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Chronic GERD & uncommon symptoms

Posted , 9 users are following.

saravanaselvan
saravanaselvan

Hi,

I am 32 year old male.It has been an year, I really have been struggling with GERD.An year back, it just started with little irritation in my upper esophagus and my doctor prescribed PPI. Then a week later, was diagnosed with some inflammation in my esophagus through endoscopy procedure. Also esophageal candidiasis was diagnosed.Follwed which, a complete immunity tests were done, everything came back normal inclusing HIV.With the treatment for candida and regular PPI, I felt better for 3 to 4 months, though I had dysphagia, it was ok and manageable atleast. Then started the bigger problem. Started experiencing nausea, pain in esophagus, discomfor in stomach (pinching sense, hazy pain, etc) but my bowel movements are ok. Had back to back endoscopy in just 6 montsh of time, resulted the same. Just GERD with erosive esophagitis. The latest endoscopy showed no yeast infection. The problem is the persistant nauseated sense, discomfort in stomach, sense of food struck in esophagus are very annoying and really hijacked my happiness. Every day in and out, I am suffering. These symptoms become part of my life and am gradually losing hope of finding any recovery. The scariest part risks associated with this GERD (Barrett's, cancer). Also did complte blood work, evrything came back perfectly normal except h.pylori antibodies positive (but endoscopy biopsy said no infection) Vitamin D and B12 deficiency and the abdomen ultrasound showed 5 amm and 3 mm polyps.With all these stuffs, I really do not know where my life is going and affected teh quality of my life like anything. Kindly guide/suggest me what shoukd I do to atleast manage this. I want someone to give me some hopes.

Thanks.

1 like, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Jonathan57679
    Jonathan57679 saravanaselvan

    Posted

    That is a scary story and highlights how these digestive issues can quickly take over ones life.  Can you tell me all of the prescription medications you have used over the past two years.  It is important information.
  • aryt
    aryt saravanaselvan

    Posted

    Hi Im going through the same thing, Iv only just been Referred to a specialist'. So youre not alone in this one'. I get bad headaches from time to time. its really god damn annoying. and the feeling of being nauseated etc and all that stuff and vomiting. and the feeling of something stck in my throat too. But Jonathon May be able to help I think Not sure'.  Im hoping Ill be seen to ASAP'... 
  • saravanaselvan
    saravanaselvan

    Posted

    Hi Jonathan, I have been taking 60 mg PPI (dexilant) in the morning, h.pylori medication (as anitibodies found in my blood) - Amoxillin, vitamin d. For the last one year, I have tried various PPIs, none of them seem to have made difference in my life.

    No I am seriously thinking about taking up a 24 hr pH study, if the acid level is high, I am planning to go for Linx surgery which I got to know from this discussion thread: https://patient.info/forums/discuss/linx-surgery-for-acid-reflux-103868

    This Linx seems to be an intelligent solution, as they fix a titanium ring sround the lower esophagus which acts as artificial LES. Logically it should work and I see testimonies conforming it is producing fantastic results.

  • Dixieb
    Dixieb saravanaselvan

    Posted

    Oh dear you do sound in a bad way and so young.   I am nearly 70 and this has just happened ti me since April.     I did stop eating and drinking and ended up in hospital on a drip, so please do keep eating as well you can as I would not want anyone else to end up like that.     Despite being in hospital (they said it was a reaction to my water pills, my doctor disagrees) I like you still dont know what is wrong.   I have been what it can be GERD etc but that does not help anyone.   Why in this 21st century cant we be told what the diagnosis is.    From this forum it seems there are hundreds of us suffering from the same thing.   Very strang to me.     You mention feeling nausea ,  well if I eat breakfast of cerials and milk after I have taken a 15mg Lansoprazole tablet then I too feel the same way.   What meds are you on?    My overall symptons over the past 3 months have improved, not marvellous but not so bad.
  • Jonathan57679
    Jonathan57679 saravanaselvan

    Posted

    You have been on some pretty heavy duty medications.  You have at least two separate issues.  1.  Too much acid production in the stomach ( possibly from H Pylori).  2. A weak esophageal sphincter allowing acid up into the esophagus. 

    I was also interested in the LINX surgery.  I missed the free trials when they were first testing.  But, I'm glad I did.  There is nothing to keep the magnets in place, so they could roll up higher.  Some people have stated that they can feel them in their chest. 

    I was in very bad shape 8 months ago.  Acid Reflux; Gastritis; intestinal enlargement; bloating;nausea;vomitting.  Mostly, from a steroidal nasal spray.  After I stopped that  medicine, I found a way to naturally strengthen the esophageal sphincter.  It changed my life.  I will continue in a new box.

    • Jonathan57679
      Jonathan57679

      Posted

        After much research and meditation on how the esophageal sphincter functions, I discovered a low cost solution.  Two or three times a day I drink8oz of carbonated mineral water.  After drinking it, I hold back the burp for 3 to 5 minutes, sometimes longer.  Then burp the air out.  Make sure to always do this exercise once right before bed.  This forces the esophageal sphincter to work hard to hold down the increasing air pressure.  It is the only way to strengthen this muscle. I can now hold down the air pressure for 30 minutes or more with no effort.   After nearly 2 years of nexium,  I am now almost completely off acid blockers and only take a small dose before bed, just for protrection. Please try this and let me know if it also works for you.  And, no side effects.   Regards, Jonathan
    • pappu37660
      pappu37660 Jonathan57679

      Posted

      well Jonathan nice to hear that you have found a new way to strengthen the esophageal sphincter, plz do let us know so that it will enable us to ease our problem hope u can understand the plight  which requires immdediate medical treatment or things will get from bad to worse

      thanks

    • Jonathan57679
      Jonathan57679 pappu37660

      Posted

      Yes, I understand that these digestive issues can escalate to emergency events.  I don't judge anyone seeking help.  Quite a few times, when I was at my worst, I was literally too sick to call 911.  I was nauseated and bloated but I knew that they would lay me flat, which I could not tolerate.  I would just suffer it out.  I found a note in my medical records that mentioned small bowel obstruction.  That explained a lot.  I am concerned as to how simple acid reflux can escalate in so many people, to the point of life or death.  We are in a changing world where prescription medications are slowly ruining our digestive systems.  My poison was Flonase, a simple alergy spray.
  • debbie89808
    debbie89808 saravanaselvan

    Posted

    Hi

    Have you had treatment for H Pylori - if so for how long and what medications were used. H Pylori can be very resistant to treatment and can cause a lot of the problems you are experiencing - I know because I've got it. The first round of treatment for H Pylori should be a course of 2 antibiotics and a PPI for at least 10 days and better if it is 14 days. If you have been retested whilst taking PPIs you may have got a false negative result. You have to stop them 2 weeks before any retest whether it be breath test, stool test or biopsy at the time of an endoscopy. H Pylori can deplete levels of vitamin b12 as can the PPIs. PPIs also make you more prone to yeast infections such as Candida. You don't specify whether you are seeing a gastroenterologist, if you aren't you need to ask your GP for a referral for specialist care.

    I have problems that are very similar to yours and have lost a lot of weight due an inability to eat for the pain. I am going for a 24 Oesophageal PH test next week where they insert a nasogastric tube with a probe on it to test for acid levels in the oesophagus.

    Maybe keeping a food diary would help you to identify any food that may trigger your symptoms. You may need an adjustment in your medication. I am taking 80mg of Omeprazole and 300mg of Ranitidine - these were prescribed when I was admitted to hospital recently when unable to eat or drink - it took 3 days before my acid levels came under some control. Most people are only prescribed about 20mg a day of Omeprazole - which for someone with symptoms like yours may not be enough. Sometimes switching the PPI to another can give better results - you could ask for a change.

    Hoping that you get some relief soon.

  • calista534
    calista534 saravanaselvan

    Posted

    I'm wondering how you are doing now? My daughter (13 yrs old now) has been suffering with digestive issues for the past few years. She has been diagnosed with candida esophagitis three separate times with endoscopy. After her last endoscopy we were told she has acid reflux, bile reflux and dysplasia of esophagus. She still has chronic nausea and feels acidic most days. She lost 25 pounds after this first started but has regained back to a healthy weight now but is mostly homebound with her nausea.

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