Functional Dyspepsia

[AMerchant]

Hi, does anyone suffer from functional dyspepsia and what are your symptoms.

I have suffer from this for last the 2 years and I get episodes of it every month. Sometimes it's sharp pain in the upper middle abdominal , sometimes it tightness and at times the pain moves to the chest. I also occasionally get burning sensation and feeling of something stuck in my throat. These symptoms alternate.

The flare up I get can last from days to weeks and can be very painful.

I am now on Dexilant 30mg a day having been on omeprazole 20mg for a while.

Last year for 6months I was virtually symptoms free but since January it's been bothering me again

Would appreciate if people can share their experiences with such acid reflux disease

[meadfoot]

I have the same symptoms, they are so debilitating and can last for weeks, i have no idea what causes these flare ups bit I dread them, they are getting more frequent and for longer duration.. My gastroenterologist hasnt given me reasons. There are very few meds I can take as PPIs arent an option for me due to another health issue. I have had gastric test in the book but still no solution. Best wishes.

[AMerchant in reply to meadfoot]

Hi. Thanks for sharing

May I ask for how long have you had theses symptoms and if they have done the endoscopy for you. What is gastric test

[meadfoot in reply to AMerchant]

I have been having gastric problems at this level for the past six years. Before that it was low level gastric flare ups. It is absolutely draining.

The tests I have had are: Several endoscopies the last one two and a half years ago including biopsies; Insertion of a Bravo capsule into the oesophagus to monitor reflux activity; wet and dry swallow peristalsis monitoring twice, barium swallow; bile acid malabsorption test; gastric emptying tests; referral to specialist to check for sclederma, various CT scans and MRCP, removal of gall bladder, colonoscopy. Carnetts test for epigastric nerve entrapment.

Diagnosed with severe acid reflux, 100% failed peristalsis on liquid swallow, 65% failed peristalsis with solids, slow gastric emptying, ulcers and weakness of lower oesophageal sphincter at junction of oesophagus and stomach, not a candidate for fundoplication due to other unrelated health issue. Dietician inout. Its all an ongoing daily struggle sadly.

Hope you get some relief somehow. Best wishes.

[AMerchant in reply to meadfoot]

That's a lot of tests. Hope you find the right medication.

Do you get periods of relief? What medication do you take for pain management

[meadfoot]

Well the only plan left is to try famotodine as I cant take PPis as I have a heart condition. Nor can I take painkillers like ibuprofen due to my heart. I manage as best I can with gaviscon advance and now shortly to be on famotidine. Sadly there isnt a plan b.

I get a week or two relief from time to time, I have no idea what triggers either a flare up or a decrease in symptoms. My diet is bland beyond belief so nothing there to cause issues. Right now the pain is beyond manageable for this past two days which also sets off my heart issues and will last for several weeks. Happy days.

[AMerchant]

I know it's very stressful. For me I think it has been triggered by changing jobs and moving to another country. I have found reading or watching TV help to distress. Cold milk and dates also helps it calming the acidity

[Crafty99]

You should get your ph checked to see if you have low acid in your stomach as that can be the cause of Acid reflux. If that is the case you can take HCL with pepsin tablets to increase your stomach acid. Prescription tablets reduce the acid which makes it worse.

[AMerchant in reply to Crafty99]

I am sure it is acid that causes heartburn and pain in the epigastric region because when I take PPI's and antacid it calms things down. So very unlikely I have low stomach acid. But I do want to get my pH checked anyway but the problem is coming of ppi for 7 days before the test is difficult