GERD Questions

[mich4416]

The doctors has put me on Nexium because he thinks my chest and abdominal pain could be GERD. I have been worried about a heart attack for months. Even after a clear ekg and echo.

My questions are:

Is GERD pain a quick twinge of pain?

Does GERD pain occour in both sides of the chest?

Does GERD make you feel full and sometime nauses after eating?

Does GERD pain only come after eating?

I have to admit since starting the nexium on Tuesday.....my abdominal pain is all but gone. I still get twinges of pain in my chest....(middle and both sides). I also have moments that I feel dizzy but nothing is moving around (does that make since) just an odd fuzzy feeling?

any feedback would be appreciated!

[Pharmer76]

Hi,

GERD can present slightly differently every person.  The "hallmark" symptoms are heartburn, belching, and regurgitation, but many other symptoms can be present too - feeling a lump in your throat (I had this one), coughing, hoarsenss, and chest pain to name a few.

Yes, GERD can make you feel full and nauseous after eating.  The pain may not come only after eating, but I think in some people it is worse after eating.  I have been on Prevacid for a couple of months now.  I quit it after 6 weeks but my symptoms came back so I started it again.  I'm glad you've gotten relief after only a few days, but generally GERD is treated with Nexium for 4 to 8 weeks, so some of your symptoms may persist for a bit longer (I guess I'm trying to say not to worry if you're not totally "well" on the Nexium after a few days - it may take longer).  A bit of dizziness may be caused by Nexium - it isn't necessarily a common side effect, but it could be.  I also had dizziness when I started on Prevacid but it went away after a few days.

I also eat a Tums 750 after lunch and at bedtime - not necessarily because I get heartburn all the time but because it seems to manage any "breakthrough" symptoms.

Best of luck - I know my stomach problems are SO MUCH better now after a few weeks of Prevacid!

[TabulaRasa]

some people  with Gerd have said they felt dizzy after eating. I posted it in the digestive disorder category. Check it out. Seems like most of them got dizzy before the meds.

[GillLFC]

I had all kinds of weird symptoms from GERD. I used to ask my father in law about it because he has GERD too but my symptoms were nothing like his. I guess it really does differ from person to person. I very rarely got 'classic' heartburn but I would get a sore throat, tight throat, sore tongue, metallic taste in mouth, random sharp pains in different parts of my chest, WIND.. A lot of wind, quite painful wind, bloated stomach and a dull pain under my left breast, like I had a golf ball in there? I'd always wake up with phlegm in my throat and a soreness in my chest I call 'chest weasels' lol

I take Lansasprazole on a morning before breakfast along with an aloe vera capsule and have for over a year. I now know my GERD was anxiety/stress induced because since Christmas it's gone, since I've had neuro symptoms instead!!! I'm still taking the meds though because I've heard coming off them can be rough and I'd rather leave well alone seeing as it's ok.

And NO, GERD pain doesn't always just come after eating. It is common but I always found mine would be worse on an empty stomach, eating a little and often was always the best solution for me. And avoiding onions, fried and spicy food. I can now eat anything without any problems!