1. < Digestive Health
Profile picture for mitch8006

GERD-like symptoms?

Posted by mitch8006 @mitch8006, Feb 27, 2019

Hello all,

I am 23 years old and was told I have GERD as of about 6 months ago. It all started when I went to see my doctor about mucus in my throat that I couldn't seem to get rid of. I was told it was GERD and was immediately put on Omeprazole once per day. A few weeks later after not much relief I had a scope performed on my throat and stomach and everything came back normal, no ulcers, hernia, or damage to my throat. Before starting the Omeprazole I never had any burning pain in my chest, but now it seems like its very frequent and it still hasn't done much of anything for the mucus in my throat. I am young, fairly active, never smoked, not overweight, and don't drink any caffeine so being diagnosed with GERD doesn't really make sense to me. Now if I try to stop taking Omeprazole I have extremely bad burning in my chest that Zantac cant even help. I also occasionally wipe blood when pooping. I told my doctor but she said it could just be something to do with my acid levels...

Is there anything else that could be causing these GERD-like symptoms that I'm missing?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

Profile picture for dvisoky
dvisoky | @dvisoky | Jan 9, 2025

I have LR as I had a scope and was diagnosed with Acid Reflux LR. I've taken Omeprazole 40mg 1x a day and have for the last 10 days. I've had no relief. Should i wait longer? What eventually worked for you? Was it only Gerds ? Thanks Dave

REPLY
Profile picture for cantek
cantek | @cantek | Jan 10, 2025
In reply to @takemypay "Hi, im new to this so sorry if I miss any points. I'm 19 and used..." + (show)
Profile picture for takemypay @takemypay

Hi, im new to this so sorry if I miss any points.
I'm 19 and used to smoke weed with tobacco daily for around 2-3 years (incase thats relevant). In early 2017 I got sick with a cough and the excess mucus started, but after the cough stopped the sinus issues remained. I didnt do anything about it for ages because I was super dysfunctional, and only spoke to a GP about it 6 months ago. I tried nasonex but that didn't really do anything, I've now been prescribed antibiotics which has definitely improved it, but the issue clearly remains. It seems to be most problematic further back in my sinuses, mucus is always coming down my throat and I have to blow my nose frequently. Ive had blood tests and have no allergies, and when I got a CT scan (i think that's what it was) you could clearly see one of my sinuses is much narrower than the other. Im going back to my GP this week for more antibiotics. Suggestions? And thankyou!!

Jump to this post

Saline rinses daily followed by Nasonex

REPLY
Profile picture for lana5017
lana5017 | @lana5017 | Apr 30 7:44am
In reply to @randyste "Hi, I am new to this group as well as I have been recently diagnosed. I..." + (show)
Profile picture for randyste @randyste

Hi, I am new to this group as well as I have been recently diagnosed. I am not a medical professional, but I was diagnosed with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux which I probably had for over a year, was misdiagnosed and it was untreated. It is silent reflux and does not have outward Gerd symptoms. So mine started with massive shortness of breath, loss of voice, cough and fatigue from the constant shortness of breath. Then excess mucus in my throat. This went on for 11 months before I had any kind of burning sensation in my chest- or any typical acid reflux Gerd type symptoms. So I was at a pulmonologist who missed it for the longest time. I share this with you because mine ultimately led to the LPR and GERD and because it was not addressed properly for so long I have inflammations up and down my esophagus and the top of my stomach.

Please seek a second opinion. I kept pushing all my doctors in Philadelphia ( they did not figure it out) until I had to seek care at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Advocating for myself and educating myself was the best decision I made.

Jump to this post

@randyste hi, what did you end up doing after you discover a problem is from your stomach

REPLY
Profile picture for blue717
blue717 | @blue717 | 2 days ago

I have a lump in my throat that is not a lump. I feel like food sits in my stomach and could come back up at any time. I get a burning sensation, but only in the base of my throat. This has been going on for a long time. I went to a Gastro guy in December, but then he retired, leaving me to find another one who couldn't see me till May. Right before that visit, I had a chest X-ray done and found I had a small nodule on my lung that turned out to be cancer. I had that treated with radiation, and they are pretty sure it's going to be a successful treatment. The gastro guy gave me an Rx for famotidine, and it hasn't helped at all. My next appointment with him isn't until January. My esophagus will be fried by then! Anyone have any self-help advice?

REPLY
2 replies
Profile picture for dbamos1945
dbamos1945 | @dbamos1945 | 2 days ago
In reply to @blue717 "I have a lump in my throat that is not a lump. I feel like food..." + (show)
Profile picture for blue717 @blue717

I have a lump in my throat that is not a lump. I feel like food sits in my stomach and could come back up at any time. I get a burning sensation, but only in the base of my throat. This has been going on for a long time. I went to a Gastro guy in December, but then he retired, leaving me to find another one who couldn't see me till May. Right before that visit, I had a chest X-ray done and found I had a small nodule on my lung that turned out to be cancer. I had that treated with radiation, and they are pretty sure it's going to be a successful treatment. The gastro guy gave me an Rx for famotidine, and it hasn't helped at all. My next appointment with him isn't until January. My esophagus will be fried by then! Anyone have any self-help advice?

Jump to this post

@blue717: if I were you I would stop including foods that are known to irritate hiatal hernias and esophagus (google or call dr office for their list) from your diet. Every episode you endure could be causing more harm. Tums can only react to acid already formed. Nurse may choose to be helpful when you inquire about “stopping the acid formation” rather than relieving discomfort. I have had Gerd for at least 40 years and have learned that certain foods & drink (alcohol is BAD on so many levels). I wait until at least 4 hr after eating to lay prone. I stopped taking rx drug for Gerd and take OTC Famotidine 20mg in am and occasionally another before bed if I think I will have problem overnight (but not very often). I can’t remember last time I had Gerd because I have chosen to change my consumption of food/drink.
If you do suffer Gerd I recommend drink excessive amounts of water immediately to dilute acid, use TUMS, Pepto Bismal, eat some yogurt, but keep drinking water - no alcohol!
I hope my experiences will help you tonight! dbamos1945

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for eloise999
eloise999 | @eloise999 | 1 day ago

I just had my esophagus endoscoped. found out I have a hiatal hernia. It is probably the cause of the GERD. Knowing that helps, but the treatment is still to take a drug like Nexium and avoid trigger foods, sleep with my head elevated. You want to avoid the inflammation you are experiencing to protect your esophagus. You are so young, I would ask for your gastroenterologist to scope your esophagus to see its condition and try to identify a cause.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for Renee Rogahn Thanig
Renee Rogahn Thanig | @reneerogahnthanig | 1 day ago

I have had GERD for years. I have found that you need to stay away from carbonated beverages, alcohol, acids foods like tomatoes and tomato based foods. I also have an adjustable bed so can sleep with the head raised and take 40mg pantropazole ( generic Protonix) 2 times day.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for t98
t98 | @t98 | 1 day ago
In reply to @blue717 "I have a lump in my throat that is not a lump. I feel like food..." + (show)
Profile picture for blue717 @blue717

I have a lump in my throat that is not a lump. I feel like food sits in my stomach and could come back up at any time. I get a burning sensation, but only in the base of my throat. This has been going on for a long time. I went to a Gastro guy in December, but then he retired, leaving me to find another one who couldn't see me till May. Right before that visit, I had a chest X-ray done and found I had a small nodule on my lung that turned out to be cancer. I had that treated with radiation, and they are pretty sure it's going to be a successful treatment. The gastro guy gave me an Rx for famotidine, and it hasn't helped at all. My next appointment with him isn't until January. My esophagus will be fried by then! Anyone have any self-help advice?

Jump to this post

@blue717 Suggestions for your GERD: No caffeine, no chocolate, no spicy food (no black pepper), no carbonated beverages, don't eat at least 3-4 hours before bedtime, don't slouch, chew your food well and don't eat big meals, walk around after eating, sleep with the head of the bed raised or on a wedge (so your body is raised from your diaphragm area upwards). Use Gaviscon Advance or something like Reflux raft with Alginate - these are very helpful before bed or when you feel symptoms. Chewing (as if you're chewing gum) also puts alkaline saliva in your esophagus. Sleep on your left side. Try all of these things and see if you have improvement. Also try the famotidine again. (It may work on other days) If you still feel burning after you've tried all this, you could probably get a prescription for Nexium (a PPI) from your GP.

REPLY
Profile picture for blue717
blue717 | @blue717 | 14 hours ago
In reply to @eloise999 "I just had my esophagus endoscoped. found out I have a hiatal hernia. It is probably..." + (show)
Profile picture for eloise999 @eloise999

I just had my esophagus endoscoped. found out I have a hiatal hernia. It is probably the cause of the GERD. Knowing that helps, but the treatment is still to take a drug like Nexium and avoid trigger foods, sleep with my head elevated. You want to avoid the inflammation you are experiencing to protect your esophagus. You are so young, I would ask for your gastroenterologist to scope your esophagus to see its condition and try to identify a cause.

Jump to this post

@eloise999 Thank you for your thoughts, but I was young about 50 years ago; I'm 75! I'm trying to avoid drugs that affect the kidneys.

REPLY
Profile picture for blue717
blue717 | @blue717 | 14 hours ago
In reply to @reneerogahnthanig "I have had GERD for years. I have found that you need to stay away from..." + (show)
Profile picture for Renee Rogahn Thanig @reneerogahnthanig

I have had GERD for years. I have found that you need to stay away from carbonated beverages, alcohol, acids foods like tomatoes and tomato based foods. I also have an adjustable bed so can sleep with the head raised and take 40mg pantropazole ( generic Protonix) 2 times day.

Jump to this post

@reneerogahnthanig Yes, thank you. I just started changing my diet. Are you concerned about pantoprazole and its side effects?

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.