posted
Last fall I got an esophageal ulcer. Was scoped and there was no h. pylori, but the indentation of a pill. Apparently I got a pill stuck in the esophagus and it burned.
After major surgery in December it returned--probably due to stress.
Now it is back and the only thing I changed was to add digestive enzymes without protease and changed my mineral complex. When I looked at the label of minerals it said it had Betaine HCl which always gives me major indigestion.
I sleep with two pillows to keep my head elevated and tonight I will probably sleep in the recliner. Is there a way to prevent this from happening? It is so painful.
I am back on my carafate for now to heal it. Hiker
-------------------- Hiker53
"God is light. In Him there is no darkness." 1John 1:5 Posts: 10195 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
Keeping your head elevated doesn't help-you have to elevate from your sternum up (breast-level) Buy a wedge pillow and try that
Posts: 561 | From eastcoast | Registered: Aug 2006
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5dana8
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7935
posted
sorry to hear this hiker
I had erosions in my lower esophagus. The top things that helps me with relux are the carafate, prilosec & a bland ulcer diet.
If I stray from the diet & have anything that gives me reflux like oj,coffe or onions ect..it repeats & makes the problem worse. I try to stay away from acidic, spicy or greasy foods. It's pretty boaring at the moment but does help.
I hope this doesn't last long, it'a miserable symptom.
hugs Dana
ps: I know everyones ones different but Just wanted to add that the digestive enzymes make me worse
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
Thanks for the ideas. I just ordered wedge pillow. Was going to elevate the head of the bed with the legs on bricks, but figured I would have to take the wheels off the bedframe or I might be going for an unwanted ride in the middle of the night. I am just not up to doing that right now, so the pillow sounds great.
I am slowing learning that when things are going well, don't change them. Hiker
-------------------- Hiker53
"God is light. In Him there is no darkness." 1John 1:5 Posts: 10195 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
I'm so sorry to hear this, hiker! It often feels as if I have a pill stuck in my throat. I'll have to be more careful!
Hope you get back to square 1 soon!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
quote:Originally posted by hiker53:
Was going to elevate the head of the bed with the legs on bricks, but figured I would have to take the wheels off the bedframe.
hi hiker, my husband made wooden blocks for me that were cut out in middle for WHEELS TO GO IN and each side was higher to keep wheels inside block! worked for years for my reflux.
breathwork
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 567
posted
Esophageal reflux is the primary cause of esophageal cancer. My husband was diagnosed with this two years ago. It's been a hellish process since as there is no simple treatment. The surgery for it is barbaric, but effective. Then the chemo and radiation are miserable.
See a good GI doc and get on acid reducers pronto. Elevating the bed is a good idea. There is a product called Bed Genie. It's an air bladder that you put under the top mattress. A pump fills up the bladder and the upper part of the bed is elevated. My husband has to sleep elevated without fail so we have a motorized bed at home, but use the Bed Genie when we travel. It's great.
Google it and you'll find it.
I realize that this sounds alarmist. I don't want anyone to go through what we have. This form of cancer is often rapidly fatal, so please take reflux very seriously.
This is one case in which an ounce of prevention is worth a fortune....
Posts: 1062 | From CA USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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