Hey Jeff. You've got some years dealing with GERD on me. I think what I am dealing with is LPR. but I am only 9 months in (with onset post-viral trauma causing) and am at the crossroads right now on my EGD and GI tests. I'd like to stay in touch and be of support. I can't even begin to imagine 30 years. Man. You are a strong one!

Thanks, it has been a long time, never realized the many side effects Gerd has on your body, and all the things that I just took for years as just being normal. But I am having a hard time making this decision as to whether have one of these operations, or taking my chances staying on the pills, and hope the barrets never progresses to cancer, and that my kidney function maintains. Already have changed my diet over the years to calm the heartburn, but now facing even bigger lifestyle changes.

Hi. Sorry to hear that your are having trouble. The post wasn't long, but it was very informative while being pretty technical. I learned a lot from reading about the things you mentioned, so thank you for sharing. I have had GERD on and off for over 20 years and done various things for it, I would always get a second, independent opinion before going with the surgery..

The first years were the worst, and for a time I ate a lot of Tums. Eventually I saw a doctor who prescribed a PPI, but since I also have some kidney issues I decided to change my diet and switch to a mix of H2 blockers and antacids, Pepperoni pizza, alcohol and carbonated drinks would tear me up, so I cut them out, and anything like it. Reducing the fat and salt did a lot to reduce the constant acidity, but sometimes I broke the rules, and sometimes the rules broke. For example, bread and coffee will occasionally produce acidity, but usually an antacid or a glass of milk will relieve it. If not, or after having the celebratory but problematic glass of bubbly, I can call in the H2-blockers as my defensive linebackers.

Gaining weight, too much stress, gorging and lots of sitting also trigger my GERD. I have noticed that being constipated increased the chance of GERD. I often sense some stomach distress before realizing that I'm constipated, in which case having a bowel movement often clears up the GERD. I have asked a doctor about Barrett's and ulcers since stopping the use of the PPIs, but because I wasn't showing any symptoms and the GERD was manageable, they were pretty dismissive. Clearly, I am not in any great distress or in need of radical treatment.

I hope you are able to find some relief soon.

Thanks, this is my second opinion, the first gastroenterologist did not do the procedures, the second one redid the upper GI, but I am do far advanced to do the tif procedure, he referred me to the surgeon, ( Third opinion ) who ordered up the other test, which took the linx device off the table as well as the full fundoplication surgery, leaving a partial fundoplication or the roux en y disconnect as options, but he feels the partial may make things worse, as I may have trouble swallowing because of the lack of peristaltic activity. I to have given up alcohol, carbonated drinks and most tomato based foods, I also get the ghost triggers, as I call them, when your not sure what set you off, was it the apple, or the water, ect. But when you get the regurgitation and aspiration, it is awful. I have had chest pains that last hours, and mimic a heart attack, all this while on medication to prevent it. The newest ppi that I am on works fairly well, and controls it fairly good if I keep to my fairly bland diet. Tums are useless anymore, with no relieve from them when I flare up. My kids say I should do the surgery, but the lifestyle change is major, along with a lifetime of vitamin supplements, because the new small stomach pouch will not process food as well anymore. With covid and the counseling you need to relearn how to eat, I am sure it would be 6 months or more before I would even be able to do anything. I still am not sold on the disconnect, having a hard time wrapping my head around that, was hoping maybe someone had done this, and would help calm my doubts. My kidney function had dropped to 55% percent and that is a side effect of long term ppi treatment. The pantoprazole is less harsh than the nexium and prilosec, and some improvement has happened, will be tested again in a couple weeks.

Man, what a difficult journey to navigate through. Kudos to you for hanging in there. I know this stuff is miserable.

I feel you on all this disconnect from our current Covid environment. Its been a helluva mess with doctors offices and phone tag and delayed insurance referrals. Not to mention, limited to virtual visits early on.

I wish I had some answers for you, but hopefully someone will pop on here that does. My situation is pretty different, as I'm only about 9 months in from a strange on set case of what I believe to be LPR or "Silent Reflux". Its related to GERD, but I really don't have heartburn as a symptom.