Had the non-invasive, newer form of the nissan fundo, tried most medications, all unsuccessful
Hello, my name is Devin, I am 22 years old,and I have been living with acid reflux and a hiatal hernia for over 3 years now. I have tried almost every medication you can think of, including prilosec, zantac, zegrid, aciphex, prevacid and protonics ; I have not tried nexium because it is not covered by my health insurance. I had a nissan fundo a little over 3 weeks ago and my reflux has already returned worse then ever. Before that, I had the newer, less invasive version of the nissan fundo which was also unsuccesful. I've tried to remain positive about the situation over the years, but as a full time college student dealing with bi-polar disorder and college life in general, this is really starting to wear me down. I often find myself frustrated and crying over my GERD and I don't know what to do at this point. I feel that all joy has been taken from my life now; I can no longer go out to the bars or parties with my friends on the weekends and often just stay at home instead in order to avoid situations with greasy foods and alcohol. It seems that no matter what I do this problem is not getting better. I am currently perscribed 30mg of prevacid solutab 3 times a day with 300 mg. of zantac at night; non of this relieves my symptoms at all. Please help :0(
Do not eat 5 hours before going to bed. Have you tried baking soda. A remedy from the old days. Google the recipe. There are some people who mix in a little apple vinegar. Be careful; if you had the nissan fundoplication the baking soda expands and cannot escape. The vinegar and baking soda recipe fizzes and removes the gas before u drink it. The next thing I would try is a major modification of your food intake.
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Hi Devin,
I have not had my own problems fixed with Acid Reflux, but I do know Nexium helps if you can live with the side effects. Maybe try a 20 mgs capsule instead of 40 mg, and it might be okay for you. I did not have insurance and went through the AstraVenca program for people without insurance and got a 90 days supply for no cost. Even though you have insurance, you might see if they'll help you since you're plan doesn't cover Nexium.
I know it's expensive, but it did work for me when nothing else would. Side effects for me are headache, a little nausea, some dizziness (lasts about an hour), stomach pain (rare, but painful), and diarreha (most common and most obnoxious). Hope you get a handle on your pain, I'm right there with you.
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Get the book "Natural Alternatives to Nexium, Maalox, Tagament, Prilosec, and other Acid Blockers" by Martie Whittekin, CCN -- Amazon, Bamm, Barnes and Nobles, etc.
She recommends the probiotic Dr. Ohhira's Probiotics 12 Plus. It cured my acid reflux. I took Prevacid and Prilosec for over eight years. I am no longer taking these drugs and can not remember when I have felt this good. I am 55 years old.
Martie also has a internet radio show, www.RadioMartie.com, so check her out. If you like what you hear and the remedy works for you, spread the word. There are so many people who need this information. Look at the archives for popular shows.
I hope this helps.
Debra
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Drake.204
Monday, September 21, 2009 at 04:04 PM
DebraE
Monday, September 21, 2009 at 04:45 PM
I would say give the Dr. Ohirra's probiotic a try. You have everything to gain and a lot of pain to lose. It surely can't hurt. I was in the hospital for 4 days thinking that I was having a heart attack -- turns out it was esophageal spasms. That's when I decided to get off of the acid reducers. It took about two weeks for my body to readjust from taking the medications.
I did have one really bad week while my body was readjusting to coming off the drugs, but OMG it was sooooo worth it! I took zantac and maalox until I no longer needed them. I had been taking Prevacid and Prilosec for over eight years.
The Dr. Ohirra's will actually heal your gut. Go and look up information about it. I think you might be surprised and nothing is like having your health back.
Best to you,
Debra
Ellen
Thursday, October 01, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Hi Debra,
Your story is very encouraging to me. I'm wondering, do you have hiatal hernia? I have a small one (unless it's gotten bigger), and I've been on Prilosec for about 10 years. I have had problems with it since I started, including muscle spasms and muscle pain, not just abdominal, and I'm now trying to get off. (I have rheumatoid arthritis and take enough other meds, and don't need more muscle problems on top of this!)
I have added acidophilus, and at the suggestion of another RA patient, I'm now taking it twice, and that has helped. I'm taking the omeprazole every 2-3 days, but still have a bad day or so afterward. (It is TOO strong, my stomach seems to stop working... and a couple times lately I've had gray or charcoal colored stool, not good.) But I'm not sure if I can stop it entirely, due to the hiatal hernia. I'll look up the Dr. Ohirra product...)
I'm also really annoyed at my GI doctor. I see him every 6 months but missed the last one due to scheduled surgery, that I ended up cancelling. SO now I won't see him until December. I called and asked if I could switch to 10 mg/day instead of 20. The office person said she didn't think there was a 10 mg dose. But then I checked with the pharmacy, and there is. (Should have done the phone calls in reverse!) I even took apart a capsule and tried dividing it but it didn't seem to be enough. Kind of frustrating!
DebraE
Thursday, October 01, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Hi Ellen,
I am so sorry that you are having so many problems. Martie's information saved my life. I am able to eat again and digest my food. And, I am having normal bowel movements again.
The week before I found Martie's info, I was in the hospital complaining of chest pains and a very low heart rate (resting down to 42 bpm). Did the stress test with the nuclear medicine and an echocardiagram. Glad they did not find anything wrong with my heart, but they sent me home 4 days later and told me it was probably menopause.
Unbelievable!!
Anyway, after many hours on the internet looking for my symptoms, I came across Martie's info on how to get off of acid reducers. Then I found many people who had the same symptoms that I had. Once things started calming down for me after taking Dr. O's probiotics, I had a spasm happen in my chest. Again scouring the internet, I finally discovered that I was having esophogeal spasms. They give the same symptoms as a heart attack. You would think the doctors would have thought of that.
I have been taking Dr. O's probiotics for almost 30 days, and I no longer am having spasms. I am exercising more efficiently. My blood pressure is going down and I am not having acid reflux. I haven't felt this good in a long time. My son says I should ask the hospital for a refund :)
Now your question about a hiatal hernia. I go to a chiropractor about once or twice a month. I told him my story and asked him about a hiatal hernia. There is actually an adjustment that they can do to push it back down. He did do that adjustment for me.
I have been going to chiropractors for over 14 years, because at one time I had some back problems and the medical doctors wanted to do surgery. I never had the surgery and I have no restrictions in what I can do physically. I will say though that the best chiropractor to go to is one that is activator trained. There is no cracking and the adjustments last much longer. You can find one near you by going to www.activator.com Look for one that is "advanced proficient".
Be sure to look at martie's website at www.RadioMartie.com
Best to you,
Debra
Ellen
Thursday, October 01, 2009 at 01:06 PM
Thanks for all the info - (I don't 'look' as bad as all that sounds, but sometimes I feel it!) Will follow up and write more when I have time.
Thanks for all the suggestions. My doctor says that I no longer have acid reflux and he can not figure out what is causing all of the pain and damage. I've been through 4 of Ohio State University's doctors and now I'm being referred to the Cleavland Clinic.