Severe Symptoms - has anyone else had this

[JonnoCanada]

I have had acid reflux for years, and it's always been come and go.

I took over the counter meds, then went to prescription meds Nexium, but then this past few months it got worse so was prescribed Rabeprozole.

I am sure what has made it worse, is that since COVID I started to drink more alcohol.

I have tapered off and just consume weekends but over past few weeks Mondays I would feel really acidy, then the acidy feel transitioned to the chest where I felt heart attack like symptoms (had my heart checked its okay)

But in last 4 weeks there are episodes so bad I can't walk that long before the chest pain makes me out of breath. If I rest it disipates.

My doctor said part of the problem was i had a viral infection and it probably made the AR worse, and probably caused the esophagus to get worse. He has doubled my dose asked me really focus on a foodmop diet.

I did and was feeling better for a few days, then yesterday I cheated a bit, grapes, bread, and I had a very spicy vietnamese salad dressing (chilli) - today the symptoms are as bad as I have had. Gut is swollen was out of breath and chest pains walking, stabbing pain in upper belly.

I have gotten a naturopath to do a gut regime for me, and I know know how strict my diet needs to be.

Maybe all I am looking for is some comfort by knowing others have gone through symptoms as severe as this. Being a late stage cancer survivor I do get paranoid easily.

[starveycat]

Oh boy 😮 wine , grapes 🍇, spicy 🔥 dressing . You are bring very naughty you know you cannot have these things. Please stick to the bland diet we have to have to keep well. Gentle hugs

[Crafty99]

You need to stop the alcohol as that will make it worse. Drink coconut water and plain water throughout the day. You need to be very careful or you will end up with esophogitus which is what I had, probably made worse with alcohol. The drugs the Dr gives you will just make it worse. See Dr Berg on YT who has several videos on the topic and he gives great advice. I drink Coconut water, water and also have organic wheatgrass mixed with calcium lactate 3 times a week before breakfast and I am so much better. I just have the occasional reflux episode and then I may have an anacid but coconut water is great for acid reflux.

[ParkSchool5]

I really feel for you. I know how horrible acid reflux can be, it can make you depressed. You have a few good days and then think I might get away with a beer or a few tomatoes etc., then it's back again. It can be hard socially, just having a glass of water when everyone else is enjoying alcoholic drinks and 'normal' food. I have been on PPI's for years and they can make you slightly breathless sometimes. I find a gentle walk a couple of times a day does help. I only drink water and tea with milk (no fizz or acidity drinks) Best wishes.

[mjames1]

So Rabeprozole is working except when you eat your trigger foods, such as alcohol or more lately spicy Vietnamese food. Sorry to be blunt, but do I really need to tell you what to do?

I've suffered from GERD for years. I'm currently on Dexilant which is an even stronger PPI than Rabeprozole. If I ate one or a combination of my trigger foods (tomato sauce and spicy foods are big ones) I'd be in as much pain as you were on when you thought you had a heart attack. So, you have a choice. Either stop the trigger foods or suffer.

Other things I've found that have helped are the FODMAP diet, although you want to go on it though the elimation stage because eliminating all FODMAPS may not be beneficial. Eating smaller meals helps. Not eating three hours before bedtime and lying down. Raising the head of the bed -- not pillows, but blocks under the bed post. And not wearing constricting clothing. I'm not overweight, but if you are, that is another big GERD trigger.

Again, from one GERD sufferer to another, you have to step up and eliminate those triggers. Or suffer.

Hopefully, once you eliminate all trigger foods, you can start to wean off the Rabeprozole. If nothing works ask to try Dexilant, however PPIs long term can have consequences.

Jim

[JonnoCanada in reply to mjames1]

Thanks Jim

Saw my Doctor yesterday, and he is referring me to get an Endoscopy (which I am all for) I have still gotten some attacks, but can always point it back to the food I ate. But he said the PPI's should have eliminated all the acid reflux (but I read online that up to 30% of people don't get full relief with PPI's.)

I slipped last night as I moved to a very bland diet and was told cottage cheese is good, but I bought creamy Cottage Cheese (didn't even think that was high fat) and man today wow, severe pain.

I am a little worried as he raised cancer as a possible factor (I've been through one cancer in my life already) That probably added anxiety to a factor in the severe attack I had today.

Thanks for the blunt advice, but also thanks because knowing others are going through what I am, is that there is a path to follow.

[mjames1 in reply to JonnoCanada]

Good luck with the endoscopy. You are right, your doctor wrong. PPI's do not always resolve all reflux. That's why they often prescribe double strength and/or switch to more potent PPIs, but if you know your food triggers, that may be all you need to do. He may be referring to Barret's esophagus with cancer risk. It's real, but the odds are extremely slim.

Jim

[JonnoCanada in reply to mjames1]

Thanks Jim, BTW I have some acid reflux every day it seems, mostly when I wake up. But I have also had a virus (my wife has too) so I have felt it more. Mostly it was mild, but every day