I have been tested for Celiac and came up negative. I have had stomach problems my whole life....the biggest of them is acid reflux. I get it the worst when I drink juice, coffee, or eat anything like a bagel or toast for breakfast. When I do this I can feel the acid comes up into my mouth and sometimes I have to spit it up. It is very uncomfortable....these days I live on tums. I've been to the doctor a million times...been tested for a bunch of stuff. A doctor at Rush University in Chicago told me my stomach problems where due to depression. I have gone gluten-free, but I still had acid. I get it when I eat fruit too. I'm tired all the time, never seem to lose any weight, though I live a pretty active lifestyle. My cheeks are always red. I should mention I also have really bad allergies. I live with kleenex at my side bc I'm always sneezing....and I'm plagued by constant post-nasal drip. I do take claratin or zertec which helps most of the time. These days I don't have health insurance and I'm afraid I sound like a hypochondriac.... For the last month and a half though I have been quite ill with the flu...then I got a ear infection which I was put on antibiotics for. For a week during the antibiotics I has a terrible pain in my middle back on the left side so bad that it hurt to move at all. I also got a yeast infection that I took monistat for that eventually cleared. But my ears and throat still hurt and I finished the whole bottle of antibiotics. so if you're still reading and don't think I'm a nut-job, I would love some advice! Thanks
Q: My acid reflux causes me pain and irritaion everyday!!!!!!
Hello Chris,
I am so sorry you are having daily symptoms without relief. It is challenging without insurance because often it takes multiple trips to the doctor or specialist to get a diagnosis and treatment in place. Here are some strategies to consider:
A post nasal drip or cough can trigger reflux. Food allergies and intolerances may trigger reflux symptoms too. A change of diet or a strict elimination diet may help you see a relationship between the foods you eat and symptoms. An elimination diet takes a great deal of effort and you may need to be on it for 2 or more weeks before you know which foods are causing symptoms.
Show the pharmacist all of your medications (over the counter and prescription) to look for interactions and GI side effects. Some of the medications used to treat depression can cause digestive issues.
Elevate your head and upper body when sleeping. This might help your post nasal drip as well as the reflux.
Certainly it is best to get to a allergist and a gastroenterologist but I realize this might not be realistic without insurance.
Jan
As for the acid reflau, have you tried Nexium? It's costly so w/o insurance, I'm not sure if it would be an option, but I think it's the best stuff on the market.
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