I think I may have it...going to the doctor next week.

What symptoms did/do you have?

Any gastroenterologists out there that might wanna "talk" about GERD?

Section 423, The Zone.....Where vocal cords go to die!

"Thirty years ago kids talked about their duties and responsibilities ... today they talk about their rights and privileges."

http://www.aboutgerd.org/

Thank you....I've already been to many GERD sites. I kinda wanted to get an idea from a 'real person', maybe have some questions answered.....

There's also a bulletin board devoted to GERD at http://www.ibsgroup.org/cgi-local/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi.

I've heard of ELCS, but never GERD.

Take a 14 day course of prilosec and see what happens.

...being a farmer I don't keep very good hours, grabbing a bite to eat either on the run or sometimes late at night, so, occasional indigestion seemed to be just part of the job description....

Progessed to the point of having to take antacids every other night...became a little concerned, but hey, we guys don't go to the doctor for anything....

Straw that broke the camels back was not being able to swallow sometimes during eating....the acid reflux had created enough scar tissue in the esophagus that at times food would not be able to pass through...

Had 2 separate dilation procedures summer 2002 to enlarge the passageway and perform biopsies...fortunately the biopsies came back okay, since this scarring can become cancerous...have been on Nexium since...tried to switch to a less expensive med, but symptoms starting reappearing....

Doctor told me this would be a temporary fix, for the scarring would most likely to continue...sure enough, late night indigestion is back, some restriction in swallowing, even on the purple pill....

So...it'll be another "roto rooter" job in the near future for me...

....sorry to be so long and graphic...good luck, Dough...

have you tried sucralfate?

I think I probably have it. I have all the symptoms they tell us about. I usually get it three or four nights a week when I lay down on my side to go to sleep at night.

I got it, along with a hiatal hernia. I have a great gastro, if you are in Houston. Until you get into the dr, take 2 Zantac tablets. Two of them is about the same as taking a Prilosec or Prevacid. It is certainly not a fun ailment to deal with, Good Luck.

I can't function without my daily Prilosec. I have also taken Nexium, Prevacid, Zantac, etc... for the past 2 years. I feel like Elaine on Seinfeld, the one where the Dr. writes on her chart that she is difficult and won't help her, when I go to the doctor about it because they act like I am lying or something. I guess I will take it for the rest of my life!

I suffer. Nexium in the AM, prescription Zantac at night. Had an endoscopy in June. That was NO fun. Fortunately, no real problems in the espohagus yet.

Biggest thing I can tell you is this... do not eat less than 4 hours before bed. I know they say three, but I sometimes have problems if I eat in the 3-4 hour window.

I have no prob with "spicy" foods as long as I eat early.

Eating early is the hardest for me, with my travel and officiating. Sometimes don't get to eat till 9PM, so I have to stay up past 1AM anyway.

Alcoholics go to Meetings, Drunks go to Bars.

A hiatal hernia? Isn't that what you get from drinking GALLONS of hard liquor...

You guys that have had the endoscopy done.....is it just kind of a one time deal to make sure everything is okay or is it going to be sort of like a colonoscopy in that one needs to be done every few years?

Fearnoweevil...I've had similar symptoms, thought not quite as bad. OCCASSIONALLY I have trouble swallowing, but it's few and far between..I think maybe I just don't chew my food enough sometimes.

Anyway, the esophogus damamge is my biggest concern. What did your doctors tell you about damage and healing, etc.?

THANKS!!

Dave... no. There are other things that can cause a hiatal hernia.

Dough... it depends on what they find. My gastro suggested every 5 years or so. My last scope was clean.

Here's the deal... the acid can wear on the lining of the esophagus, causing a change in the tissue. This is known as Barrett's Esophagus. Barrett's is considered pre-cancerous. People with Barrett's are 30 times more likely to contract esopageal cancer. Smokers with Barrett's are 90 times more likely.

How long have you had the problem? If it has been a while, I would recommend an endoscopy.

Best of luck.

Alcoholics go to Meetings, Drunks go to Bars.

wadd,
thanks....I've had it off and on for awhile...but lately it seems to have worsened, thus my concern.
So do you have Barretts? If you are diagnosed with Barretts, I guess they can monitor you more frequently and catch the cancer early if you get it? Did they talk to you about the treatability of esophogeal cancer, especially if caught early?

I know I'm sounding like a hypochondriac here, but cancer is one thing that scares the hell outta me.

do you have to stay away from acidic foods?

I get bad reflux when i eat cucumbers for some reason.

I've had it since high school. I used to throw up every morning (not alcohol incduced, before y'all even start) for about 8 years. I've had 2 endoscopies done and something where they fed me a radioactive sanwich and then sat me in front of this machine and watched my food digest. Basically, I take 2 Nexium every night before bed but since I am stubborn and refuse to change my diet I am always in pain. My doctor has suggest surgery but I haven't decided what to do yet.

Nope, Hiatal hernia for me is from stress.

Although one time in high school, I drank too much vodka and puked up blood. THAT was not fun.

Upper GI is not too bad. They knock you out, you wake up, it's done.

No on the Barrett's. Just a hiatal hernia causing the reflux. Being managed medicianlly.



Alcoholics go to Meetings, Drunks go to Bars.

Las t Endo I had was great. They put something in my IV that made the Monet painting start moving and the next thing I know I'm waking up and then once I was fully awake, went to Outback and had a huge meal. Was cake.

Just had an UGI endo in January. Doc said for my age I had way too much scar tissue, esophagitis (inflamation), and Hiatal Hernia.

My understanding is that HH is where the hole in your diaphragm that your esophagus goes through is too relaxed(stretched) and the top portion of your stomach comes through it into your chest. There are varying levels and it is very common.

I'm on Nexium(healing effects), all the others are not as good IMO.

I've basically stopped drinking(not that I drank that much before) for a while. Doc said to stay away from fatty foods, caffeine, chocolate, peppermint. Basically anything with lots of sugar or lots of acid. With the help of Nexium, I had a doughnut and orange juice for the first time in years.

I can thank my father for passing these joys in genetics to me.

UGI Endo gave me some crazy amnesia drug, I was functioning but didn't remember much of it.
good luck!

Any of you guys with GERD ever have occasional trouble swallowing (even just a little?)
Vic99,
after he told you about the scarring and inflammation, did he mention anything about potential cancer?

Of all of the symptoms I've read about it seems like I'm a sure candidate for GERD, but the swallowing stuff keeps leading me back to esophageal cancer.....I'm probably overreacting (nothing new) but I'm going to the doc just to be safe.

[This message has been edited by Dough (edited 2/5/2004 1:04p).]

yes, there was mention of future cancerous possibilities. That is why I am making an effort to fix it now.

yes, I have had trouble swallowing certain foods. I rarely start to eat unless there is something to drink in hand.

Aren't you in Austin Dough? I think we both know trip98. I had my endo done in Austin, great place: Austin Endoscopy Center.

vic,
yup you're thinking of the right guy, except I'm ashamed to say I can't place you.

Did they tell you that with prevention you can fix the scarring, etc. or are you "doomed" to cancer at say 60?

Thanks for the tip on the endo center!!!

don't feel bad, I'm not sure who you are either, I just know we both know trip.

Outlook is good, since I am catching it early (26). I'm going back for checkup after 3 months of Nexium. I believe the Austin Endo center does all endos in Central Texas, so if you have one, that's where it will be.