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I have been struggling with severe acid reflux for the past 3 years. It began with severe stomach pain, but I did not have the traditional burning sensation one associates with GERD. I went to the E.R., and they treated me for acid reflux after testing to ensure I was not in a life/death situation. I took a PPI once a day for many months, felt better, and then decided to discontinue the medication. The GERD is back now, and I now also experience excruciating chest pain, which sometimes radiates into my jaw and side of the face. I have been to the E.R. twice, and have had an endoscopy once which, thankfully, came back clean. Last night, I experienced 5 hours of excruciating chest pain and decided to "tough it out". I cannot continue to go to the E.R., as it's not the answer! Just called my G.I. to help me get back on track. I am at work today, with only 3 hours of very uncomfortable sleep. My stomach is burning with residual pain from the night. The anxiety over the situation does not make this any better. Final note... hang in there, people!!! There are others that know the hell you are going through. I pray for each and every one of you. – Name withheld by requestMay 1, 2009
Up until about 5 years ago I had experienced periodic (but not frequent) heartburn and was occasionally aware of acid reflux. I used to treat myself with up to 6 or 8 Tums a day. A stress test revealed no problems but an endoscopic examination revealed erosions of the esophagus. My surgeon prescribed a PPI every day, which I have done faithfully. Shortly after starting this treatment all of my GERD symptoms disappeared and I reduced my intake of Tums to one or two tablets a week. After 5 years on this program I recently had a follow-up endoscopy which revealed that I still had some esophageal erosions, although somewhat less than at the time of the first exam. The surgeon described it as a grade one (the lowest of 4 grades, I believe). Nevertheless, he has instructed me to double up on the PPI at least until he schedules a repeat endoscopy in 6 months (and I strongly suspect he will then recommend my staying on that regimen for life.) He claims that many my age (77) are on this dosage of a proton pump inhibitor for the long term without ill effect, and he says my complete lack of symptoms is due to the fact that my reflux does not reach high enough for me to be aware of it. Still, I am very apprehensive about this high dosage every day, although after a week on this increased dosage I have experienced only slight, intermittent stomach pain but more frequent nighttime bloating and gas. I have read that this high dosage, at my age, can make one more susceptible to fractures (blocks absorption of calcium?) and I am an active skier. –Name withheld by requestFebruary 8, 2009
During last summer, I was diagnosed with GERD. I had to go to the doctor's at least 9 times before they found out what it was. So, waiting so much without the proper medication, I also got Barrett’s esophagus. I'm 14, and I think that this is something I should not have to go through or worry about. I mean I’m not saying I’m the only one, but sometimes it worries me, like I wonder if it's gonna hurt me somehow, and not a lot of people understand what it is. They say "oh ya, GERD is just heartburn, no big deal" but to me, it is. – Name withheld by requestNovember 14, 2008
I was diagnosed with GERD many moons ago. My primary symptom is a persistent dry cough to relieve a tickle in my throat, often to the point of light-headedness, and occasionally to the point of bronchial spasms. The coughing frequently throws me into a temporary asthmatic state. Sleeping with head raised and proton pump inhibitors help, but not completely. When I get a cold, watch out, because the coughing then get frequent and it triggered by almost anything, including swallowing saliva "crooked." Anything that I eat must be smooth since any roughage triggers the cough. There's got to be a better way! But what? – FredAugust 7, 2007
