Deleted
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Sept 28, 2024 21:46:34 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2018 23:36:13 GMT
For three years I've had a squeezing sensation around my ribcage and have seen 3 different primary care physicians in that time and complained to all of them about this. I went to PCP #2 a year ago and when she had not done anything to treat it by November, I left and went to another. Meanwhile the squeezing has gotten worse. PCP #3 sent me to a gastroenterologist and 2 1/2 weeks ago I had an endoscopy with Bravo and got the results today by way of the doctor's nurse. It turns out I have significant evidence of reflux damage. Of COURSE I do since I was ignored and not taken seriously for 3 years. The gastro doc recommended I take a PPI but 5 years ago I took Prilosec for two weeks before I broke out in hives. I'm reluctant to take a PPI again. I live alone and while it was hives before, it could be anaphylactic shock next time with no one here to help me. I need to talk to the pharmacist to see if they all have that side effect and/or talk to the doc to see if there's a prescription drug that will treat this without that side effect. The nurse also offered me a surgical option and acted surprised that I didn't tell her to sign me right up. Who else has GERD? What's worked for you? Has anyone had the Nissen fundoplication surgery? How'd that work for you? What's the recovery like? I need to research it more completely but I've learned personal accounts from others who have had a procedure often adds better info to my research efforts. Thanks in advance for your feedback. |
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Post by librarylady on Apr 20, 2018 23:43:49 GMT
I have GERD. I have taken a Rx for it for about 3 - 5 years. Right now I have to use OTC as I am between physicians and Rx...and new pharmacy because of my insurance. (long story)
My gastro dr. had me taking 20 mg at bedtime and 20 mg before breakfast rather than 40mg once per day. It was a PPI.
Perhaps you need to do something like that.
That surgery may have been what my sister had about 15 years ago. I just remember when she was contemplating the surgery,
she didn't want to do it because one can never vomit if they have the surgery she had. She was worried that might be an
issue down the road. I don't know any more about what she had done.
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Deleted
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Sept 28, 2024 21:46:34 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2018 23:49:35 GMT
That sounds like the Nissen. And yeah I'd be worried too!
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Post by cindyupnorth on Apr 20, 2018 23:58:19 GMT
My co-worked had the nissen. She has to really watch what she eats yet. There is a new procedure out there. I honestly don't know the name of it, as the hospital I work at, just started the procedure, but we've had people really liking it. They are up moving around, and having less pain, right after surgery.
I have GERD, but have used Prilosec in the past, but my dr is VERY against me con'ting to use it. There have been recent studies linking long time use to increased stomach cancer. Which I am a bit leary of...does the Prilosec increase it? or the fact you have GERD. KWIM?
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Deleted
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Sept 28, 2024 21:46:34 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2018 0:24:35 GMT
I have a prescription for cimetidine. Not as effective as PPIs, but without the same risks. Surprisingly, what has been the most effective for me is taking probiotics. I take it after dinner and try not to eat dinner too late or lie down too soon after eating. I will take a cimetidine if my GERD is acting up, but it's so much more manageable now.
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moodyblue
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,247 
Location: Western Illinois
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Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
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Post by moodyblue on Apr 21, 2018 0:25:25 GMT
I'm glad you had the endoscopy. I only wish my husband had had one and we might have discovered he had Barrett's Esophagus before it progressed to esophageal cancer.
You need to heal the damage and do what you can to prevent any further damage. I don't know what route you might choose for that, but it can be serious if left untreated.
April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness month so I'm doing my part to spread the word that reflux/GERD should not be taken lightly.
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Post by rst on Apr 21, 2018 1:02:00 GMT
I had a nissen fundoplication about 8 years ago. My youngest son had one done at a year. It's not an easy surgery, but it was absolutely worth if for both of us. Mine was done laparoscopicly so the scars are virtually invisible. For the first few months after the surgery I had to eat slowly and chew thoroughly (not bad things to do anyhow). I can not drink carbonated beverages at all -- even now. Again, not a bad thing, but it is a lifestyle change. Some people can drink small amounts of soda. Vomiting is very painful, but for most people it is possible to vomit even with an intact fundoplication.
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Post by Restless Spirit on Apr 21, 2018 1:05:29 GMT
I have GERD. I take Omeprazole twice a day (doctor prescribed). My GERD is successfully controlled by diet and medicine, plus I am trying to lose weight.
My DH has GERD and developed Barrett's esophagus. About every....I going to say 2 yrs? he has an endoscopy procedure where they inspect the esophagus and perform an Esophageal Dilation. It’s a very simple procedure and he does well after the procedure. He does try to watch what he eats and also takes doctor prescribed Omeprazole, but only once a day.
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scrapngranny
Pearl Clutcher
Only slightly senile
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Post by scrapngranny on Apr 21, 2018 1:14:46 GMT
I have GERD and Barrett’s. I take 20mg of omeprazole at night. I have been having break through of the reflux and should probably up the dose. I don’t go in for another endoscopy for a another year.
I know taking PPIs for an extended time isn’t good for you either. I have been them since 2014. If there was a surgery to fix this I would sure do it.
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Post by leftturnonly on Apr 21, 2018 1:41:34 GMT
I had a nissen fundoplication about 8 years ago. My youngest son had one done at a year. It's not an easy surgery, but it was absolutely worth if for both of us. Mine was done laparoscopicly so the scars are virtually invisible. For the first few months after the surgery I had to eat slowly and chew thoroughly (not bad things to do anyhow). I can not drink carbonated beverages at all -- even now. Again, not a bad thing, but it is a lifestyle change. Some people can drink small amounts of soda. Vomiting is very painful, but for most people it is possible to vomit even with an intact fundoplication. My son had this surgery plus a hernia repair at 16 months. It saved his life. Since he was so young at the time, everything stretched a bit as he grew - fundoplication is still intact. He is able to drink soda and after a few years was even able to throw up. I know that his scar is longer because they did the hernia repair at the same time, so I really have no idea how long your scar might be. Let me repeat, though, that this surgery 100% saved his life. Speaking as a mother whose child was saved by this, I have no other choice but to encourage you to look further into it. His reflux was completely eliminated by it. (The reflux was the result of a defective valve at the top of his stomach.) We were able to cut out all but the occasional (and now extremely rare) Tums. |
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Post by peace on Apr 21, 2018 1:56:11 GMT
Whole food plant based diet- that what works for me. Good luck!
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Post by peasapie on Apr 21, 2018 2:46:20 GMT
My co-worked had the nissen. She has to really watch what she eats yet. There is a new procedure out there. I honestly don't know the name of it, as the hospital I work at, just started the procedure, but we've had people really liking it. They are up moving around, and having less pain, right after surgery. I have GERD, but have used Prilosec in the past, but my dr is VERY against me con'ting to use it. There have been recent studies linking long time use to increased stomach cancer. Which I am a bit leary of...does the Prilosec increase it? or the fact you have GERD. KWIM? I’d love to know what the new procedure is. My son is scheduled to have surgery for a hiatal hernia related to GERD in early May. |
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Post by cindyupnorth on Apr 21, 2018 3:03:16 GMT
I'll keep an eye out, and get back to this thread next wk. I am totally pulling a blank here.
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Post by katlady on Apr 21, 2018 3:41:45 GMT
I have been diagnosed with GERD. I took the barium test. I have a prescription for Omeprazole, but I now only take it when needed. Before I was diagnosed, I self medicated with TUMS, and when that no longer worked, I went to have it checked out. It got so bad that I couldn't lie down in bed, I had to sleep in a semi-upright position. I took the pills regularly for awhile, but I also changed my diet. I cut out all soda, and I limit acidic and spicy foods. If I eat something like spaghetti, which is not often, I take a pill because of the tomato sauce. I also try not to lie down within an hour or two of eating. I feel so much better now. I think a big part of my problem was the soda.
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suzastampin
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,587
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Post by suzastampin on Apr 21, 2018 4:23:24 GMT
I totally understand your fear of trying a new drug. I've tried Pepcid and broke out in a rash in one day. Next, Previcid. Felt like I couldn't breathe with it after one pill. I can take Nexium, but am trying not to take a med as it can damage the kidneys. My daughter starting taking 1 TBS of Bragg's apple Cider vinegar a day and she hasn't had heartburn since. So, I'm doing it and it seems to help. It's nasty stuff going down, but I have a peppermint candy ready to throw into my mouth. I found the easiest way to take it is to put it in about 1/3 cup of water and use a straw. It misses some tastebuds using the straw.
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Post by leftturnonly on Apr 21, 2018 4:29:42 GMT
I totally understand your fear of trying a new drug. I've tried Pepcid and broke out in a rash in one day. Next, Previcid. Felt like I couldn't breathe with it after one pill. I can take Nexium, but am trying not to take a med as it can damage the kidneys. My daughter starting taking 1 TBS of Bragg's apple Cider vinegar a day and she hasn't had heartburn since. So, I'm doing it and it seems to help. It's nasty stuff going down, but I have a peppermint candy ready to throw into my mouth. I found the easiest way to take it is to put it in about 1/3 cup of water and use a straw. It misses some tastebuds using the straw. I've heard that. Good to hear it's working for your family. Apple cider vinegar is fantastic on burns you get in the kitchen. I got a really nasty burn once and between applying cold and apple cider vinegar, it healed completely with no noticeable scar. |
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suzastampin
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,587
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Post by suzastampin on Apr 21, 2018 4:34:29 GMT
I totally understand your fear of trying a new drug. I've tried Pepcid and broke out in a rash in one day. Next, Previcid. Felt like I couldn't breathe with it after one pill. I can take Nexium, but am trying not to take a med as it can damage the kidneys. My daughter starting taking 1 TBS of Bragg's apple Cider vinegar a day and she hasn't had heartburn since. So, I'm doing it and it seems to help. It's nasty stuff going down, but I have a peppermint candy ready to throw into my mouth. I found the easiest way to take it is to put it in about 1/3 cup of water and use a straw. It misses some tastebuds using the straw. I've heard that. Good to hear it's working for your family. Apple cider vinegar is fantastic on burns you get in the kitchen. I got a really nasty burn once and between applying cold and apple cider vinegar, it healed completely with no noticeable scar. Did not know it was good for burns. Thanks! |
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AllieC
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,086
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Post by AllieC on Apr 21, 2018 4:50:43 GMT
My daughter had the Nissan when she was 14. She recovered really slowly because she had a fear of some foods getting stuck. She was also terrified of vomiting but had a bug about 3 years after and vomited with ese LOL.
It isn’t something to go into lightly, we felt she had no other option as PPI weren’t working and she was losing weight, had constant reflux and was feeling really unwell all the time.
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Post by stephgg on Apr 21, 2018 5:37:38 GMT
Yes, GERD, acid reflux. Went through lots of testing everything was normal but I was still in so much pain, bloating. I finally tried the low fodmap diet and now all of my pain is gone. Life changing for me. No meds needed.
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Post by nlwilkins on Apr 21, 2018 7:08:48 GMT
I've had this surgery and it has been great. I had so much acid reflux that my vocal chords were damaged. they also discovered a hernia that they repaired while doing the surgery. Recovery was a breezn(it was done via laparoscopy) a special diet for a week or two afterwards and then all better. Before the surgery I was taking two strong Nexium twice a day and now none. The hardest part was learning how to say the name of the surgery.LOL I can drink carbonated drinks, but have to be careful when drinking them with a meal. The bubbles just don't have room to come up with the food going down so I have to take it slow. Not a bad thing.
PS they said I would probably lose weight, about 20 lbs due to the special diet afterwards, but I gained. bummer
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Deleted
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Sept 28, 2024 21:46:34 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2018 15:33:31 GMT
Thank you, everyone, for your replies. I'm going to call my gastro doc tomorrow for an appointment to discuss all options. The nurse simply said "take a PPI" but gave no info on which, how often, what dose, when to take it. She also didn't mention diet except to avoid foods that caused reflux. And she admitted she wasn't sure what the surgery actually was.
I have lots of decisions to make.
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Post by baslp on Apr 22, 2018 20:31:12 GMT
I am going to the gastrointestinal doc this week. Stress causes my reflux.. When my sinuses were cultured they found some e-coli. They think it came from my gut. I now have some questions to ask him.
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