Okay, so the other night I got the worst reflux I've had since I was 8 months pregnant--my entire esophagus felt like I had drunk gasoline and followed it with a lit match.
Now since yesterday, I still have a little of the burning, but now it also feels like my throat is swollen, like there's a lump in it.
I also had a lot of nausea yesterday too, didn't really feel stomach buggy (that's going around here again), but just felt crappy all day.
I skipped my Doxy yesterday, as I think that was part of the problem.
I restarted Prilosec, as per my gastro who told me to start taking them again if the reflux came back.
Also upped my dose of probiotic.
Anyone else ever get this? What can I do about it?
Probably should get a scope done, but w/o insurance, can't afford it.
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
The lump in the throat and nausea are common symptoms of reflux for me.
Stress always brings on reflux for me. H. pylori was a factor in my reflux and recently I learned that heavy metal release makes reflux go crazy in me.
Slippery elm is helpful for healing the stomach after a bout with reflux. Sleeping with your head elevated helps and be sure to not lay down after eating.
My chiropractor used to do something to help reflux for me but it often left huge bruises on my stomach. I don't know what else you can do besides trying to deal with the cause.
Treatment for h. pylori helped my reflux a lot and cutting down on stress helps.
Papaya enzyme, 3-4 many times a day is helpful for me.
Most M.D.'s want to give prescription or OTC meds that reduce stomach acid. That caused my food to come out undigested and sometimes it can make reflux worse. Years ago when I was researching this, it turns out that a lack of stomach acid *might* be the cause of reflux for some people. I'd approach that theory with caution though in terms of supplmenting for stomach acid.
Terry
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
I keep thinking of more things to add.
If it goes on too long, you might want to have the valve that is supposed to keep acid from coming up your esophogus checked. Some people have surgical repair of the valve if warranted and that gives relief.
There is a risk of damage or cancer to the esophogus if left untreated for too long.
Oh yeah, forget to mention that you should avoid spicy food and coffee until you get it under control.
I also sometimes take Nature's Sunshine Stomach Comfort for relief. In addition it helps heal the stomach.
Posted by Summer24 (Member # 25578) on :
Prilosec never worked for me. Over the counter Prevacid (I don't care what they tell you is NOT the original Prevacid, at least it didn't work for me or my mother in our cases). The only thing that works for me is the 30 mg generic form of Prevacid (Lansoprazole). Many insurance companies won't pay for it. (I have BCBS PPO they cover it). Sometimes you have to have your dr. write a letter explaining why you can't take anything else and get it reviewed by your insurance company to get it approved. Celebrex is also a new one some people do well on it, I haven't tried it personally. Also, my mother orders Zoton (Lansoprazole) from a Canadian pharmacy which seems to help her. Good luck! Feel better!
Posted by jasek (Member # 12395) on :
Celebrex? I used to use that for the lyme arthritis. I have never heard it for acid reflux.
I have it bad also. I do use prilosec but it constapates me. If you don't keep it under control it will lead to esophogus problems and disease in the stomach. That happened to my mother-in-law, and husband. I know I should get scooped also, just not up to it.