Acid Reflux Question

Hey everyone.

Was hoping if anyone could answer my newbie question.

I was diagnosed 7 months ago with GERD + a stricture in my esophagus (had to dilate). Changed my diet to low fat foods and been eating healthy and dropped my weight from 180 to 170 lbs @ 6'0, since I heard that helps.

It has been slowly getting better but I get a weird sensation/feeling at my upper stomach/esophagus level that hasn't gone away, which is making is making me go nuts.

I went to the gasentrologist a month ago, and he told me I'm still healing and gave me nexium to try, (I tried prevacid and prilosec prior to this but those two were working slowly). I THINK nexium is working better compared to the two drugs. But I do not want to be dependent on the PPIs for too long=[

But can it take this long for the esophagus to heal? Since I read those articles/reports it takes only 8 to 12 weeks. Kind of paranoid that I may have something else.

Thanks!

Hi Alcie,

Thanks for the reply =).

He didn't mention that I had them. I did not do the barium swallow, but now you mention it..I think it is not fully closing. I do sleep in a recliner chair, and do feel some irritation in that area if i don't sit up right, but what I don't understand is that the irritation is gone when I wake up in the morning...but it comes back after a meal. Missed taking nexium by a few hours today (woke up late), and I did feel a little burning sensation around that area. It went away after I took it. I do not get heartburn or the serious symptoms that some people have with GERD. The irritation (or is this heart burn?) is the "worst" symptom I'm having right now, and I take DGL, which helps soothe it. Stopped eating well known foods that cause reflux. my diet consists of low fat fish (salmon), brown rice..potatoes,

I'm just paranoid that I need to take PPIs for a long time and what it could do to my body (afraid of losing a kidney haha). Also, doesn't help that I'm a type 2 diabetic..I take the lowest dosage of metformin ER, but I been maintaining my H1AC around 5.6 to 5.8%..due to the changed eating habit from my reflux. the ONLY upside to this.

My primary doctor doesn't want me on PPIs for too long, and he's surprised I'm still on it. He said he could send me to another gasentrologist (@ Stanford University, but dunno if that would even change a thing) for a 2nd opinion. My gastroenterologist thinks its normal if you take the regular dosage for awhile (i.e 1 nexium a day vs 2-3 x 40 mg),but advises against taking more.

I thought about the Linx surgery (maybe its overkill for what I want to get fixed), but I think i may wait a few more years to see additional data, and its not available in northern California yet.

I ranted enough..thanks for answering my q =P.

I hate reviving this old post..but I'm going nuts here. I did have a follow-up and did bring up a lot of questions with my gastroenterologist--whether my esophagus is closing or not, and he told me that wasn't an issue. I was put on BID 40mg Nexium for 6 weeks, and told to come back. if it doesn't feel better/heal..he plans to do something else..whatever that is.

It's been 14 days, and the increase in Nexium hasn't helped too much, except feeling more weirdness around my esophagus/chest area..like its being pushed on. Can I assume its working? I been paranoid it could be something worse..but I'm probably being too paranoid and making it worse, since they didn't find anything a year ago except the stricture. Also, I get dry/soreness around my throat due to the increase..maybe the stricture got worse..blah.

Am I jumping the gun too fast--should i give the Nexium more time..I can't even tell if its working or not lol.
And how long do you guys usually wait to get a 2nd opinion?..I'm about to give him my doc one more time--if he puts me on more meds.. I'll probably check out some one else at Stanford hospital.

Thanks,
This ranting (paranoid) fool=P

Thanks for the reply Bill.

I haven't had any of those tests, and will see what the GI will try to do; he seems willing to do something else if it doesn't work. Can a stricture cause discomfort also? I been having slight difficulties with food getting stuck in my throat..more with the dry foods. Also sort of my fault I'm in this predicament too..he asked me if I had difficult swallowing..but I didn't think of my slight/small difficulty as an issue..maybe I should have said something. I'll wait for one more week and contact him.

And I should mention the discomfort feels worse if I move my chest forward..so I'm guessing there might be something physically wrong there..

Thanks.

Post Edited (Chilifries) : 6/29/2013 11:35:30 PM (GMT-6)

Thanks. I think I may need to consider another GI after today.

My current GI did perform another endoscopy..and behold the stricture was back..no wonder I felt like poop=[. He said I could go back to the 40 mg nexium, but nothing else, except control my diet..and take my medication. bleh=[

Also, has anyone found that switching to 2x 20mg of nexium (different times of day) works better than taking 40 mg of nexium?

Hi chili, just saw this. I will ask him next we'd.
If you haven't seen him and you are still looking for a good GI I highly recommend dr. T.
Very smart and caring.