I've been dealing with acid reflux for a long time, LPR specifically, and was put on Nexium, Zantac and bland diet. Things seemed to get better for a while, but are worse again. Barium xray shows hiatal hernia. I get pressure after eating, and that feeling of something being 'stuck' in my throat, mucousy, etc. (Assuming my larynx is getting swollen or something). At night when I drift off to a deep sleep, it feels like my airway is blocked. There are nights when I only get a few hours sleep and am miserable during the day. It seems like the doctors aren't taking this real seriously like sleep apnea, because I don't snore and am not overweight. But this problem is absolutely miserable when I feel I'm suffocating in the night. I tried to do a sleep study in a lab, but it was impossible to sleep with all those wires and everything. I don't know what to do next. I'm only 39, I don't feel like I can live with this.

Has anyone here ever heard of this? If it's reflux-related, then why isn't the Nexium making it all better? Does anyone have any thoughts? Thanks so much,
Kathleen

K,
It sounds like a lack of magnesium in your diet??
There is a Sticky Thread at the top of this page-- "GERD Suffers -- I feel Good Let me tell you why" started by blupumkin that was treated for 9 years with a hiatal hernia and was cure with magnesium and digestive enzymes.
It's pretty long but may be worth reading some of it.

I wish you well---Harry

Harry, thanks so much for your reply....you're the only one. I started reading the thread...it's pretty interesting. I think you're the one that posted about your wife's throat problems, with spasming & such. Did she have an issue with breathing problems at night? Also, which brand does she use, and what time of day does she take it. Did she go cold turkey off the PPI?
Thanks very much,
Kathleen

Kathleen,

My wife was Dx with Nut Cracker Syndrome and has never had a problem with sleeping at night. Her symptoms are mostly spasms and very much different than your symptoms.

As you know Doctors treat problems with medicines and are mostly not trained to treat or deal with nutritional problems. Taking Nexium as well as other anti-acid medications -- I think affect your absoption of nutrients including minerals unless you are really proactive about getting the proper vitamins, minerals and supplements.--But like Most of us --- we just don't know enough!!

I think the BEST way for you to really be helped is to see and be treated by an Alternative Medical Doctor that deals with nutrition and other methods. Regular MDs are just not doing well with you??

Every cell in your body contains magnesium and a low level make ALL conditions worse especially the functioning of all muscles including the throat ones. It is also needed for calcium absorption along with vit- D.

I think the best mineral supplements on the market are the Chelated type by an Internationally patended process developed by Albion Labs and sold to many distributors around the world. They bond the minerals to a protein amino acid (glycinate & lysine) that is readily aborbed without much digestion that is needed for regular minerals. The container says that the mineral is produce with Albion patented process-- so don't be misled by minerals that say Chelated-- they will not work very well.

I like and use Albion minerals sold in the US like Solgar, Carlson, Kal and Doctor's Best. And, I buy most of these online at good discounts.

An important thing about taking minerals -- is they need to be taken in divided doses -- 3 or 4 times daily. Taking a mineral once daily results in aborption of less than 8% of the value on the label and that is with a very good digestive system.. In divided doses the absorption increase to 40%. Minerals are only absorbed in a 1 1/2 foot section of your small intestines. Once the mineral is pass that section -- it is useless. An expert thinks that 80% of people are deficient in magnesium and that results in many problems.

A remedy that may help you NOW is --Magnesia Phos 6X - a homeopathic remedy that is the excellent for muscles spasms & cramping short term. Taken every 1/2 hour until you get some throat relief usually - 2 to 4 doses. You can buy this remedy at most health food stores.

God Bless --- Harry

BTY --- Going cold turkey off of a PPI will produce an acid rebound affect --- so don't do it.

Harry, thanks so much for your reply. Well I'm going to look for the homeopathic remedy today, thanks for the info.

I had my endoscope yesterday. The doc said everything 'looked good', that the hiatal hernia is small and shouldn't be causing any problems. And that there was no damage from reflux...well I've been on Nexium for 8 months...that part wasn't surprising. But on the barium xray it showed refluxing...so I'm confused.

Anyway I've been thinking the Nexium might be causing me more problems. I've ordered a book about stomach acid being good for you, and in the meantime I thought I'd wean off by using some Zantac instead.

Well thanks very much for your time,
Kathleen in CA