Acid reflux, gerd, help I have no idea??

Not sure I have much advice, but I sure can sympathize with all you are going through! I, too, am experiencing many strange symptoms!

Interestingly enough, mine STARTED following a colonoscopy and upper GI that they did when they found occult blood in my stool sample. Prior to these procedures I was FINE!

First of all, the preparation for the colonoscopy REALLY, REALLY irritated my stomach! I usually avoid citrus, so this time I used the cherry flavor, thinking it would be better. It wasn't better! Also, I am very careful to watch the amount of sodium I ingest because it makes me feel really bloated and increases my blood pressure. The prep REALLY was causing me LOTS of discomfort in my stomach but also in my whole upper GI tract.

Think "the cure is worse than the disease" old saying!

Anyway, I'm thinking that the prep for the procedure plus MAYBE some roughness by the doctor DURING the procedure MAY be causing the discomfort I am feeling NOW.

I get the heavy phlegm, the need to clear my throat OF that phlegm, burning, at times about halfway down inside my chest (esophagus?), a bloated feeling at times, pains in my stomach like I ate something BAD, two, sometimes three bowel movements a day which occur after eating, occasionally fast trips to the bathroom of diarrhea, pain in my gut which sometimes disappears after a bowel movement but not always.

Since I'm not confident of the doctor situation, I have not been back to see him. With the large number of people in his waiting room, I have this suspicion that the prep and subsequent procedures just MAY be providing him more patients which, in turn, may be providing him with more MONEY! My gut feelings are usually right, so I am trying to deal with my symptoms myself for now.

Hearing you tell of all your tests taken and them all coming back negative YET you still not feeling well further underlies my suspicion that it maybe is the PREP and PROCEDURES DONE that keep us feeling poorly and not just issues that are taking place in our bodies!

You didn't mention your age. I am 64 and recently had two total knee replacements (last June and October). I had been feeling really good UNTIL May when I had my colonoscopy and upper GI. Not lo g after that I had severe knee pain which took me back to my surgeon and then the two knee surgeries. This stomach thing started several weeks ago and felt a lot like a stomach virus and intestinal flu. My husband also had similar symptoms, so I thought MAYBE food poisoning or some food-related issue.

As you can see, I am all over the place with this!

I stopped drinking coffee yesterday, had oatmeal with yogurt and hot tea for breakfast, and had soup for lunch. I had a sandwich and a chocolate Frosty for dinner. I felt a bit better yesterday. I am going to have oatmeal and yogurt again today. I have heard both are very good for the GI tract.

I am going to stay away from coffee, tomato-based foods, soda, and any greasy food that may be causing issues.

When needed, I take antacids, and I am trying to drink more water.

I will let you know how it goes!

Wishing us BOTH some answers AND hoping we can figure this out very soon!

Stay in touch, OK?

So sorry you are suffering. All that you describe, save for neck-pain, has been and is at times all that I experience with gastritis. That your various tests have not shown anything obviously nasty is good, though of course this does not end the awful difficulties you are experiencing.

To become naturally stressed and anxious through the pain and discomfort of these types of illnesses also adds its force to make the illness worse, so that a vicious circle ensues. So firstly do all that you can to cultivate calmness.

Over two years I have wrestled with my trouble, developing and learning through trial and error what harms and helps, and there has been improvement. But it is still a work in progress with variations of discomfort and setbacks, and will likely to be an issue life-long now. But who knows?

The measures I adhere to are below, and maybe you will gain some improvemennt as well if you try them. You can also read the ways and tips of other sufferers and Barretts' suggestions at the Down With Acid site. But time, patience and calmness are needed, for there aren't really any quick fixes for these troubles, except when they are due to things which can be put right by antibiotics, surgery, etc. I wish you well.

Several small/medium meals per day (I have seven medium, one every two hours or so), rather than fewer bigger ones, so you don't overfill your stomach. Eat relaxed, chew well. Be sat upright for and after meals, not bent or reclining, so you don't squash your stomach and press its contents upwards.

Fried foods, high-fat foods/meats, dairy, high-salt foods, spicy-hot foods, tomatoes, carbonated drinks, caffeine, alcohol and chocolate can all impact on stomach and reflux troubles for some people, so personal experimentation is key. Minty foods relax the lower oesophageal muscle which can let acid up easier, so they are bad. I use a fruity toothpaste, and strawberry gaviscon tablest for the now only occasional acid burn.

Wholewheat bread, cereals, bananas, hardboiled eggs are a few of the foods that suit me, but there are pulses, rice, various beans (not kidney beans apparently) and many other things to try. Chicken is one of the best meats due to its lower fat content, though even that can hit me and is not eaten lately.

Stress, excercise and bending activity that pressure and squeeze the stomach are also to be avoided. Be as calm and stress-free as you can.

Having your last meal a few hours before bed can prevent or lessen reflux at night, but I found that waiting to be too empty caused hunger discomfort and kept me awake. Because of this I lie-down about an hour and a half to two hours after last meal, and this is much better. I lie raised a bit on three pillows, on my right side, which is best for me, though the left side is usually recommended. Other people raise the bed-head itself about 6 to 8 inches.

Another thing that helps me greatly is to not burp after ten minutes after eating, as this can bring acid up and cause heartburn.

As a single Mum too I understand your stress level. My question is ater you do endoscopy then you do barrium test or vice versa? Thanks . The new specialist suggest me to do it if they found nothing on my PH test. I left him to go back to my old one.