Need advice on Acid Reflux Disease

[herbal]

I have the dreadful acid reflux disease. I take Nexium 40mg everyday. I have been for almost a year now. But still, sometimes when I wake up in the morning I have agonizing stomach burning. What should I do? I have never had my stomach really examined. Should I go get the tube down my throat and into my stomach so they can have a peek?
Perhaps I have an ulcer. Maybe a few ulcers? I swear, the burning in my stomach is pretty much the worst pain I've gone through, seriously. And I'm only 16.

[Marie55]

You should see a doctor for proper diagnosis. There are many foods, alcohol and other things that will increase stomach problems. Ulcers need to be ruled out. Elevating head of bed 6" sometimes helps with acid reflux. Only problem with elevated bed is the feeling of sliding out of bed!

[lori j]

At 16 you can still have ulcers, there is no age for ulcers. Yes, have it checked, I had the worst pain ever & found out I had two ulcers, plus I have acid reflux too, but the nexium has about cured that one. All I had to do was watch my diet for a while & was put on prescription strength pepcid to cure my ulcers. I did have the tube down the throat test & they took pics of my two ulcers. The doctor said they were huge but didn't look big to me at all, like smaller than a dime, but I guess they consider that huge & funny to think they could cause all that horrible pain.

[Kissa]

Definately get it checked. Sometimes the medications can stop working after a period of time and it may need changed.
Also you may need to change some eating habits. You should be eating 5 small meals a day if possible and don't drink caffiene, particularly pop. Also try not to eat 2 - 3 hours before going to bed. If you must eat, eat something light that can digest before you go to sleep.

Good luck!

oh ps: if you have to be scoped, ask them to put you under "twilight", basically it puts you in a state where you do not remember anything. Had my first scope done at 14 while awake, it's not a good feeling and have been put under every time since.

[JinL]

If you are fat, lose weight. The internal fat squeezes the stomach acid up in the throat.

Do not eat 4 hours before bedtime.

Sleep with the shoulders & head on pillows to keep the stomach lower.

Hope that helped. It helped me & now I do not need daily acid reducers.