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, I went to the ER because I had what ended up being called "gastritis". However, a week later I ended up there again because I felt like I was choking in my sleep and the ER doc said I was inhaling acid in my sleep. I also feel a nonstop acid taste in my mouth. I have been on 40 mgs of omeprazole for two weeks and have been following a low acid diet. The stomach pains and gastritis part seems to have gone away for the most part (although I'm sure if I ate the wrong things, it might flare up again) but the acid taste in my mouth is not gone and I guess that is the acid reflux. Are these two illnesses the same? Is one caused by the other? I don't see a gastroenterologist until Aug to sort out what is going on and understand what is happening. The ER doctors seemed to think it was all very normal and that I would eventually get over it, but after being on this board, I think it is much more serious. Also someone posted about the acid taste and someone responded that it could cause serious problems. Is having acid taste more dangerous than having just heartburn? I am really worried now because I am taking strong meds, eating right and still having this terrible acid taste in my mouth (that is my only symptom anymore) and I am worried. Any help or advice would be greatly greatly appreciated.
I had acidy mouth, white tongue, and stomach pain.. My PCP put me on Prevacid in march. In Apr I saw a GI, he put me on 20mg of protonix 2x a day, in may I had an EGD, came out with GERD, acute gastritis, and a small ulcer...meds were increased to 40mg protonix upto 2x a day, but I've never taken 2 in a day. My stomach pians, heaartburn and nausea have gone away, since I maintained diet....but the acidy mouth has not completely gone away, I even sleep on a wedge pillow.
GERD is different than gastritis, they are 2 different things.
I notice that when I first wake up there is no acid taste at all, but as the morning goes on it gets worse and worse.
I have been sleeping with a wedge pillow which has helped me not have that choking sensation anymore.
@hopehappens: is your condition considered LPR or GERD? I feel like the acid sensation in my mouth means it could be leaking into my lungs . I only got this worry after choking in my sleep though, so I don't know if this is a valid worry or not.
@gramybear: How many years did you have acid problems before you were diagnosed with Barretts (which I am amazed to hear you were able to reverse with diet)? I have changed my diet and it's really not hard to do, because this acid taste doesn't make food seem very appealing. I think it will be harder if this acid taste goes away, then I might be more encouraged to eat. My husband's friend had the same thing I have but his went away after 15 weeks of diet and now it just comes and goes depending on his stress level and diet.
Thanks again.
My GI told me it was GERD, I've read about both, I think the only difference is that with LPR you don't get heartburn. I have gotten heartburn, but that hasn't been too too bad.
I chew gum as well, and it does take the taste away, while I'm chewing it.
I have also been dealing with anxiety as well for about 2-3 yrs now. It has calmed down almost completely since Dec, and late Feb these new stomach problems started:(