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.
I am being treated for gerd with 40mg of nexium. I have done all the lifestyle changes and use gaviscon. Yet I still continue to suffer. I looked up ppi failure and it says it's usually people with really bad gerd or complicated gerd. The docs said they only saw a little bit of reflux during my barium swallow. I know people who have hernia and have responded to treated so why aren't I? It just makes me think that they have the diagnoses wrong.
My symtpoms are:
constant unsettled stomach
ibs like symtpoms
sinus problems
worsening during period (in fact this all started when I changed my contraceptive pill)
hunger pains
noisy stomach
wind
burning on right hand side (though they say it is not my gallbladder)
only occasionally heartburn
muscle cramp like pain on my left hand side
it all seems to get worse during my period and I have noticed the gerd like symptoms get worse when I am having constipation or bad bowel problems. They did a stool test and it showed positive for inflamation. My sister has colitis and I am waiting for another upper and lower gi test. Does anyone know if other diseases can mimic gerd. Surely if the treatment for gerd is not working it means that it isn't the problem in the first place and it is just treated a symptom rather than the cause?
I am desperate here as this has been going on for 2 years and I am only 24 and just started a new job which threatens to be ruined by this
My symtpoms are:
constant unsettled stomach
ibs like symtpoms
sinus problems
worsening during period (in fact this all started when I changed my contraceptive pill)
hunger pains
noisy stomach
wind
burning on right hand side (though they say it is not my gallbladder)
only occasionally heartburn
muscle cramp like pain on my left hand side
it all seems to get worse during my period and I have noticed the gerd like symptoms get worse when I am having constipation or bad bowel problems. They did a stool test and it showed positive for inflamation. My sister has colitis and I am waiting for another upper and lower gi test. Does anyone know if other diseases can mimic gerd. Surely if the treatment for gerd is not working it means that it isn't the problem in the first place and it is just treated a symptom rather than the cause?
I am desperate here as this has been going on for 2 years and I am only 24 and just started a new job which threatens to be ruined by this
Am waiting for another GI test atm but had to cancel the last one as had a cold (I am having a general anethestic as they have failed to do the upper gi twice before as I pull it out!) and am still waiting. Not happy as I am going private (I am in the UK) so it should be quicker
The only things they have found is a little bit of reflux and a positive test for inflamation.
I suffer from female issues as well and have high prolactin but they think that is because of the anti nausea pills I take. There is just so much going on and none of it really says GERD to me
Burning on your right side could be your liver if its fatty or diverticulosis.
Watch your diet, google GERD and they will have a list of what not to eat and drink water only.
Good luck
With regards to food and drink not to eat. Well I only drink water and decaf tea anyway so thats not a problem (I am t-total!). But when it comes to food. I didnt eat chocolate, spicy foods etc for a whole year and I was still really ill. I slowly introduced chocolate again and my symtpoms are the same whether I eat it or not. Same with fatty foods and can get away with some mild spice. I feel the same whether I eat it or not so figured I might as well eat it and enjoy it!
I don't know what the difference is in the meds, but there must also be a difference in our diseases a little or they would all work for everyone??
Jennie, it sounds like you are doing all the right things. Perhaps you've already tried this, but one little hint that I learned is that if my stomach just is rebelling, it feels much better if I eat a small apple. I don't know why that works so nicely, but it does for me. I always keep apples in the house, and even take them along when I travel. If I've run into a food that bothers me, and apple will really help.
I really hope you can find some good answers soon. It sounds like you are really miserable.
Hugs, Sue