Severe Heartburni8 vb¸Å-

Hi all,

I've been suffering with reflux problems for about 2 years now. I've switched medications here and there and finally ended up on Aciphex. about 1 month ago I started to notice breakthrough heartburn. I've had a PH Monitoring test by the way that showed moderate reflux and an endoscopy 2 years ago that showed small ulcers in my esophagus and gastritis. Last week the burning became severe and I called my doctor who recommended another endoscopy. He isn't the doctor who did my first one so I understood why he wanted to look for himself. I've tried many PPI's before and even with this bout, nothing is working. I even tried taking Zantac in the evening in addition to my Aciphex (that I take in the AM) and it did nothing. So I had the test on Thursday and the doctor said that I have a very small hiatial hernia and some irritation but still better than my first endoscopy results. I started crying when I came out because my husband said stress was my main problem. The doctor apparently told my husband that because I had breakthrough I worried about it and began producing more acid. He prescribed carafate of which I've been on now since Thursday. It so far has not helped a bit. I'm burning most of the time with chest pain. I don't feel stressed so this is very difficult for me to accept. He also told my husband that I don't need surgery. I'm thankful for that yet feeling completely helpless because no matter what I do I burn. I burn drinking water. So what i'm hoping by writing today is that someone out there has had this happen but was able to get it under control again. I don't know what to do. Any help or advice would be so much appreciated.

Lori
P.S. I've tried DGL and aloe vera juice. I have not tried Slippery Elm tea which I hear helps.

Hi Law:  It all depends who your gastro doctor is.  My first gastro doctor was horrible and even in my last visit had me in tears because supposedly it was all "psychological" and in my head.  He never wanted me to get the nissen surgery because I remember asking him at least 3 times about it in my frustration.  I would even cry and tell him that I had tried everything and nothing worked (massive doses of PPI, natural medicine,acupuncture, DGL, strict gerd diet, lost 35 pounds, nothing worked).  Then that gastro doctor retired and ended up with his associate and he did more tests on me and recommended the surgery.  I spoke to the surgeon and told him gastro doctor #1 never wanted me to get the surgery and the surgeon said he was old school.  Gastro doctor #2 and the surgeon looked over my test/record and the surgeon said I had a mechanical problem/hiatial hernia and definately if I wanted to improve my quality of life I should contemplate on getting the surgery. 

I understand your frustration and getting upset that even a glass of water gives you heartburn (trust me, I believe you because I have been there).  The gastro doctor #1 even had the nerve to ask me how my marriage was because he'd say that my gerd was all due to stress.  I would always tell him that what had me frazzled was that this darn gerd wouldn't go away and I was following all the gerd rules.  My advice is to go and look for another gastro doctor.  I was dumb and I get upset and can't believe how much crap I took from doctor #1, next time if I ever have another medical issue, I am not going to take it and go to another doctor (even doctor shop if I have to).  I feel as if I had fallen through the cracks because of gasto doctor#1 when gastro doctor #2 and the surgeon totally had a different opinion on my case.  I understand the stress this disease can cause especially when you have exhausted all avenues and nothing works. Again, in my opinion take your record and see another gastro doctor and get a second opinion.  Good luck, Barbara.... 

Hi all,

Tammy, thank you for the words of encouragement and thank you for looking around to see if you have more ideas for me. I am well aware of all the things to do to reduce Gerd symptoms but they don't help me completely. Some things help a little. :(

porcelain doll - Thank you also for your words. This is my second gastro doctor believe it or not! The first one started me on PPI's when my endoscopy showed slight erosion of the esophagus lining and 2 small ulcers. I also had gastritis. At that time I was on Zantac and then switched to Prevacid. That took care of the burning however the lump in my throat would not go away. So the doctor said that he wanted to try Zelnorm which didn't do a thing to help the lump feelings. At that time he also wanted me on Buspar because he said my anxiety levels were the problem. I didn't like that answer. He then said he was sending me for the PH Monitoring test and if he found nothing he was going to give me some "crazy pills." Well, I dropped that doctor and found another. This doctor I'm seeing now is very nice and I do like him. He looked at my endoscopy results and said it didn't look bad but that I did have to continue on medication. At this point the Prevacid stopped working similar to what has happened with the Aciphex. So we tried different things including Protonix (not strong enough) and then Zegerid which did the trick BUT it caused me chest pains. He then wanted me to go through the PH Monitoring study which was the worst test I've ever experienced. I'm glad I did it however it was awful. It showed moderate reflux and he said I need to be on a medication and we finally settled on Aciphex 20, mg which did help me for almost a year. Prevacid also helped for almost a year. Interesting! During the year on Aciphex, the lump never went away. My new doctor said it may not and that it probably will come and go especially if stress is present in my life. I was willing to accept that and learned to forget about the lump. So back in September of this year I started having breakthrough symptoms while on Aciphex. Granted I was not watching my diet as I should be. The doctor said to try Zantac in the afternoons which I did at times but not always. It didn't seem to do much for me when I did take it. We went on vacation 10/8 and while on Aciphex I seemed to be okay but then had to resort to taking 2 because we were on vacation and I wanted to eat without limits. Well I did eat without limits and seemed to be OK until we returned home. Then things went downhill and the burn was unbearable. I called the doctor and told him Aciphex was not doing a thing and that is when he ordered the endoscopy. I had that this past Thursday and that is where I am now. I'm very interested in some of these new procedures but at this point my doctor probably will not recommend me for any of them which means, yes, I have to find another doctor. I just don't know of any in this area who are open to surgical or even some of these new, non surgical procedures. I'm so tired of trying to find doctors that will do something more than just prescribe medication!

I'm very happy that surgery was an option for you and that you are thus far pleased with it. I can't wait to hear more.

bokbok - I'm so sorry you are suffering too. I am interested in the EsophyX procedure but no one in North Carolina performs it at the moment. Have you read about radio waves being used to treat Gerd? I have an article here that I'll quote: "...using small wires to generate heat and stiffen loose tissues, stopping the backflow of stomach acids. In trials, it helped three-quarters of patients, with seven in ten either no longer requiring drugs or needing to take them only occasionally when symptoms appeared...." This sounds promising too. If you have some spots of Barratts then I would think you are a candidate for something more than just medications. I don't understand why many doctors are so hesitant to try some of these newer procedures. Anyone know?

My heart is with all who suffer with this. Lori

I'm wondering if this radio frequency is the same as the Stretta Procedure? Anyone know?

Thanks Tammy. Things are calming down for me thank the Lord. I have to watch very carefully what I'm eating. I used to do this before but started cheating a lot more when I felt OK. I hate living on this kind of diet. This last week has been pure hell for me and I can't stand to think of it happening again. I'm still burning but not as bad. I'm also sad that I'm limited to what I can eat. I'm very interested in what you can find out about the procedures so thank you. I'm also looking around too.

Thank you Ted for your words. I'm very encouraged by it and will look further into alternative therapies to help myself.