THIS IS A little LONG, BUT PLEASE READ IF YOU HAVE TIME! Thanks!
i accidently stumbled across this website while doing some other research, and i love it!! just a little history about me (in the medical respect)...i started having problems elemntary school with slight motion sickness and frequent nausea. in 8th grade i stared having diarhhea and heartburn, and was given zantac, then my 10th grade year i came down with what i supposed to be a stomach virus....that never went away. although i never threw up(i haven't since i was 8), i knew my breaking point, and i would stop eating when i felt full (i kinda have a phobia of vomiting). well, my GI in hershey pa tested me for bacteria imbalance, parasites, liver/pancreas/kidney dysfunction, and ordered a full palate of blood tests (for mono, cancer, and the like). i was also tested (not by him) for lactose intolerence, thyroid dysfunction, and anything that can be found through (2) endoscopies, a 24-hour pH probe, an upper GI, abdominal CAT scan, an ultrasound (for gallbladder) and some kind of (excuse me) poop test where i put stools in a preservative container to be studied in a lab...the pH probe showed that i refluxed ALOT and the second endoscopy said i have a hiatal hernia, but besides that, nata. after 2 mos of near starvation, i was admitted to hershey med center where i was given an IV for five days and an NG tube which went home with me for three mos. i wieghed 95 lbs upon admitance (sp?), at 5'5'', which is a full 30lbs lighter than i am now (and most people think i look like i weight ALOT less than i actually do, so that was ALOT of wieght for me to loose.) oh, and my hershey GI thought i had an eating disorder and was trying to mask it by pretending i had a problem...how ignorant!!!! now, i'm just on this site to try to get some support and suggestions, b/c i'm sick of everybody rolling their eyes at my complaints, b/c noone can really make them go away. here's my current med update- i'm going to the GI on thurs for a check up---i take 80mg of nexium every day (my doc says my reflux is so severe that he doesn't wanna risk surgery cause it may not do anything), peppermint extract (to "aid" in digestion), levbid 2x a day to control IBS and stomach pain, and, although i am not depressed, he put me on zoloft, cause sometimes it helps nausea (it actually does for me...unfortunately, mentally i am now dependent on it)---oh, and the nexium about 98% takes away my heartburn, but non-painful reflux happens all the time---also, from having an NG tube down my throat i have developed SEVERE rhinitis (nasal bleeding and constriction and swelling on nasal passages), which is aided by allegra and nasonex (i can still FEEL the areas where the tube chaffed against my sinuses!), and mild asthma (supposedly from reflux), which is controlled with albuterol as needed. I don't really have any "questions" persay, i just wanted to talk to some people with similar problems, b/c, like i read on many of your posts...alot of you say that people thought it was "all in your head"--yeah right!!! if anyone has any suggestions as to strategies that help ease discomfort (by the way, i do sleep with my bed proped up on wooden blocks), please let me know, otherwise, i'd just like to talk with some of you guys... thanks for reading!!!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Gosh you've been through a lot! I wish I could help you. Hope someone on this board might have some answers or suggestions. Whether any of us can help or not we are with you in spirit. I'm stumped. Anyone have any suggestions?...Tagger

Rach,
Sorry about all your problems!!!

That's some story!!!
You didn't go into much detail about what you're eating that produces so much stomach acids??? 80mgs of Nexium is alot of proton pump inhibitors. As you probably know --it make the acid producing cells in your stomach stop producing acid. Too, little acid is not good.

Peppermint is more of an irritant for some people--- for some it hurts more than it helps digestion. It can irritant your throat??? It does mine. You need to take a digestive enzymes for better digestion without any acid in it.

I suggest you start eating yogurt -- 3 or 4 times daily. A good brand is Stonyfield Farm. It contains 6 active cultured bacteri that helps digestion by re-balancing your intestinal fiendly bacteria. There are other good brands at health food stores-- just read the labels to make sure it's good --contains more than just a few active cultures.

I think that you're not drinking enough water. You should be drinking 8 --- 8 ounce glasses daily. It would help flush your Gastro system out. Also, start taking a water soluble fiber supplement daily-- like Metamucil twice daily. It's safe and will bulk up your stool so that your BMs are gentle without straining.

I wish you well!!!
God Bless---Harry

PS Let us know how you're doing.

thank you so much for your reply! lets see if i can answer some of the q's you posted about me...i'm not actually sure what causes such a high acid secretion in my stomach...the hiatal hernia makes it easier to come up, of course, but i haven't actually found a target food...even water will reflux when i'm not on medication (well, it will cause severe heartburn, reflux happens all the time) but, anyway, uh, lemme see if i can remember what you said...i tried digestive enzymnes a couple of years ago, and i didn't really seem to do anything, but there's no harm in trying it again, i suppose...the peppermint can cause irritation, but, oddly enough, i actually find relief in taking it, it coats my stomach or something, like, if i'm nauseous, anything peppermint flavored (the capsule, hard candy or gum) clears it up BETTER THAN ANYTHING...the yogurt thing, i'm not familiar with the type you listed, but i know that dannon fruit-on-bottom is good for other bacterial imbalances, and i like that...would that help, or is the kind you listed best???? let me know...oh, and i took metamucil for awhile, uh, i think it was my freshman (high school) year, and it actually CAUSED more diarehha...so i had to stop...i have my GI appointment tomorrow afternoon, so we'll see what goes on there...i'm gonna ask him about some good foods to eat (i think that would be an easier list than what not to eat!!! haha) oh! i just remembered...i knew that i'm on a high dose of nexium...i switched to prilosec from aciphex and zantac when i was sick, and that was a 20mg, and then since i was still having problems they doubled it when i was admitted, when i transferred to the carlise doc, he discovered the hiatal hernia and saw that my pH probe results were really bad, and i was still having some heartburn, so he doubled that, and its been working great to control the sting, i don't think the reflux is bad without the acid is it??? well, probably...lemme know what you think...i write more if i discovered that i forgot anything!! thank you!!!!

rach

Hello......80mg nexium is alot....I have barrett's esophagus (precancer) and I take 100mg. but thats pretty unusual....You should not be taking any MINTS...they can absolutely cause more problems...Im concerned about why your dr. thinks you would not be a good candidate for the fundoplication surgery....Usually, it is recommended when you dont respond well to the PPIs (nexium)If you are taking 80mg then your not responding well to treatment...What happens when you have a hernia is this.... We have what is called a lower esophageal spincter (LES) muscle that is located at the base of our esophagus where it meets the stomach....we get a hernia when that muscle is weakened and a portion of our stomach slips though that LES muscle and is in our esophagus...That means the LES muscle (that usually stays closed except when we are eating or drinking to allow what we have consumed to pass from our esophagus to our stomach) is, to some degree, constantly open allowing the acid to get through (instead 0f staying in our stomach where it belongs)and causing it to reflux back into the esophagus.......Fundoplication surgery repairs the hernia and wraps a portion of your stomach around that muscle and keeps it closed....Most people cant vomit anymore after having it done but they dont usually ever have any reflux symptoms again either. Usually you can be medicine free afterwards.....There are alot of new technics with this surgery and now they say that many of them will last a life time without having to be redone.......I have made the choice for myself not to have this surgery because of the amt. of dysplasia I have with my diagnosis...Im to afraid the surgery would hide the pre-cancer area (as it is known to do in barrett's esophagus) and that I would still be progresssing and it woudl be very hard to biopsy.....Also, I hope you dont eat any chocolate, caffeine, tomatoe products, fried foods,pepper, alcohol, tea,, colas, citrus fruits...You also should not take any aspirin, or NSAIDS...I never eat atleast three hrs before laying down.....If this is all caused from acid-reflux because of the hernia, over alot of yrs. time, if it doesnt get controlled, it can lead to many severe complications, such as, erosive esophagitis, strictures, and many, even more serious things...I hope this info will help you when you are talking to your Dr....Take care...........Cathy

Rach,
For your Gastro system to function properly--- you have to intake 20 to 30 grams of fiber daily. It should be made up of both soluble and insoluble fiber. The worse case of a person i have known with explosive diarrhea was cured with Medimucil.

Yogurt-- It takes 2 culters to make every brand of yogurt --- it digests most of the lactose. Dannon only adds one active culture --- Lactobacillus acidophilus---- Stonyfield Farm adds 4 others. I'm sure it sold in your area. You need to do some research on probiotic supplements to see what the major various bacteri do. There are 400 that have been ID'ed. Start with stonyfield.com

There has been many books written about digestive enzymes --- get a good one and study it. Most foods are diested by enzymes.

Cathy--- Your message is very good--- you write from a life of experience and knowledge --- God bless you --- Harry



[This message has been edited by Harry (edited 05-01-2003).]

hi, i have a phobia of vomiting too, did you know that emetophobia (its name) can cause you to feel nauseaous a lot of the time because of anxiety? i felt nauseaous for 6 months and stopped eating because i was so scared of von=miting, i went to psychiartrist and was given a mild anti depressant, now i can eat and dont feel sick all the time anymore. is this any help? i hope so xx

thank you so much for your replies!!

cathy...i've been told by several people on this board that mints are bad for reflux problems...thats always the general concept, but when i don't take my peppermint oil, i will always have (mild) heartburn after eating...any idea to why this is??? also, one day we were driving on bumpy backroads, and my stomach was upset anyway, and we stopped and ate, and afterwards i was really nauseous, but when i chewed some wintergreen flavored gum, it cleared up IMMEDIATELY---any response to why this might be happening??? by the way, the 80mg nexium does an excellent job for me...about 98% of the time..when i do get heartburn, its is usually because either i have eaten something i shouldn't have, or i ate to quickly, however, the reflux is still there for awhile after eating something...does this fall under "not responding well to treatment"???? i am a bit hesitant to say that my eating habits are probably not the best for my problem, but they have gotten worse since the onset of the symptoms, so i know that my eating did not initially cause it...i love chocolate, and i love soda too...but the kind i like to drink has caffiene in it (i'm not addicted to the caffiene, i love the carbonation!!!!) would some of that carbonated fruit-flavored stuff be any better??? eehhh, fried foods i eat moderately...every once in a while the family has to stop by mcdonald's when we're in a hurry (i'm 17 in a family of five, just FYI)...the NSAIDS thing, i try not to take too much pain reliever anyway just cause, but when i do (oops)it usually is an NSAID- i have severe chronic swelling in my nasal passages, and NSAIDS are the only things that will take my headaches away...any suggestions??? you can't vomit if you've had fundoplication surgery?!?!?!?!!? i didn't know that!!! did you read that i have a phobia of vomiting???? i would love to know that i will never vomit!!! oh, just another little note that might be of importance, my grandfather had an ulcerated esophagus requiring removal of part of his esophagus, and he had colon cancer also and had a colostomy for the last 10 years of his life...lemme know what you think...

harry, thank you for the yogurt bacteria information...i will look into it...please let me know if you have any response to anything i said to cathy...

star 45...i DEFINATELY have that vomiting phobia you talked about!!! (can't remember the name!) i thought i was just weird!! most people can't understand that...especially with my GI history...i was put on zoloft to try to control the nausea, and i didn't think it did ANYTHING...until i tried to go off of it, then i was nauseous alot, and i discovered i was pretty dependent on that drug...i still have a phobia of vomiting, but (unlike when i was in elementary school) my fear is not so intense as to make me nauseous..thanks for that little tidbit!! i didn't know that a fear of vomiting was something that could be labeled as something other than "weird" http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

lastly, does anyone have any info on the fundoplication surgery???

thanks! rach

hey! i think i forgot to add something, i didn't actually come out and ask about eating habits...do any of you have any suggestions for good foods for people with the reflux/IBS i have described...i am having SO much trouble changing eating habits, cause noone else in my (immediate)family has stomach probs...any ideas????? thanks again!!

rach

You are dealing with an awful lot for a 17 yr. old and I think (just from what you have written) that you are handling it quite well.....Its very hard for someone my age (50) to change eating habits, I cant even imagine being so young and dealing with it....However, after saying that, I want you to know, that lifestyle changes is what it takes to get a handle on reflux disease...If you try to avoid the foods that are on the NO NO list you should see a decrease in your symptoms....The two things you know you have are...Reflux and hiatal hernia, so, you have to focus on getting the acid under control.....Why don't you try for a few weeks to stick real close to the GERD diet and just see what happens with your symptoms....I still say 80mg Nexium is alot but the most important thing is to stop the acid, and if that is how much it takes then so be it, but, the medicine wont work without our help...This is an illness that takes our active participation...If we dont do what we are expected to do then no amt. of meds will make us better....You can research the fundoplication surgery on the web by just going to google and entering nissen fundoplication....Lots of sites will come up but like with everything else, go to the good reputabe sites like John hopkins or a big Hosp. that has lots of info....Im sorry you have had to deal with this for so long, people that dont have these problems just dont understnad to well what we go through....I wish you the best of luck and try to avoid those foods you know you shouldnt eat...Also, I like carbonated sodas and I once in awhile drink one that is decaf....My orders from my GI Spec. says I can have one decaf beverage a day.....Take care and let us know how you are doing.......Cathy

thanks for your response...i appreciated that you gave me what i needed to hear without some big, grumbling, lecture about what i'm doing wrong...i agree with you that i probably eat some stuff that is not perfect for my system..oh, before i forget, in addition to the gerd and hernia, i also have a fairly severe case of ibs...i'm on meds for that too...anyhow, i have been sick the past couple of days with a sore throat/earache kinda thing, and for some reason my bowels are really screwed up too. i don't know if the bacteria just attacked both places, or if my body's fighting the head cold so hard that my digestive system gets neglected...either way, i have been drinking alot of water today, and i haven't had any diarehha since this morning...kudos to water i guess http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif i quite agree that the 80mg nexium is alot, i am slightly concerned about it, but maybe the food and diet changes i'm trying to make will make the nexium work 100% i completely understand what your saying...i'm going into premed, so i have had alot of contacts with patients through internships i've done, and it amazes me what people expect medicine to do...there are smokers that come in to the drugstore where i work that come in and pick of 4-5 asthma meds...hello??!?!?! but, to get back on subject...i have a 24 ounce water bottle, and i figure if i can drink 2 a day then i'll only be 16 ounces short of 64 (or eight glasses) so we'll see how that does...i realized today that i feel completely satisfied after having about only 8-12 ounces of water ALL DAY...that probably isn't good...i still think i probably need the 80mg nexium, but hopefully eating habits will help make it even better. do you happen to know what damage can be done if i continue to reflux non-acidic substances (most of the time if i bend over after eating, it comes right back up- but does not hurt) i know my mom is concerned sometimes b/c i'm having more severe probs with my digestive system at 17 than my grandfather ever had (well, except for the colostomy)....thanks for the reply http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

rach

Rach, I too have a hiatal hernia, GERD, and IBS. I'm on 40mg of Prolosec, Cimetadine and Reglan 4 times a day. Also Metamucil once a day. When I have a bad attack with reflux, the ONLY thing that works is following a strict no acid diet. After a few weeks I feel better and can gradually add some foods back in. However some I have permanently banned from my diet. Here are the list of food items I don't eat when following the strict diet:
Coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, chocolate, anything with caffine, coffee or tea labled "decafinated", onions, peppers, garlic, spices (including mustard), anything made from tomatoes. Basically, follow a bland diet for a while. I rely on mashed potatoes, macaroni & cheese, baked chicken and bottled water. It's not a lo-cal diet, but usually it's friendly to my system. Again, to work you must stick with this for a few weeks. Hopefully your family will help you out by keeping some "friendly" foods on hand.
Good Luck
Brenda

Rach, I forgot to mention...watch your physical activity too. No bending over and lifting, no sit-ups, jumping jacks, etc. These cause acid to back up. My last severe attack occurred after starting a combination cardio-kickboxing and yoga class. Big mistake. My doctor told me to stop immediately. Walking and swimming are good exercises.

Brenda

brenda- thanks for your reply! you would think that gerd, ibs, and hiatal hernia would all run together, but i have found it very rare to find anyone else with all these disorders reeking havoc on the digestive system...i must admit, i LOVE chocolate and carbonated beverages, but i know when its time to stop, and usually i do...fortunately, i don't like any of the acidic foods you listed, nor do i drink coffee or tea, so following that kinda diet is not too rough for me...however, i do like pizza, so thats probably not good either, but i don't have as much temptation as i would if i liked alot of those foods...i have found that water IS very beneficial to keeping me on track...with my stomach upset these past couple of days, flushing the water through is the only thing that seems to stop..i don't wanna take any meds...i don't wanna overload (you probably saw in my original post the meds i'm on)...thats good you can take reglan, i took that for about a week before i was admitted to hershey 2 years ago, and it was TERRIBLE to me---i got EXTREMELY drousy and weak...i could hardly function! i also had quite a reaction to phenergan...so thats out too. oddly enough, my doc put me on metamucil several years, and although alot of the cramping was resolved, it made my diarhhea worse (how come i can never spell that word?!?!?!) i have found that the new ibs drugm levbid, is much kinder and effective for my system.

about the physical exercise thing...i totally agree with you...just thinking about doing those exercises with any food in my stomach practically gives me reflux...haha. i don't exercise alot now (no gym class) but i do dance, and i know when i've had too much...down the road when i'm older, i have a feeling i'll probably want to exercise...what exercises DONT induce reflux???? just wondering...cause i agree about the ones you listed.

well, tonight i have my prom, so i hope i can control my eating...we're going to applebees for dinner, and pretty much the only thing i like there is buffalo wings (i know, they're TERRIBLE for reflux- but oddly enough, they don't seem to bother me...could it be b/c my acid is already being blocked by the ppi???)- so i'm afraid i will cave in...and there's gonna be soda EVERYWHERE however, i drank a mug of water today, and i plan to drink more before 3- when i'm meeting friends....wish me luck (:-/) thanks for your response!!

rach

i asked some of you that if peppermint is so bad for reflux, then why does the peppermint oil i take everyday not cause problems?? i found out last night!! i was taking my meds, and i looked at the bottle, and the oil of peppermint that i take is "enterically coated" to dissolve and be absorbed by the small intestine!!! thats why its helping me! its an intestinal drug, not a stomach/reflux drug, and thats why it is so soothing to my system...my intestinal sphincter is fine, so the peppermint is not actually in my stomach, and therefore not bothering my stomach!!! i find this herb beneficial to anyone with ibs....my GI recommended it!

rach

Hi...I hope you had a wonderful time at your prom last nite !!!!!you taught me something about that peppermint oil you take, I couldnt figure out how it was helping you when it is defintely on the BAD list.....Thank-you...You got it down pat with the water regime, I drink about 8-10 glasses everyday....Take Care.....Cathy

prom was tons of fun, i only had one little problem...i have discovered recently that i cannot not digest large amount of fruit...especially at nighttime...i forgot about that, and i had a large strawberry daquiri (sp?)-of course it was nonalcoholic. but i'll try to remember better next time. cathy-i'm glad i could teach you something about the peppermint...i have always known that mints are supposed to be taboo, and i couldn't figure out why it was helping either...i was starting to get worried that maybe i was just THINKING it helped when it reality it hurt me and that i was complicating my own problems...but i don't think so!!! thanks for the response....oh, and i HATE water, but i must admit...drinking lots of it really makes me feel better!!! thanks for the reply!

rach

Rachel,
Carbonated products of any sort is not good for reflux or IBS. I'm sorry but I can't remember why it's been so long for me. I think it can increase the acid and reflux. Sorry, can't remember for sure.

You're doing a great job dealing with your issues. I agree with Cathy - this can lead to other complications if not taken care of properly. I think the sphincter/muscle that Cathy is referring to is the pyloric sphincter but not sure. I've heard of the "LES" but not sure if the two are the same.

Also with the tons and tons of drugs you're on, this can lead to issues down the road as well as currently. All drugs may give but they also take - trust me on this. It takes years before they find out as not many MDs take the time to report possible related adverse events/adverse reactions to the FDA.

As Harry stated, check into the probiotics and enzymes. When you find the right enzymes, this should definitely help some.

80mg of Nexium is on the HIGH side. Is it possible to check to pH in your stomach and esophagus?

Eating bland food may help as well. I know it must be difficult for someone your age but in order to have the best quality of life sometimes you just have to control yourself around your surrondings/options. Definitely stay away from coffee/high caffeine products - when I loose my control and do drink the coffee in the morning and stand up all day on certain jobs, I do become nauseous (I can't remember how to spell nauseaus!!) even without eating. I can't eat all day until about 2 hours after I get home and that's too late. I then usually wind up skipping days of eating.

Keep up the positive attitude - that's part of the battle!


[This message has been edited by giupset (edited 05-08-2003).]

***sorry this is kinda long---i wanted everyone on this post to know this stuff...thanks!***

i agree with everything your saying...yes, 80 mg is alot...they tested my pH with a 24 hour probe about a year ago, and i've also had two endoscopies...the probe showed significant reflux, but fortunately i have not had any esophageal (sp?) damage...and i remember that several monthes ago my doc said that he wasn't gonna push fundoplication surgery cause it would be alot of trouble (with the recovery and stuff i guess), and it might not do anything...i'm not sure about why or under what impression he said that, but...

also, i know i'm on alot of medication, i listed it on the board b/c i am aware of that- unfortunately, all the meds i am on i am very dependent on... 1-the nasonex-w/o this, i get SEVERE sinus headaches and nosebleeds....2-the allegra- i just got bronchitis b/c my dosage (which was just increased) is not clearing all the mucous out of my system-i use 3-the albuterol for the same reason as the allegra, 4-the nexium, obvious probs, my doc has put me on this dosage based on the reflux shown in my pH probe (i would watch the numbers...rarely were they above 4, may times they were at .8-2, which is more the acidity of your stomach, but it was correctly placed, cause they did a thorough check at the hospital) 5- the levbid...i was using an as-needed pain and diarehha med (bentyl) but i used it almost everyday and got painful and weakening episodes of stomach cramping and diarehha, hence the levbid (by the way, as with the probiotics and stuff, my bacteria levels in my intestines were checked during several different tests, and they are perfectly normal...also, my doc is a DO, so if he thought that was a problem, i assumed he would have told me...is that correct or no??) and, speaking of DO - he had me try peppermint oil, and that works very well on keeping my system running smoothly (read above posts to read why this herb is NOT bad for your stomach), and lastly, the zoloft-he had me try it a year ago when i wasn't on so many meds, cause lots of times it helps with unexplained nausea...when i tried to get off it this year i was very nauseous and depressed...withdrawl i guess, and i did step down SLOWLY, so, due to the fact that my grandfather died from a mental-disorder related problem, and he had many life-threatening digestive conditions beforehand, i decided to just stay on that...

i have checked these meds with several docs, my pharmacist, and my online prescription ordering system, and the drugs are perfectly compatible, also, the problems i have have all been there simultaneously, so i don't think any of the conditions were brought on by side effects of other meds...yes, it takes 7 medications, but this is the first time that my respiratory and digestive system has had ANY sort of regulation for 4 1/2 years...

sorry this was so long...and i'm not trying to be nasty or anything...i just wanted to explain to other posters why i TRUELY need every single one of these medications...i don't want anyone to think i am an overmedicated hypochondriac...

oh! i just remembered...i said awhile ago about the reflux i experience...it is absolutely not painful (well, unless i eat something i shouldn't have). for instance, when i drink water, it kinda just regurges back into my throat-immediatly...almost like it didn't make it the whole way into the stomach the first time...kinda like swallowing the same think twice, there is no acidic taste whatsoever, just the taste of the food i swallowed...now, as of about 1.5 years ago, there has been no damage to my esophagus...do you guys think that i am ok with these, or can just the reflux of food cause problems??? thanks for your replys!!! i appreciate your efforts and suggestions to help me out!!!

rach

GO SEE ANOTHER GI SPECIALIST, SOMEONE THAT SPECIALIZES IN DIGESTIVES DISORDERS, LIKE CHRONS AND REFLUX/ HOW ABOUT TALKING TO THEM ABOUT A NISSAN? http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/idea.gif

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[This message has been edited by rsg (edited 05-10-2003).]

rsg- i'm a little confused about your reply, i've seen 2 different GI doctors, and my current one now has not recommended nissan for me, for reasons i listed above, he's a GI doc- he DOES specialize in crohn's and reflux...i don't have crohns, i haveibs, hiatal hernia, and severe reflux, and nausea...i'm not trying to be smart, but did you read the other posts????

rach

80 of nexium is not the top of the scale dose wise, and questran works miracles with diarrhea

well, the recommended dosage is 20 to 40 mgs, and i'm on 80...they don't even make 80mg pills, i have to take two forties!

maybe your thinking of acid reducers, most people on zantac, pepsid and the like are on atleast 300mg a day, sometimes twice a day- these are ACID REDUCERS they neutralize the acid that is in your stomach

nexium, prilosec, aciphex, protonix, prevacid and the like are PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS...they are not intended to neutralize acid- they BLOCK IT before it even gets SECRETED into the stomach...nexium and prilosec are made in 20 and 40mg pills, and prevacid and i think maybe aciphex are made in 30 and 60mg pills....

i work at a drug store, and EVERY person there is at atleast half my dosage...the ONLY person who i have found on a higher dosage is "cathy" on this forum, who is on 100mg, b/c of barret's esophagus....does this pertain to what your last reply was???

rach

I eat loads of yogurt. I am not sure if it helps but I'd like to believe that it does. I'm not sure if it does or not. I alwso reflux water which is annoying. I don't understand how one gets reflux so bad. Sigh. I was on nexium till the insurance stopped paying for it. Now I'm on protonix and it doesn't owrk as well. I take reglan four times a day too.

Some foods that bother me are onion, garlic, coffee, tea, soda, accept for gingerale, tomato, oranges and OJ, bananas, cucumbers, tuna, peanut butter, mint, and chocolate. Things that help are not drinking a large amount of water at one time, sleeping propped on a fesw pillows, squatting instead of bending over, wearing elastic waisted pants, not lying down after eating. Maybe this will help you. Also avoid greasy and spicy foods.

I take a larger PPI dose, and have you ried the questran? Bye hope you feel better someday

Hi Rach...Was wondering how you are feeling now?.....I think its not so much how much nexium you take as if what you are taking is working.....80mg is alot but the point is, if thats how much it takes to control your reflux then thats the important thing...Cathy

[This message has been edited by cathy2752 (edited 10-19-2003).]

rsg- what dosage are you on for ppi's??? do you have an underlying problem in addition to the reflux like barrets??? just wondering. i know that the dosage for me is a bit alarming, b/c i'm still in high school, and at 5'5" i wiegh only 123 pounds...

my doc had me on bentyl to take as needed for stomach pain and diarhhea for about a year, until i began to take it so much...it still helped, i just developed more frequent problems. now i'm on levbid x2 a day, which is working wonderfully, with a VERY few exceptions, but nothing's perfect!!

cathy- about the nissan, i wrote a very descriptive paragraph about my decision in my other post, but i went to turn it in, and had forgotten to fill out my name and password, when i pushed the "back" button, it was all erased!!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif but in a nutshell, i guess the nissan is not good for me at this moment, b/c the nexium is doing as well as i can think (foods rarely bother me anymore, i can eat all kinds of "restricted" foods with no problems...however, the dosage of my med was set before i really started eating well again, so i know that i'm not instigating my own problem http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif) i would rather deal with very occasional heartburn and nonpainful reflux than dibilitating gas pains and esophageal dialations, and possibly still reflux....just a q for thought...if a part of my problem is just too much acid secretion (b/c if i'm off meds, the acid will actually TINGLE in my stomach, i can feel it...normal pH for stomach is 2-3, and during pH probe the acid refluxing in my esophagus was MANY times below 2...even down to .8!!!!!!!!!), than no amount of wrapping is gonna help that, right??? it will stop the reflux, and i would still need to be on meds, right??? is this logical?? lemme know...

i'll definately keep everyone updated...i always like reading other posts and keeping tabs on my own b/c of my interest in medicine (i'm gonna major in premed) combined with my medical problems...thanks for the replies!!!

rach

Rach, I havent had fundo surgery..Cathy

[This message has been edited by cathy2752 (edited 10-19-2003).]

thanks...after three years of aggressive treatment, i am finally figuring out what i can and can't eat, and what i can do when following my personal "guidelines" fail me...its odd, though, b/c my body is just so out of whack at an early age, but i think i was just born with alot of deficiencies, cause as of yet none of my problems are immediately life-threatening (just dangerous if no treatment)...my gastrointestinal health is pretty good right now, the normal person probably wouldn't like it, but its excellent compared to what i've been through...

keep me in your thoughts, please, b/c i've been having other probs that i've posted on other boards...i always have complained of shortness of breath, so when the whole acid reflux thing came out, i thought that was it...well, lately i've just had terrible breathing problems, and (due to the fact that my body never recovered from tremendous wieghtloss), my heart rate will accelerate to 108 beats per minute or more!! my chest tightens up, and my docs can actually hear that there is very little airflow there, and then even leisure walking makes my heart accelerate, which then makes me dizzy...i'm very scared...i know its nothing mental...positive of that, but i'm very scared...have an appt with my family doc on thurs...had one last week two, he thought it was bronchitis, but its been going on for MONTHS AND MONTHS...keep me in your thoughts...thanks for replying!

rach http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

rach.....Im absolutely certain that not any of your medical problems are of a mental nature..Its a shame that society has programmed us to think if we have more than one medical problem we must have a mental condition responsible for it....It sounds like you have good Drs. that try to stay on top of it....Actually you write like a very level headed 17 yr. old....Most would have a much harder time dealing with everything you have going on, and would find it much more difficult to stick to a treatment regime like you do....You completly understand the seriousness of your illness.....Your parents should be very proud of you.....I will keep you in my thoughts and my prayers.....Cathy

cathy, thank you very much for your last reply, it was very comforting...i was just talking to my school nurse about a girl with alot of problems today (i have an internship w/ the nurse), and she was like, yeah, she has several problems, not related to one another, and there real problems too!

i think the whole mental thing gets started b/c depression is most often reported to docs through stomachache, bowel probs, and headaches...you have trouble breathing?? heart's fast??? must be anxiety...

but you know what??? lots of times when you see these symptoms in a healthy person, thats actually TRUE.

i was always healthly, and then overnight...BOOM...medical anomalies..go figure...but everything of mine seems to be connected, ya know???

like, esophagus and trachea are connected, trachea connects to bronchi, trachea connects to sinuses, esophagus into stomach and intestines....so that about sums up that problem...its all connected, now, if i had totally random problems, than i would be more concerned about my being a hypochondriac...

but i don't think i am one, well, i'm just rambling now, cause i'm really tired, so i'll stop http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif wish me luck tomorrow at the docs!

rach

Hi, I started having pains right before I got pregnant with my 1st child in 1991. I would drink a big bottle of mylanta in 2 days, I just thought it was heart burn from my pregnancy. Ended up with 2 more kids. After I gave birth to my 3rd child in 94, The pain was so bad I went to my ob/gyn, he sent me to the ER, I was seen there where a doctor did an ultrasound and found gullstones, I had surgery the next morning. He told my mom, I had well over 100 gullstones. I thought now wonder I was in so much pain. Well after the surgery I still had the pains. Went and had a camera down my throat and the doctor couldn't find anything and said it was acid refux. Still to this day I have the same pain that brought me to the er. It must not have been my gull bladder that was causing so much pain. I never thought acid reflux could be so painful. I noticed it has gotten worse over the last month. I know have to sleep sitting up to get any relief. What medications are ya'll taking? I take pepcid ac, I haven't been to a doctor since being diagnosed with it.

if your reflux is that bad, pepsid isn't gonna do nothing!!! seriously, if you have too much acid secretion, the only med thats gonna stop is is a proton pump inhibitor (ppi), which actually BLOCKS the pores that secrete the acid in the first place...the pepsid will only neutralize (or try to) the acid that has already been secreted...ask your doctor about ppi's, such as prevacid, prilosec/nexium, protonix, and aciphex....

as for the stomach pain, try increasing fiber and water intake....that didn't work for me (fiber made my diarehha worse, and water helps, but i still had severe cramping with bm's..) enterically coated peppermint oil will aid the absorption of food in the intestine without irritating the acid reflux, and several meds are available for chronic pain/ Irritable bowel sydrome.... i used to use bentyl as needed, but i used it so much that i now use levbid twice a day...hope this helps!!

rach

Hi Rach, Thanks for your response. I'm going to a doctor next week. Since it has gotten so bad this month, I have been really nervous. I've been waking up in the middle of the night too and my throat burns when I wake up, often gasping for air. I'll let you know how it goes.

hollygirl,

People with GERD usually find it helpful to raise the head of their bed 4 to 6 inches. It keeps acid from going up the throat.

Harry

Hi Harry, I'll try that. I'll get some extra pillows. I have a flat queen size bed but it doesn't raise up or anything. It's up against the wall, so what I've been doing is sleeping up right with my back against the wall which is very uncomfortable. My neck is usually hurting when I first get up. Thanks again.
Rach, how have you been feeling? Any better?????

Holly, pillows wont do it...You need a wedge that you can get at almost all medical supply companies or you can also order them online....They are approx. 24.00-28.00...you place it under the matress at the head of the bed....Or, you also use bricks or blocks and actually raise the head of the bed......Cathy

hey...thanks for your concern holly, i was just back to the doctor a couple of days ago...i know alot of you people are gonna think i'm a medicine junkie

but anyways, my GP knows there's something wrong in my lungs, so, in short, he put me on a low dose of advair to try (which has been working pretty well, about the best i've breathed in monthes) and singuliar...the albuterol doesn't ever seem to do much, so i only take that if i hear wheezing..

but anyways, this is the digestive disorders forum,so, yes my bed has been propped up about eight inches since i was sick two years ago, and it helps...

and good luck at the doctor holly, my mom had reflux when she was pregnant, and it was gone after she had her baby....well, actually i think she had it with all of us...but, anyways, try the suggestions, and see if they work...

well, my stomach's actually doing pretty well right now, it seems i've finally found just the right combo of techniques...i drink lots of water, i'm watching what i eat when i eat it, and my meds are in perfect balance...hope it stays like this for awhile!!!

rach http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hi Rach923
I understand what you're going through. I have had serious stomach problems since I was 18 - I'm 22 now.
I know you said that specific foods don't seem to matter, but I would like to know what you are eating now, like what what you would typically eat in a day. There are some days when I can eat one food and it will not bother me and other days it will. Like you, I have found that drinking a lot of water helps, I also drink peppermint tea throughout the day to help control acid. I am on 40mg Nexium and have similar problems to yours.
I have found that lean protein, such as baked chicken, fresh fruits and vegetables that are not too starchy or harsh are best on my stomach, they never seem to bother me unless my stomach is in an uproar and hates all food. I know that it is hard to change your eating habits, I'm still trying, but I have foung that what I eat directly effects how I feel. I am goin to try a diet called the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. It is very strict, and I know that I will not be able to follow it without cheating a little, but it is worth a try. Many have claimed that it has cured their digestive disorder.
If you would like to know more about it, let me know. Also I have some suggestions for meals if you are interested.
Hope you are still doing better.

Hey Rach,

Did you find your answers for the GERD diet?

You don't drink milk do you? Milk turns acidic.
Whenever my GERD bothers me i do soy or rice milk. Soy, tofu and rice are usually easily tolerated and you can substitute in most recipes. Carob soymilk tastes like a chocolate milkshake (really), if you add a banana yummy. I switched from chocolate to carob when my gerd bothered me, i'd buy the carob chips and melt them in a dish in the microwave then put them on strawberries or bananas.
GERD helped me stop smoking, and cut back my coffee/tea too ;-))) since it aggravated my problems.
People said eat plain things like meat and cheese sandwiches when you have GERD but that stuff always bothered me, what i was able to eat was like baked /broiled chicken and rice, broiled fish and potatoes, salad without acidic dressings (you can make dressing from yogurt, tahini or just use a little oil/drop of lemon).
When my GERD bothered me i definitely dropped everything deep fried, pan fried, high in fat or spicy. Some spices like thyme, sage supposedly help you digest foods.
Most juices have citric acid in them so i couldn't drink them. sometimes i could have watered apple juice. I definitely never drank soda or alcohol when my gerd bothered me.

Hi, I noticed you said you take peppermint for digestion, any kind of mints should not be taken with your condition,I too have a hiatal hernia and anything mint gets my stomach in an uproar.I sympathise with you,I know how awful all this can make you feel.If you are having indigestion after eating try taking some pepto-bismol,it does wonders for me. I wish you luck in dealing with everything I know it's not pleasant. take care of yourself,connie

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the peppermint i take does NOT irritate by GERD or any upper GI condition...


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it is ENTERICALLY coated to dissolve in my intestine, my GI RECOMMENDED it...it does nothing in my stomach but sit and wait to be sent on to the intestine


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amesythe (sorry if thats spelled wrong) i'm so sorry i kinda ignored your post...i guess i got sidetracked with something, and then forgot to come back to the post, cause the red folder wasn't on http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif could you please give me some of those ideas you were talking about??? i would appreciate it ALOT thanks!!!

an update for those of you who read this who haven't read my other posts...i'm having some problems with reflux, not severe, but, you know, it doesn't have to be...i'm also choking alot, even on my own spit or a sip of water...but i cough it back up, but i think its still causing problems...but nothing TOO serious http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

anyone else with suggestions, please post here or one of my other posts!! thanks so much!!

rach

Hey Sweetie--
I feel your pain! I've been sick with a delayed gastric emptying and excess bile in my stomach since I was 19. The first GI I went to when I stopped eating almost altogether for over a week insinuated that I was anorexic and needed to see a nutritionist and a therapist and then didn't want to do any followup. this was because the one test he had done (an endoscopy) showed up with nothing more than a small amount of excess bile at the bottom of my stomach. I was furious! I wish I could give you advice about what to do now, but the thing is, my symptoms sound more like what you were going through when you first got sick as a kid. I take domperidone now (gen=motilium) and it works well for keeping me eating. Maybe ask your doctor about that (it's the best of the motility drugs i have tried). Take it easy! --Elaine

Like you I have been through every test known to man kind I have IBS, acid reflux, alkaline reflux, gastroporesis, had H-pylori,pancreatitis, ulcers, the list goes on and on, of all the meds I have been on for the gerd protonix helped the most, I also have been taking aloe, and I try to add ginger to my diet. My medacaid will not pay for protonix so I have to take 4 30mg of prevacid a day and I take domperidone, it's like reglan but w/o side effects and 100x's stronger, I am 24 and been battling with my disease since 4th grade and like you they kept mis diagnosing me with a virus they just this year finally figured out that I have the gastroperesis and got to spend 8 months in the hospital, and was told I'll just keep getting worse and worse till I die, so I of course don't listen to them and started taking the aloe and adding the ginger to my diet and I don't eat fried foods, I eat a lot of broiled shrimp and chicken, when I can eat when I can't I am on tpn's or feeding tube formula, cause I have a G and J tube, I also have severe pain so bad they are going to possibly put a pain pump in me. I hope this helps some

Hi there. I'm new here today. Been reading these posts. I have some suggestions and a question about aciphex.

Food ideas. I think a list of no-no foods for gerd would include everything, meaning each person may have their own unique list of foods. Rach, for me just about any starchy food, but ESPECIALLY crackers, dry cookies like from a bag in the supermarket particularly, makes my gerd act up bad. You said you're eating dry starches, so try giving them up first. I can't tell you how awful they make my gerd!! That might be one of the foods making you sick despite your significant nexxum dose.

Other foods extremely bad for me: pork (plain included as well as ham), all sodas (have phosphoric acid that might be why), any alcohol (even a mere sip can set acid and subsequent diarhhea off).

Oddly, plain chocolate bars are fine, altho in an acid crisis I wouldn't eat them.

I think your succes with peppermint is highly individualistic, but it's great you write about it passionately as others can try it. I try homeopathy so mint is not allowed. I have never found a cure for gerd in homeopathy and wish for others to suggest anything that might work for gerd. For stomach ache and diarrhea, carbo veg 30 works very well for lots of people. Boiron brand avail in many stores today especially health food type stores.

Drinking fluids: NEVER NEVER drink while sitting down or reclining! Always drink standing up and wait a moment or two before sitting down. This can help in an acid crisis days when the meds don't seem to be working and in general is one way I control my gerd. And as others have said, NEVER NEVER bend over or even stoop after you've eaten.


Question: anyone find their PPI stop working, or seem to stop working, when you have a virus or cold? I've doubled my aciphex from 20 to 40 and it seems my gerd is even worse. COUld the aciphex have stopped working for me? All suggestions welcome.

Sorry but I forget some ideas:

Drink before eating, NEVER NEVER after.

Things like herbs, like peppermint which is a herb, can help a lot, but as they build up in your body, they can rebound and cause the very symptoms they were at first helping. Like chamomile tea at first soothing and helps sleeping, but after drinking it night after night, it can easily create tension, NO sleep, anxiety. Like with regular teas, once in a while I can drink a glass ful for a few nights, then suddenly I do and have tremendous acid. This is something to keep in mind when using all herbs.

this message is for rach923-I am 35yrs old mother of three girls- I never had problems with my stomach til after the birth of my last daughter- I had my tubes tied and has since had three surgeries on my stomach for various reasons- I tend to believe the reason for my stomach problems is due to the surgeries- I will probably need yet another surgery to try and fix my stomach. I just started a very hard diet- I will be avoiding all acidic and gassy type foods- trust me this is the hardest thing I have ever done. I am italian and telling me no garlic,tomatoes or onins- you might as well tell me not to breath- hang in there

I too have GERD, IBS and a hiatal hernia. I go in for my consultation for surgery Jan 2,2003. I have been on Zelnorm twice a day for a month. It is a miracle drug...As least for me. Hopefully that will help you. It's pricey. But most insurances cover it...GOOD LUCK

I am 52 and began getting sick last year. Throwing up,gerd constipation,severe abdominal pain, and debilitating nausea 24 hours a day. The doctors in Jersey could not help. I lost 70 pounds and continued to get weaker and sicker. I tried all the meds and nothing. I was unable to eat any food at all and drank boost. Then I heard about botox injections into the pyloric section of the stomach via endoscopy procedure. I had it done 2 weeks ago and it worked. its a 50 50 chance. I had it done at Temple. There are only 5 places in the nation that do it. The Dr.s and staff were great. There is treatment out there. If that did not work they were going to place a gastric stimulator. For more info go to Temples site and also mayo clinic. I had dr.s telling me there was nothing they could do. I thank God for these other Dr.s out there. Of course itis not that easy. I will have to have this done every 3 months forever or as long as it works,but I had no quality of life before, and I do now. I am still weak, due to the fact i have been in bed for a year. I am confident that I will return to work


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and cannot wait. I have to stay positive. I go back to the hospital this week for more tests. I am hanging in!!!!!

this message is for rach923-I am 35yrs old mother of three girls- I never had problems with my stomach til after the birth of my last daughter- I had my tubes tied and has since had three surgeries on my stomach for various reasons- I tend to believe the reason for my stomach problems is due to the surgeries- I will probably need yet another surgery to try and fix my stomach. I just started a very hard diet- I will be avoiding all acidic and gassy type foods- trust me this is the hardest thing I have ever done. I am italian and telling me no garlic,tomatoes or onins- you might as well tell me not to breath- hang in there
I have never had surgery on my stomach but the majority of my stomach problems started after I had my daughter 4 years ago and got my tubes tied the dr perforated my uterus. I am not sure what your symptoms are but I thought I was lactose intolerant but my daughter has the same symptoms and I know she has not had a child or gotten her tubes tied. Unfortunately I do not have insurance. ( Iwas hurt in a car accident shortly after getting my tubes tied and was unable to return to work) But the drs I went to before all looked at me like I was a complete idiot. No one seems to know what is going on.