[prettyjolie]

I was diagnosed with acid reflux and have been on Nexium since last Tuesday. Since meds, my upper stomach pain has gone away, but now my throat has been hurting(it hadn't hurt before). It makes me wonder if Nexium is even helping.
I went to ER yesterday (DR's was closed) and had blood work done. DR there said everything was fine, so there's really no explanation as to why I have acid reflux. She said it might be from stress/anxiety.
I'm 20 years old, and about 3 years ago, I had an eating disorder for about 2 years.. nothing serious, but I would starve myself a lot. I wonder if this did the damage.
I've also always suffered from constipation since I was little..

I feel very bloated but I have to eat frequently or else my stomach/throat hurt really badly. It even makes my ear hurt. =/

I don't feel like I'm really that stressed out. I used to take anxiety/depression meds about 2 yrs ago but only for few months.. I'm much better now. =D But how can stress be causing acid reflux when I don't feel that stressed?

I just don't know what to do! The ER doctor said I should have an endoscopy, but I don't know if I'll be able to have one since I'm only 20 years old. I'm scared.

I have family history of cancer and I don't want it to happen to me.

I'm willing to change my diet, anything but more meds or surgery. I've been eating fruits/vegetables and no fatty foods, soda, caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods.. plus, I don't feel sicker after eating any kinds of foods.

Please help.. what should I do??!??!?! I feel helpless now and like this is never going to go away!

[Rhapsody]

I would talk to your doctor again about your dx as it seems that you have may have more than just simple acid reflux.... I have GERDS and it sounds as though your medical problem may have escalated to this as well.

Foods to avoid - fried food, milk chocolate, sugar based foods, large amounts of milk / dairy.
... never over eat as larger meals will cause the acid to stir up.

[lynn P.]

Hi,
I've had acid reflux for many years and have taken Nexium. You have to take it regularly for it to work well. The reason why acid reflux occurs is because the opening at the bottom of the esophagus is to relaxed causing acid to back up. Try not to eat to close to bedtime and incorporate lots of fibre in your diet. In one of my natural books it recommends drinking 1tbsp of real lemon juice before you lay down. At first I didn't believe it because I thought it would make my stomach more acidic. One night out of desperation I tried it and it worked. But it might not work for everyone but there's no harm in trying. You can also try propping yourself up on several pillows at night. Real ginger tea is also very soothing to the stomach and throat. Just slice up a 1 inch peice and boil in a cup of water for 5 min.
My father died of stomach cancer when I was 2yrs, so my doctor recommends I have a gastroscopy every 2 yrs. I hope you feel better

[Michah]

Sweetie, what bloods did you have done in the ER? have you had your thyroid checked? have you been checked for auto immune diseases like ceoliacs or fibromyalgia? What about irritable bowel syndrome(no real testing for this, more based on symptoms).

as for an Endoscopy, your GP should exhaust ALL other avenues before utilising an invasive procedure like that......

I hope you get help sweetie, there is nothing worse than feeling like hell.

[(JD)]

Please do research what I'm saying here, for your own education. I've done so and found such out. I'm not a medical doctor though.

The current medications for acid reflux are good to stop an acute episode, but long term they continue the problem, not solve it. They treat the symptom not the cause. Some might help heal any damage, short term. (This is according to an MD and also drug reps for those companies, too.)

I found that by taking the USUAL enzymes that the stomach needs, bought at a health food store, I returned my stomach acids to normal and no longer have acid reflux. I take the vegetarian ones, which are also chewable and semi sweet, and they contain the 3 main enzymes your body needs, plus some others. (Protease, lipase, amylase: I take the vegetarian digestive aid by Solgar, personally.) I only had to take them with meals for a few weeks, and the acid problem was fixed. Every few months I find I need to take one or two and then I'm fine again.

Most people who has this problem don't have the right stomach acid in their stomachs. This can be caused by taking antacids for a long time, which destroy all stomach acids. You can easily see if you lack good stomach acid by taking a tablespoonful of apple cider vinegar the next attack after eating. If the problem lessens, then you need the stomach acids... the enzymes to balance.

Hope this helps you too.

[filifera]

I have GERD complicated by an esophageal stricture, hiaital hernia and asthma. I've been on PPIs since 2005 with virtually complete relief. For these to work, you have to take them daily. I started with prevacid, but insurance hassles and cost convinced me to switch to prilosec otc, which seems to be just as effective and much less expensive to maintain.

Some people heal up in a few weeks of regular use. Others, with complicating conditions, need to take them indefinitely. YMMV.

[Beholden]

I was Dx'd with GERD as well, but I'm thinking that isn't my real problem.

Anyway, I've been taking Nexium for about 3 years straight, without really getting relief form the only symptom I have which is coughing. I never get heart burn - well I can count on one hand how many times I've had heartburn in my 61 years....but he really thinks it is GERD. I have an appointment on the 9th of June to have a talk with him about that I think it is allergy related since my chronic cough is back since the pollen started flying!

How do you take the Nexium? My doctor just recently told me to take it in the AM. My husband's doctor told him to take his at night, since that is when he has his worse symptoms.

I went to the drug's website and it says to take the nexium first thing in the morning before eatting and wait a bit until you eat. I don't recall how long the drug company said to wait. Doctor's don't always "know" the correct way to take the drugs, they get very little education in medical school on prescription drugs. They relay an awful lot on the drug reps to educate them when they come into the offices every week or so.

Now, I am not a doctor, but have worked for many in the past. Each one will tell you to the best of their knowledge how to take the drug they Rx'd, and it could be different than how the drug company tested the drug during trails, based on how it worked for other patients. Some of course don't give a crap.....hope your doc isn't like that. It could also depend on other drugs you are taking.

The reason is to get the pill working the way it is intended to work before you make the stomach start its job.

Are you drinking enough water with the pill? All drugs are tested with taking just cold water, not with coffee, or Coke. So check those things out before you give up on the medicine.

I don't think age has anything to do with what tests the doctor orders for you. If he understands your worry, since there is cancer in your family, he may do the test to help you relax before it does become a big stress issue. I'd talk with him about that exact issue.

[Sannah]

Originally Posted by prettyjolie

I've also always suffered from constipation since I was little..

I feel very bloated but I have to eat frequently or else my stomach/throat hurt really badly. It even makes my ear hurt. =/

Our family has a lot of experience with this. Your gut bacteria might be out of balance and you might also have food allergies. My daughter and I both had this problem. She was worse than me. We have been treated and are much better now. We were treated by an alternative doc. You might want to google "leaky gut syndrome".

The only symptoms that I had for my food allergies was reflux, constipation, hemorrhoids and stomach pain.

My daughter finished treatment and was cured when she was almost 6. Afterwards she told me "mom, my stomach doesn't hurt anymore!" She had been in pain since she was born.

Have you heard of probiotics?