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Worrying progression of GERD - Advice needed

Posted , 5 users are following.

chris1177
chris1177

Hi all,

I was diagnosed with a hiatus hernia about 12 years ago. I'm currently a 40 year old male in the UK. I was given Omeprazole which I'll admit I've taken no more than sporadically and I've continued to have a terrible diet - Fatty foods, too much alcohol. I don't smoke though.

My symptoms got no worse until about about a year ago when I noticed I had a pain behind the rib about third from the top on the right-hand side. Very localised, not severe, worse with stretching and moving in certain ways but always there 24 hours a day. I saw the doctor, got sent for an x-ray and that was clear. However, the pain never went away but nor did it get worse so I continued in my bad ways of eating rubbish and drinking too much (I know!), occasionally having some Omeprazole when I felt bad or ill. That said, the Omeprazole never really touched this chest pain at all, which is one of the reasons I never bothered really taking it that much.

Fast forward to about a month ago and the chest pain has started to get a lot worse. My voice has started to get croaky, I've got a constant sore throat. I'm in serious pain from this chest problem now and swallowing isn't exactly easy either though I've had nothing actually stick or come back, it does feel like food is moving past "something" as it goes past that part. I'm now worried sick. For the last month, I've ate incredibly healthily, drank almost nothing and taken 40mg of Omeprazole daily but it's done nothing. My chest pain is worse than ever.

I went to the doctor last Monday and she didn't examine me at all, but suggested I had "central sensitization" and prescribed me Gabapentin. I've been taking that but all it's done is make me sleep and feel drunk, it hasn't touched the pain after nearly a week on it though admittedly I'm still ramping the dose up.

I tried to get another appointment to see my doctor as I'm so worried but she's away on holiday for a fortnight and my surgery won't let me see anyone else unless I try to get an "on the day" appointment, and I'm supposed to be going to Cuba with work next weekend for 3 weeks. With the trajectory the pain is on, I'm worried about doing that but don't want to throw a spanner in the works with work if I'm worrying over nothing. 

This chest pain is, as I say very localised. It's probably anything from about a 3-7/10 for pain if 10 is crying in the foetal position in a corner. It fluctuates, but seemingly not depending on what I've eaten or what I'm doing. Sleeping is fine, I don't have trouble lying down more than sitting or standing. I can make the pain worse by pressing my hands together firmly or turning my head firmly to the right, but pressing on my chest doesn't elicit the pain at all. Sitting hunched forwards a bit seems to ease it.

The initial stomach pains that caused me to seek a diagnosis for the hiatus hernia are not even being felt recently, I've got little to no pain there at all. I'm not overweight, but nor am I particularly active as I have a desk job.

Has anyone else had anything similar? Is this normal with GERD? Should I be worried? What should I do in the next week before I fly to Cuba to try and get some peace of mind that I can go there and not worry?

Thanks in advance,

Chris.

1 like, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • scott_73255
    scott_73255 chris1177

    Posted

    Looking back on my reflux symptoms, I now know I had been experiencing them many months before I realized what it was. I attributed my symptoms to allergies and upper respiratory infections. The burning chest pain was there for a while but now my main symptoms are headache/nausea and an overall feeling of ill. Perhaps you need a stronger RX from a doctor. Definitely try the Gavidscon Advance, I find it the most effective in finding relief. Wish I could help more but I can sympathize with your situation. 
  • DMP1391
    DMP1391 chris1177

    Posted

    Stop eating like crap as you say. You are what you eat. Processed meat, refined carbs, heavy creamy dairy products, packaged cakes and snacks and especially alcohol etc are the worst things you could ever force down your eosophogaus when you have reflux symptoms. It went away for me only when I got serious about my diet and started eating clean, healthy foods. Eat lots of fruit and vegetables, excluding potatoes, and limit animal products or fast food which is prepared with lots of crappy oil and salt. If you're not prepared to take your own steps with eating right you're putting your health further at risk and won't really get any better, sorry to say, there is no magical pill or procedure which will let you continue eating junk and be healthy 

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