I believe you have more than just Gerd. I am not a doctor but I suffer from Gerd, Gastritis, and Barrett's Esophagus, as well as a hiatal hernia. I would ask your doctor to send you to a specialist and have them look down your throat with a scope. What worries me is your having trouble swallowing. Please insist on that test. Please let us know the results after the specialist takes a look. Hugs Gramybear

Thank you for your response. I'm sorry to hear that you're dealing with all of those medical issues. It must be very difficult.
I did a barium swallowing test a couple of years ago, and they found no problem.
But when I got an upper endoscopy about a year ago, they found a hiatal hernia.
They did not seem to think much of it though.
I don't know what the next step is. I don't know if there's anything else they can do for me.
They act like there isn't.

Sunshine I would try a GI specialist at a teaching hospital. Maybe there is something they can do for you.

I'd endorse what others have said - I have GERD but I don't have those problems. The constipation / diarohea thing is definately something to get checked out.

You remind me of myself. We share alot of the same symptoms. You didn't mention Gastroparesis. Have you ever been tested for that? I do have that? There is a test called GES (Gastric Emptying Scan). You eat a radioactive meal-usually eggs- and then every hr. or so they take xrays of your stomach to see how fast the food is moving through. It takes 3-4 hrs. I also have IBS (both constipation and diarrhea), hiatal hernia, gastritis, fibromyalgia, anemia, GERD, my gallbladdrer out. I have nausea all the time-every day. I have had so many tests. I get so discouraged.

I hear your frustration. GERD is a tough issue to deal with. If you have a Hiatal Hernia,,even a small one causes the esophagus to dysfunction and you get all the weird symptoms.. it is all about acid coming into that area. I have been dizzy from acid reflux. Food can reflux back into the esophagus.. More so with a larger HH. Pain in the chest could be heartburn and you can have it in your back as well..The small HH's do cause the acid relux issues and then the burning/inflammation can travel into the stomach etc.

People with med to large hernias can have more serious acid related issues but the small hernia doesnt tend to, especially if it is the sliding type.. but it can cause r heartburn/inflammation issues that can turn into stomach and gastro inflammation issues..

I always have managed this with diet and I rarely have problems now but it takes a ton of work and discipline. It took me a year and a half to figure it all out and get really good at managing it. It can get way better with a very disciplined diet and managing stress well. Most people need to prop up at night as well with a heartburn issue.

I also agree with praying lots and grammy.. get good advice from another specialist but try being extremely careful with diet for a month or so and see if you get better. You have to follow all the GERD rules and on this GERD site there are some really good threads about diet.

Good Luck

Hi sunshine,

I really just wanted to give you a special blessing today! I know how hard all this stuff is. I go through it everyday too. Some days are better than others. The good days are related to what I eat! If I eat really well and stick to a clean diet I do mush better! Just like Lesley said you have to really follow the Gerd diet though that diet will vary according to your own body! But basically you need to watch everything you eat and get to know what upsets your stomach. And also like Lesley said if you have not propped up at night yet maybe that would help you too.

I just want to give you a hug because I know exactly what your going through! Hang in there and good luck with everything!

God Bless!

Vicki

Some of the meds they prescribe for GERD have side effects often more frightening than the disease. I am where you are with nothing working anymore. I am off all the heavy duty PPIs. They make me dizzy and faint, make my ears ring, and cause nausea for me. I do take one Ranitidine (Zamtac) 150 first thing in the morning, and one a couple of hours before I go to bed. I also take something called Phazyme for gas and bloating, it's over the counter and cheap. I take one twice a day with the Ranitidine. Nothing with tomato sauce: spaghetti, pizza even ketchup are out. No spices not even pepper. No garlic or onion. No Tums they mix with the acid and make gas that will cause stomach and chest pain. No Mylanta and the like, they will cause diarrhea because they are loaded with sorbitol and manitol in addition to magnesium. Only white meat chicken, fish, rice and fresh or frozen vegetables, cooked. I also eat my own homemade cakes and cookies, which aren't as sweet as the stuff you buy at the store and are minus the soy and preservatives. I use butter instead of margarine or vegetable oil, though olive oil is okay. Careful with fruit too until everything calms down which will take a while since you've been on so many meds. Some people complain about dairy, I don't use much, a little on my Rice Krispies in the morning, it's not an issue. Elevating the head of my bed six to eight inches at night doesn't help me but sleeping on my left side does. Gas plays a big role in this, as much as inflammation does. There is no quick cure, but I am improving ever so slowly.

How are you doing sunshine? Have you seen any other specialists about your conditions? Again, what worries me is what you were experiencing may not have been obvious to the doctors at the time. And for some reason, some GI doctors think differently about different symptoms. Please let us know how you are doing since you last posted, okay? Hugs GB

I meant to mention as well..

When was your last scope done? I also feel the difficulty swallowing issue needs to be addressed. You need to have the esophagus looked at again at the very least.

Let us know