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Acid Reflux: How do you get relief?
Hi,
I'm 42 and have been suffering from health issues for over 20 years and have been told that I have fibromyalgia but the following have been progressively getting worse over the past years.
- constant burning in esophagus from acid reflux after eating or drinking anything along with belching and stomach discomfort.
- sharp pain in lower right back side and radiate into abdomen and armpit with bloating, gas and cramps.
- food gets stuck and hard to swallow.
- sore throat with enlarged lymph nodes and neck pain.
- have lost weight.
- fatigue even with enough sleep.
- teeth being greatly impacted by acid erosion causing staining to teeth and gum sensitivity.
- constant sour taste in mouth.
- headaches since a teenager.
- sensitivity to sun.
- nerve and joint pain for about 20 years.
- tailbone pain on and off for 8 years.
I’ve had the following tests and seen the following doctors.
- Gastroenterologist 3 times. Recent endoscopy and colonoscopy findings 3 weeks ago include Grade A Esophagitis was seen in esophagus, normal mucosa in antrum, incisura of stomach, stomach body, pylorus and cardia. Slightly blunted villi noted in duodenal bulb and second part of duodenum. 4 biopsies taken from 2nd portion and 2 from duodenum and results are normal. Colonoscopy normal.
- Neurologist 3 times and had nerve testing done with no findings.
- Allergy testing - no allergies to most common foods about 2 weeks ago.
- Celiac panel over a week ago - negative ( have cut out gluten for months now)
- H-pylori - year ago
- E-coli present about 8 years ago and took prescribed medication
- Hospitalized about a year and half ago for gallstones and elevated kidney
- Urinalysis - normal
- CBC - normal
- Lipid panel - normal
- Hepatic panel - normal
I’ve tried the following.
– diet changes: no acidic or spicy foods, cut out refined sugars, eliminated herbal teas, eating smaller and more frequent meals, elevating head at bedtime, no tight clothing, no bending down after meals, no eating too close to bedtime, no gluten and grains for months. Tried acid, low fodmap, inflammation and microbiome diets. Bone broth, kefir and yogurt.
– digestive enzymes, healthy gut powder, Atrantil, tumeric, multi vitamins, apple cider vinegar good strength probiotics, magnesium.
- lemon balm, nettles, cat's claw, marshmallow and slippery elm powders and aloe vera.
– omeprazole, famotidine and antacids.
Not sure what more I can do to get some relief.
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My husband suffered from acid reflux for some time. Finally I discovered that they were doing a new procedure called the Linx system at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. He called and got an appointment for a consultation and they did the surgery. He hasn't had a problem with reflux since. However, while they were doing all the testing, it was discovered that the acid had already aspirated into his lungs and the damage was done. He was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and is now on 10 LPM of oxygen 24-7. That was 2014. Pulmonary fibrosis is a progress, terminal disease. He is under Hospice care and we try to enjoy each day we have. So, I tell everyone I know that suffers from adid reflux do not waste time trying all the recommended remedies. Get to a top notch facility immediately. And I highly recommend the Mayo Clinic.
This is an important warning. Please pay attention
So true: get knowledgeable advice to solve the problem that you have. There is always someone selling snake oil, which probably works on snakes. Even if it costs a little more to get the right solution, done right (once) prevents lots of wasted time, effort, and money.
Sorry to hear about the Pulmonary Fibrosis. Thank you for the reminder to live each day to the fullest with/for the ones you love.
Thank you i will check them out>
Hi i have posted before about omeprazole i started having heart burn and acid reflux in April took tums and it would go away then started in a night.My GP said to take ompeprazole 40mg i had that feeling like i had a lump in throat and thought that it was post nasal drip doctor said take something for that.I found out upon doing my homework its all part of acid reflux so taking the 40mg has helped with throat but was making my stomach ache so when things got a little better i went down to 20mg the reflux is better but still have some heartburn.Doctor said to keep taking it and also to use maalox or mylanta when needed.I would like to stop these things and try some more natural ways I have changed my eating smaller meals no citrus,tomatoes,caffeine,no wine.I just don't want that feeling in my throat back.My doctor keeps saying you have to be on meds for a long time.Any info that help me i know that these meds can be bad for you.I asked if i should see a gastroenterologist she said no. Thank you
Yes you need to see a gastroenterologist. I have had my esophagus stretched twice in 11 years, on omeprozol all that time. I would love to get off of the drug but my brother died from cancer because he stopped taking the drug
Hi i think I am so afraid of the side effects of taking meds I am letting it get in the way I must not be ready to go down to 20 mg a day need to go back to 40 mg a a day?Do you only take the omperzole and how much?My health plan is an HMO so I have to get a referral from GP I will be having a routine colonoscopy in Oct. When I get stressed a little it seems to make heart burn worse but who isn’t stressed out now with all that’s going on, Thankyou
Thank you so much for the suggestions. I am starting to think that my acid production may be low.
@ldholley505 - I have had acid reflux for at least 30 years now. I have been on several meds to slow acid production and I can't really stop or cut down.
I am now mostly stable on pantropazole twice a day. I have had a few endoscopies over time, so far so good. Stress sets it off as well as some unknown factor.It can take days to resolve even with very mild diet. I have a good internist and gastroenterologist if needed.
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1 ReactionHello @ldholley505
Just some ideas from having had GERD for a number of years, I too have become somewhat a self-made expert on the topic as well. Maintaining a healthy weight is a good start in controlling acid reflux. If you have done that, do you elevate the head of your bed at night? This is also important. I recently got an adjustable bed (not one of the more expensive brands that are sold in the specialty stores but one from a local furniture store that just adjusts the head and legs). It has been a great help to avoid the night-time problems associated with reflux.