Rib issues and unexplainable GERD

Hi everyone,

I’m writing this in hopes someone can help as I’m at my wits end.

In 2019 I was put on Dexilant after developing “acid reflux” seemingly overnight.

I’m 39 years old, not overweight, don’t drink/smoke/have coffee. I don’t eat trigger foods and eat several hours before bed.

In May of this year, my dexilant stopped working. Ive had brief periods of this in the past but never anything like this. All day everyday I experience burning in the back of my throat, get certain foods “stuck” in my throat. It doesn’t matter what I eat or don’t eat. I’ve done low fodmap and everything.

At the same time, I’ve had very painful rib issues. At the bottom of my sternum, it feels hard and painful. Almost like it’s poking my insides. I had a CT Scan of my Sternum and they said nothing unusual aside from a congenital “bony prominence.” I also feel fluttering and pressure/pain under my ribs - primarily my right side. Everything feels super inflamed.

I’ve had 3x endoscopies and a colonoscopy. I don’t have ulcers or h pylori.

My GERD has never made “sense” given I don’t have diet or lifestyle factors that should contribute and I can’t understand why PPI’s don’t work. And then this rib pain has thrown me completely. Around the same time this happened I remember an occasion where I felt some popping or movement under my right rib.

Could it be slipping rib syndrome causing inflammation? Could Dexilant be making my GERD symptoms worse if I don’t actually have low acid? I’ve never had a PH test done but my doctor has ordered it.

If anyone has any ideas what this could be or guidance on what could help I would be so grateful. I’m a mom of two young kids and so worried.

Thank you.

As you probably know already that GERDS (acid reflux is usually not caused by high acidity but low acidity) I have in the past been using Famotidine as it is the only reflux medical remedy that works for me, all the other supplements gives me a pain in my "heart" area, which is very scary. I have been taking Raw Ginger for years every night (usually wake up in middle of night with "rapid breathing" that prevent good sleep) I developed Barretts syndrome years ago (12?) and for a 1/1/2 took Famotidine 150 mg twice daily and it stopped the Barretts from getting any worse and avoiding all the foods/drinks that triggered reflux. I believe I also had SIBO during this period and I suggest if you are unfamiliar with it, to look it up and read about it. I was tested for all sorts of things but no results (very hard to diagnose). After I was told my Barretts was "gone" I stopped taking Famotidine and it took me 3 months to wean off of them, and I have read many articles about how bad these drugs are for your health and only make things worse in the long run, I only take them now as a last resort if I get a bad reflux. I buy the large pieces of Ginger as they are from Asia and not quite as strong as the smaller ones. Then I peel and freeze them and take them out when needed and shred them on a small shredder (Dollar Tree?) where I shred what looks (in frozen state) like about 2 Tbsp. and then just lick it up, which is easier done that way with "minimal" discomfort to the sometimes potent flavor. The effect will show after about 15-20 min.? Everyone is different so you might be OK with less or more just need to experiment. Look up Dr. Mandell, DR. Eric Berg and others on youtube who might give good suggestions, the one I got the Ginger info. from I can't remember his name. There are so many good info. out there if you look for it, the important part is to ask the right question in the search field, I use DuckDuckGo.com and get better results than Google on everything. Also check out (Diluted) Oregano Oil and read about it, a good place is always the reviews on Amazon! I hope you will find some relief soon as it is very frustrating not knowing what is going on and having unexplained pains. I suggest you research anti inflammatory supplements as you might find some info. there that might help. I take Nutra Champs digestive enzymes w/Probiotic/prebiotic before eating certain foods (or before meals) and they help a lot (Amazon) I rarely ever have acid reflux these days after using this and the Ginger!