01-11-2022, 09:15 AM
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#1 | | Junior Member (male)
Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Seattle
Posts: 16
| Acid Reflux, Gerd or?
Symptoms started 6 months ago. I'm in my 40s, tall and lean, never smoked or drank sodas, rarely drank alcohol. I cut out all alcohol, spices, acidic fruits, tomatoes, chocolate, peppers, nuts, beans, onions, garlic, coffee, tea etc. Now all I eat are bland oats, potatoes, veggies, eggs and chicken.
I only sleep on my stomach or left side, it's impossible for me to sleep on my back, I'm considering an adjustable bed to try and force myself. Anyone have success with this?
I've been taking omeprazole for 3 months and it's starting to lose its effect. A lot of burning, odd burping like I feel it building up and then it gurgles coming up my esophagus. Makes me worry about my LES. Sometimes a pain almost like "butterflies" but as if they're fighting to death in my stomach.
I did two weeks of antibiotics and PPI thinking it might be ulcers due to Pylori but symptoms quickly returned after I stopped the meds. If it's still ulcers how do I heal them considering my diet is so bland already?
Now I've been trying all the probiotics, prebiotics, fiber supplements, licorice root tea, baking soda water etc, nothing works.
I haven't actually gone to a doctor yet because after reading posts and reviews millions of people just live with these symptoms taking the OTC meds. Dreading wasting money for a doctor to tell me just keep taking a PPI. With my symptoms would they even want to do an endoscopy?
Thanks for any advice
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01-11-2022, 12:20 PM
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#2 | | Senior Veteran (female)
Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 6,047
| Re: Acid Reflux, Gerd or?
You need to see a doctor...how did you get antibiotics?
LES dysfunction is the cause of reflux.
Having an upper scope really is the only way to see what's going on and to see if there is damage to your esophagus from the stomach acid.
Is it possible you have a hernia?
q
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01-13-2022, 02:49 PM
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#3 | | Junior Member (male)
Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Seattle
Posts: 16
| Re: Acid Reflux, Gerd or?
Thank you for the reply. A friend of mine called in the antibiotics Rx for me, I was sure it was the pylori and didn't want to waste a doctors time, I still don't.
How would a hernia be causing this? I've always tried to keep tight abdominal muscles because my back is so bad. I have multiple bulging discs in my spine, not sure if that might be the culprit.
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01-13-2022, 05:03 PM
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#4 | | Senior Veteran (female)
Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 6,047
| Re: Acid Reflux, Gerd or?
Bulging discs possibly if in your mid to upper back?
Hernia...depnding on where, could push up into the stomach and cause acid to be pushed into the esophagus.
You should see your doctor and at least have further testing and be referred to a gatroenterologist.
Any issues with gastro regarding gut cramping, etc?
q
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01-14-2022, 02:44 PM
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#5 | | Junior Member (male)
Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Seattle
Posts: 16
| Re: Acid Reflux, Gerd or?
6 Bulging discs in my lumbar and cervical last time I had them checked but that was over 10 years ago. Occasional cramps/pain but not really consistent in one spot that I can tell.
I made an appointment with my primary, it's a in Feb, i'll be sure to mention your suggestions.
Thank you
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01-14-2022, 11:50 PM
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#6 | | Senior Veteran (female)
Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 6,047
| Re: Acid Reflux, Gerd or?
Wow, that's alot of pain and discomfort to be dealing with.
I'm glad you made an appointment. Please let me know the outcome.
q
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01-17-2022, 11:08 AM
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#7 | | Junior Member (male)
Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Seattle
Posts: 16
| Re: Acid Reflux, Gerd or?
I don't usually feel the pain or discomfort from the discs, I just have to be very careful with movements and not overdo certain activities. When my back does lock up it's usually for 2 or 3 weeks. I take cyclobenzaprine at the onset which seems to help.
I'm worried having tried to fix this reflux misery myself over the last few months I've caused irreparable damage to my esophagus. Ugh.
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01-17-2022, 07:31 PM
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#8 | | Senior Veteran (female)
Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 6,047
| Re: Acid Reflux, Gerd or?
I hope your PCP will refer you to a GI...but I believe he/she could send you for at least an upper barium swallow, CT or abdominal MRI.
Curious if this all first happened or got worse when you took a course of the cyclobenzaprine?
q
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01-18-2022, 03:53 PM
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#9 | | Junior Member (male)
Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Seattle
Posts: 16
| Re: Acid Reflux, Gerd or?
I rarely take the cyclo and when I do it's one pill. I've taken maybe 3 in the last year.
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01-18-2022, 04:50 PM
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#10 | | Senior Veteran (female)
Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 6,047
| Re: Acid Reflux, Gerd or?
Good to cross that off the list of possibilities.
q
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03-31-2022, 09:08 AM
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#11 | | Junior Member (male)
Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Seattle
Posts: 16
| Re: Acid Reflux, Gerd or?
Quote:
Originally Posted by quincy  I hope your PCP will refer you to a GI...but I believe he/she could send you for at least an upper barium swallow, CT or abdominal MRI.
Curious if this all first happened or got worse when you took a course of the cyclobenzaprine?
q |
So I just had upper and lower scopes done, they show everything looks normal. GI says Protonix is a good drug to take long term so I guess I'm left with no answers on why I have it.
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quincy (03-31-2022)
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03-31-2022, 09:58 AM
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#12 | | Senior Veteran (female)
Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 6,047
| Re: Acid Reflux, Gerd or?
How frustrating...did the doc take biopsies (while in there)to check for H. Pylori? If not, you can get a blood test for it to see if you've had it.
Was the doc a GI or general surgeon?
q
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04-04-2022, 08:52 AM
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#13 | | Junior Member (male)
Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Seattle
Posts: 16
| Re: Acid Reflux, Gerd or?
Quote:
Originally Posted by quincy How frustrating...did the doc take biopsies (while in there)to check for H. Pylori? If not, you can get a blood test for it to see if you've had it.
Was the doc a GI or general surgeon?
q |
Yes, tissue samples for Pylori were negative and other samples showed normal. He mentioned checking my vagus nerve.
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04-04-2022, 12:10 PM
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#14 | | Senior Veteran (female)
Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 6,047
| Re: Acid Reflux, Gerd or?
Good on the negative biopsies...what is the procedure for checking vegus nerve?
No visible redness in the esophagus to show reflux?
q
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04-19-2022, 09:49 AM
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#15 | | Junior Member (male)
Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Seattle
Posts: 16
| Re: Acid Reflux, Gerd or?
I stopped taking the PPI and started taking apple cider vinegar before eating. It's actually helping.
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