Acid Reflux...

[rockford2]

anyone get this? I JUST started getting this horrid thing a few months ago. Thought I was having a heart attack. I'm on Prilosec, but every now and then this God awful pain pops up and it starts all over again.

Is there a cure for this? What causes this...anyone know?

Tia

[Roamer]

I'm suprised the Prilosec hasn't helped. It did when I took it, but once it went to Over the Counter, they changed me to Prevacid.

For immediate relief, try Gavison liquid. I like the red cap.

Good luck. Reflux is miserable.

[Ross]

anyone get this? I JUST started getting this horrid thing a few months ago. Thought I was having a heart attack. I'm on Prilosec, but every now and then this God awful pain pops up and it starts all over again.

Is there a cure for this? What causes this...anyone know?

Tia


You did see a Dr?

[Roenick]

I don't know if this is what my friend has exactly because... I'm not a good friend and tune her out a lot.

But she is on meds for acid reflux but still gets it sometimes because her esophagis (sp) is eroding. Or something along those lines.
You should check with your doctor and make sure there aren't more underlying issues.
Take care!!!

[sablegsd]

I have it too. I take prescription Protonix. It works great for me. In fact I don't usually take it every day, just about 3 times a week. And always if I am having something tomato based! :)

[Pandabear]

I have severe acid reflux and have been on meds since '97 for it. I couldn't go a day without my meds or I'd be miserable. The Prilosec has worked great for me, but when my DH started having reflux a couple of months ago, the doctor gave him Prevasid which is supposed to help the esphogas heal from all the acid.

[rockford2]

I don't know if this is what my friend has exactly because... I'm not a good friend and tune her out a lot.

But she is on meds for acid reflux but still gets it sometimes because her esophagis (sp) is eroding. Or something along those lines.
You should check with your doctor and make sure there aren't more underlying issues.
Take care!!!


Well...doctor was able to fit me in today. She thinks there is a more serious issue going on and I am scheduled for the hospital for tests. She said the medical term and of course, I can't remember it.....but explained it as some kind of 'ring' that COULD be blocking the esophagus. Can you folks believe that I had that God awful pain for 8 hours?

i actually left work and anyone who knows me knows I don't miss work. If this for sure, acid reflux, my heart goes out to everyone who deals with this:1222423:

Will keep all informed. Thanks for caring.

[rockford2]

the pain was soooooo bad that I broke out in a red rash all over! When the pain subsided, so did the rash.

[Roenick]

I'm glad you went in.

Take care and let us know how you are feeling (I won't tune you out, ever)

[Hope]

I just went through this ordeal. I had a nuclear stress test which came back negative, an array of tests, and finally a diagnosis--Reflux. Put me on Prevacid 1x a day and said it will take at least a month before I start feeling relief.


My doctoe said that reflux mimics cardiac pain and that is why he had to r/o any heart issues.

Use Maalox in the interim.

Good luck.

[rockford2]

I'm glad you went in.

Take care and let us know how you are feeling (I won't tune you out, ever)


Thank you from the bottom of my heart. :love0085:

Hope? Just keep something in the back of your mind. My doctor said that sometimes the med you take for the acid reflux doesn't work due to your body becoming immune, so you might have to take another medication in the future.
I'm glad you found out what was bothering you. The ONLY reason I thought I was suffering from this was because my husband gets acid reflux from time to time so he guessed that was what I was suffering from.

The Prilosec I was taking occasionally was advice given from the lung specialist when I suffered from pnuemonia time and time again. He told me that acid can back up and go into your lungs but noboy said i was officially suffering from acid reflux.....just some indigestion.

My doctor told me yesterday, "Welcome to middle-age." :thud2:

[Roamer]

I'm glad you went to the doctor, Rock. When do you go in for tests?

Just IMO, because I've taken both, but for me Gavison liquid works much better than Maalox.

[rockford2]

I'm glad you went to the doctor, Rock. When do you go in for tests?

Just IMO, because I've taken both, but for me Gavison liquid works much better than Maalox.


Sat morn. No eating or drinking after midnight.

[Roamer]

Good luck!

The no drinking always gets me. I want coffee so badly before tests that I end up with a caffeine headache.

[Grins]

Hi friends
:howdy:
Mine was mild and lying on my left side to sleep helped a lot.

Here is what I found on Mayo Clinic web site.

GERD
ARTICLE SECTIONS

* Introduction
* Signs and symptoms
* Causes
* Risk factors
* When to seek medical advice



* Screening and diagnosis
* Complications
* Treatment
* Self-care
* Complementary and alternative medicine

Introduction

GERD — gastroesophageal reflux disease...

http://mayoclinic.com/health/gerd/DS00967/DSECTION=1

[packy]

Good luck, Rock.

You may not be on medication but for those who are some discomfort may be from not eating enough when taking pills. Something to check into anyway.

[Grins]

Good luck, Rock.

You may not be on medication but for those who are some discomfort may be from not eating enough when taking pills. Something to check into anyway.Good advice Packy.
I forget to check about taking with or after meals. When it is with and I am rushed I take a few big spoons of pancake syrup.

[rockford2]

doctor did talk surgery but I blocked that part out.

I wouldn't be surprised if this wasn't an ulcer. They way I drink way too much coffee and work way too much (and worry about getting my work done) it's a wonder this didn't happen sooner.

Last year was really difficult because I tried to find time between work and family and getting signatures to keep Patricia Columbo in prison...where she belongs.

I'm also breaking out in some kind of hive....all over my upper chest and stomach. It hurts to touch.

I am truly falling apart. :faintTHUD:

[Hope]

doctor did talk surgery but I blocked that part out.

I wouldn't be surprised if this wasn't an ulcer. They way I drink way too much coffee and work way too much (and worry about getting my work done) it's a wonder this didn't happen sooner.

Last year was really difficult because I tried to find time between work and family and getting signatures to keep Patricia Columbo in prison...where she belongs.

I'm also breaking out in some kind of hive....all over my upper chest and stomach. It hurts to touch.

I am truly falling apart. :faintTHUD:


The rash hurts? Are you sure it's not shingles?

[dojewo]

anyone get this? I JUST started getting this horrid thing a few months ago. Thought I was having a heart attack. I'm on Prilosec, but every now and then this God awful pain pops up and it starts all over again.

Is there a cure for this? What causes this...anyone know?

Tia
Rockford, I've been on Prilosec for years, at one point in my life it was my miracle drugs. I felt sick all the time and couldn't eat or leave the house. I dropped about 25 pounds in a couple months. Finally I went to a Gastrologist and he put me on them. At the time my insurence wouldn't pay for them and a monthly script was $125.00. Luckily he gave me a couple months worth of samples and then the insurence finally paid for it. I still have my bad days but along with gerd I'm also lactose intolerant.

[dojewo]

I just went through this ordeal. I had a nuclear stress test which came back negative, an array of tests, and finally a diagnosis--Reflux. Put me on Prevacid 1x a day and said it will take at least a month before I start feeling relief.


My doctoe said that reflux mimics cardiac pain and that is why he had to r/o any heart issues.

Use Maalox in the interim.

Good luck.Maalox and things like it were always a quick fix for me, but I have to warn you. At one time I was drinking it right out of the bottle for my pain and in time it created a worse pain for me. I ended up with a large kidney stone from the calcium. I had to have a minor surgery because the doctor said it would never have passed on it's own. So now I stay away from things like Maalox real often. I still use it once in a while but I'm carefull.

[Hope]

Maalox and things like it were always a quick fix for me, but I have to warn you. At one time I was drinking it right out of the bottle for my pain and in time it created a worse pain for me. I ended up with a large kidney stone from the calcium. I had to have a minor surgery because the doctor said it would never have passed on it's own. So now I stay away from things like Maalox real often. I still use it once in a while but I'm carefull.


Thanks for this useful information. I try to use it sparingly.

[rockford2]

The rash hurts? Are you sure it's not shingles?

I have no idea. I tried to show them to the doctor, but she was more concerned with the pain I was in from what *I* think is acid reflux.

You should have seen my upper chest yesterday! O M G....my husband did this, :a1chic: when he saw it. I told him to "Get back here!" :022: and tell me what he thought of it. Of course, he has no clue. Any other time, he knows everything.

On a bright note, I'm still not suffering anything from menopause... :z0tdntknw:

[rockford2]

Maalox and things like it were always a quick fix for me, but I have to warn you. At one time I was drinking it right out of the bottle for my pain and in time it created a worse pain for me. I ended up with a large kidney stone from the calcium. I had to have a minor surgery because the doctor said it would never have passed on it's own. So now I stay away from things like Maalox real often. I still use it once in a while but I'm carefull.

oh lord.....kidney stones are the worst for pain they say! You take care of yourself!!!

[Hope]

I have no idea. I tried to show them to the doctor, but she was more concerned with the pain I was in from what *I* think is acid reflux.

You should have seen my upper chest yesterday! O M G....my husband did this, :a1chic: when he saw it. I told him to "Get back here!" :022: and tell me what he thought of it. Of course, he has no clue. Any other time, he knows everything.

On a bright note, I'm still not suffering anything from menopause... :z0tdntknw:

Get a new doctor. That needs to be diagnosed ASAP!

[dojewo]

oh lord.....kidney stones are the worst for pain they say! You take care of yourself!!!This was several years ago and so far, so good. I hope things go well for you Rockford.

[african grey]

I have no idea. I tried to show them to the doctor, but she was more concerned with the pain I was in from what *I* think is acid reflux.

You should have seen my upper chest yesterday! O M G....my husband did this, :a1chic: when he saw it. I told him to "Get back here!" :022: and tell me what he thought of it. Of course, he has no clue. Any other time, he knows everything.

On a bright note, I'm still not suffering anything from menopause... :z0tdntknw:

If you had the chickenpox when you were a kid you probably are suffering from shingles. I had them one time and they hurt. Really hurt. You need to call a dermatologist and let them diagnose it. They will probably put you on Valtrex to clear it up. Its not really dangerous, just painful.

I take Nexium for my reflux. Tried just about everything, the Nexium works OK. Sometimes I have to take Pepto (Yuck) or something similar if I have had a really stressful day and it kicks up hard.

Hope you feel better soon.

AG

[sweetcharlotte]

I have acid reflux and have taken Prilosec for several years. I know that I should watch my diet to control the acid reflux .......and also to lose the extra pounds I've gained as a result of being able to eat things that were once taboo. This article really brings home that need:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080215/ap_on_he_me/obesity_cancer

In men, an average weight gain of 33 pounds increased the risk of esophageal cancer by 52 percent, thyroid cancer by 33 percent, and colon and kidney cancers each by 24 percent, the research found.

In women, a weight gain of 29 pounds increased the risk of cancer in the uterus and gall bladder by nearly 60 percent, esophagus by 51 percent and kidney by 34 percent, the study said.

[african grey]

I have acid reflux and have taken Prilosec for several years. I know that I should watch my diet to control the acid reflux .......and also to lose the extra pounds I've gained as a result of being able to eat things that were once taboo. This article really brings home that need:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080215/ap_on_he_me/obesity_cancer

In men, an average weight gain of 33 pounds increased the risk of esophageal cancer by 52 percent, thyroid cancer by 33 percent, and colon and kidney cancers each by 24 percent, the research found.

In women, a weight gain of 29 pounds increased the risk of cancer in the uterus and gall bladder by nearly 60 percent, esophagus by 51 percent and kidney by 34 percent, the study said.

Well I don't have a uterus or a gallbladder so guess I am safe from those cancers. Really, acid reflux is common but can be dangerous, especially for those with a small esophogus.

AG

[rockford2]

Just an update:

I had the test this morning at the hospital. The doctor only found a very small opening which is good news! The acid can get up there and most likely did, but if I take care of myself, it won't spread to the esopoghaus.

Thank you to everyone who wrote on this thread and PM'd me. I celebrated by cutting off all my hair this afternoon! Not a Britney, but a very short 'do.'

[PatC]

Just an update:

I had the test this morning at the hospital. The doctor only found a very small opening which is good news! The acid can get up there and most likely did, but if I take care of myself, it won't spread to the esopoghaus.

Thank you to everyone who wrote on this thread and PM'd me. I celebrated by cutting off all my hair this afternoon! Not a Britney, but a very short 'do.'

Good for you. I'm glad it's not more serious.... make sure you take care of yourself though.

RE: Hair cut.... since you're not clinging to the ceiling can we assume this haircut went much better than the last time? :girl_haha:

[rockford2]

Good for you. I'm glad it's not more serious.... make sure you take care of yourself though.

RE: Hair cut.... since you're not clinging to the ceiling can we assume this haircut went much better than the last time? :girl_haha:


You mean if I do not resemble "Carol Brady" you would correct that this haircut went much better. But I DID find grey pieces! :22wink:

Thanks, Pat!

[dojewo]

Just an update:

I had the test this morning at the hospital. The doctor only found a very small opening which is good news! The acid can get up there and most likely did, but if I take care of myself, it won't spread to the esopoghaus.

Thank you to everyone who wrote on this thread and PM'd me. I celebrated by cutting off all my hair this afternoon! Not a Britney, but a very short 'do.'
Did the doc put you on anything else? It's good to hear that it was nothing really, really serious.

[texanne]

Is it worse at night? There are a lot of reason to discuss this with a Dr., as it can really be a serious thing. A doctor can adise you about diet restrictions, also. I no longer have any real problems so long as I eat very light meals in the evening....with little or no meat or fatty foods. There was a time that I had to sleep in a sitting position. I think it can almost be inherited because my mother suffers with the same condition.

[rockford2]

Is it worse at night? There are a lot of reason to discuss this with a Dr., as it can really be a serious thing. A doctor can adise you about diet restrictions, also. I no longer have any real problems so long as I eat very light meals in the evening....with little or no meat or fatty foods. There was a time that I had to sleep in a sitting position. I think it can almost be inherited because my mother suffers with the same condition.


no, it's not worse at night. I was at work when I started throwing up from either the pain or the acid.....I don't know. I see the doctor in another week. Thanks for caring, Texanne.

[rockford2]

Did the doc put you on anything else? It's good to hear that it was nothing really, really serious.

not yet. Somebody suggested Protonix but it's upsetting my stomach.

[sweetcharlotte]

not yet. Somebody suggested Protonix but it's upsetting my stomach.


Have you tried Prilosec?

[rockford2]

Have you tried Prilosec?


I was on that and I'm going to ask if I could be on that for everyday. There's no generic form at Wal-Mart though. They have generic everything else but Prilosec.

[sweetcharlotte]

I was on that and I'm going to ask if I could be on that for everyday. There's no generic form at Wal-Mart though. They have generic everything else but Prilosec.

When I first started having acid reflux I used Pepcid. Actually for about 5 years. Then it got so bad I was put on Prevacid which works great for me, but if for any reason I run out (and the doctor doesn't have samples) I buy Prilosec.

Are you watching what you eat?

[sweetcharlotte]

I'm bad about jumping right in the middle of threads without reading back, and offering unsolicited advice. BUT, try eating white rice. It absorbs the acid and doesn't cause gas the way potatoes sometimes do. Also, as someone else pointed out no fatty (especially fried) foods or foods high in acid, i.e. tomatoes, orange juice, etc. or carbonated drinks until you get to the doctor.

[rockford2]

When I first started having acid reflux I used Pepcid. Actually for about 5 years. Then it got so bad I was put on Prevacid which works great for me, but if for any reason I run out (and the doctor doesn't have samples) I buy Prilosec.

Are you watching what you eat?

Doc has me on a stict diet for the remaining 2 weeks to see if I have anymore episodes. I seriously think it was the coffee. I will have a very difficult time giving that up.

[rockford2]

I'm bad about jumping right in the middle of threads without reading back, and offering unsolicited advice. BUT, try eating white rice. It absorbs the acid and doesn't cause gas the way potatoes sometimes do. Also, as someone else pointed out no fatty (especially fried) foods or foods high in acid, i.e. tomatoes, orange juice, etc. or carbonated drinks until you get to the doctor.


Thank you so much for that tip!! Please do not apologize for jumping into a thread. I never knew that about rice and it's something I actually like...plain.

Thank you again, Snowy Owl. The best advice I receive are from friends on messageboards. :love0085:

[sweetcharlotte]

Good night!:happy0207:

[rockford2]

Good night!:happy0207:

good night, sweetie.

I'll be gone for awhile so everyone take care.

Any questions, Roamer has answers. Just very sick.

Luv you guys!!

:love0085:

[emmeblu]

I have it too. I take prescription Protonix. It works great for me. In fact I don't usually take it every day, just about 3 times a week. And always if I am having something tomato based! :)

I take Protonix also. Mine started about 1 year ago and I too thought I was having a heart attack. Painful! The Protonix works well for me and I take 1 tablet every day. I think I will ask my doctor if I can cut back to every other day and see what happens. Even at that, I have had 2 or 3 episodes while on the medication and yes, it is scary.

[Smokey Stover]

This is NOT an answer to Rockford's problems nor anyone else's, but I will show you a worst case scenario. I hope Rockford, whom I love, will not read this, nor anyone easily offended.

I had acid reflux for years, and was a good customer of anyone who sold Maalox or Rolaids or anything of that ilk. All to little avail, it goes without saying. But it finally got dramatically worse. Sometimes, while enjoying a nice meal, I couldn't swallow any of it. Or rather, I could swallow, and it would go down my esophagus--and then come right back up. It was an interesting experience, because I had enough control of my esophagus to voluntarily regurgitate the food, either part-way up or all the way back into my mouth. One reason I found it interesting was that I knew birds and some other animals regurgitate food for their babies, and I wondered how they were able to do that. The other reason was simply that that had never happened to me before.

Interesting though it was, it was embarrassing and awkward. My physician sent me to a gastro-enterologist who made me swallow the camera end of a gastroscope, then after I had finished gagging and got it down he watched the pretty (NOT!) pictures as they were shown on a screen. After he was done, his assistant or nurse, Tracey, said, "Now that wasn't too bad, was it?" I answered (send the children away), "Not if you're used to it, I suppose. Now I know why female adult film stars are paid so much more than the males." She actually laughed and said it was the first time anyone had said that to her.

But Dr. Clark failed to find anything wrong, and had me do an "upper G.I. series," in which you swallow a whole lot of semi-dissolved barium salts in a milky-looking slurry, then get X-rayed as the barium (which is opaque to X-rays) passes down your gullet. I was with Dr. Clark when he examined the films. His first remark was: "Where is the stomach? Where'd it go?" After studying the film a little more he found it--completely migrated up into my chest, right there between the lungs, leaning a little on the pericardium. That pretty much explained my symptoms.

Surgery was required to get my stomach out of my chest. It's not exactly routine surgery, but it is a well-known type of operation with a high rate of success. It's called "repair of hiatal hernia." For the two or three of you who are not nurses or former nurses, the "hiatus" is the gap between your two diaphragms, that is, the two muscles below your lungs at the bottom edge of your rib-cage that work the lungs, which have no muscles of their own. There has to be at least a small gap to permit your esophagus to penetrate it and reach your stomach. But as you get older and sometimes fatter the tip of the stomach can be pushed up through the hole. That's the hernia part.

The operation went pretty well, and I haven't had any heartburn since. That's partly because the surgeon fastened the stomach down with needle and thread.
.................................................. .................................................. ...
The following is off-topic. Enter at your own risk.

There was one hitch in the operation. The surgeon accidentally severed my left phrenic nerve. I don't know how easy this is to do, but he did it, and never told me. The result was that my left diaphragm was paralyzed. I had shortness of breath as soon as I got back on my feet, but I didn't see how this could result from the surgery. I asked him about it, but he told me nothing, although he knew, from x-rays, what had happened. My physician couldn't figure it out, so when it got worse, and I was kicked out of a fitness class for having COPD, she (my doctor) sent me to a pulmonologist. To make a long story short, I eventually was hospitalized, had atrial fibrillation a few hours after entering, and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, with which the final chapter of my book of life will some day conclude.

I'm comin' -
I'm comin' -
For my head is bendin' low.
I hear dem angel voices callin'
Ol' Black Joe.

When I was giving my medical history to another doctor prior to gall bladder surgery, I mentioned that I had had my left phrenic nerve severed. The doctor I was talking to wished to be thorough, so he asked, "Was it just the one side?" I thought that was very funny. He couldn't figure out why I laughed.