Wife with GERD story,Wife with a GERD story wrote:My husband had NO symptoms of reflux. He ended up in ICU after his airway closed down due to esophageal spasm caused by stomach acid. Stidor Effect. He was taking Fosomax, Prednison and Aleve (rare and horrible autoimmune disease he was battling. He had no burping, no acid taste in his mouth, no heartburn. Nothing.
At one point he was on Prevacid and Prescription strength Pepsid both, two times a day. Currently, he takes nothing and has beaten the acid reflux.
Saltine crackers are a God send. They calm the stomach and absorb the fluids. We keep them on the bedside table.
Hard candies: they stimulate saliva which is a natural antacid. He carries them still in his pocket. NO PEPPERMINT!! It actually relaxes the gastric muscles which can allow the acid to migrate north. NOT what you want. Stay away from mint flavor of all types. Including toothpaste.
Small meals, low acid foods.
No laying down for 2 hours after meals, not even reclining too far.
Water, water, water. Beeee the water.
Good luck to others.
Thanks for your post. I think I probably have undiagnosed GERD, too. How did they diagnose the esophageal spasm in the ICU?
I went to the ER in September feeling like I might be having a heart attack because of chest pressure after being awakened by it at 1:30AM. After numerous cardiac tests, they kept me in ICU for a day and released me without any diagnosis but orders for more cardiac tests.
A couple of days later, I realized that I was having asthma symptoms and that was probably what had awakened me. Pulmonary doc concluded the same saying that time of night indicates classic asthma symptoms.
He put me on a preventative inhaler.
Tree pollen is pretty high in my area now and I feel more pressure again. Need to call me doc tomorrow. But this thread has me really considering untreated GERD.
How do I determine this? With OSA, previous cardiac scares, anxiety disorder, and depression my primary doc almost has me pegged as a hypocondriac. Would my pulmonary doc (who is also my sleep doc) be up on this area?
Thanks in advance for any advice.