Anyone else suffer from acidreflux/GERD?

Centurion40 · June 28, 2012, 05:32:44 PM

I'm having one agonizing hell of time right now and wondering what others do get relief!

Azzurri · June 28, 2012, 05:41:20 PM

Try Zegerid, 40...seems to do the trick although it is not cheap...

Steelgrave · June 28, 2012, 05:41:56 PM

My wife has it. She takes a Nexium every morning for it, seems to help. Sorry you have it, I know how damned uncomfortable it can be :-[

LongBlade · June 28, 2012, 05:48:54 PM

Let me ask around. I've got a relative who has some expertise in this.

LongBlade · June 28, 2012, 05:57:39 PM

Prilosec won't give you immediate relief, but should help in the longer time.

If you have a consistent issue you need to be on a "PPI" or Proton Pump Inhibitor. This PPI takes about a week to kick in, and Prilosec will fill in for the interrim.

In the mean time you can try some over the counter stuff for immediate relief.

Of course, you're best off consulting a real physician instead of an internet post... ;)

MetalDog · June 28, 2012, 07:59:41 PM

I was diagnosed with GERD two years ago. I kept getting pressure in my chest and my left arm going numb and it scared the shit out of me. So, one night after work, I went to the emergency room. That started the ball rolling.

Once they determined that it was GERD and H.Pylori, they made me take two antibiotics to kill the H.Pylori and Nexium to handle the reflux. After a while, I continued having the pressure and the numbness, and as I thought it was the Nexium, I stopped taking it.

Now, I rarely have the symptoms anymore. Part of it is to do with my S.O. Having someone in my life to love me has changed my mental and emotional outlook, which, in turn, has changed my physical state. When I do have symptoms, I take a couple of Tums.

Centurion40 · June 28, 2012, 08:56:08 PM

Thanks guys. I've been on omeprazole for over a year, but something has happened over the past 5 days and the horrible, burning agony is nearly driving me crazy. I went to emergency this morning. They ruled-out heart attack, told me to double the dosage of omeprazole, and gave me some tylenol 3 for the pain. The t3 is taking the edge off of it, but like the dawg said there is a good deal of panic on my end.

I'm going to look into these ppi's and zegerid. Thanks again for your responses.

Centurion40 · June 28, 2012, 08:57:52 PM

Shit, omeprazole is a ppi.

MIGMaster · June 28, 2012, 09:14:59 PM

Stay way from the caffeine man ! It totally exacerbates acid reflux and other related shit. That's what I'm going thru right now - I think I might have to go on methadone to get off the Pepsi :(

Centurion40 · June 28, 2012, 09:23:49 PM

Brother, I am f-ed up right now, no guff.

Staggerwing · June 28, 2012, 09:37:55 PM

Damn! Sorry to hear that Cent. I hope you feel better soon, whatever it takes.
One thing you can try at night is sleeping on your left side. Apparently the position of the esophageal sphincter is then raised slightly minimizing pressure on it from stomach secretions and contents.

MetalDog · June 28, 2012, 10:26:00 PM

The more you elevate the head and shoulders, the less acid creeps up. There were nights that I woke from a dead sleep thinking, "I'm coming, Elizabeth!" It's some scary stuff, 40. But, as long as the doctor has definitively ruled out heart problems, then the crap you feel is a result of the acid in the esophagus. Burp or fart and the pressure should release.

Centurion40 · June 28, 2012, 10:45:20 PM

Brothers, I am sucking down gravol (for the nausea), tylenol 3 and gaviscon or maalox or whatever I can get my hands on!! It's unholy. I think that my esophagus has been BBQed!

Shelldrake · June 29, 2012, 07:48:33 AM

Hey Cent40,

I feel your pain, having suffered from GERD off and on for years. If you can, get a prescription for rabeprazol, which is a proton pump inhibitor that is really effective. Over the counter pepcid (famotidine) or zantac (ranitidine) are histamine antagonists that help but are not as potent as rabeprazol in my experience. I also found that chewing gum (sugarless of course) after a meal helps. Apparently the saliva that is generated and swallowed neutralizes the acid in your esophagus. Losing a few pounds also helps since it reduces pressure on the sphincter between your stomach and esophagus. Certain foods also aggravate the condition. For me fatty foods (especially pizza) are the worst but caffeine, chocolate, peppermint, and alcolhol can also trigger reflux.

Chronic GERD is bad news. The discomfort is bad enough but GERD also greatly increases your risk of esophageal cancer. If you have had reflux for several years you should ask your family doc about an endoscopic examination to check for precancerous changes caused by the chronic inflammation.

Lots of good information at this site.
http://www.medicinenet.com/gastroesophageal_reflux_disease_gerd/page6.htm

Martok · June 29, 2012, 09:44:06 AM

Damn, that sounds like pure hell 40Cent. As someone who suffers from (a - thankfully! - moderate case of) acid reflux, I strongly sympathize.

I wish I had some sage/helpful advice to give, but the fellas have pretty much already covered any words of wisdom I might have. As it is, I wish you the very best of luck in dealing with your problem! I know only too well how miserable it can be.