Severe Attacks and upcoming Endoscopy

[JonnoCanada]

I have taken Nexium for a few years to control bouts of Acid Reflux.

About 2 months ago, I started getting severe attacks, which felt like a heart attack. (I had my heart checked last year, and all was good) so I knew it or believed it was Acid Reflux. I started to change my diet and found relief, but not enough. The doctor prescribed me Rabeprazole 20mg, which I take once a day and when bad, 2. I also started to shift more into a good diet but had slip-ups along the way, and I was met with another severe attack. Stress also causes severe attacks.

The better I got with the diet and journal knowing what to eliminate I got better, way better, but always have morning Acid reflux, from mild to severe (if I ate something wrong).

For the past week, I have seen clear indications I am better when I am strict with diet and lifestyle, but I had a stool issue I wanted to discuss (yellow) so I went to see my Doctor. Plus I also had what felt like a stomach virus (never felt anything like AR) And discuss that too.

He wants me to have an Endoscopy (which I am all for) but he said the fact my Acid Reflux wasn't gone totally was concerning as it should be, also he raised cancer that we need to check for.

I am a cancer survivor, so I understand and I wonder too, but what bothered me was his claim that PPIs should end all Acid Reflux within 2 weeks. I know by Google search that many experts say up to 30% of people who take PPIs don't get relief.

Another point, I started taking supplements 2 weeks ago, Probiotics and a digestive enzyme (I've had my gallbladder removed) but I looked at the side effects of the enzymes including what I was feeling for this stomach virus. I am stopping taking them, has anyone else had issues with enzymes?

Last thing, last night I was adding cottage cheese into my diet, but I accidentally got "Creamy" Cottage cheese (High Fat) and within an hour felt the acid rising. This morning had a severe attack, which I am thinking is also related to the stress from the doctor's visit.

Would love to hear from anyone who has walked this path before or still is.

[Jumpey]

I completely empathise. PPI's don't work for me either.I'm being assessed for fundlopication surgery. This may be an option for uou.Good luck.

[JonnoCanada in reply to Jumpey]

cool, but do you get chest pains very severe? I do whenever I try to exercise

[Jumpey in reply to JonnoCanada]

No I don't.

[Pollyander in reply to Jumpey]

Hi I started with my hernia 17 years ago had to retire from my job. I got a terrible cough that just would not go. Sent to specialist said it was due to acid reflux.put on steroids which did help with the cough. The reflux carried on over the years. I think I have every medication there is. My first surgery fundlopication was 10 years ago sadly it did not work. Over the next couple of years and 2 more fundlopication ops none successful. 10cm hiatus hernia.now on omeprazol famotidine plus gavascon domperidone. At almost 79 no more ops if it can't be fixed 3times not trying again. My surgeon said. "WISE LADY. " So good luck to all you suffering people hope you get sorted it's not a pleasant condition to have. Regards sandy. What I did find taking your meds with food helps.

[Jumpey in reply to Pollyander]

I'm so sorry the surgery didn't help.

[Opelcorsa]

I'm years on nexium 40mg sometimes twice a day but my reflux has never gone away. Alcohol is lethal for reflux as is acidic fruits, chocolate etc. A strict diet is the only answer

[JonnoCanada in reply to Opelcorsa]

thanks, but do you get severe chest pain when you move like a brisk walk?

[Opelcorsa]

No, that sounds like an inflamed hiatius hernia