GERD and Gassy

Hi @purnamaboss and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Although we can't offer specific medical advice like that of your physician, members here on connect can let you know what has worked for them. PPI's or Proton Pump Inhibitors are pretty particular to the individual taking them and how your body reacts. Usually your doctor will start you on something as a trial to see if it helps and then adjust as needed. The medicine that you are talking about is the Over the Counter pill commonly known as Prilosec OTC. Sometimes taking PPI's without a doctor's guidance can cause further gastrointestinal problems. I would recommend seeking physician supervision first, but they do sell it at your local drug store.

Have you been officially diagnosed with GERD?

I remember when I had gas and took OTC medicines.... tums, ect.... then when I finally went to a gastrologist they found a four inch segment of Barrett's Esophagus (a condition caused when acid reflux, GERD, starts destroying the natural lining of your esophagus so it starts replacing it with a lining similar to the lining of your intestine to protect itself against the acid). The treatment then went to RFA, radio frequency ablation, where 3 microns of the lining is burnt off. Then you keep the acid off and the natural lining will regrow. This requires multiple endoscopies and biopsies of your esophagus. I still have a follow-up endoscopies every year.

I have been diagnosed with GERD a number of years ago. I also have intestinal metaplasia, (similar to Barrets but in the stomach lining). I am unresponsive to PPI's and the only option presented to me was a scope every two years to make sure it hasn't spread. I am going for one next week. I suffer with terrible stomach pain which also affects my throat in the form of burning pain. No doctor has been able to help with the pain. It can last for months.

All you can do is a very strict low acid diet for this. No soda and no booze. No fried or fatty foods.

Thanks for the response. There has to be something else that can be done. I am now in the category of chronic pain as I have this every day. Have not been diagnosed with LPR yet, (though I think I have it), but I don't think a special diet will work on this kind of pain. I have not been eating much now as it is. I truly hope that they see something that they can treat on this upcoming scope. There is no quality of life as things stand now. I don't know how long time sufferers have made it as far as they have, but I wish them continued strength.