[Christina86]

Okay, first my diet does suck. I drink too much caffeine and I know a lot of the food I eat makes my heartburn worse (but only when other variables are in play, like stress ... I don't get heartburn unless I'm stressed).

Lately I've noticed burning in conjunction with the heartburn in my esophagus. No biggie, I went to see the pharmacist, he thought it might be acid reflux and recommended some pills. It went away.

Now my heartburn is back, the acid reflux is back and a new type of pain that only seems to happen when I eat something -- people keep telling me I may be developping an ulcer.

I know I'm stressed out (I'm a student with lousy eating habits, it's pretty much inevitable in my case) and I know I internalize the stress and that causes physiological symptoms.

I just want to know if anyone knows how I can be sure if its an ulcer developping or not, what kind of drugs I could be taking to neutralize some of the acid (Tums and the common basic acid reducers aren't working well anymore -- and I seem to puke up a lot more of the Tums than actually being able to keep them down).

Help?? Resources or information very much appreciated. I already did a Google search for some of the highly generalized stuff.

ps. I will go to the doctor if it doesn't go away soon but I think everything but the pain (in/around my stomach, sort of radiating when I eat - the possible ulcer) will go away once exams are over and I'm back from spending time with my family (MAJOR stressor for me right now).

Hi,

I would like to urge you to get help and not ignore your symtoms. I did and it turned into GERD. I don't know about uclers. I guess coming to terms with the damage that has been done to my system makes me feel very strongly about you getting help. If you have a chance to prevent the the problem - take it now. My GERD and highial hernia(spelling) gives me symptoms that you are describing. So instead of saying acid refux (no big deal) - it is a big deal down the road... Mine got so bad that acid splashed into my lungs and that did damage.

My PF doctor recently told me to take 2pepcid AC at once- though the dose said 1...... Pls check with your own doctor. But this helped - not enough but better. I also started drinking the acid reduced Flogers ( love my coffee).I started eating instant oatmeal made with milk first thing in the morning - sort of soaks up the acid (though not my favorite breakfast). Eating dry toast - not butter also helps.

Going on a fish/rice diet helped. My T recommended this - JASMINE rice with a mild fish and peas - it does help if you're able to do it. Just mix everyting together.

Hope this helps and that you are able to find a solution.
Sincerely,
Lu

1. doctor
2. diet
3. less stress.......

love ya, pat

[January]

Candy,

Please go to the Dr. You need to get a definate diagnosis. No one but a Dr. can tell you what you need to take for your distress.

Hugs,

Jan

[(JD)]

Before you spend countless dollars and time with doctors who will probably only give you a prescription, please consider that you might need a balancing of your NATURAL DIGESTIVE ENZYMES.

Sometimes ppl don't have enough enzymes and sometimes too much... but taking "digestive enzymes" is a natural fix... and if the problem quits bothering you, that's all it is. If you take the enzymes and still have problems, no harm done

Our bodies need 3 main digestive enzymes. Amylase, protease, lipoase (I think I spelled them correctly, I've posted elsewhere about this.) These enzymes also regulate your esophagus.

If you wish, you can take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and if the burn goes away immediately, then you know you don't have enough stomach acid and need the enzymes. But you might also have too much and need them

When we take rolaids or tums or mylanta, that destroys ALL the balance while temporary giving relief...but they cause more trouble the more you take them. I was going through a bottle a week!

I take vegetarian digestive enzyme aid.. from the health food store... it not only stopped my digestive problems but has all but eliminated my aspirating my saliva and at night the stomach acids... because they don't cause me trouble now. When I told my MD what I had discovered, she was like, Of course! I can't believe she let me have this very easily treatable problem and never suggested the enzymes (And she's a homeopathic MD!)

Trust me... this works.

[January]

(((((((((( Candy )))))))))))

I hope Sky's answers help you. I have taken probiotics for a long time and they really do help.

Sometimes they are not enough and you do need other help, but it's worth a try.

Hugs,

Jan

I hadn't heard of the enzymes.... I'm going to give it a whirl... Cross your fingers that it works for me..... letting mine go without anything at all caused the damage...Thanks....

[dottie]

Hi Canders! I wish I had gone to my Dr. sooner for my heartburn. Now, an Endoscopy has revealed a sliding medium hiatal hernia and chronic gastritis. I will be following up with the Gastroenterologist in 2 weeks to see what kind of bacteria is attacking my stomach lining...gleaned from several biopsies taken. I'll likely go on more meds besides the Nexium. I cannot have citric juices, chocolate, coffee, soda pop, fatty and fried foods. And if you act now..you most likely will be able to avoid the possibilities of stomach cancer. Google "sliding medium hiatal hernia". There is a good support group for those suffering from Gastro probs. GOOD LUCK!!!

dottie

[dottie]

Canders, here ya go:http://www.medhelp.org/forums/gastro/wwwboard.html

[January]

Thank you, Dottie. I have been tossing my cookies for a couple weeks and have had heart burn and spitting up for a month. I can sure use some good, solid information about it.

My Dr. is giving me Robinul Forte to tied me over, but it does not last a whole 12 hours.

Hugs,

Jan

[dottie]

Hi! On payday..I am going up to the local health food store and buy some PURE Buckwheat Honey. A dear friend of mine swears that it cured her stomach ailments. She said to take one teaspoon several times daily. It's worth a try. I can actually feel the hernia every time I take a breath. It feels like something hard pressing against the diaphram.

Also: don't lie down for at least 3 hours after meals.Sleep with your head up as far as you can stand it. I use 2 pillows.

No: aspirin, motrin, or Naproxsen. Stick to Tylenol for pain. Iblame myself for my condition as I took large amounts of aspirin over the years to get relief from migraines.

If your temperature increases greater than 101 degrees..call your Doctor!!

Take good care! dottie

[Perna]

I think ulcers nowadays are known to mostly be from a bacteria (or too many NSAIDS, smoking, physical stress (not emotional anymore)?

My husband use to live on Tums but I researched and did Pepcid Complete when I was thinking I might have some GERD at night with my asthma and not know it. It's got an extra thingy in it other than just the calcium. I find yogurt, especially the new Dannon Activia helpful too.

I'd experiment with eating right rather than a whole lot of different "extra" stuff. You shouldn't be vomiting at all (why are the Tums coming up?) Have you cut down on your coffee? I think too that sometimes there's the opposite problem, where we get rid of "too much" acid so have a too "tame" stomach and the food can't get digested, sits there too long, etc.

[dottie]

Update: Last week I had the worst dizzy spell..I've had in quite awhile. Then..early this morning..I had quite a bit of bright red blood in my stools.Also am taking Phenergan every day now for the nausea. I see the Gastro doc on the fifth. I should find out more from him then.

I realize from all of this that it is best to catch these things early..instead of relying on Tums and Mylanta for such a long period of time. I am ready to have a colonoscopy done just as soon as my Doctor can schedule it!! Good luck..and have a bright New Year for yourself!

[(JD)]

grrr waiting to hear good results for all of you!

[Christina86]

I think I'm stuck going to the doctor.

I tried everything, from eating certain foods to not eating at all to trying to reduce my stressors and taking acid reducers and that stuff doesn't work.

I'm afraid to take anything herbal or whatnot because it might negatively interefere with my meds that I have to take or the disability or whatnot. (I'm a bit paranoid)

So Christina is going to the doctor next week. I'll let you know how it goes.