packerbacker04
01-17-2008, 12:06 AM
it feels hard to breathe. so now I can add this symptom to my list. Is there anything to stop it? I have been drinking water. I took Nexium a couple hours ago. I am afraid to lay down and go to sleep tonight.
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tigger2211
01-17-2008, 12:30 AM
Do you have anything else besides Nexium? Zantac or Maalox or something? Whatever you do, just relax and don't panic. The more you worry, the worse you are making your acid reflux. As far as sleeping, try to sleep in an inclined position. Like in a recliner or something. It helps with the reflux.
packerbacker04
01-17-2008, 12:43 AM
Hi Tigger, I have Zantac, but I have to chew it because I cannot swallow it. I don't have any maalox or anything like that. The acid is coming up even when I am upright. Will it stop soon? gosh, I feel so bad for you all who have this and have had this awhile. Thanks Tigger
packerbacker04
01-17-2008, 01:08 AM
and the thing is I felt pretty good today and started thinking maybe the nexium and carafate are starting to work then tonight..BAM!! And it isn't from food because I am barely eating and what I have been eating/drinking are slim fast shakes and soup. So I am also worried that this time around the Nexium is not going to work. when I was first diagnosed a couple years ago and took it, it worked like a charm. I also did not have any symptoms of LPR back then. So many new symptoms now and so much worse this time. Acid just came up my nose. I did just chew up a Zantac tablet and am praying it will stop this acid.
tigger2211
01-17-2008, 01:16 AM
Thats horrible! I just finished reading messages on GERD. Its in the "digestion problems" section. And they are really gung-ho on Magnesium helping A LOT!! Im going to look into myself, but as for what you are going through right now, I can't imagine why its so bad. But, what I do believe, is that the more you worry, the worse its going to get. Please try to relax and take some deep, cleansing breaths. Find a comfortable position to recline in and distract yourself. "Sip" on water and maybe nibble on a cracker to try to "absorb" some of the acid. I hope you get better soon.
flowergirl2day
01-17-2008, 02:35 AM
packer,
So sorry to hear about your difficulties. Why are you on a liquid diet? Are you having problems swallowing? Is it painful for you to swallow? Does this symptom come and go?
I had it for a couple of days and it was really scary! It hurt too much to swallow anything other than soup. When I was tested several months ago my swallowing was found to be OK. I hope it still is??? I have the lump in the throat feeling all the time and it bugs me. It itches and burns terribly, making my eyes water and causing me to cough and/or choke.
I hope you'll find some relief.
flowergirl
So sorry to hear about your difficulties. Why are you on a liquid diet? Are you having problems swallowing? Is it painful for you to swallow? Does this symptom come and go?
I had it for a couple of days and it was really scary! It hurt too much to swallow anything other than soup. When I was tested several months ago my swallowing was found to be OK. I hope it still is??? I have the lump in the throat feeling all the time and it bugs me. It itches and burns terribly, making my eyes water and causing me to cough and/or choke.
I hope you'll find some relief.
flowergirl
packerbacker04
01-17-2008, 03:28 AM
Hi Flower,
I have not been able to sleep all night. I am having horrible esophagus pain and acid. I closed my eyes and fell asleep and just woke up gasping on my acid. I really am terrified especially because of the chest back esophagus pain. It is as if my esophagus has holes in it and the acid is spraying out. I know this sounds awful but it is exactly how I feel. I am such a coward but this is so scary.
I have not been able to sleep all night. I am having horrible esophagus pain and acid. I closed my eyes and fell asleep and just woke up gasping on my acid. I really am terrified especially because of the chest back esophagus pain. It is as if my esophagus has holes in it and the acid is spraying out. I know this sounds awful but it is exactly how I feel. I am such a coward but this is so scary.
djr2000
01-17-2008, 10:01 AM
The reason that zantac and other immediate relief tablets don't work (they are for temporary relief and need to be constantly replenished after they are taken) is that the acid reflux needs to be neutralized and you will need to take a product like prilosec (omeprazole) to reduce the production of acid. this is taken on a one tablet per day dose for 14 days. This long term therapy will offer you relief. If you do not find relief from this and nothing else works, I suggest visiting a physican or GI specialist so he can see if you have a chronic problem.
packerbacker04
01-17-2008, 10:51 AM
I had already been taking prilosec twice per day with no relief. I have been taking Nexium and carafate since last Friday with no relief, well I do better in the day but at night it is horrible and the acid doesn't quit. I see my GI doc at 10am which I am sure all he will say is I need a scope which is fine cause I know I need it, I am just worried what the result will be, i know it isn't good. and to top it off i am without insurance. If you read my posts djr you will see that I DO have a chronic problem and have been scoped two years ago. Diagnosis: erosive esophagitis, GERD, small hiatal hernia. however, I did not have the LPR symptoms that so many here are experiencing but I do now.
sammyo1
01-17-2008, 11:19 AM
Not sure if this will help at all but at times I will use the rolaids multi symptom, sometimes it works sometimes it don't, my friend swears by galvaston(hope spelled right) I may indeed give that a shot myself. Of course the key is to find something that will give long lasting effects. Good luck!
flowergirl2day
01-17-2008, 12:14 PM
djr,
I too have been on Nexium for about five months now. I believe that instead of helping it's making everything worse! I don't know how or why. I don't taste ANY acid but the stuff keeps coming up. I guess it's become chronic. I was told my symptoms would get worse on stopping the PPI. I was promised a referral to a specialist. I am still waiting for that. I believe the cause of my reflux to be one or more of my prescription drugs.
I too have been on Nexium for about five months now. I believe that instead of helping it's making everything worse! I don't know how or why. I don't taste ANY acid but the stuff keeps coming up. I guess it's become chronic. I was told my symptoms would get worse on stopping the PPI. I was promised a referral to a specialist. I am still waiting for that. I believe the cause of my reflux to be one or more of my prescription drugs.
sammyo1
01-17-2008, 12:17 PM
I found after while the nexium made things alittle more painful for me. My doctor just told me she has had other patients who have said the same. I believe it was just to strong for me to take. Good luck
flowergirl2day
01-17-2008, 12:20 PM
thanks, Sammy.
Maybe this drug is not right for me. I guess I'll have to wait until I see the new doctor. I hope it will be soon! Until then, it's 40mg Nexium every day.
Maybe this drug is not right for me. I guess I'll have to wait until I see the new doctor. I hope it will be soon! Until then, it's 40mg Nexium every day.
packerbacker04
01-17-2008, 01:03 PM
Okay Sammy and Flowergirl, thank you for your help and I want to say that I just got back from seeing my GI doc and I will be scheduled for an endo but he was adamant that I do not have Baretts or worse. Don't ask me how he can feel that way without a look see but I did feel reassurance from him ..praise God for that. I also ask him why Nexium is not working and acid is coming up and he told me that stuff will still come up but it is not acid!?? He said Nexium takes care of that. I so wanted to tell him about you all on this board and how alot of us have the same things. But you know that would have opened a can of worms. I just don't know what to think now but at least I am getting checked although down the line it will cause me more stress since I must pay myself and I have no money :(
Vanessa74
01-17-2008, 02:25 PM
I know having to pay for it yourself will be a financial struggle - but at least you will finally have some peace of mind and that is priceless.:angel:
shan06
01-17-2008, 04:25 PM
you guys have you changed your diet, because if you dont and take the meds they will only help but so much..you gotta stay away from chocolate, alcohol, tomato sauce based dishes, citrius fruits and caffeine.
packerbacker04
01-17-2008, 06:18 PM
well Shan for two weeks I have barely eaten so I guess you could say I changed it. I drink no coffee and no caffeine. I still have bad acid refluxing up my throat. I realize though that I need to at least give it some time. But today my GI said that since I started taking nexium last Friday I shouldn't be having any acid at all.. HA...you are all a testament the fact that he is obviously WRONG! I guess I may need a new GI or may have to to the ENT doc.
tigger2211
01-17-2008, 07:01 PM
I sure hope you do get better packerbacker and QUICK LIKE! I had a hard time shaking what you were going through last night. It freaked me out. How horrible. Please keep us posted on how you are holding up.
Vanessa74
01-17-2008, 08:14 PM
I am praying for you too Packer - I feel SO BAD that you are so limited in what you can eat and how large your fear is (I do NOT BLAME YOU ONE BIT - this is all so frightening).
Maybe you could double up the Nexium for a while just to try and get the acid under control? Maybe if you could have some days of not hurting so bad you might be able to eat a little more.
GOD BE WITH YOU
Maybe you could double up the Nexium for a while just to try and get the acid under control? Maybe if you could have some days of not hurting so bad you might be able to eat a little more.
GOD BE WITH YOU
packerbacker04
01-17-2008, 08:29 PM
Hi Tigger and Vanessa, thank you for your kind words. I hope I am not scaring anyone. I have been taking the two nexium a day. At least I did get some reassurance from my GI doc. I do have anxiety so maybe I am imagining some of this or blowing it up but it is hard to believe I could imagine this and feel this bad. My edg is next Wednesday.
Vanessa74
01-17-2008, 09:57 PM
It is scary what you are going through - you have every right to feel afraid.
I will pray that your EGD comes out GREAT!
I will pray that your EGD comes out GREAT!
tigger2211
01-17-2008, 11:46 PM
As I mentioned before, stress and fear don't help ONE BIT! It just makes matters worse. But, it is SO hard sometimes to NOT be scared to death. I was scared FOR you for crying out loud, lol. Do you have or take anything for anxiety?
packerbacker04
01-18-2008, 07:37 AM
I just started taking sertraline aka zoloft this week. I was able to sleep last night. but I woke up and have some chest pain, mainly on my right side and throat irritation.
packerbacker04
01-18-2008, 08:45 AM
okay now you guys are scaring me! Am I gonna be okay??!
Lizzie5
01-18-2008, 09:22 AM
I have heartburn so bad when I take zoloft and dont swallow it immediately. It can last for a couple of hours.
packerbacker04
01-18-2008, 09:26 AM
really lizzie? that is interesting because I have had to chew my tablets, hmmm, maybe that is part of my problem. Thanks for your reply!
Lizzie5
01-18-2008, 09:38 AM
packerbacker...That was my first posting ever. I am glad to have helped. I am sure that the zoloft is causing your problem. I called the pharmacist after it happened and he said that zoloft is very sticky and need to be swallowed right away. Definitelty do not chew them. Ouch....I feel your pain
packerbacker04
01-18-2008, 10:36 AM
well lizzie, until I can actually swallow my pills whole, i don't have a choice
tigger2211
01-18-2008, 08:04 PM
Thats a good point! (the one about chewing the pills causing more irritation). I just talked about that exact thing with my mom last night. Pills, when chewed instead of swallowed, can TOTALLY make things worse. Is it big enough to make a bit smaller, so its easier to swallow? Don't be scared. You are going to be fine!! The LESS you worry and scare yourself, the easier its going to be for your body to heal. Deep cleansing breaths and some postitive affirmation that you are fine and your going to get better! Its amazing how powerful the mind can be! To prove how powerful the mind is, imagine with all your might that you are sucking on a lemon. See, smell it, taste it. Before you know it, you start salivating and get the "sour shakes", lol. Thats how quick and easy it is for our minds to take over our bodies. Stay positive, you'll get through this. My thoughts are with you!! ~hug~
boufarino
01-21-2008, 02:41 PM
Have you tried any other PPI like Prevacid or Protonix, Aciphex or Prilosec? You can take up to 4 Prilosec a day. It sounds like you aren't taking enough. This can be serious - you better go to the doctor.