Hello everyone,
Had an EGD (esophagealgastricduodenoscopy). It's where the G.I. doctors inserts a scope into the throat to examine the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (upper part of the small intestines).
I had vocal changes, burning in the chest area, dysphagia(difficulty swallowing), feelings of something being stuck in my throat, etc.
I take 2400 mg of Ibuprofen daily and other meds.
Diagnosis = Mild esophageal and gastric erosions. I was told to take Prilosec. They also told me to see my rheumatologist and primary care physician about a different regimen for pain.
I have heard that apple cider vinegar helps. Are there any other suggestions and/or remedies.
The sedative they used was Propofol. I tell you, it burned like heck going into my vein. I have a high pain tolerance. That was awful. I was about to come up off of that table and grab somebody, when the nurse said breathe deeply in and out. Then, I was out!!
Duchess
I have had gerd for years and I have never had this procedure done! I need it. Very afraid of esophogeal cancer. I am currently taking zantac 150 twice a day, but it isn't working. Will have to go back to the prevacid, but gives stomach issues.
What type of doctor did your procedure? I see an ENT once yearly (although it's been at least a year and a half now) because he always comments on my weight. He made me become anorexic for a year, I ate once a day, lost 19 pounds, but I have gained it back this past year since I have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, been very ill, bunch of meds, etc.
I guess in other words is I need a real doctor who is more concerned about my health than my weight. Yes, I am about 30 pounds overweight, but I also have thyroid issues and it is near impossible for me to lose weight other than by starving myself.
I think highly of well known physicians Dr. Andrew Weil (drweil.com) and Dr. Julian Whitaker (Whitakerwellness.com). If you search their websites you can find natural solutions to common health concerns, including GERD.
Dr. Whitaker suggests Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) 1 chewable tablet before meals (for heartburn/indigestion. I take DGL from time to time.
Please check with your doctor before taking any supplement. Natural does not always mean safe. It is important to understand how supplements can interact with rx meds.
Apple cider vinegar can burn like H if you have too much acid in your stomach. It only works for those who have too LITTLE acid.
has your doctor discussed with you alternate meds to the ibuprofen? this often causes a great deal of issues for anyone with GERD. You are on a very high dose
Good morning all,
Cargillwitch - I have yet to speak with the other doctors about another plan for pain management. I do take Neurontin, which is more effective if taken with the Ibuprofen. That was presecribed by my primary doc. The neurologist presecribed Vicodin and Flexeril for when I have worse pain, not daily.
Jazzlover - I dilute 2 tsp of the ACV into 8oz of H20. That seems to be o.k.
Aquarius - I will research the suggestions you gave, thanks.
Autoimmunity - It probably would benefit you if you were evaluated by another doc. The literature that was given to me at the hospital suggested that you eat small meals that consist of low-fat foods, decreased intake of caffeine and chocolate. The smaller volume keeps your stomach from
getting too full. That can result in over production of acid as the stomach works overtime to digest larger portions of food - more acid. Weight control was mentioned because of the pressure being put on the stomach will cause the acid to reflux into the esophagus possible causing damage there also.
I know I need to lose about 10 pounds. I carry most of my weight around my middle. I am going to lose that and hopefully that will help also.
Any one heard of Aloe Vera juice for this condition?
Duchess
When my stomach got bad with acid I of course, stopped the caffeine, chocolate, citrus drinks,etc etc, drank plenty of water (we all do that) and drank Aloe Vera juice with a bit of baking soda. You can buy it at Walmart or Walgreens. I think it helped a lot!
I take Nexium, which is probably the same thing as Prilosec. But when I have a particularly bad day, or if I've forgotten to take it (or been too cheap to get a refill) for a couple of days, I have to take carafate four times a day for a couple of days.
Carafate is a prescription medicine and it comes in pill or liquid form. I take it in pill form because it's cheaper to buy and easier to keep in my purse. You can real more about it here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000536/
I recently found some drops that I add to my water that is called pH Enhancer. It makes the water taste funny (like bicarbonate of soda, bleh!) but I think it helps my stomach stay less acid. I found them at a vitamin store. They were pretty expensive, though, at $34, but they seem to be doing the trick.
I get the EGD once a year, Duchess, and I never had a problem with Propofol burning. But! I don't know what MJ was thinking when he took that stuff every night! I hate the feeling of waking up after being BLANK. I think it's very scary stuff, although my surgeon and nurse anesthetist both told me it's the safest thing out there.
A66ey
A66ey,
You know, waking up from Propofol is quite scary. It was like I was just blank. I remember awakening and just started talking to my husband - something crazy - I could tell by the way he was looking at me. I really don't like the feeling I have waking up from other anesthesia either. It's like being in a place of nowhere. No dreams - ever!
Duchess
G'day Duchess, Sorry you are having such a time of it. Apple Cider vinegar is a good remedy for gerd. But I would dilute it with water and add a bit of Honey. You can also increase your Magnesium intake. Another good tummy helper is Papaya. It has a lot of good digestive enzymes in it. Add some probiotics to your diet also.
There is one more suggestion. I have not tried it my self yet, but I have been reading up on it. L-Glutamine. It is an amino acid that works with your body. There have been some studies that show it helps people with digestive problems.
Before you try any of the above ideas, study up on them and ask questions.
I hope you will get the answers you need.
Seeker
Definitely avoid caffeine and acidic foods. That helps me more than anything else. I also have to avoid Vit C.
Thanks Seeker and Jazzlover
I certainly will look into those suggestions.
Duchess
Duchess,
Don't know if you've heard these things already, but not eating or drinking anything but water 3 hours before you go to bed helps with GERD. If you are not a breakfast eater, please make sure not to drink coffee on an empty stomach as that can cause alot of acid reflux. Also, if your GERD is bad, elevating the front end of the bed by 4 to 6 inches (i.e. putting the front end of the bedframe up on a piece of wood for example) helps keep the acid from climbing up the esophagus during the night.
Eliminating fatty foods and spicy foods from your diet, and unfortunately it does mean eliminating, not just reducing, should also have a big impact on the amount of GERD you experience.
Best of luck,
Daisy
Daisy, I think I could do the water thing at night, but my weakness is that I like to have a cup of tea at bedtime. I'll try it.
The not having coffee first thing in the morning; does that apply to tea also?
I've heard of elevating the front of the bed.
Thanks
Duchess
Duchess, I can't say for sure that drinking tea first thing in the morning on an empty stomach will cause GERD or not, but I would suggest to try to have your tea or coffee with some food in your stomach and see if that helps.
Its possible that if you are able to get things under control GERD-wise that you can slowly re-introduce certain things - but I would recommend only doing that one at a time and then you'll be able to determine what are your triggers and then in future you may be better able to avoid them.
Just so you know, I was given the coffee information directly from my Gastroenterologist, but never asked about tea in particular.
Daisy
Thanks Daisy.
Duchess
Hi Duchess,
Unless you need that caffeinated tea at bedtime, how about trying chamomile? It soothes
the system.
I suffer from GERD and the other suggestions here are good ones. I have also
tried aloe vera juice as it too is soothing.
In terms of over the counter, for those times when I eat something I shouldn't or
by necessity eat too close to bedtime, I take a gaviscon. I find it works best.
Good luck.
Apples helped mine, I was eating one every night before bed when my GERD was the worst but it seems now that I'm gluten free & take a probiotic I do not have symptoms at all & my gastro. said I no longer have it.
Prilosec lowers your stomach acid so much & then you have worse gerd if you forget a day. Some people can't do without it, everyone is different.
The acid reducers all work differently...I think Prevacid 15mg works best for me..prilosec did nothing. My docs wanted me to take
60mg of prevacid a day due to my stomach, when I did that, it really didnt help any more than my 15mg..sooooooo be careful.
We keep thinking that more is better, but we still need some stomach acid to help break down our food etc. They have
tons of natural things in the health food stores, like digestive enzymes, which I take 1/2 before eating anything. I also take some different ones in-between meals. I think we all have this problem. I think its more of a neuro issue with us to be honest. Our entire GI-tract-tummy
just doesnt function normal.
I had propofol before my GI-colonoscopy and it was great. I usually have problems with every medication, but this was perfect. It all depends how much they are giving to you, how fast, who does it, etc I believe. Maybe you werent hydrated enough? they give me a saline drip before my procedure as well. I also pop right up after and have no side effects, which is rare. I can see why MJ liked this stuff.
Gursie
Bob, thanks. I love Chamomile tea. It is very relaxing.
Engy, thanks. Apples - maybe it has something to do with the pectin. That is good for over-all digestive health.
Gursie, I have tried some of the suggestions posted. I believe I have started the healing process - naturally. You may have something about the neuro issue. When I mentioned the possible effects of SJS to the radiologists and the gastro doc, they just kind of glazed right over it. They knew of SJS. I don't think they knew how it affects the GI system really.
I am not taking the 2400 mg of Ibuprofen daily now. I am taking Neurontin 3600 mg daily with Flexeril 10 mg twice daily when needed and Vicodin 5/500 twice daily when needed. I believe this change in pain medicines will help. Then, there is still my other meds.
Duchess
I know for me, Ibuprofen really aggravates my GERD and tummy issues..I cant take much more than 200mg tab daily, but I dont have any other choice...seems everything aggravates my tummy now that I think of it! ha ha. I know the less I eat, smaller meals, much better.
Hope you can find some relief!
Gursie