Posted , 9 users are following.
Acid reflux has been present for about 8 monthhs now, during the first few months I had no idea what it was, I just knew I was feeling different but could not understand what it was.
My symptoms are the following, sometimes I feel like there's an empty coldness from my upper abdomen all the way to the throat. There is a nasty taste at the back of my mouth and usually have bad breath! Despite washing my teeth twice a day. I burp but not that much I guess.
Anyway I went to the pharmacist and was given 20mg Maalox Reflusson, which kind of work after 4 days. The discomfort return a few days after. I then switched to Nexium 20mg and this was working quiet well!
Two weeks ago I got acid reflux again (after a weekend of consuming alcohol, smoking and eating fried food = had no idea that these were a trigger) and I got panicked. I got panicked because I couldn't understand why this acidity kept coming back so I googled what might be the cause and all results were linked to stomache cancer.
I am 22 year old, I don't drink coffee, don't consume much carbonated drinks, ( maybe 2 pints a week max), and I'm a social smoker (i.e I smoke a packet of cigarette every 2 weeks). However I do eat a lot of fast food/fried.
I went to the doctor once I learnt that this can be cancer and well he gave me a referral ticket to a Gastroenterologist. Being very afraid I asked him if what I read is true. He assured me that I am too young for this. At first I felt very reassured but I can't get this though out of my head.
Since then I've been very unhappy, I keep crying everyday (just the though of it destorys me). I cannot concentrate and it's really afffecting my performance at University.
Doctor prescribed me Esomeprazole 40mg, but they don't seem to be working. I stopped smoking, avoiding fried food, trying not to eat 3 hours before bed but the acidity is still there. I am now blaming the stress that I am experiencing. Not sure.
Can anyone share their experieince with me, and tell me if I should be concerned?
P.s I'm very sorry for the long post! But wanted to include all relevant details.
0 likes, 40 replies
robtheprint josh0093
Posted
I have just read your post and would first of all point out that I expect your "worrying" about this could in fact be the main cause of your aciditity, I have read many many results/symptoms on the internet and the majority put the cause down to style of living rather than cancer. If you were to read all of the postings just on this site you would notice that trigger foods/drinks are to blame. I put myself on a trial and error diet about 3 weeks ago and I really think I am better for this albeit only slighty at present but I shall keep on until I see better results. Unfortunately I have had to give up on Alcohol, Chocolate and Curries but hopefully it will be worth it and I can always still have the occassional treat. Hopefully you will improve soon but try and stop the worrying.
josh0093 robtheprint
Posted
To be honest I did not mention the fact that I am scared to mum as I don't wish to panic her! I will check about conselling as this is my final year and I really don't want to mess up my graduation
liz16631 josh0093
Posted
josh0093 liz16631
Posted
Does that mean that I will have to cope with this all my life? Not looking forward to that
I am trying to keep my nerves in place but obviously sometimes I do let it get the best of me.
Hope your husband is doing well!
liz16631 josh0093
Posted
josh0093 liz16631
Posted
Meet my gastroenterologist last Tuesday and well he just asked what I have experiencing.
I told him about the stomach feeling empty even after dinner and how it sometimes feel cold all the way to the throat.
He excluded H.Pylori and Acid Reflux as being the causation.
When asked what it is he simply said that he doesn't know since symptoms are too vague, but assured me that it is nothing serious.
I am now waiting to do the endoscopy and biopsy.
Meanwhile the stress is still here, I stopped eating and sadly lost some weight. I cry almost everyday and I eventually told my family how afraid I am. Everyone keeps telling me that I am fine but the brain is a very strong mechanism. I also try to convince myself that I'm just being paranoid!
Mum is taking me to another gastroenterologist for a double opinion.
Also I stopped taking the PPIs. I don't get the symptoms I was experiencing so often anymore, the bad taste however is always there (ew). When I do get the symptoms I don't identify them as painful but more like a discomfort!
Sometimes I feel that the stress from Uni (being I am in my final year with thesis, assignments, presentations, exams ans what else) might be linked somehow or perhaps worsen the situation.
Apologies for the lengthy update! smile
AnnSva josh0093
Posted
Barretts josh0093
Posted
When acid refluxes, it can cause damage to the oesophagus (oesophagitis - which is sometimes experienced as heartburn). By reducing the acid, you can reduce the damage. We are all different so trigger foods differ but fatty foods are a common culprit as oils don't mix with the acid.. More acid may be produced that is not neutralised and bile may be permitted to enter the stomach to act like a detergent so the acid can combine with the fats to break them down.
Unfortunately, if the bile also refluxes, the acid may start attempting to dissolve the oesophagus. To prevent this, a permanent cellular change may oocur (Barrett's Oesophagus) to protect the body. However, Barrett's cells have the ability to mutate and a small proportion of those with Barrett's may progress to develop cancer.
What you can do is to reduce your reflux. (Stop smoking, lose weight if necessary, do not overfill your stomach, leave at least 3 hours between last meal and bed so your stomach can empty ...). You can reduce your acid by discovering your particular trigger foods by keeping a food diary. And Proton Pump Inhibitors, like the esomeprazole, will reduce acid production.
josh0093 Barretts
Posted
Meet my gastroenterologist last Tuesday and well he just asked what I have experiencing.
I told him about the stomach feeling empty even after dinner and how it sometimes feel cold all the way to the throat.
He excluded H.Pylori and Acid Reflux as being the causation.
When asked what it is he simply said that he doesn't know since symptoms are too vague, but assured me that it is nothing serious.
I am now waiting to do the endoscopy and biopsy.
Meanwhile the stress is still here, I stopped eating and sadly lost some weight. I cry almost everyday and I eventually told my family how afraid I am. Everyone keeps telling me that I am fine but the brain is a very strong mechanism. I also try to convince myself that I'm just being paranoid!
Mum is taking me to another gastroenterologist for a double opinion.
Also I stopped taking the PPIs. I don't get the symptoms I was experiencing so often anymore, the bad taste however is always there (ew). When I do get the symptoms I don't identify them as painful but more like a discomfort!
Sometimes I feel that the stress from Uni (being I am in my final year with thesis, assignments, presentations, exams ans what else) might be linked somehow or perhaps worsen the situation.
Apologies for the lengthy update! smile
Barretts josh0093
Posted
www DownWithAcid org uk
JamC josh0093
Posted
I wasn't eating anything cause ill be too nauseous to do so. I changed my whole diet, i don't drink soft drinks or alcohol, no coffee, no red sauce, no fried food, i limited chocolate, and now i am eating everything gluten and lactose free.
My Gastroenterologist made an appointment for me - the Barium Swallow Test where the results were that I had hiatal hernia which was causing this. I've been taking omeprazole for 4 weeks.
I have seen a major change since now im able to eat whenever im hungry, though i'm still nauseous all the time but less then before and i still feel like something is stuck in my throat (It could be because of the acid a had for over a year).
I also take fresh tumeric and ginger with hot water in the morning instead of tea or coffee which really settles my stomach.
Goodluck to you and if you have any questions, pls ask
josh0093 JamC
Posted
Mind if I ask you some questions then?
Is this a lifelong condition? Or in time we will be back to how we were once?
Moreover, does this mean we can never consume soft drinks or alcohol, coffee, red sauce, fried food and chocolate?
Thanks
JamC josh0093
Posted
Im still trying to figure it out if this is a lifelong condition. The most thing that I hate is the feeling of something stuck in throat and nausea all the time.
No it doesnt mean that, but since they trigger acid reflux, it is best to limit them and maybe take in a small portion. For unstance i take 2 cubes of chocolate everyday and maybe red sauce once a week. I try to avoid alcohol though.
josh0093 JamC
Posted
Meet my gastroenterologist last Tuesday and well he just asked what I have experiencing.
I told him about the stomach feeling empty even after dinner and how it sometimes feel cold all the way to the throat.
He excluded H.Pylori and Acid Reflux as being the causation.
When asked what it is he simply said that he doesn't know since symptoms are too vague, but assured me that it is nothing serious.
I am now waiting to do the endoscopy and biopsy.
Meanwhile the stress is still here, I stopped eating and sadly lost some weight. I cry almost everyday and I eventually told my family how afraid I am. Everyone keeps telling me that I am fine but the brain is a very strong mechanism. I also try to convince myself that I'm just being paranoid!
Mum is taking me to another gastroenterologist for a double opinion.
Also I stopped taking the PPIs. I don't get the symptoms I was experiencing so often anymore, the bad taste however is always there (ew). When I do get the symptoms I don't identify them as painful but more like a discomfort!
Sometimes I feel that the stress from Uni (being I am in my final year with thesis, assignments, presentations, exams ans what else) might be linked somehow or perhaps worsen the situation.
Apologies for the lengthy update! smile
JamC josh0093
Posted
I am now making an allergy test aswell since the nausea im feeling all the time may be linked to something else
josh0093 JamC
Posted
He suggested endoscopy right away and told me to keep taking the PPIs. I stopped taking them, as I believe that altough they are effective, I don't want my body to get used to it. To be honest, without them I don't feel that bad, there are days when I don't have that odd feeling and then there are days where I have it.
Do you mind telling me what your symptoms were?
JamC josh0093
Posted
josh0093 JamC
Posted
When I am asleep, during night I don't feel anything. I sleep with just one pillow. No acid or reflux.
Then during the day I sometimes start getting this random burning sensation/empty stomach and sometimes last days and on other counts just a few hours. Now I am feeling a lump in throat but funnily enough I only get it after eating a pizza or bread! I don't know what's wrong with this body.
JamC josh0093
Posted
Barretts josh0093
Posted
Read about extra-oesophageal reflux in the free book / website www DownWithAcid org uk
josh0093 Barretts
Posted
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