Karen, the main urinary side effect that I've heard about with Reglan is urinary hesitation -- i.e., pauses before you are actually able to urinate. With Reglan, it's important to get to the doctor...
There's also Protonix and Aciphex, if you'd like to try them. Laura...
No, I haven't had this happen, Flagg, but I believe you if you say it seems related to the PPI's. One thing -- you may want to order a TSH blood test to check your thyroid levels. Hyperthyroidism can...
I understand how awful that horrible taste is. I had it too, really bad. Try increasing your PPI dosage to 60 or even 80 mg/day, or try switching PPI's until you find one that can control the taste....
That's an awful story, Danielle. Sorry you've had to go through it. It sounds to me like you should get a second opinion from another ENT doctor. Could be sinusitis? If going off of the PPI's makes...
Don't worry about the procedure. They give you happy drugs that leave you w/o a clear memory of what happened. The whole things lasts less than 10 min. It's good to know what's going on inside. Laura...
Jeff, an endoscopy does not provide info. regarding how you are swallowing. An esophageal manometry test is used for that. Do you think you'd like to order one? For throat issues, try taking...
Great, AuntKay. If you ever start to develop side effects from the Reglan, be advised that there is another motility drug called Domperidone that is currently avail. in most countries other than the...
Ellie, I love coffee too. I still drink it in spite of the GERD, although not nearly as much. I am concerned about the icky taste in your mouth and throat symptoms. These are common signs of GERD....
P.S. There is a med called carafate (sp.?) that coats the stomach with a protective layer like mucus. It is used to treat people with ulcers. If you have reflux, the drug will also reflux into your...
Second that, Nancy. Have you tried a GI doctor at a university hospital? Often these facilities are better equiped and the doctors (who also teach) are up to date on current procedures, meds, and...
By the way, the Endocinch procedure is reversible if necessary. Laura...
Success rate is pretty good, Nancy. As I stated in another post, a lot of people do return to H2's or PPI's in 6-10 years, but the same is true for the Nissen fundoplication. I'd rather reduce the...
When docs prescribe PPI's, I think it's important to understand that most of the time they are thinking long tem drug therapy. And by "long term" I mean the rest of our lives. Physicians won't say...
Pat, I have to agree with Nancy here regarding the GI doc. Family practice physicians are notorious for simply handing out the PPI's and sending you on your way. I'd get in with a GI doc -- if you're...
Nancy, have you ever been to a naturopathic doctor or an osteopath? These health care practitioners work on finding natural alternatives to synthetic drugs and alopathic medicine. For someone with...
I hear you, Pat. PPI's suck. Most of us take them b/c we have to and would much rather ditch them in the garbage if it was possible. Reflux when bending over IS a common complaint of GERD sufferers....
Also, you didn't mention if your endoscopy showed a wide LES. If it did, there are drugs called prokenetics that help to 1) tighten the LES to prevent reflux, and 2) move the food out of your stomach...
Nancy, what is your PPI dosage? I totally understand that you want off of the meds. I do too. But if you're in that much pain, you might want to consider increasing the dosage -- at least for a while...
Hey, Heidi. Nice to see a post from you and it's GREAT that your fundo continues to produce such good results. Laura...
There are three procedures that are done endoscopically to improve GERD: Stretta, NDO Plicator, and Endocinch. The first involves transmitting (I believe) some sort of radiofrequency waves to "burn"...
Seems like not a lot of people on this forum have had the above procedure, which sounds great to me. I can't have the surgery. True, a mojity of patients go back to meds w/in 6 yrs, but the same is...
True that, Solfed. Motilium (also called Domperidone (sp.?) is likewise used for (as the name suggests) gastroparesis, meaning delayed digestion. It works like Reglan, w/o many of the ugly side...
Yup, PATB, Stretta uses "heat" to create scar tissue of the LES. That tissue, when it builds up, thus tightens the LES muscle. Some docs say avoid Stretta b/c it messes with esophageal nerves. Other...
Glenda, you may want to check prior posts for discussion on the Laproscopic Nissen Fundoplication. Many people have good results with the surgery; however, research shows that a majority of patients...
Aha! Well, I found the doc list for my area for Endocinch, but still wondering about Picator . . ....
I'd love to have the Nissen, but I can't due to motility problems. If I were to alter the shape of my stomach, it might make the motility issue even worse. Therefore, I need to find a GI specialist...
Welllll . . . it seems to me that our stomachs produce the same amount of acid as non-GERD sufferers. The problem, in most cases, is the LES relaxing inappropriately (or just hanging wide open most...
PATB, I am taking one such test now. It's called Bravo. They insert a small device that's attached to your esophagus via suction. You get a monitor to carry around with you for 48 hours to monitor PH...
TB, my name is Laura and I am usually on the GERD forum, but was moved by your post. I am a 33-year-old female, previously in the best of health, who was recently diagnosed with idiopathic...
Is your doc a family practice/general med physician or a GI specialist? I only ask b/c it is usually best to go with the latter if you are experiencing GERD and/or motility issues. Many GERD...
It sounds like you're having regurgitation symptoms -- Your stomach contents (in this case, water) are bouncing back up on you. I get it too. It feels gross. Some people in this forum have said that...
Hey, SW. Crackling or cracking? Sometimes when I swallow I hear a weird "crack," sort of like a bone moving positions. I have severe GERD, so I reflux up high, at least to below the larynx. How about...
You know, I did, but unsuccessfully. However, my chief problem is motility, not GERD. I was using the ACV to treat what I thought were GERD symtoms, but later found out were motility-related:...
I feel you, Iguana, as all sorts of bad tastes in the mouth are one of my chief complaints. You may be tasting acid or other digestive stuff (i.e., bile). Robin's suggestions are good. Also, try...
Hey, Corinne. Yup, some people think apple cider vinegar helps with GERD. Those who hold that opinion believe that GERD is actually caused by having TOO LITTLE acid instead of too much. The reasoning...
Nikool, lots of people have anxiety probs -- including yours truly. Please be aware, however, that this doesn't invalidate what sound like very real PHYSICAL issues you are having. Unfortunately,...
Cheryl, some people believe honey, red delicious apples, and apple cider vinegar are good natural treatments for GERD. The honey protects the throat and esophagus. Be careful with the ACV, though. It...
Coralee, 40 mgs of Nexium is actually at the higher end of the PPI dosage usually prescribed for GERD. That is what I am taking as well, and one doctor described me as "maxed out" in terms of dosage....
Hmm. You may want to consult a chiropractor in addition to your MD. Chiropractors often find mid-spine maladjustment in people with digestive issues. The mid-spine corresponds to stomach and etc. I...
I am staunchly opposed to Reglan due to its potential side effects. Sounds like you're aware of them already, but if not, do a web search to find info on numerous lawsuits against the manufacturers...
Zelnorm, Erythromycin (antibiotic, in tab or liquid form) and Reglan are some of the meds currently used to speed emptying. I am staunchly anti-Reglan, as some of my other posts convey. Mosts docs...
I don't want to misinform you, however, it is my understanding that the duration of the gastric emptying test (in my case 90 min.) correlates to the time it takes a normal stomach to empty 50%. My...
Great point, Hearty. I was thinking along the same lines when I read this thread. Unfortunately, it seems we who suffer from GERD are put in the position of becoming slaves to the PPI's, which only...
Mary, thanks so much for your reply. I loved hearing that you were able to visit Olive Garden and R.L. so soon after your fundo! I'm so sorry about the GB situation and send you all my good wishes....
Michelle, I've read your prior posts stating that you had bad side effects from other PPI's before starting Nexium. May I ask what those effects were? I am currently on week 7 or so of Nexium and I...
Mary, I advise not to second guess yourself. Lots of people who have anxiety issues also suffer from very real and painful medical conditions. The two are not mutually exclusive. Given your history...
Test results came back and indicate that I do NOT have Zollinger Ellison Syndrome. If you are familiar with that disease, you know why I'm happy. Patients w/Z.E. have extremely high gastrin levels...
Oops, sorry, BBG. I just went back and read your prior posts. I saw that you already addressed some of the issues I mention. What can I say? I've been in a lot of pain and on doctor-prescribed...
If you have gastropareisis (delayed emptying) like me and some of our other GERD forum members, docs will need to 1) find out what the cause is or if it's idiopathic, and 2) most likely prescribe...