Reflux making me even crazier!

[ranges]

Glad I found this group! I just coped by bio here as it pretty well explains what's going on with me.

78 years old. Diagnosed with Gerd 15 years ago, but Omeprazole eliminated any problems until Feb 2021 and then started having very bad reflux. Ironic that 3 months before that I had started eating smaller meals (and slower) to loose weight - that was working as far as weight loss. Dr. switched me to Pantoprazole (no change). It took till Dec16th of 2021 to get a TIF procedure - that I knew may or may not fix the problem. Sure enough - it didn't, but it did help a little. Now scheduled to get a Nissen in Feb 2023. My reflux has been opposite of most people. I eat nothing before bedtime, wake up in the morning, get out of bed, get reflux while setting up and before eating. I eat breakfast and reflux goes away! Dr. says that is opposite of what's suppose to happen but has no answers as to why? I'm already close to going insane and this is not helping!

[grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr]

Like you, doctors can't work out why my reflux is so bad. Mine usually improves after eating too - and there doesn't seem to be a food trigger for me. I have had it for 20 years but the last 4 months it has got seriously worse and nothing I throw at it seems to work. It has settled a little now - but it's been hell! I have been working with a naturopath to try and get the stomach to settle and my next move may be the Nissen too - but I am very reluctant to go down that route yet. What is a TIF procedure?

[ranges in reply to grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr]

For the TIF procedure they put you to sleep and feed a device thru your esophagus and wrap the top of the stomach around the sphincter valve to make it tighter. I understand it cures some patients but not all (like me) my reflux is better but not better enough. If you Google TIF procedure it will show you much more information. Best of luck!

[ParkSchool5]

Hi, I sorry to hear about your AR problems. I have been suffering with GERD for 7 years. During the day gravity keeps the acid down but nightime reflux is my main problem. I wake most mornings with a sore throat from the reflux, although I sleep partially sitting up. I use a bat-wing pillow which seems to help a little. You could try raising the head of your bed by 6 inches or try to sleep propped upright for a week or so to see if it helps. Good luck.

[ranges in reply to ParkSchool5]

I tried sleeping in a recliner for several weeks. It made no difference except make my back sore. Doesn't seem to matter what I eat or when. In fact eating a snack before I go to bed at times eliminates all reflux the next morning. Best wishes to you!