GERD & Heartburn Support Group
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is defined as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. This is commonly due to transient or permanent changes in the barrier between the esophagus and the stomach. If you are afflicted with GERD or heartburn, join the group and find support.
Hi all,
My name is Brittany and I'm 24 years old. I have been dealing with GERD since I can remember. I had reflux as an infant and all through my childhood and into my adult life. I have been on every medicaion you can think of. I've taken every over the counter med possible and maxed out prescription meds. I am currently taking Omeprazole 40 mg 3x a day. I have tried all the diets and avoided things known to cause me reflux (though now if I do that I couldn't even drink water).
I have a very slow metabolism and due to medications and other factors I have gained weight in the past few years which, as we all know, has not helped the reflux at all. I am tired of being on medications and changing my lifestyle to be in this much pain and discomfort forever. I have also been very weary of the newly found side effects of some of the medications that i am on. I also had a BRAVO test and an esophogeal manometry. I have more acid action than normal - some days it can be 3x as much. And the swallow test showed that my esophogaus is only working at about 20%.
Because of me wanting to get off of the meds and have a permanent solution to this problem, my doctor recommended Gastric Bypass Surgery. I do see the pros to this sugery. But at the same time i feel nervous about the big change that my life would go through. Not only with the weightloss, but it is a complete lifestyle change. And I want that. The weightloss would definitely be an added bonus.
Has anyone had this done for this purpose? Pros? Cons? Opinions? Advice?
Anything would be helpful!
Thank you,
Brittany
Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know that you are not the only one.
I can't even have oatmeal sometimes just because it hurts and comes up. I don't even know what to do. I have been on Lanzoprazole for a year and gained 10lbs and my weight keeps getting up. I am a fitness junkie (every day, religiousley , yoga, pilates, spin, cardio) and it freaks me about that sometime I can't even do anything because I feel terrible. And sometime I don't understand why. Tried to wean off PPI and seems to get worse symptoms. Do you have erosion/ inflammation (gastritis), too? do you have painful sensation or only reflux?
be well girl!
One of my main concerns currently is developing Barrett's Esophagus or having any more damage done to my esophagus since it is barely working as it is. I have had my thyroid tested pretty regularly thinking that was the cause of my swallowing issues/feeling like something is stuck in my throat. But it turns out that the acid coming into my esophagus has caused so much damage that it just doesn't work like it should, only 2 in 10 swallows actually produce enough movement in my esophagus to push food down.
Not only to I have pain from the reflux when that is occurring but I also have chest pains at times. Sometimes it hurts to eat, though not eating causes just as much reflux as eating. That is why I have thought about Gastric Bypass, to rid myself of a majority of the acid pumps that can produce and send acid back into my esophagus but it is a big life change.
I feel you! We all are here for a reason:) I would say try not to read the web though. I know you are scared of BE so do I but even if you speak to multiple doctors they will explain that is is a quite rare condition for women and even if so the cells rarely grow into smth bad.
I am not saying that you don't have to take care of yourself. But try to relax your mind for at least once a week and just let it go. And trust me I know how hard it is. I am sitting here and had no days in a past year when I haven't been thinking about my stomach. I have started to having the same thing as I had a year ago when I started coughing after food, had chest pain and had a feeling that smth is stuck in my throat. So I feel you. Have you tried visceral massage ? I have read multiple stories about it! I personally try to do acupuncture and try to make myself believe that it helps.