Need an answer on heartburn

[robin]

Asking for some experience here. I am literally dying of heartburn...Taking Nexium and still adding about 6-8 extra-strength Tums a day. I've stopped spicy foods, friend foods and it hurts all through my upper abdomen into my back and throat. Any suggestions here? Been told I have GERD but nothing is helping and I really don't want to tell my Hepatologist (scard he will want to scope me and after the TIPS revision...I don't want to do it without being sedated welll). I mentioned having it done here in Hot Springs where I live and I've had numerous scopes but he wants to see what is going on before. Last one after the EGD and colonoscopy...I did the camera swallow which showed all sorts of weird growths that they couldn't ID but did biopsy. I've tried not eating...doing crackers and oatmeal, elimination of caffeine and cold drinks, small frequent meals and I'm to the point where it makes me nauseated because of the pain and burning. I am open to any ideas of suggestions...this is miserable. Sorry for taking so much time but I'm at wit's end (which isn't that far to go for me). Thanks and keep your spirits high...robin

[Helen]

Robin,
 I suffer with heartburn terribly if I dont take my Prilosec and somtimes I start feeling like I
have something stuck in my throat and then I will take Nexium for a month and it clears up.
Its very rare that I get heartburn as long as I take my meds. I would suggest trying a higher dose OR trying another med. as you well know what works well for one person dosent always for another.
 A few years ago I tried getting off of daily medication for heartburn and practically starved to death, totally changed my diet and ate only foods they recommended to see if it would work but it didnt, for people who only have heartburn a couple days a week that might work but it didnt work for me at all, after about a week I just couldnt take it anymore and got back on.
If I were you I would just tell the Dr. it dosent seem to be working as well as it used to and you'd like to try something different. If you dont want to get scoped yet just dont tell how bad it is until you've tried another med. to see if it helps first.
 Good luck to you Robin, I know how awful heartburn can be,  I hope you find a remedy soon.

 Take care, Helen

[robin]

Thanks Helen...I've been on Prevacid, acifix, protonix and nexium and still have irratation when they to an EGD...lately it is such a bother and nothing seems to work any more. Guess I'll have to find a place to put it in my box of annoyances I have no control over, other than learning to live with them. Keep your spirits high...robin 

[willy]

Have you guys checked on forums similar to this one but with a gerd/ acid reflux type focus?  I would think that there are many who suffer from the same thing.  You'd think that there are like forums.  I also think;

1)  Other sufferers might be able to help you as much as doctors with information

2)  That diet changes may help.  (also portion size, frequency, timing, food allergies, etc)

3)  That there may be trial and error in determining a "cure" or factor that improves one's QOL (quality of Life; dang, another abreviation  )

4)  Since HCV is a digestive disease that others here also suffer from the problems you have and would be interested in your solutions.  Even if you end up not having a solution others may end up benefitting from your post about it.  Sometimes it's just good to know you are not alone.  Also.....is this just a condition or a extrahepatic (and HCV related) condition.

Best,
willy

[Helen]

Yes, there are boards for gerd Willy, when I was first dx. I used to visit them but dont anymore due to the fact the the meds help I guess. Ive tried a whole slew of different things in the past trying not to have to take meds on a daily basis but for me none of it worked. 

 Robin, I have also found that sometimes going back on another med used previously worked, I dont know if we just build up a tolerance sometimes or what but sometimes the change works.
Ive used Prevacid before but after about a year had to go back to prilosec. You may want to just give the otc prilosec a try for a few days and see what happens.

 Helen

[linda]

i always had heartburn...then my doc started me on zelnorm for gastroparesis.  i can even drink oj now.....no more heartburn.   ~~linda~~

[hanklive39]

Hi Linda, Helen, Willy and last but surely not least, Hi Robin!!!

Linda, are you drinking the "Low Acid" type of OJ available from Minute Maid or Tropicana?
It really does'nt taste as bad as some people say, once you get used to it!

I agree with your suggestions Helen FWIW!

Have you started your study regimen yet Willy?

Hi Robin, I used to feel the same and, I remember the agony of waiting for something to work for me!!! Ask your Doctor to evaluate your acid production level... I forgot the name of the test but, I know they have one for that because I've had many issues with  high acid levels even after adjusting my diet, and are you on any muscle relaxers at all???

The reason why I ask is because, if your stomach or any other part of you digestive tract is spasming then you may need to be put on them in order to stop the acid from rising up to the top where your esophagus is located...

They had to put me on muscle relaxers for quite some time, and every now and then I still get reoccurrances of spasming but, I know what to do in dealing with it so, I would tell the Doctor to see about getting the esophagus in better shape by finding out first why your acid level is causing your esophagus to be too sore for being scoped before he scopes you, and if he does'nt think otherwise then, refuse him from scoping you unless you're properly medicated!!!

Ultimately this is something that you're going to have to put up with at least until after you transplant but, it can reoccurr afterwards, just not as intense!!!

I do hope that you and your Doctor can find some relief because, that condition is a really bad one... I Guess I'll have to add that to my prayers for you tonight before I "hit the rack"!!!

Respectfully,
Hanklive39 Lives for Today and Tomorrow!!!

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[robin]

Thanks for the replies but I'm thinking that maybe Hank hit a home run...it's just the liver complaining because I'm also doing a lot of dry heaving associated with the heartburn. Medicare is a real horses butt on approving zofran for the nausea (only want to pay for $10 with a co-pay of $60) and I take a couple a day. Doctor put me back on protonix and I'm still eating my TUMS. I thought the second stent would take care of that and it did for a few weeks. I've tried muscle relaxers but that really aggravates the nausea and I try NOT to take any meds unless they are necessary for "life". Just real tired of this quality issue...not finding a lot of it...cancelled Thanksgiving and my daughter is being a worry-wort...which doesn't help. Been on a hep-ban lately...figure if I ignore it...maybe it will go away...and I'm Dorothy and met the Wizard of Oz. Come on ToTo...let's go to the storm shelter...keep your spirits high...robin

[hanklive39]

Hi Robin!

Look - do'nt take me the wrong way but, are you going to let this "Dragon" defeat you this easily???
I did'nt think so!!! Do I have to go over to Arkansas and personally wake you up out of your depression which will overwhelm you if you let it, just as I have experienced personally???
Just kidding friend!!! But seriously Robin!!! You have one of the most precious gifts that anyone could possibly have!!! Your family!!!

Please DO NOT shut them out of your life just because you do'nt want them to see you suffer!!! Sometimes you need every once in awhile to "Act as if" and pretend as best you can that you're going to be alright in front of your family because within the family, depression can be contagious... I know this for a fact because it happened within my own family!!!

Now I know that you've pretty much have had it with everyone else giving you advice, and having to put up in general with all the things wrong with our country's health insurance system, and just about everything else that's wrong with big government but Robin, YOU MUST HANG IN THERE FRIEND!!! Even if it's"by the skin of your teeth" , you cannot let this dragon cleverly and in such  a cunning, decieving manner - defeat you!!!

Do'nt give up friend!!! Reschedule your Thanksgiving dinner with your family because if you do'nt, you might unintentionally participate in your own family's suffering by isolating yourself from them.
You also might regret not participating in the tradition of "Thanksgiving" with your family afterwards and that is a very painful experience to go through!!! I know because, I've already experienced it and I still regret it to this day!!!

Now, I understand that in your own life these days, there's not much to be thankful for but please just think of you daughter, try to concentrate on all of the joy she's given you by being such an important part of her life.. I know that if you get out of yourself so to speak, you'll feel better by enjoying the experience of being in the company of your family and close friends.

So keep your spirits high because, there's this woman that I known for almost a year who's always counselling people that need it but for the life of me, she's having a hard time of keeping her own spirits high... Hmmm, I do'nt suppose you've crossed paths so to speak with this same, dear person of which I'm proud to say that I consider her a GENUINE FRIEND???

Look around!!! she should be pretty easy to find and I hope you do!!!

Hey Robin? "Keep your SPIRIT HIGH". Even though it seems like life just keeps getting worse and worse on a daily basis...Try to remember this  - THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!!
So do'nt give up before the start of the party - Okay??? I LOVE YOU UNCONDITIONALLY FRIEND!

Respectfully,
Hanklive39 Lives for TODAY and TOMORROW!!!

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[robin]

Gee Hank...what a sweet post      for your thoughtfulness. I don't think I would want to do that pH reading because it nearly kills me everytime I've had a tube dropped down my nose. I also don't feel depressed...just not in the mood to deal with a bunch of people...have to clean the house, cook for 2-3 days and then have a mess when they leave.

I've got this mental game going on so humor me...I no longer have hepatitis and my liver is healing without any medical intervention (except for my lactulose). If I maintain control over my life then I can order this virus out of my body.

Any time you decide you want to come to Arkansas...I welcome you with open arms but you have to stay up all night with me and keep me company. LOL.

I'm really fine...I've just been on a hepatitis ban for a couple of weeks...no depression but I really don't like this cold wet weather. Keep your spirits high...robin

[Rainbow]

Robin:

Calcium carbonate antacids  (TUMS) will initially quell acid buildup, but because they contain calcium, this antacid will soon cause an INCREASE in stomach acid.  Since you've been taking them throughout the day, you keep increasing the acid. 

If you drink milk....contrary to popular belief, milk is not a recommended antidote to heartburn. A glass of milk does provide immediate relief as it goes down, but milk contains calcium and protein, and these eventually stimulate even more acid production.  This can cause a more severe heartburn that can return in as little as a half an hour.

In some cases, antacids and certain drugs do not mix. (Aspirin, steroids,  iron supplements, digoxin, quinidine, Valium, and others ) can adversely mix with acids in the stomach, causing problems that are more serious than heartburn.   Talk to your doctor.

[robin]

Thanks for your response...I ended up getting scoped and my TIPS is still doing well after my second revision in September and all the EGD showed was mild esophogeal varieces and "watermelon" belly. I've quit the antiacids and don't do milk...I'm vegan. It's better now but sometimes I still have that old hurts mid-epigastric that goes through to my back. I deal with it...there are those that have a lot worse problems than heartburn so I'll stop whining. Keep your spirits high...robin

[missy]

hi robin -
i'm taking protonix and zofran, i think it works well as a combo - i haven't thrown up or had "dry heaves" in about 2 weeks.  wishing you well,
w.c. missy

[pixie]

Ok .....How do you take your riba`s..?......With water ..?.....Try this tip it works for lots of people..Px

 The tablets are best taken with food, ideally fatty food, as it improves their absorbtion by up to 60% and reduces stomach upsets. It is best to take them in the middle of a meal, not before or after. Recent studies have shown that there is a strong correlation between ribavirin levels in the blood and success rates, so make the effort to take them with fatty food where possible. The tablets tend to kill off gut bacteria which can lead to diarrhea. This can be countered by the occasional spoonful of 'live' natural yoghurt. or pro-biotic drinks....Px

[debugz]

Hey Robin have you been tested for H-pylori??  I had that and was treated...not fun...but short 2 weeks.  Just a thought can raise havoc with the stomach ie GERD.

 Hope you are well.

Diana