Acid Reflux/ Stomach Issues

[NightOwl]

ANyone have any success with any meds or anything else for these?  I wake up having the most terrible acid in my stomach and throat also.  This EVEN THOUGH I take acid reflux medicine AND thousands of milligrams of calcium (tums, maalox, etc...) each day.  I am going back to a gastro doctor this week...

I hate stomach problems more than almost all other physical things I could feel at this point.  And if I happen to have IBS, my mom said a nurse told her that the meds for that can cause major issues.

Even if I wait hours after eating to sleep, it seems as bad as ever.  No matter what food choice I make, it seems as bad as ever.  I guarantee a HUGE portion of it is stress.

[cutiekrb]

I absolutely know what you're going through.  I've been having similar stomach issues for a couple of months now and on Friday I was in such severe distress that I actually went to the ER and was told that all the acid in my stomach had caused the beginning of the ulcer.   I know its all related to GAD.  I unfortunately have not found a solution yet.  I've tried prilosec and zantac.  When I was in the ER the doctor gave me a prescription for nexium which I'm starting today (although its very expensive and since I'm currently without insurance, I don't know how I'm going to afford it).  I know that doesn't really answer your question, but I thought it might be nice to know that I'm in the same boat.

[jewels]

I thought that I'd reply too. I know how you feel.
I also have tried everything over the counter for Acid Relux - aka GERD (Gastro-Esopheagal Reflux Disease) and yes anxiety makes it worse.
I have been on Pantaloc for years and it helps me tremendously. IF I forget to take it, I am in pain all day.
I have had an endoscope (unpleasant to say the least) thats where they put a long snake like tube with a light and a camera on the end of it down your throat and go thru you esphaegus and into your stomach to look for problems - it was clear - I have also had a upper GI xray - and the conclusion was that I just over produce acid.
Ask your Dr for a perscription med to address it. Left - it can cause so much damage.
Jewels

[ladyK]

Hi NightOwl:

I have posted many times about my acid reflux and IBS.  I suffer allot from it and have been on many different types of meds for it.  Right now I take Pantoloc, like Jewels.  One a day.  If I eat or drink something that would normally upset my stomach  or if I overeat, I feel like crap and at times have taken two or more Zantac plus a tums or something like that.  Before starting the meds I would get acid drinking water!  I have definitely had relief from taking meds but would love to change my diet enough to avoid them...still working on it!  I have also take nexium (very expensive), pantoloc (still kinda pricey) and pariet (a little less expensive but seemed less effective too).  I hope this helps you, acid reflux sucks!

take care, ladyK

[NightOwl]

Thanks, everyone.  Yeah, I ahve tried many prescription drugs for acid reflux.  Nexium is one in particular that worked at first, but it doesn't take long before they don;t work, and even new ones I try don't seem to help much anymore.  I am worried that it may be something bad when even prescription drugs seem to do nothing anymore.  I have had the scope and upper GI xray also.  I have a hiatal hernia, but so small that they couldn't even see it on the xray.  They said sometimes it pulls up behind something where it cant show up probably or something.  I am guessing I have IBS because I have something that is driving my stomach insane.  But sometimes I will have breaks of weeks where it doesn't happen.  But lately I have had diarrjea and stomach problems for 4 or 5 days.  I can't stand it.

[King]

Proton pump inhibitors are the drug of choice for GERD. Nexium or lanzaprazole are the best. But they're all pretty similar to be honest.

You shouldnt find they stop working...the IBS may be causing alot of your symptomatology.

[NightOwl]

Now they scared me by wanting to do a colonoscopy and check for chron's (sp?).  I have heard from my mom before that it is a horrible disease so now I am panicky.  Although I would highly doubt I have something that serious when my stomach issues almost vanish when my stress vanishes.  The acid problem is always there though.  They gave me a different reflux med, so I will see how that does....

I have a major headache right now.  Possibly from klonopin or nexium i found yesterday.

[NightOwl]

Add aciphex to nexium, prevacid, protonix, zegerid, zantac, prilosec, and antacids as things that don't get rid of it or else give bad effects.  The aciphex gives me a bad headache, makes me too alert to sleep as well, and I think is even making my stomach worse MEANWHILE not curing the acid.  I am sick of this.

[ocdengineer]

The Xanax, Prilosec, Gas-X combo has worked for me for the most part.  My anxiety always manifests itself in my stomach, so this was a major symptom for me.  I know it is technically called IBS, but IBS is just a doctors way of saying, "I don't know".  I also practice meditation and eat well avoiding alcohol, caffeine, nicotine etc.  This all helps a lot and so doesn't exercise.  I hope you all find a solution.  The Xanax helped the most for me with anxiety and stomach issues.

Good luck,
OE

[NightOwl]

Now they basically gave me something like reglan and zantac.  Then I see reglan can give depression and restlessness.  Just what I need obviously.  And I have indeed been restless for days without knowing ahead of time that was a side effect.  It can even cause PERMANENT shaking also and somehow I have lost 7 pounds in 1 day and wonder if that contributed also.  Even though I didn't eat THAT much food, I sure should not have been having my weight go down.  I am sick of this.  There seems to be NOTHING that is going to help me get through this,  I started feeling stronger and better about myself, my relationship, and just life in general.  I still had negative worrying, but I felt much better I think.  But then this PHYSICAL crap is now bringing me right back down.  I don't know what to do.  Diet changes sure never helped an ounce.  And none of the meds do hardly anything.  Even taking an acid reflux pill AND tums or maalox in a day does not do much.  The antacids with magnesium in them cause diarrhea because of the magnesium.  I am starting to get so upset that it seems like EVEN IF I DO think better mentally, I STILL am going to be depressed because of physical issues.

[King]

Hi NightOwl

Have you had a physical check of what could be causing your symptoms, drugs arent always the answer or rather the cure.

You mentioned a possible 'scope session. Did you have that?

You may have a condition where your spincter muscles in your stomach are weakened or in spasm so that food & acid keeps coming back into your throat.

They would pick this up from the 'scope.

If you havent had the checks, it might just be worth it so that you can get more answers?

All the best
King

[NightOwl]

I have only had the upper GI scope.  The other one I didnt do because 1.  my referral ran out by the time of the appointment and 2.  my parents were out of town and I am so depressed, I didn't want to do it with my parents gone.  I am scared of anything new.

[NightOwl]

My stomach is bothering me so much and I never know if it is a stomach problem, the anxiety, if I have a virus, or if it's related to my medicines or eating habits.  I don't know how I am ever going to feel better when I have this stuff plus the other plus a lot of stressful life situations.  I tried hard with books and therapy, but it isn't enough I guess.