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.

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Gastrointestinal System
/ GERD & Heartburn Support Group

AAAARRRGGHHH I feel like crap!

blessed19
blessed19
My doctor put me on Protonix for GERD and I haven't had the money to get my prescription refilled SUCKS! So I have been taking pepcid that shit does not WORK! I havent slept all week because at night it gets really bad. Last night I thought I was going to have to go to the emergency room scared the HELL out of me. Is GERD supposed to make you feel like you are short of breath? I also have MILD sleep apnea so that is another reason why I cant sleep! When I breath I hear the wheezing like there is acid sitting there! I dont have astma so my doctor told me it was because of the GERD. I once heard that GERD is similar to the symptoms of congestive heart failure. SCARY! I just want this to go away!
blessed19
blessed19
Also does eating late at night cause it to get worse at night????? Maybe I need to cut that out!
Sue825
Sue825
Hi blessed, I have GERD and COPD, and I can tell you that reflux can definitely make your breathing worse. Eating at night is a no-no. I've been told to never eat less than 3 hours before bedtime.

Also I really have to carefully follow the diet, and raise the head of my bed. All the drugs in the world won't help much if I'm not following the rules, too.

You may need to see a gastroenterologist for the GERD, and if doing all that doesn't make your breathing better, then you should definitely be seen by a pulmonologist. It may just be reflux-induced asthma, but there's a lot that you can do for that.

Don't wait until you just aren't moving any air to go to the ER. If you need to go, GO. They can help you greatly, and you may not even be admitted to the hospital.

Good luck to you. Hugs, Sue
gramybear
gramybear
YES, GERD CAN FEEL LIKE A HEART ATTACK AND CAN ADVANCE TO BARRETT'S DISEASE. DO YOU HAVE YOUR BED RAISED IN THE FRONT BY 6 INCHES? THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT. AND ALSO STAY AWAY FROM ALL CITRUS, CAFFEINE, CHOCOLATE, SUGAR, AND THE BAD FATS. EAT 6 SMALL MEALS AND DON'T EAT 3 HOURS PRIOR TO BED. I KNOW IT'S A LOT TO ASK BUT YOU WILL FEEL BETTER IN A WEEK OR TWO AFTER DOING ALL OF THIS. DON'T USE PILLOWS IN PLACE OF RAISING YOUR BED. THOSE CEMENT BLOCKS UNLESS YOU CAN GET SOMEONE TO MAKE YOU WOODEN BLOCKS. GERD AND BARRETT'S DISEASE IS TERRIBLE TO HAVE. I NEVER EVEN KNEWI HAD BARRETT'S UNTIL I STARTED COMPLAINING ABOUT STOMACH PAIN AND SOMETHING STUCK IN MY THROAT. I WISH YOU THE BEST AND I HOPE I'VE BEEN SOME HELP. IF YOU NEED TO TALK, LET ME KNOW. I KNOW HOW AWFUL IT IS. SOFT HUGS.
gramybear
gramybear
Don't eat 3 hours before you go to bed and when you do eat, don't lay down for 2 hours after you eat. It's hard for your tummy to digest food if you are laying down.
gramybear
gramybear
Gerd and Barrett's disease can make you feel like you are having a heart attack. It's very strange. Also, don't eat 3 hours before you go to bed and raise the front of your bed by 6'. Hope that helps