For the past year I have had heartburn. Started gradually and got worse. I had an endoscopy and was told it was reflux esophagitis. I have been on PPIs ever since. I still get a flare up every month or so. The chest and throat pain is substantial, lasts a week, and is accompanied by a slight fever and burping. I am 160lb male 32 years old. I have changed my diet and keep a food diary and cant find a connection. I never get heartburn immediately after I eat something. I thought it might be fatty foods or alcohol but if I get a flare up after eating unhealthy, it is 2 days after eating the bad food. I had a chest X-ray and blood tests for low iron. Everything was normal. My doctor now wants to test for Malaria and HIV but I have had these tests. If I try to taper off the PPI, the pain comes back full force. I get random flare ups that leave me floored with pain for a week. What could it be?
Do you smoke
Do you smoke
Hi Daniel sorry to hear that. I have been through the same thing this last year, 4 rounds of bloods tests, endoscopy etc. I had to take 25 sick days during the 6 months that I was on a ppi, I got migranes, bed ridden fatigue etc. When I was fit for work I was still extremely fatigued to the point that I would have to walk slowly and take naps during work. I always felt a little ill during these times, although there was no acid, I still felt queezy and would burp a mouthfull of food back up about an hour after eating.
You should not take a PPI longer than 6 months according to my doctor. They took me off it and simultaneously put me on a general antibiotic, doxycycline. This was because I was sick throughout the 6 months and the symptoms were non specifc.
While I can not be 100% sure, I am almost sure that the symptoms were due to the PPI as I felt better within 3 days of not taking it before starting the course of doxy a week after that. That was 4 months ago.
I switched to taking gaviscon.. The only thing that helped ease the reflux.
I started seeing a chiropractor last week on thursday for a problem with my shoulder and he noticed there was vertebra out of place in the centre of my spine . After the first adjustment I had 24 hours of freedom from reflux. Assumed that this was a placebo effect when it came back on Saturday . Since my second adjustment on Monday I have not needed any meds, saw the chiro today also and feeling fine.
The theory behind the chiropractic is that a neurological message from your stomach travels up your spine to your brain, if some part of your spine is misaligned (it doesn't have to be sore-especially if you're 32) your brain can order your stomach to react needlessly
I can't garuntee this will work for you but I know the feeling of 'willing to try anything'
Any questions.. Let me know
Michael,
25 years old
From Dublin
Could it be h. pylori. I had an endoscopy and it came up negative, and then it came out positive on the 2nd endoscopy. I don't know if this bacteria can hide out or if I got it between endoscopies. If it is h.ylori--you can try mastic gum pills. Marshmallow root and dgl licorice is also very helpful.
No I dont smoke.
I was also told it was not H. Pylori from a biopsy from endoscopy. i might have to get another one though.
Hi Daniel,
just have a UBT (90% plus)...its the only procedure now being used in major studies...UBT = Urea Breath Test...they give you a drink...you blow into a sack....lab will analyze the Sac Contents....results .back is less than 4 days....(but some handling may differ..just know that its a fast turnaround for a lab) We have two major labs here in my area...and have experience with both chatting with the lab techs...claudio
stomach girl suggested a few things that may help...especially DGL....I'd suggest you consider your diet...it's WHAT YOU EAT...WHEN YOU EAT...AND HOW MUCH YOU EAT...All three are key...michaeln may not be out in left field...could be the same pathways as Ghrelin/Goat(at the moment don't remember if these pathways ran thru the spine but since the LES is supported by both smooth and skeletal muscle and stomach muscle is smooth..... vegas nerve and spinal afferent pathways.
Also for junks to reflux...the LES is most likely {impaired)...so don't stress it...consider it like the cap loosely fitted on a plastic water bottle
squeeze the bottle a tad...or a lot...consequence depends on how much liquid in the bottle. someone mentioned Gaviscon..Gaviscon A seems more beneficial..You've things to consider...DGL, 3 Diet Keys, chiro, physical positions, and Gaviscon A... ...claudio