Sudden Excessive Burping - Help!

I had reflux that started exactly 5 weeks ago: i was eating like crap and stressed, leading up to it. I've NEVER had issues with reflux before; maybe occasional heartburn, but that's it. I do have IBS, which is the catch all for, "we're not sure what the cause is, but you don't have XYZ."

So, I self medicated with Prilosec for one day, then Pepcid AC daily for about two weeks. My doctor tested me for H. Pylori via breath test and that came back negative. I had to be off Prilosec for two weeks and Pepcid for 48 hours. I really thought it was H. Pylori b/c it came on so sudden.

I've had zero symptoms of reflux for the last 3 weeks, EXCEPT I'm burping a lot. Way more than I should and it's almost daily. Some days are worse than others. They also taste like the food I just ate and will smell if I let them out.

I did go to my GI two weeks ago who said to take Prilosec for two weeks, or Protonix, which she prescribed. I did NOT take those YET, because I also learned about low stomach acid and how that could be the cause of my issues and PPI's make them worse. I have done the morning baking soda test and wasn't burping within 5 minutes, so I wondered if I had LOW acid. ...I took the test this morning, and i belched within 5 minutes, so maybe my acid is back to normal?

I'm also experiencing bloating more than usual.

Should I go ahead and take the PPI for two weeks? ...When I was taking the H2 blocker, my symptoms of tight chest and more burping would come back in force, and that got better once I stopped them.

My PCP and GI admitted they don't test for low acid in "western/clinical practice" and that I should see a naturopath for that. Ugh!! They were both pretty dismissive.

What should I do? Who's had this experience and found a solution. Should I take the PPI's anyway for 14 days as my PCP and GI suggested?

My diet is already in check now; I'm eating great. No fast food and cut back on reflux antagonists.

Thanks!

I have had a similar experience. My GI performed an endoscopy and a follow up PH monitoring test which involved leaving a PH sensor in my throat for 36 hours after the procedure to monitor my acid spikes. I was on PPI's and felt I was going backwards and asked my doctor if I might have low stomach acid. He assured me the data from the PH monitoring confirmed that my stomach acids were refluxing and was the source of my discomfort. I am now on Calafate which is a milder drug that coats your stomach and throat to protect u from the acid wash. I never liked the idea of PPI's surpressing your natural stomach acid production. That just seems problematic long term. I've been on Calafate for 13 days and feel marginally better but I don't have any of the side effects that the Nexium was creating. I should also add however, that when I was on PPI's for 6 weeks, my throat inflammation dramatically improved. So there is no clear answer.

Mark1tyler said...
I have had a similar experience. My GI performed an endoscopy and a follow up PH monitoring test which involved leaving a PH sensor in my throat for 36 hours after the procedure to monitor my acid spikes. I was on PPI's and felt I was going backwards and asked my doctor if I might have low stomach acid. He assured me the data from the PH monitoring confirmed that my stomach acids were refluxing and was the source of my discomfort. I am now on Calafate which is a milder drug that coats your stomach and throat to protect u from the acid wash. I never liked the idea of PPI's surpressing your natural stomach acid production. That just seems problematic long term. I've been on Calafate for 13 days and feel marginally better but I don't have any of the side effects that the Nexium was creating. I should also add however, that when I was on PPI's for 6 weeks, my throat inflammation dramatically improved. So there is no clear answer.

Thanks for sharing your story. So do you agree that I should try the PPI's? Also, my GI was pretty dismissive, so I think I want to get a second opinion.

I'm proactive about my health. In good shape; work out weekly. Never had this issue. But I've had issues with dismissive and lazy doctors in the past.