New Problem

[Googles]

I have been having a new problem. It's really hard to describe. I have had heart burn intermittently in the past, but the last week it has been almost constant. I have been taking tums which usually works in the past, but it just keeps coming back. I haven't changed anything I eat. Then yesterday and today it feels like food is trying to claw its way out of my chest. Like burp and it feels like food is trying to come out (not up). They've also been painful at the bottom of my diaphragm. My chest feels raw on the inside. I don't know how to better describe it. Any ideas?

[Lisa]

  On 1/10/2011 at 1:08 AM, Googles said:

I have been having a new problem. It's really hard to describe. I have had heart burn intermittently in the past, but the last week it has been almost constant. I have been taking tums which usually works in the past, but it just keeps coming back. I haven't changed anything I eat. Then yesterday and today it feels like food is trying to claw its way out of my chest. Like burp and it feels like food is trying to come out (not up). They've also been painful at the bottom of my diaphragm. My chest feels raw on the inside. I don't know how to better describe it. Any ideas?

I have a hiatal hernia and I experience similar symptoms, sporadically. Hope you are not taking Tums Smoothies, they are not gluten free (as my last check). Regular Tums are gluten-free to my current knowledge.

You could also have developed an ulcer, or an inflamed esophagus. Maybe time to see a doctor. Acid can do some damage too.

[jerseyangel]

  On 1/10/2011 at 2:07 AM, Lisa said:

I have a hiatal hernia and I experience similar symptoms, sporadically.

I do too, and for me there doesn't seem to be any set food or pattern that sets it off. I get the pressure, belching, and also coughing and hiccups (both at the same time ).

I don't take anything for it, as I find that otc antacids make it worse. Walking helps, as does drinking water, and elevating the head of the bed. I second Lisa's suggestion that you check with your doctor on this one so you know what you're dealing with.

[Lisa]

  On 1/10/2011 at 2:25 AM, jerseyangel said:

I do too, and for me there doesn't seem to be any set food or pattern that sets it off. I get the pressure, belching, and also coughing and hiccups (both at the same time ).

I don't take anything for it, as I find that otc antacids make it worse. Walking helps, as does drinking water, and elevating the head of the bed. I second Lisa's suggestion that you check with your doctor on this one so you know what you're dealing with.

Patti, I have noticed also that antacids don't seem to help much. Tums don't help much but I was told it's good calcium.

Regarding the hernia..when resting or beginning sleep, turning to the left or flat side helps. Right side at rest finds the discomfort.

[jerseyangel]

  On 1/10/2011 at 2:55 AM, Lisa said:

Regarding the hernia..when resting or beginning sleep, turning to the left or flat side helps. Right side at rest finds the discomfort.

Interesting--I'll try that. Thanks

[cassP]

if it's an acid reflux that's nonstop and you're not getting relief like before- it could very well be an ulcer. If it's convenient for you- you should think about seeing your doctor to see if you've got H.Pylori... And in the future- all of us with reoccuring reflux should get endos to check our esophagus.

I have crappy insurance and hate going on antibiotics- so last year when i thought i had an ulcer - i pounded ionized silver and grapefruit seed extract (*always follow instructions on bottle). These are natural antibiotics without the awful side effects. I also took pepto, tums, and occasional zantac. By the 3rd week i felt practically all better.

[cahill]

Dont tums/most over the counter antacids have soy in them??? Do you have issues with soy?

Do you have issues with your gallbladder ??

[Googles]

I have a doctor's appointment with student health services for tomorrow. I hate going to the doctor. I'm worried they are going to tell me they don't know what is wrong and to just go away. Ugh.

[GFinDC]

  On 1/10/2011 at 6:37 AM, cassP said:

if it's an acid reflux that's nonstop and you're not getting relief like before- it could very well be an ulcer. If it's convenient for you- you should think about seeing your doctor to see if you've got H.Pylori... And in the future- all of us with reoccuring reflux should get endos to check our esophagus.

I have crappy insurance and hate going on antibiotics- so last year when i thought i had an ulcer - i pounded ionized silver and grapefruit seed extract (*always follow instructions on bottle). These are natural antibiotics without the awful side effects. I also took pepto, tums, and occasional zantac. By the 3rd week i felt practically all better.

Garlic is supposed to be a good anti-bacterial too. I have been wondering what the GSE was for. Thanks for that.

[Salax]

I have the same. I higly recommend George's Aloe Vera juice twice a day. Once in the AM and once before bed. About 1/2 of a shot glass full. More than that can give you D. I have the herna as well, my doc started me on this for 3 weeks, symptoms gone, it heals the herna and the throat, etc.. When or if they start again, go back on the aloe. You should be able to find this in most health food stores or online. I hope you feel better.

[Googles]

So I went to the doctor today and they said I have GERD and should take antacids. So I will start doing that. They also said I should give up spicy food, and caffeine, and maybe tomatoes.Ugh. Within the last few months I just added tomatoes back in. I don't want to have to give them up again, but I guess I need to. I don't know how giving up caffeine is going to work. I might just cut back to start.

[GFinDC]

  On 1/11/2011 at 8:39 PM, Googles said:

So I went to the doctor today and they said I have GERD and should take antacids. So I will start doing that. They also said I should give up spicy food, and caffeine, and maybe tomatoes.Ugh. Within the last few months I just added tomatoes back in. I don't want to have to give them up again, but I guess I need to. I don't know how giving up caffeine is going to work. I might just cut back to start.

Maybe you can switch to decaf in the afternoons. And later decaf in the mornings.

[Wolicki]

I have had similar problems in the past, and it turned out to be hyporchlorydia- low stomach acid. The effects are similar to GERD. Problem is I was prescibed acid blockers for over 20 years, so now I have no stomach acid or enzymes. So I take Betaine HCL and enzymes and the problems were resolved.

[dilettantesteph]

I get GERD as a sign of glutening. It helped me to cut down on processed foods.

[Juliebove]

  On 1/11/2011 at 8:39 PM, Googles said:

So I went to the doctor today and they said I have GERD and should take antacids. So I will start doing that. They also said I should give up spicy food, and caffeine, and maybe tomatoes.Ugh. Within the last few months I just added tomatoes back in. I don't want to have to give them up again, but I guess I need to. I don't know how giving up caffeine is going to work. I might just cut back to start.

Everyone is different. I know people with GERD who also can not have onions and peppers. None of those things bother me. What does bother me is dark chocolate. The pain! Oh mama!

You should also invest in a GERD wedge pillow to sleep on. Or failing that, put some blocks under the head of your bed to raise it up a couple of inches.

[Googles]

Contrary to most people with GERD, for me it is not at all problematic when I lie down. It is actually better then. My doctor thinks it might be stress related, and so when I lie down, I usually am able to relax. So hopefully I wont have to adjust my sleeping position (I love sleeping on my stomach). I started the meds today. I hope that after being on them a couple of weeks it will all go away and then I can stop taking them. (wishful thinking probably, but I can hope.)