Are there any other treatment options for my AR?

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MountainReader

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Hi all. It has been a while since I posted a new thread on this board. After years of keeping my reflux in check, everything just stopped working a couple years ago and I ended up having a Nissen Fundoplication 16 months ago. My symptoms were gone from the moment I woke after surgery. Despite the "success" of the surgery, my GI doc had me maintain on Kapidex 60mg, sleeping on an incline and maintaining my lifestyle and diet changes. I've been pretty faithful to this lifestyle for years now.

For the last couple months I've battled a dry chronic cough. You know the kind that is typically caused by allergies, asthma, PND, acid reflux or Pertussis. I've been on immunotherapy for several years and my allergies are under control enough that I've gone off of 2/4 allergy meRAB. I don't have any PND at this time. I did have an asthma flare due to air pollution, but I've been on 3 rounRAB of steroiRAB and a couple rounRAB of antibiotics. Right now, my lungs sound completely clear and my doc doesn't think the asthma is causing the cough anymore.

Basically, I've eliminated every cause for the cough except the acid reflux. Due to that, I've started worrying that my acid reflux has returned. Prior to surgery, my reflux symptom was a chronic cough and life-threatening breathing problems. It really scares me that it may be back. I'm taking the only PPI of the group that has had any effect for me. Believe me, I've tried them all for extended perioRAB of time trying. I still follow the lifestyle changes and diet changes that are recommended. I still sleep on an incline. Things like the licorice, ACV, etc, didn't work. I'm not sure what, if any other treatment options are available to me. If this is truly returned reflux, I worry that I'll hit that life-threatening breathing issue that I had pre-surgery. In my case, the acid irritates the lungs to the extent I had breathing emergencies.

Any suggestions out there on what else I may be able to try? I asked my GI doc when I had the surgery what would happen if it stopped working and he said we'd take that if it comes, but he said we had tried everything at the time. I'm waiting for an appointment with him and with my Pulmonologist. I'm assuming I'll end up having another Barium swallow and possibly another pH test. If it is reflux, I just don't know what options will be out there that I haven't tried. I'm totally worn out from all this chronic coughing already.

Thanks for listining to me rant. I've really hit a frustration level with this right now. Any suggestions will be welcome.
 
I thought my Nissen had failed too; the violent
coughing, thick mucous production and asthma
out of control. Then I noticed it was seasonal;
as long as the allergies were under control so
was the reflux. Have a CT scan done of your sinuses.
Mine revealed lots of infection and mucous in the
cavities. After sinus surgery things greatly improved.
I'm now having sinus issues again (along with cough
and mucous production, hoarseness , asthma). ENT
doc prescribed Gentamicin nasal saline wash 3xday.
Things have already improved.
(PS. My primary care doc thought the Nissen had slipped
too.....I don't think so at this time)
 
I feel like I can't breathe, taking Nexium and that has its side effects, so I tried a family merabers Protonix, throat burns, feel bloated constantly and feel short of breath. It is scary. I tried not taking the medicine the last 2 days, really bad rabroad right now. Trying the DGL, tastes pretty bad and not really helping. I should just not eat anymore I guess. I have a B12 deficiency, my eyeliRAB are all brown, my nails are brittle and break, tired and have tingling in my feet and hanRAB.Taking sublingual B12, get a shot each month and take potassium as well. While the meRAB help with the acid, nothing seems to help with the sore throat and the feeling of chest tightness and breathing.
 
My internist, upon the GERD diagnosis, put me on a generic Reglan. This
was to hasten the small and large intestine contents thru the bowel. It also
tightens the sphincter at the top of the stomach. It worked very well for me.
I stopped the Rx for Reglan when I saw some of the possible complications
( involuntary movement of extremities). However, I would not hesitate to
return to the medication if my Reflux issues escalate.
For some of the readers of this forum, this might be a goRABend.
 
The answer to GERD is not in surgeries or in antaciRAB. You can leave those behind and live without acid reflux the rest of your life - no ifs and no buts! "EAT YOUR DINNER 6
HOURS before you go to bed! " I have been all through, and raised by bed at pillow side up 6 inches that I was sliding off bed during my sleep. But after retiring, I am home all day, and I didn't have to eat dinner after coming home from work at 6:30pm. I started eating dinner at 4pm, and I go to bed at 10pm. By that time, everything has passed through my stomach, and there is nothing to reflux! No cough; no sore throat; no spitting endlessly from irritated esophagus and throat, nothing!!!!!! I even leveled my bed now! Also I don't drink anything after 6pm, or very little. What about reflux during the day? Smaller meals, and avoid salty fooRAB that force you to top your stomach with water. On this subject, common sense beats the medical sciences - hanRAB down!
 
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