Where to go from here? New member

[Holly83]

Hi everyone

Firstly, this is my first post and I'm so glad I came across this forum as I never knew such a thing existed.

Anyway. I'm posting here as Ive had severe heartburn for the past 10 months now. If I'm honest I didn't even know what it was at first, having never suffered from it before. First trip to my GP and he gave me Omeprazole which didn't work, followed by Nexium, which also had no affect. Then he put me onto Ranitidine, which he admitted probably wouldn't do much, and he was right. I stopped taking it in the end as I think it was making my symptoms worse. I am now basically living on Remegal, which does relieve the symptoms, albeit temporarily.

Ive recently had an endoscopy which came back clear, but I am waiting for the biopsy results. My GP had suggested my symptoms were caused by an ulcer and I was convinced the endoscopy would show this. I'm so fed up of feeling like this every day and I'm not sure I can carry on like this anymore

My symptoms are:

• Heartburn, which seems to be worse when hungry. Eating often relieves this but it then returns around an hour after eating. If I am unable to eat quickly enough, I often feel as though I'm going to pass out. (I have learnt now to carry small, easy to eat pieces of food with me everywhere I go to try and avoid such a situation).
• Constant burning sensation in the back of my throat
• Hiccups, frequent bouts during the day
• Frequent belching
• Nausea, particularly after waking and after eating
• Feeling hungry all the time, and never feeling full after eating
• Tiredness - despite having a good sleeping routine
• This is a weird one - palpitations, regularly feel like my heart is skipping a beat, accompanied by a sharp shortness of breath

I've kept a food diary in the past to see if anything in particular is making my symptoms worse, but I have been unable to establish any link. Apples and vinegar seem to give me a short burst of temporary release though.

Is there anything else I can try to ease my symptoms?
I know lots of people are going through this, but are there many success stories? I cannot imagine living like this for the rest of my life
I don't think the biopsy samples which were taken will show anything either so I'm really not sure where to go from here.

By the way, just wanted to add - not overweight, do not drink, never smoked. Am also in the UK, and 26 years of age

 

[rosebloom]

Hi Holly:

I am so sorry you are having such a tough time at twenty six! I started to develop heartburn at fifty two as I entered menopause. I never had stomach problems when I was younger.

Your doctor is likely looking for H-Pylori which is a especial type of bacteria that causes ulcers and heartburn. If you have H-Pylori, you will likely be treated with a corabination of antibiotics and Pepto-Bismol and your symptoms may go away. That is good news!

Often heartburn is caused by a weakened Lower Esophageal Sphincter or LES which is the valve that opens and closes, and keeps acid from refluxing back into the esophagus after you eat. We don't know what happens to the LES, other than it works well for some but not others.

If you read through these forums, different people have tried different remedies. I am currently trying Apple Cider Vinegar diluted in water three times a day. I have also taken Ratinidine (Zantac) and Aciphex. I went off the Aciphex due to side effects (calcium malabsorption leading to osteopenia). I don't know if you can get a hold of DGL and aloe vera juice. Both are soothing to an irritated esophagus. Others swear by calcium/magnesium supplements, probiotics and digestive enzymes. I am currently trying them all in my efforts to stay off PPI and be able to live with these symptoms without damaging my esophagus.

Keep reading and informing yourself as much as you can so you can have intelligent discussions with your physicians.

Hope you find relief and answers soon and please keep us posted.

Rose