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Suggest Treatment For Acid Refulx
Question: Hi, I am 28 years old and have been suffering from acid reflux for a while. I have acid reflux all day long every day, even when I swallow water I can feel it come RIGHT back up my esophagus. I get nausea with it sometimes, and a raw throat in the mornings and even a raspy voice in the morning. I eat and feel full quickly even though I know I am not full. I have tried Omeprazole Daily and Nexium daily with no luck. I continue to get reflux even after drinking water. Please what can I do to help this situation? I cannot see a GI Doctor until January 6th. I AM overweight and I carry almost all my weight in my abdomen , (I am 5'3 and weigh 150) I am trying to lose fat as we speak , but could this be the only issue? I have raised the head of the bed a couple inches off the floor too... for a while now . I do not have any abdominal pain/ cramping / change in stools whatsoever, I do have a diagnosis of lupus but it is extremely well controlled and I have dysautonomia (POTS syndrome) . Please give me advice , what can I do? my throat feels raw all the time and I don't even feel like drinking when the water comes RIGHT back up :( I had an EGD done two years ago for a separate issue and it showed Gastritis but nothing else.
Brief Answer:
may need treatment combination
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Reflux can vary in severity from mild to severe.
In some persons, the presence of the bacteria, H pylori , may be contributing to the symptoms. This is detectable by blood tests and your doctor may consider this when you are seen in January.
If this bacteria is present then a course of 2 antibiotics combined with a PPI (eg omeprazole, nexium) would be needed.
As you mentioned, weight does play a part in reflux, it causes compression of the stomach and the contents then go back into to the esophagus.
Your weight loss would help reduce this compression and should help with symptoms.
In addition you may want to consider the other lifestyle changes for reflux, though you may have used some or all previously.
They include: (1) using small frequent meals instead of large meals
(2)avoiding alcohol, chocolate, citrus juice/fruit, tomato based products, peppermint, coffee, onion
(3)wait 3 hours after eating before lying down
IN some persons it can take a few weeks for medication to have the maximum effect.
You may want to consider the use of one of the PPI combined with one of the antiacids to see if this would help you till your assessment.
There are different PPI available including: prilosec (omeprazole), nexium , prevacid, protonix, aciphex.
If the omeprazole and nexium did not work for you when used consistently then you may want to try one of these.
The anti acids would be zantac or pepcid.
Combining weight loss, meds and other lifestyle measures should help to relieve your symptoms.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
may need treatment combination
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Reflux can vary in severity from mild to severe.
In some persons, the presence of the bacteria, H pylori , may be contributing to the symptoms. This is detectable by blood tests and your doctor may consider this when you are seen in January.
If this bacteria is present then a course of 2 antibiotics combined with a PPI (eg omeprazole, nexium) would be needed.
As you mentioned, weight does play a part in reflux, it causes compression of the stomach and the contents then go back into to the esophagus.
Your weight loss would help reduce this compression and should help with symptoms.
In addition you may want to consider the other lifestyle changes for reflux, though you may have used some or all previously.
They include: (1) using small frequent meals instead of large meals
(2)avoiding alcohol, chocolate, citrus juice/fruit, tomato based products, peppermint, coffee, onion
(3)wait 3 hours after eating before lying down
IN some persons it can take a few weeks for medication to have the maximum effect.
You may want to consider the use of one of the PPI combined with one of the antiacids to see if this would help you till your assessment.
There are different PPI available including: prilosec (omeprazole), nexium , prevacid, protonix, aciphex.
If the omeprazole and nexium did not work for you when used consistently then you may want to try one of these.
The anti acids would be zantac or pepcid.
Combining weight loss, meds and other lifestyle measures should help to relieve your symptoms.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Would it be best to go ahead and start taking an anti acid? Should I take that before bed?
And would these me drugs I have to stay on for the rest of my life ?? I really don't want to ? Maybe once my stomach/esophagus heals I can be off? and when I lost the weight and such? ? ?
last question , do you think GI doctor will do another EGD (I am hoping not) I hope that is last resort.
And would these me drugs I have to stay on for the rest of my life ?? I really don't want to ? Maybe once my stomach/esophagus heals I can be off? and when I lost the weight and such? ? ?
last question , do you think GI doctor will do another EGD (I am hoping not) I hope that is last resort.
Brief Answer:
repeat may be needed
Detailed Answer:
HI
The antiacids can be taken 1 to 2 hours after eating or whatever time your symptoms tend to occur after you are eaten
In terms of the long term, it would depend on the success of the lifestyle changes (weight loss and other changes) and the result of your medical assessment (eg if related to h pylori and treatment is successful then may no longer need meds)
A repeat EGD may be needed since the other one was 2 yrs ago
Please feel free to ask anything else
repeat may be needed
Detailed Answer:
HI
The antiacids can be taken 1 to 2 hours after eating or whatever time your symptoms tend to occur after you are eaten
In terms of the long term, it would depend on the success of the lifestyle changes (weight loss and other changes) and the result of your medical assessment (eg if related to h pylori and treatment is successful then may no longer need meds)
A repeat EGD may be needed since the other one was 2 yrs ago
Please feel free to ask anything else
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
last question :) how long does it take for something like esophagitis to heal ? if I perhaps have that. (throat feels raw, inflamed, and sometimes with the bad gerd hard to swallow, that is my last question , you have been so helpful
Brief Answer:
can take a few weeks
Detailed Answer:
HI
You can ask any question if anything is not clear, that is no problem
The esophagus can take weeks , in some cases months to heal if reflux is ongoing.
In most cases, it can take at least 2 weeks for healing to occur.
can take a few weeks
Detailed Answer:
HI
You can ask any question if anything is not clear, that is no problem
The esophagus can take weeks , in some cases months to heal if reflux is ongoing.
In most cases, it can take at least 2 weeks for healing to occur.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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