Gerd

[alli]

First off, I've never been diagnosed with GERD- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Based on my symptoms for the past 2 years, I'm pretty sure I have it.

 

I first started having regular heartburn over 2 years ago. I think it was due to a medication I was taking. The medication is for an autoimmune disease and there are limited types of medications to treat my disease, so I had to take this heartburn-causing medication for an extremely long time.

 

Finally, I was tapered off the medication about 4 or 5 months ago. I was hoping the heartburn would go away, but it didn't.

 

I started taking proton pump inhibitors (Prilosec) OTC for the first year I had heartburn. First I only took it for a couple weeks at a time like the box says. But the heartburn got worse, so I called my doctor & have been taking Prilosec daily for nearly a year with a prescription.

 

Now, for the past month or so I have reflux as well. I feel like there is food stuck low in my esophagus. It will come all the way back up into my mouth if I let it. I started paying attention to the days and I've had reflux every day for nearly 2 weeks. I started feeling reflux today after dinner & still feel it 6 hours later. And if I miss a Prilosec pill in the morning, I will have heartburn in the afternoon.

 

I want to ask my Dr. if she will change my prescription to twice daily. The problem is that I drink coffee. Coffee is acidic. I feel like I should stop drinking it before I ask to up my dosage. But I CAN'T!!!! I love coffee so much!! How am I supposed to wake up everyday? I even have an awesome espresso machine. I only drink 2 shots of espresso a day. I space out my coffee & my Prilosec so I don't take them both at the same time. I've been drinking coffee for 7 years; way before I ever had heartburn!

 

This sucks!

[mhowe]

Cancel the coffee and you might eliminate your whole problem.

[alli]

Cancel the coffee and you might eliminate your whole problem.

 

I know, I just wish I didn't have to! Anything but the coffee!! Maybe I'll taper down to one a day for a couple weeks, then stop & see if my heartburn goes away. I do add a lot of milk & cream to my coffee; doesn't that make it less acidic? lol.

[Miss Firecracker]

Have you tried Prevacid?

[luminousone]

You need to get it formally diagnosed. You should probably go to an ear nose and throat doctor for the diagnosis. They may even send you to get an X-ray swallow study to see what is happening when you swallow.

 

The reason you need a diagnosis is because they will know best how to treat it properly once they get a look at what is going on.

 

I think I read somewhere that left untreated, GERD can develop into esophageal cancer.

[tmp110314]

Is GERD the official diagnosis from a Gastrointestinal specialist? I was having some bad acid reflux issues and my GP finally referred me to a Gastro doctor. He performed a esophagogastroduodenoscopy to inspect the upper esophageal sphincter for damage. He discovered a hiatal hernia which was causing the acid reflux/heartburn issues.

 

He prescribed omeprazole, 20 mg, taken three times a day (60 mg total daily). That's the generic version of Prilosec. In the first week, the symptoms subsided a bit and gradually improved dramatically after a few weeks.

 

I was told to limit acidic foods, however, I drink a few cups of coffee daily (with cream and sugar), I love pizza and anything Italian and I really don't have any issues unless I really pig out. Even if I pig out, it's not too bad.

 

As long as I take the med, I really don't think of the acid reflux/heartburn. It's all but disappeared. I can go weeks or even a month or more without any issue.

 

I've been drinking coffee for about 30 years. I don't drink that much of it, but, a cup is sure nice when I get up, with breakfast or after a meal. I quit smoking many years ago, so, I don't have many vices other than an alcoholic beverage now and then and some coffee.

 

I would recommend getting a referral to a specialist so that they can take a look to ensure there is no serious damage and can keep an eye on it.

[tmp110314]

You need to get it formally diagnosed. You should probably go to an ear nose and throat doctor for the diagnosis. They may even send you to get an X-ray swallow study to see what is happening when you swallow.

 

The reason you need a diagnosis is because they will know best how to treat it properly once they get a look at what is going on.

 

I think I read somewhere that left untreated, GERD can develop into esophageal cancer.

 

I agree 100%. Alli's GP should have no issue referring her to the appropriate specialist. This can develop into something real serious if left without proper diagnosis and treatment.

[Seraphim]

My mother has suffered from Gerd for years. I believe she is on the maximum dosage of Losec. If not treated properly this can cause severe damage into your esophagus and even into your mouth. By the time my mom went for a scope test she had burned her esophagus and even the back of her tongue.

 

You should really see a gastroenterologist and find out what's going on.

[tmp110314]

My mother has suffered from Gerd for years. I believe she is on the maximum dosage of Losec. If not treated properly this can cause severe damage into your esophagus and even into your mouth. By the time my mom went for a scope test she had burned her esophagus and even the back of her tongue.

 

You should really see a gastroenterologist and find out what's going on.

 

Thank you Victoria for the correct name of the specialist. I was low on caffeine when I typed my post.

[alli]

Thanks everyone. I suppose I should inquire about a scope as well. I know that constant irritation of the esophagus over time can cause Barrett's esophagus which can lead to cancer. I definitely don't want that. Since I've only had heartburn for a couple years and they recommend a scope every 5 or so, I didn't see a need to get a scope now. DJohn, that's a good point about a hiatal hernia. I hadn't really considered that.

 

After I posted this I read more about the relation of heartburn and coffee, and it sounds like there is no clear evidence one way or the other that coffee worsens GERD. I did cut back to only one small cup today. I think I'll just talk to my Dr about it and see what she recommends as far as coffee intake, increasing my Prilosec dosage and the matter of a scope.

[mhowe]

When you mention it to your doctor....say what kind of coffee it is. If it is a shot of espresso, even with milk...that is much different than a cup of dunkin d's.

[tmp110314]

Thanks everyone. I suppose I should inquire about a scope as well. I know that constant irritation of the esophagus over time can cause Barrett's esophagus which can lead to cancer. I definitely don't want that. Since I've only had heartburn for a couple years and they recommend a scope every 5 or so, I didn't see a need to get a scope now. DJohn, that's a good point about a hiatal hernia. I hadn't really considered that.

 

After I posted this I read more about the relation of heartburn and coffee, and it sounds like there is no clear evidence one way or the other that coffee worsens GERD. I did cut back to only one small cup today. I think I'll just talk to my Dr about it and see what she recommends as far as coffee intake, increasing my Prilosec dosage and the matter of a scope.

 

I think that is an excellent decision. Please let us know how it goes at the doctor's. We could benefit from your experience for ourselves as well.

 

Good Luck!

[alli]

So, I called my doctor today. She said to take 2 doses each day for a month, then to go back to taking one a day. If it comes back, tell her & she will want to see me then.

 

On a similar note, I was in a lecture today where a pharmacist was talking about a colleague she knew that performed an independent drug trial, combining two different types of treatments to see how this combination would affect GERD. Apparently it earned him like 60 million dollars for the school he was working for & earned him personally about 5 million. I really wanted to ask her what exactly those two drugs were & the dosage, but I didn't want to put her on the spot in front of 150 people. I need to see if I can find this trial!

[tmp110314]

So, I called my doctor today. She said to take 2 doses each day for a month, then to go back to taking one a day. If it comes back, tell her & she will want to see me then.

 

On a similar note, I was in a lecture today where a pharmacist was talking about a colleague she knew that performed an independent drug trial, combining two different types of treatments to see how this combination would affect GERD. Apparently it earned him like 60 million dollars for the school he was working for & earned him personally about 5 million. I really wanted to ask her what exactly those two drugs were & the dosage, but I didn't want to put her on the spot in front of 150 people. I need to see if I can find this trial!

 

That's great. It's been a few days now. How is it working for you? Do you notice much of a difference?

 

$5m....... I'm looking for my little brown bag to breathe in

 

I wonder if there is any chance to get in on some of these studies. That would provide free meds for the study as well as free health check ups during the study period.

 

I hope you're feeling better.

[dereitis]

I didn't read any of the responses but I have had severe acid reflux since I was young. I have taken Prevacid and it knocks it out of the park. I can't remember the generic brand but it has been my life saver for years. I drink coffee (which affects me as well) and I haven't had a problem while I take it.

[tmp110314]

I didn't read any of the responses but I have had severe acid reflux since I was young. I have taken Prevacid and it knocks it out of the park. I can't remember the generic brand but it has been my life saver for years. I drink coffee (which affects me as well) and I haven't had a problem while I take it.

 

Prevacid (generic is Lansoprazole) is in the same family of drugs that my doctor prescribed for me. I actually save some money on the cost of the prescription through my insurance versus buying it OTC. The strength that my doctor prescribed for me is 60mg daily which has worked out real well.

 

Next time you go to the doctor, you may want to let him/her know about this issue so that they can determine whether it would be beneficial to have some testing done by a specialist to determine whether you have any damage to your esophagus or if you have a hiatal hernia. Without this assessment, it could lead to something more serious.

 

It's worth the discussion with a medical professional.

 

Take care.

[alli]

Actually the reflux suddenly went away. I didn't even start taking 2 doses a day. I didn't stop drinking coffee, either. I had planned to but I'm horrible about remembering to take medications at night. Anyway, I haven't felt it nearly as much as I did for a while. Not at all most days. So I'm glad I didn't start taking 2 a day, because it would have been unnecessary & I would have attributed the reduction in symptoms to the medication. Who knows? In any case, if it comes back I'll know to take it for a month, then talk to my Dr if it persists.

[tmp110314]

Actually the reflux suddenly went away. I didn't even start taking 2 doses a day. I didn't stop drinking coffee, either. I had planned to but I'm horrible about remembering to take medications at night. Anyway, I haven't felt it nearly as much as I did for a while. Not at all most days. So I'm glad I didn't start taking 2 a day, because it would have been unnecessary & I would have attributed the reduction in symptoms to the medication. Who knows? In any case, if it comes back I'll know to take it for a month, then talk to my Dr if it persists.

 

The important thing is that you are feeling better and you talked to a doctor.

 

The bonus - c o f f e e ! I'm at two cups a day and I'm still not having any further issues (medicated).

 

Now, I'm off for a cuppa Joe

[alli]

Thanks! Definitely glad I can still have my coffee!