on Dexilant and it has helped with food stuck and pain in my chest but I don't want to be on PPi's forever. I'm also 33 and confused as to why this is happening to me. 6 months ago i could eat anything and never had an issue with reflux and now I'm scared to eat anything spicy, red or caffeinated. Sorry your going through this, but know that it will get better.
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