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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deleted_user 03/20/2008

Hi, I'm new to this site. I just need help, I don't know what to do :(

My symptoms are becoming less and less under control. I have atypical GERD, at least as far as they were able to figure out, but no one seems very certain of that. Symptoms started when I was 19 (5 years ago). I have tried nearly every prescription and over the counter medication but the majority of them seem to have no effect. My primary symptom is nausea (not heartburn!), I just feel green or seasick. On very bad days I lose my voice and feel a bit of burning in the throat, but mostly it's just nausea, day in and day out. My symptoms are worse on an empty stomach. I have had an endoscopy (mostly normal), an ultrasound (normal) and a live x-ray swallow (normal, minor reflux). I've also been on so many prescriptions and over the counters that I no longer recall half of them or if they helped much. I work out quite frequently and eat healthy foods. It's just so exhausting and it doesn't seem to respond to anything, meds, diet modification, stress relief, nothing. and it's getting worse :(

The main things I'm sensitive to are alcohol and pain relievers. Unfortunately I have to take ibuprofen about once a week and in large amounts, for another problem (it's not possible to eliminate this). If I don't get much sleep I also feel sick all the next day. I'm also becoming more and more sensitive to foods and in fact haven't had a non sick day in the last month. I'm getting so frustrated. I recently moved and it's going to take a few months worth of waiting for new doctors to be seen by a gastro, so I'm turning to the web. I don't know what to do. I need to make my diet stricter, does anyone have a good list of foods to avoid?

also reading on here that PPIs have been linked to cancer and osteoporosis actually made me cry. I'm so frustrated and tired from this illness :( Just wish there was something I could do to feel better, this is becoming so debilitating.

Thanks for listening.

deleted_user 03/20/2008

Wow. So, elevate head of bed on blocks (do not stack pillows). Sleep on L side. Stop the ibup., it errodes the gut. Can you switch to Tylenol or an herbal? Try stopping all forms of sugar: white, brown, honey, agave. Stevia is ok. I ended about 75% of my heartburn when I did that. Also, have you tried a probiotic? If you need to be on a PPI for a while, then take it. I had to take Aciphex because nothing else touched the heartburn. You might try some deglycyrrhizinated (MUST be in this form) licorice (heartburn) and some Chios Gum Mastic (healing). For nausea I use green tea and saltines (that's an old morning sickness cure). Avoid spices, garlic, onion, many herbs, vinegar, citrus (be care of fruit and fruit juice). My best fruit is organic apples. Oh yes, try getting as much organic and "natural" food as possible.

deleted_user 03/21/2008

Thanks so much for your quick and kind reply. The bed elevation I will have to try. I bought the wedge and found it unbearable and also don't have symptoms at night or after eating, so I wasn't sure it would be useful. Worth trying though. I cannot stop the ibuprofen. It's to do with period cramps, which I actually get 3 weeks out of the month and they are electrifying, out of this world. I've tried other medications for them but nothing else works, and I've seen my doctor about them. Why cut out sugars? I have not heard that before. I have increased my sugar intake in the last few months so that is interesting. I cannot use sweetener or drink caffeine because they give me interstitial cysitis, so basically that would mean nothing sweet for me, eek!

I've been on Prilosec for about 5 years. If I don't take it I'm incapacitated, constantly hung over the toilet feeling like puking, so I cannot go off it (believe me, I've tested this!). I've heard of Aciphex but not sure if I've taken it, I think so. I have tried probiotics and found no benefit, other than a little less gas lol.

I'll check out the licorice, where do you find this? and what is the Chios? I would love to have something I could do to proactively treat this, instead of just retroactive! Unfortunately all those foods are already out of my list and I already eat primarily organic and whole grains, so not much change there. Thanks so much for the input, I really appreciate it.

deleted_user 03/21/2008

With my GERD I have IBS and that makes me feel nauseated and spasms in my stomach area. I thought it was GERD too turned out to be IBS. Do you have a gastrologist that can do an endoscopy and colonscopy on you?
Plus no decaf or caffiene, no chocolate. no acids, even mllk can kick it in.

deleted_user 03/21/2008

I feel for you believe me. I went through the same thing to a certain extent. I also had all the tests, endo, swallow, the whole thing. Just like you, things were normal, maybe a slight irritation in my stomach area. However, even with that slight irritation,I still was very nauseous, croaky throat. It even felt as tho someone had their foot on my chest. I went to the emerg. dept. at our hospital thinking I was having a heart attack once as well. Anyway, I tried a variety of meds. to and what seems to work for me is Nexium 40 mg. I know different meds. work for different people, but I thought I'd offer that up as another alternative to try. Also, when my stomach isn't responding well just with the nexium I have a few spoonfuls of Gaviscon, its over the counter and actually forms a barrier in the stomach against the acid. I don't feel acid much, I'm more the pressure and nauseous feeling as you are, it really stinks, I know. It's really a shame that you can't stop the Ibuprofin, because thats notorious for ruining the stomach, I know because I took it as well for pain when I was working and also I have wicked period cramps still. I think as long as you use that, your probably going to have problems with your stomach. It must be frustrating that its the only thing that seems to work for you. Also, I find that all the stress over the years, major life changes has probably caused alot of my cronic gerd. I see you mentioned moving, there's a majory stress right there, even tho you don't think it is. Anxiety plays a big role in causing stomach problems. I had a gastro doctor tell me also that some people were having luck with taking a small amount of anti depressant. Sorry, I can't remember why that is, but its probably on the net somewhere explained better. I hope things work out for you.

deleted_user 03/21/2008

You should be able to get the licorice and Mastic gum at health food store. I got mine from www.vitality101.com.

deleted_user 03/22/2008

I really feel for you. I would rather have pain then nausea. Nausea is the worst feeling for me, anyway. Greg

deleted_user 03/24/2008

Have you been tested for food allergies? I work with kids and have had students with severe food allergies and they will feel nauseated/almost "hungover" the next day after eating an offending food??
Just another avenue to try........

deleted_user 03/24/2008

I agree - I know that sugar is a major trigger for me as is coffee, alcohol, ice cream -- any kind of candy. Enough of any one of these and I am puking my guts out. I take 40 mg. of Prevacid daily (one in the a.m. and one in the p.m.) and 3-4 150 mg. of Zantac on bad days. Diet is everything. I am going on a very bland diet for a week just to get my stomach straightened out. I will be eating oatmeal, brown rice and grains for a week. Very limited milk for cereal. Will let you know how it goes.

deleted_user 03/25/2008

I hope your new gastro has the right answer.

I had chronic nausea for a number of years. During that time I always tried to keep something small in my stomach, crackers, ginger tea (ginger is known to settle the stomach). No caffeen or spicy foods. On days that were just too bad, I took anti-nausea meds.

It sounds like you know your triggers now you have to find your stomach's comfort foods.

I hope you get your answers soon - nausea is horrid! I do feel for you.

Good Luck

deleted_user 03/25/2008

thank you all so much for your replies! It helps just to have some people who know what I'm going through. I don't have time to write an in depth reply right now, but I just wanted to say that I am feeling a little better. I'll write more later, thanks!

deleted_user 03/28/2008

Im so sorry, i know how you feel and its no fun. You got some great advice to go on. My doctor put me on Reglan- Its an anti-nausea. It really helps- but only for a little bit, but that little bit is worth it too me. Like you i have the nausea everyday, its horrible. Im glad to hear your feeling a little better!

deleted_user 03/30/2008

Hello! I hope you are feeling better. You can definatly be proactive with your own health. I feel for you and your suffering. I know about something that is helping so many people. What I have learned is, when we have symptoms our bodies are out of balance. When we put synthetics into our bodies they are actually poisoning us and alot of the time make things worse and this is confirmed by the overwhelming side affect warnings that come with prescription meds. Our healthcare system is upside down. We wait till we get sick then we go to the doctor. Doctors are trained very little in nutrition. Take a look at Chaga. It is changing peoples lives. Google it or if you would like a website just let me know. Hope all is well and i look forward to hearing from you.Mike Vititoe

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