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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GORD symptoms are a nightmare!

Amychan
Amychan

Hey, a bit of a long post so apologies in advance. I developed GORD 5 years ago after taking NSAIDs for backpain. Symptoms have flared up in the past but only lasted around 4 weeks, and I've been on every med under the sun (omeprazole, rabeprazole, lansoprasole, domperidone, metoclopramide...etc)


2 months ago my symptoms were triggered by taking Peppermint oil tablets for IBS, and ever since have been a nightmare. I've been throwing up almost every day, the acid pain is intense and my throat is being burned and become hoarse from the sickness. I'm achey and tired and the gas is agonising. I've been signed off work for a month but that's come to an end now.


Im waiting on another referral to gastro as the GP has told me I'm on highest dosage of everything and there's nothing they can do. Sounds like surgery is the only option but I'm terrified of the effects of it, especially with my IBS. Things can't go on like this but I feel helpless :(  

OlderCPer
OlderCPer
Once your Acid Production hits a certain level and is being "refluxed" high enough past your esophagus, then medications don't do much. The only fix is a Surgical one, it's called a Nissan Fundiplocation with or without a Hiatal Hernia repair. Many folks with severe GERD have a Hiatal Hernia. The other complications that can be major for unsuccessfully treated GERD is Barrets Esophagus, which is a conditional form of cancer, but curable.

I had a Nissan w/Hiatal Hernia repair done in 2000, it was a new procedure then, and honestly it sucked. I've had 30 surgeries in the last 19 years and that one was one of the worst, but it worked, I literally went from not being able to drink a sip of water and having to grabs nips of sleep sitting straight up to absolutely no Reflux. Unfortunately I already had Barret's Esophagus and had to have my Esophagus reconstructed but that worked fine too and things were okay.

I'd talk to your Gastro about measuring your Reflux Rate and seeing what they can do to get rid of your GERD.

Take care,
Kat
Amychan
Amychan
Thank you, it sounds like surgery is my only real option i'm just scared by all the horror stories I've read online! Hopefully the gastro referral comes soon and there's some solution to start improving
OlderCPer
OlderCPer
The Surgery has come a long way since it was first done, they know more and know more how to keep patients more comfortable and such, so its not as miserable. You can't eat solids for 2 - 3 months after, that can be rough....i'm not a food person and pretty much live on yogurt so that part didn't bother me. But I can't tell you how incredible it felt to wake up and through all the post-op pain and such, not have that burning heartburn feeling. It was definitely worth it.
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