GORD but with no noticeable regurgitation or acid taste?

[SurfingSteve]

I have recently been diagnosed with GORD/GERD as my oesophagus is inflamed. Apparently i have had it for years. The reason the diagnosis took so long is that the doctors and specialist would ask me about regurgitation and the acidic taste in my mouth, and i'd say that i never get that, just a painful burning sensation in my chest. So instead they pursued potential cardiac issues until finally diagnosing GORD this month after an endoscopy. Prior to this I had an angiogram which showed my heart to be very healthy. My doctor started to think it was allergy related or anxiety related.

I am wondering if anyone else has the similar issue of having acid reflux or GERD but with nothing actually noticeably coming up into the throat, just the chest pains and burning etc?

[meadfoot]

Lots of people have silent reflux a known condition, feeling no symptoms whatsoever. Its far from uncommon. I have had lots of work ups for cardiac as I have an arrhythmia but the chest pain I experience is from GORD not heart.

Finding medication which suits you can be trial and error. I manage with gaviscon advance, not ideal but it keeps things reasonably ok much of the time. I cant take PPIs as they trigger my cardiac arrhythmias and H2 receptors give me epigastric pain.

A fundoplication operation is one treatment for completely uncontrolled GORD but not to be undertaken lightly. Best wishes.

[Jumpey in reply to meadfoot]

Hi,I am waiting for this surgery.Do you have personal cexperience of this?

[meadfoot in reply to Jumpey]

Only in that it was considered by my gastroenterologist and I was subsequently referred to a gastro surgeon for their opinion. As it happened I had two surgeon consultations, one at my local hospital and also the hospital in London where I had sought a second opinion.

In both consultations the surgeons agreed that Nissen Fundoplication was not an option for me due to my oeoesphageal failed peristalsis and my cardiac arrhythmias. I was told that in my case it was most likely to make my situation worse overall. I would not be able to vomit thereafter if needed, swallowing would most likely be an issue ongoing and any wrap close in proximity to my heart would/could likely increase my arrhythmias.

People do have this surgery successfully so please do not be put off by my co-morbidities preventing this surgery for me.

[Jumpey in reply to meadfoot]

I'm so sorry that you were unable to have this surgery. Huge good luck.x

[meadfoot]

Thank you. Same to you, hope the surgery gives you relief and a normal life. Best wishes.

[ranges]

I was diagnosed with GERD about 15 years ago ((I'm 79 now). At that time I had what I thought was heart burn and an endoscopy confirmed it was GERD at that time. I took Omeprazole for years and it took care of it. In Feb of 2021 I woke up one morning with a cramp in my lower gums. It went away quickly. The next morning I had the cramps in my gum again. I called my family Doctor and she said I should go to the ER as it was a sign of a possible heart problem. The ER doctor asked me several questions and I also told them I had GERD and had looked on the web and saw cramps in the gum also could indicate reflux problems. Heart is more important so many test were ran, all came out fine but heart doctor said I did have a partial blockage in one artery. He put a stent in and sent me home. (Not sure they ever believed it could be a reflux problem). The problem did not go away so I saw a GI doctor who ordered another endoscopy and sure enough it was GERD. (GERD and/or reflux). The cramps turned into daily burning in my esophagus and throat and getting worse daily.

I had a TIF procedure to tighten up the sphincter muscle and it helped but did not stop the problem. The problem has gone on continually and daily since then except instead of cramps I generally get burning in my esophagus, throat and a lot of voice clearing which I've had for years. Now scheduled for a full Nissen surgery next month.

Don't know if any of this helps you in your battle but wishing you the best!!

[SurfingSteve in reply to ranges]

Thank you ranges for sharing your experience. I'm really sorry that the GERD has come back again and i hope the surgery will fix it for you. Hearing your experience with GERD over the longer period is very helpful and gives me some things to discuss with my own doctor. Thanks again and good luck with the surgery.

[Jaby86]

Hi, sounds like a similar situation to me although my gastroscopy came back clear which further indicated it was related to stress/anxiety so I'm focusing on reducing that. I've come off omeprazole and take slippery elm and marshmallow root every day along with DGL before food and I seem to be managing okay at the moment so I hope it continues! I've also recently started acupuncture, meditating and more yoga and pilates based exercises over my usual high intensity style workouts. Hope you find something that works it is very much trial and error.

[SurfingSteve in reply to Jaby86]

Good to hear your managing ok at the moment. The lifestyle changes have probably helped a lot too, especially if anxiety is a trigger. My doctor has had me on Esomeprazole for two weeks. She was going to keep me on it for a few weeks, but took me off a week ago as my symptoms went completely but will put me back on it if other treatments don't work. I am now working with a dietician to find foods that are triggers. Fatty and fried foods would be the main one and alcohol is gone for good. Also no eating anything 3 hours before bed. I can still have a morning coffee with no ill effect I have stress/anxiety issues too so i should try some of the things you are doing. Like you said though it's trial and error. Hopefully both of us can get on top of this with these changes.