Missing Work

[anonymouswreck]

Tissie, I'm SO sorry that you're going through so much pain. But you're definitely not alone, and it really helps to remember that when you're so stressed out!!!

I just turned 17, and I've had acid reflux for 5 years in November. It is the absolute worst when it hits you when you're still in school, because I've missed so much school, and I can't really perform to my ability, cause I'm never there and try to catch up but it just is too much. I'm kind of the "sick girl" lol!!!!! I think, like most of us, I just popped a lot of Gaviscon, hoping the symptoms would cease. I took Ranitidine at the beginning, which helped but not to the degree that I needed it. Then I got put on some Prozac to help my anxiety of the whole situation (my parents were definitely scared about what was going on), and I take Slippery Elm regularly, and finally I got a 2x a day dose of my Prevacid (which I would recommend, 2x times a day).

It is impossible for people to understand our symptoms, unless they suffer along with us. My symptoms are mainly lump in the throat feeling, dizziness, chest pain, and sinus problems up the yang lol!!!!! I just want you to know that you're not alone, and that you have people here that are willing to help!!!!

[tissie1]

Thanks Anonymouswreck!

I can't believe you are only 17 and having all those problems! I thought I was too young at 29! What is happening to the world?!!! Are you sure someone isn't poisioning are society or something. This is rediculous!

My doctor hasn't suggest upping my meds to 2X a day... just switching them. Last night I started taking Nexium instead of Protonix because I had success with it in the past with it. I ate an apple and that helped for a little while. Tried the honey and not sure but it might be helping. Drinking some tea with slippery elm bark. I can't take Prevacid it gives me uncontrable diarreha!
I might have tried Gaviscon once. Not sure what Ranitidine is...

My sinuses are terrible right now... I am glad I am not the only one that has sinuses problems flare up bad when I have reflux. It is a double whammy! My head is hot and I have drainage and that doesn't help the stomach or ears, head or throat.

My doctor asked me if I wanted something to ease my stress. I am naturally high strung and worry about things but I don't want to take anxiety medicine. Although sometimes I could probably use it. I am stressing out big time over missing work and being sick in general it all freaks me out soooo bad!



Yes it is impossible to understand what we go through unless they experience it! Yes I have the lump in the throat, I get clamy cold hands but hot head, dizzy like, bad chest pain, feels like I can't breath and sinus problems that make my head on fire, ears ache sometimes, drainage is awful! Oh and I am not eating much at all but trying to eat some here and there because I figure it will help the acid. I really wish this big goober feeling in my throat would go away too ! I am coughing a bit today and a bit burpy and gassy after taking the Nexium last night.

Does anyone find that drinking cold liquids make their reflux worse? or talking?

Thanks for your support!

[backslide05]

Tissie,
RE: the slippery elm: I buy it at a health food store. it comes in a box and they're lozanges. they also come in powder form you can mix with liquid, but this is easier and I can carry with me in case I get a coughing attack at work or something!
The licorice is DGL licorice (deglicerinated, so doesn't affect your blood pressure like regular black licorice does). I also suck on regular black licorice candies (which taste better than the DGL).
Aloe Vera you can find in health food stores as well, in liquid or capsules or tablets. i like the capsules for ease in taking. They work well for all sorts of things.
I don't believe any of these things can hurt you. But it doesn't hurt to know what you are taking and just the dosage recommended.

[anonymouswreck]

Talking definitely seems to affect me if I do it too much (something I'm famous for ). It makes the stuff in my throat feel like it's moving around and that is very uncomfortable!!! Sometimes if a cold liquid hits my throat, it seizes up and makes breathing a little difficult afterwards, but these two don't usually affect my actual reflux, just my symptoms.

[backslide05]

cold liquids don't bother me at all, in fact they feel good going down.

talking on the other hand, does make it worse. I have a weekend job where I have to do a lot of talking, and sometimes I feel like I'm getting laryngitis, or my voice will get all gravelly sounding.