My heart goes out to everyone suffering with Acid Reflux, GERD, Stomach upset, gall bladder surgeries, I too have been on this long journey. 20 years ago had my gall bladder removed, 3 ERCP's, Perforation of the duodenum. Emergency gall bladder surgery, chronic pancreatitis. Sphincter of ODDI disfunction. (For those who are not familiar, SOD is obstruction of the Biliary Sphincter connecting the sphincter and cystic duct in the biliary system, e.g. not a medical person) Did not have any of these issues before a botched ERCP. (Be careful if a physician wants to do this procedure, highly dangerous, many risks. Never informed before procedure was performed. Now I am in the worst shape ever. 10 weeks ago excruciating pain in the upper right quadrant under right ribs, traveling around to mid back near lungs and kidneys. Worsening after eating a meal. Pain all night. Could not get an appt with a gastroenterologist for 6 weeks. Told to go to the ER. Well 2 weeks ago I went to the ER. Thank GOD I received wonderful care by the ER physician and the ER nurse. They were on top of everything. CAT SCAN, and Abdominal Ultrasound, alot of Blood work. The ER doctor contacted a Wonderful Gastroenterologist for me and I was given an appointment for 5 days later. Left the ER with good medications to take the pain level down and good diet instructions. Met with my new gastroenterologist, ordered a Fibroscan of my Liver (scheduled for next week) scheduled an endoscopy for the beginning of February. After much discussion about PPI's and H2 acid reducers, I am one of those patients (68 yrs old) who has been developing allergies to medications, can no longer take these medications. I was prescribed Carafate (Sucralfate 1 GM tablet dissolved in a glass of water, 30 to 45 min. before breakfast and dinner) and Bentyl (Dicyclomine 20 mg) for pain.
Changed diet drastically, following diet described in "The Acid Watcher Diet by Dr. Jonathan Aviv. MD) The only other thing is I have a Hiatal Hernia which could also be part of the digestive problems. I will keep you all posted. The saga continues. My advice, do your due diligence prior to any and all doctor appointments, bring all diagnostic records, CD-Roms, blood test results and anything else you feel could assist the physician. When you save them time repeating tests it makes the world of a difference. Read, read, read, educate yourself. Some physicians don't like a smarty pants patient, they feel threatened. I just changed by primary care physician after 15 years, he never liked me questioning anything;
So enough info. Good Luck to all of you. Hope you find the information helpful.
Take care,
Colleenp