gerd bracelet?

[chunkyfrog]

Just ran across this; interesting. Anybody heard more?
http://www.medgadget.com/?s=gerd+bracelet

[Pugsy]

Hmmm. Interesting.
I am sure no one around here where I live would be doing the trials but I met check it out just in case.
I am not doing so great with my GERD stuff and I am getting pretty tired of it. On the back burner has been some thoughts of surgery discussion with the doc. Maybe I will move it to the front burner one of these days.
I am getting real close to the point I would let them cut on me. and that's saying a whole lot.

[chunkyfrog]

At least this looks to be totally reversible.

[SleepingUgly]

I am not doing so great with my GERD stuff and I am getting pretty tired of it. On the back burner has been some thoughts of surgery discussion with the doc. Maybe I will move it to the front burner one of these days.

You see a gastroenterologist for your GERD? Are you on medication?

[LSAT]

Hmmm. Interesting.
I am sure no one around here where I live would be doing the trials but I met check it out just in case.
I am not doing so great with my GERD stuff and I am getting pretty tired of it. On the back burner has been some thoughts of surgery discussion with the doc. Maybe I will move it to the front burner one of these days.
I am getting real close to the point I would let them cut on me. and that's saying a whole lot.

The Linx has been around for a while...It is minimally invasive. The plus is that it can be reversed if a problem arises. 10 years ago I had the nissen fundoplication....also minimally invasive, but hard to reverse. I have not taken any meds since my surgery...(Except for Tums now and then). I am extremely happy that I had the procedure.
http://www.toraxmedical.com/linx/

[jencat824]

Cool concept! I have GERD, but don't have most of the symptoms. I do have the damage visable when I have an EGD & my previous family Dr said she could see it in my throat. I have a lot of throat scratchiness, but in general don't have the heartburn. Would I do this to keep from taking 2 pills a day - HELL YEAH! I take so many pills that I'd love to have the disorder fixed rather than just 'treated'. I'll keep an eye out in my area for any clinical trials. I live just across the river from a teaching hospital (University of Louisville) so lots of clinical trials are available here. Will post if I see any in the area or hear of anyone having the procedure.

Oh yeah, the Louisville Cards just won the NCAA National Championship - I just had to brag a bit, I know this statement is OT, but I'll probably won't get a chance to say that for a long time, their last championship title was 27 yrs ago.

Jen

[Pugsy]

You see a gastroenterologist for your GERD? Are you on medication?

Yep to both questions.
Right now trying Dexilant but having some really nasty side effects that make it really difficult to have a life outside the bathroom.
It's a known side effect but I didn't know just how bad it is. Diarrhea.
Think colonoscopy prep diarrhea without any warning at all. No ability to control it at all.
It worked really great the first month and I thought I was home free but it has been downhill ever since. Right now trying to work out if maybe a pill every 3rd day would keep the GERD at bay and let the esophagus heal and not have me having huge accidents on the way to the bathroom ever 15 minutes. It's bad. I thought I had a bad stomach bug but we figured out it was the meds after about a month.

I also have a little hiatal hernia which doesn't help things.
Some days when I swallow water if feels like acid when it hits the LES area. Burns like hell.

The usual stuff that we try for GERD...I have tried them all and just no help. OTC meds, diet, bed elevation, etc. No real relief.
I have even had food get stuck down there. That's pretty scary. No signs of cancer but it hurts so bad sometimes I think it is a heart attack. I know what it is but that doesn't make it hurt any less and I actually have a fairly high pain threshold.

You all know me....I don't go in for the least little thing. I don't like doctors. For me to even think about having any procedure done....it means I am getting pretty desperate. I was so hoping that effective cpap therapy would relieve those issues but I wasn't so lucky.

Dexilant held great promise...first month last December it was awesome good.
Towards the middle of January the diarrhea started and it took about a month to figure out what was going on.
So now we are playing with the dose to see if we can find a compromise.

Right now I am just tired of it and want it fixed. The gastro doc said when I was ready to be cut on a little just let him know...I am getting real close. When the water started burning I knew I was in trouble.

[BlackSpinner]

It must be fun going through the scanners at the airport with this.

[SleepingUgly]

Pugsy, that sounds like a nightmare!!! So glad that you've figured out what was causing it. Now, to figure out a solution to the GERD...

[Pugsy]

Pugsy, that sounds like a nightmare!!! So glad that you've figured out what was causing it. Now, to figure out a solution to the GERD...

Yeah, I was really upset with the colon thing till I figure out the cause. I was thinking some sort of bowel disease or something really bad.
Now to figure out what else we can do about the GERD.
You know what's funny...I can eat my homemade chilli all day long and it not cause any huge problems and I make it spicy but a little can of Campbell's Tomato soup made with water just kills me within about 20 minutes.

Maybe I can find a good compromise with the Dexilant.
On the up side...I sure don't have to worry about my pain meds causing constipation.

[chunkyfrog]

The canned soup may contain an allergen.
Maybe even something deceptively labeled, so it's hard to pin it down.

[Janknitz]

Severe GERD gone! No wheat, low carb. It works.

Worth looking into treatment for small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) too.

I highly recommend this book: Fast Tract Digestion: Heartburn by Normal Robillard.

Diet is ALWAYS worth a try before surgery.

[jencat824]

My goodness Pugsy, you are going thru a kind of hell! Sounds like your gerd is very severe, hope the books suggested help. I have a friend with Celiac disease that started with gerd, I'd try the no wheat, low carb that Janknitz suggested. Sounds extreme, but if it works, you may suggest to dr to look for celiac disease, it is manageable by eliminating all wheat and gluten containing foods from the diet. Pretty much what Janknitz said, except for the gluten. Places like Whole Foods carry lots of gluten free options & cooking at home, as opposed to eating out is pretty much a way of life for Celiac patients. When eating out, you can ask for their gluten free menu & there are usually good choices at most resturants. Hopefully its not Celiac, but the elimination of wheat & most of the carbs will help heal your esophagus, stomach & intestines.

You will be in my prayers,
Jen

[SleepingUgly]

I'd try the no wheat, low carb that Janknitz suggested. Sounds extreme, but if it works, you may suggest to dr to look for celiac disease

The problem with that approach is that if you eliminate gluten from your diet, you will invalidate any tests done for Celiac Disease. You have to be eating gluten at the time of the tests (or at least not be off for much time at all).

It sounds like Pugsy has identified the source of her diarrhea--the Dexilant. Glad there's a simple solution to that!

[Pugsy]

Thanks guys.
I won't plan to go under the knife anytime soon. I promise. I was having a bad day when I mentioned that idea.
Things have been rather calm yesterday and today. Been under a bit of added stress and that sure doesn't help the situation.
I will be discussing several items and ideas with the doctor at the next visit.
I don't want to give up my bread yet...so that idea is on hold.
My chosen "diet" is not helping things I know, but hell, I have had to give up a lot of other stuff I enjoyed doing do to the back/pelvis stuff...I am just not too keen on giving up more stuff that I like just yet.
I am not the greatest patient in the world. I don't practice what I preach. I know better but you know how it is....