Burning feeling inside - Acid Reflux / GERD Message Board

lilcee · 03-20-2009, 04:14 PM

I've been having heartburn for a few weeks now. I went to a Dr and he thought I was having a heart attack and sent me to the ER. They said it wasn't my heart and sent me home with prilocec. That helped a little but I have a lot of pain in my upper ad and still burning inside. Yesterday I went to the Gasterologist and he scheduled me for an endoscopy for April 6. That's two weeks! Tonight I feel like my insides are on fire and if I touch my upper abs, it feels hot when nothing else does.
He gave me nexium which I plan on getting tomorrow and also a prescription for reglan which I'm afraid to take. I saw a lot of bad side effects with that one.
My question is, how do I get rid of the burning feeling inside. I feel like I'm on fire. I don't know if I can wait two weeks for the tests. I'm scared it could be cancer or something like that.
Could it be an ulcer? What should I do?

DMBF · 03-20-2009, 06:48 PM

Acid reflux is VERY COMMON and as you will see on this board, your symptoms are common as well.

Start taking the nexium and you should feel relief within a few days. However, it can take weeks before the feelings of burning really subside. You probably have extreme irritation in the esophagus and upper stomach. Do some research on line as to what foods to avoid and start to track yourself what irritates you. Everyone is different, but in general, avoid coffee, fried foods, sugar laden foods, fatty foods, chocolate and some tomato products. Citrus bothers some, but not all. Drink lots and lots of water between meals. Elevate your bed at least six inches.

Many of us have been through this anxiety of waiting for tests. It's hard and makes the reflux worse! Endoscopy seems to be a fairly common test that doctors prescribe and will do so just to confirm their suspicion of reflux/GERD.

Keep reading on this site or do a search and you will see ALL the people that have what you do and have had to wait for these tests. Waiting is hard--the hardest thing to do, but two weeks is not long and will give the nexium time to work and perhaps start to heal your body.

Good luck!

lilcee · 03-20-2009, 08:37 PM

Thank you for your reply. I tend to get over worried with things like this. I have two brothers who had cancer. One was cancer of the pancrius. I don't think it's that but I get worried anyways when it feels like my insides are on fire. I know I worry too much and am trying to work on that. Thanks again for your kind reply. It helped put me at ease.

DMBF · 03-21-2009, 07:03 AM

Oh I can relate! I've had GERD for almost three years and when it was first diagnosed, I had high anxiety waiting for all the tests. This past January, I developed some new symptoms, and had to have an Upper GI, and same thing--I obsessed like crazy about what it "could" be. It's normal when you have a family history and/or personal experience. But the anxiety can make it worse. I know it's easier said than done to say don't worry. It's just human nature. Staying active can be helpful as well--any time you start to worry or obsess (except going to bed!!), get up and do something physical. Exercise is good for releasing the "good feeling" hormones which help to decrease the worry, improve your mood, and also get rid of excess acid in the body.

If the worry gets bothersome and you are losing sleep, many people on this board have noted that taking Xanax (mild muscle relaxant) helps them not only with the worry but also the GERD symptoms. You may wish to try that short term! It's all individual. There are also lots of alternative "natural" treatments as well, if you are "into" that.

I feel so strongly that the medical field is "reactive" and that we have to be "PROACTIVE" for our own health. THat means researching not only what works and doesn't for you, but looking into other alternatives that get to the root of the problems and don't just put a band-aid on the problem. It does take effort and work but it can pay off!

lilcee · 03-21-2009, 07:58 AM

Hi, thank you. When I got up this morning my stomach was hurting - felt all bloated. When I eat everything just seems to just "sit" there in my middle. The Dr thinks that my stomach isn't emptying like it should. That's when I start worrying about tumors etc. Today I have a lot of gas and feel like I need to go to the bathroom but can't.
Thanks again for your support. Have a good week end.