GERD / pillows / hunger questions.....

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 4:21 pm

A couple of years ago I was having what I thought was heart trouble. I ended up in the ER three times because of it. During the second time, they did some tests and my heart checked out fine -- although I have high blood pressure. The doctor put me on 2 prilosec a day -- one in the morning and one at night. I have tried to cut back and always end up having to go back to two. The last time I went to the ER they had me drink some lidocaine to stop the pain. I have been prescribed Reglan 4 times a day (have cut back to once a day due to side effects), Mylanta Extra Strength as needed, and just recently was told I could add Zantac on top of it. Next time I go to the doctor I am going to suggest running some tests to see exactly how bad my GERD and reflux is and see if we can't get it under control better.

On really bad nights I have a slant pillow I use as well.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 4:47 pm

Wow, Carol! There must be SOMETHING those docs can do for you! Isn't there a surgery to tighten up the Lower Esophogeal Sphincter?

Jen

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:35 pm

I have a feeling that is why I still don't feel 100% better. I feel ALOT better than I did prior to cpap but it hasn't been the total answer. At times I still get tired during the day -- I often do not nap now, but still feel fatigued at times. I really think I need to get the GERD/reflux under better control and adding medicine after medicine is not going to solve the whole problem as I have been taking 2 Prilosec a day for about 2 years. The Reglan was added last winter, the Mylanta was added in the spring, and the Zantac just recently. My deductible is met for this year so I figure now is the time to investigate what is going on as adding more meds is not going to fix it I don't think.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:52 pm

only problem is with less acid in the stomach you have a lower defense to fight off bacteria consumed from foods.

If you can swing it with the spouse, try putting some 4x4 blocks or bricks under the headboard end of the bed and elevate the whole bed, then you can still sleep on your side or stomach if wanted and retain the benefit of elevating your bed.

Russ0508 · Post by **Russ0508** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 3:22 pm

Hi SleepyCarol,

Your case sounds a lot like mine. I ahev been dealing with GERD's for 5or 6 years and it has gotten increasingly worse. I have tried every acid reducing medicine on the market. I take two Nexium's and two Zantac's a day and it does not control the GERD's. About two months ago I went to my GI doctor and he ordered a EGD and the scope showed that my esphogeal flap is open which makes the GERD's ten times worse. To make a long story short after three different tests they determined that the only course of action is two have reflux surgery. The surgery is called Nissen Fundoplication. They take the top of your stomach and wrap it around your esophagus. It creates the pressure needed to close the flap and cure the GERD's. At least that is the plan. I should be going in for the surgery next week. Basically you should have a EGD done, they will be able to help you alot better if they know what they are dealing with.

Rusty

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 6:50 pm

Rusty,

I have a doctors appointment on Friday. Today was really bad. Once when I went to the ER they gave me some liquid lidocaine to calm it down and believe me if I would have had some today I would have taken it!!

I am going to request that they run some tests to see what is going on --more meds is not the answer!!

Please keep me posted.

Thanks.

sleepycarol

Snooze_Blues · Post by **Snooze_Blues** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 12:25 am

I feel for y'all.

This last spring or early summer, I started having acid reflux at night. It was a new experience. I'd semi-regurgitate some acid, which would wake me up in a near panic, choking, and my throat would be on fire. I'd drink some water and hope for the best. Maybe take some bismuth. I then went back to sleep and was mostly better by morning.

A couple weeks into this and I bought some OTC meds, which helped, but it still happened fairly regular. I assumed I needed to stop eating so much, especially during the meal closest to bedtime, stop snacking, and lose some weight, which I'd been saying for 15 years. But that pain motivated me.

For me, the weight loss (~30lbs and counting), reducing my supper size, reducing my beer intake (lots of acid in beer and carbonated bevs), and reducing fried and fatty foods at supper, seems to have stopped it. I just hope it doesn't come back. If it does, I may try to talk the wife into elevating the bed.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 2:46 am

Some interesting articles:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/32944.php
Excerpt:
"All patients with sleep apnea should be evaluated for gastroesophageal reflux," said J. Barry O'Connor, M.D., of Duke University Medical Center, one of the investigators.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/13671.php
Excerpt:
Medical researchers have long suspected a relationship between gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), two medical conditions which can have a deleterious effect on a patient's quality of life. Now, a team of Canadian researchers has determined that there are significant relationships between laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), OSA, and upper airway sensory impairment.

http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/topics/GERD.cfm
Excerpt:
"What Is LPR?

During gastroesophageal reflux, the acidic stomach contents may reflux all the way up the esophagus, beyond the upper esophageal sphincter (a ring of muscle at the top of the esophagus), and into the back of the throat and possibly the back of the nasal airway. This is known as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), which can affect anyone.

Silent gastroesophageal reflux disease

Excerpt:
Silent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a very common phenomenon that involves the incidental finding of erosive esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, and the evolution of esophageal adenocarcinoma in asymptomatic patients. The reasons for having advanced GERD without clearly identifiable symptoms are poorly understood, primarily due to lack of recognition of this important phenomenon. The clinical implications of silent GERD are vast and should provide the impetus for further research into this group of patients. Recent studies have suggested that sleep disturbances and poor quality of sleep could be the needed clues to identify individuals with silent GERD.