How Many of Us Have GERD?

higgy · Post by **higgy** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 12:41 pm

Mine went the other way, no I do not know that I had GERD, but I did have a lot of acid stomach problems for the last 8 years, used to wake up most nights and eat tums, which did help.

Since the second day of cpap I have not had any problems, and I am eating foods that I used avoid like the plague before, such as cooked tomatoes, pizza, BBQ and other foods that I knew would give me fits.

I am not disappointed.

xmit1996 · Post by **xmit1996** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 1:32 pm

I too have GERD and Hiatial Hernia and found out some new information from the Dr. Seems that there is some evidence that GERD is affecting sinus and could be the reason that I have chronic sinusitius. Go Figure.

Patrick A · Post by **Patrick A** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 4:35 pm

[quote="higgy"]Mine went the other way, no I do not know that I had GERD, but I did have a lot of acid stomach problems for the last 8 years, used to wake up most nights and eat tums, which did help.

Since the second day of cpap I have not had any problems, and I am eating foods that I used avoid like the plague before, such as cooked tomatoes, pizza, BBQ and other foods that I knew would give me fits.

I am not disappointed.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 8:12 pm

I too have GERD. Silent GERd. Once when discussing my various allergy/sinus symptoms I mentioned an irritating lump of snot in the base of my throat that I am always swallowing down, clearing my throat against. He said that is almost always silent GERD. I kinda ignored it because I rarely have heartburn and really, in the grand scheme of things, it didn't seem important.

Until I got my apnea diagnosis. Chicken or egg? I don't know. But I'm taking prilosec otc now every day and the mucous in my throat is about 80% less after two weeks of it.

I'm sure it has to be helping me sleep better if the inflammation is coming down.

Also interesting. For the last year my gp has been stumped by high sed rate and white cells over 3-4 blood tests. I bet my sed rate is lower now that I'm on prilosec. I'm guessing it was inflammation in my throat causing the high reading. I'll be curious to see what it is next time I go for a check up. I never mentioned the silent gerd because it never seemed relevent. Now it does!

Jen

Catnapper · Post by **Catnapper** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 5:28 am

Just like socknitster, I had silent GERD. I argued with the doctor that I never had heartburn or reflux but she sent me to the ENT for a check of what she called silent GERD. That ENT stuck a scope in my nose and looked down my throat so he could see the irritation in the throat. Sure enough, it was badly inflamed. Don't you hate it when they are right?

Since I had and have no symptoms I have no idea how it is now. I can't take the Nexium or other like medicines for various reasons. I will just have to have it checked again with that odd feeling scope in the nose exam. I now have dry sinuses from the good air circulation in my nose these days, so no more sinus drainage. That probably helps to keep some of the irritation down.

It is interesting how so many things can affect sleep.

OREO · Post by **OREO** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:34 am

Here are a couple of things that worked for my husband. Our holistic MD (DO) told us about them.

Bitter orange called "heartburn free" from Enzymatic Therapy. Noticed immediate results. You take one box then only as needed. Worked great. My husband now will take it periodically as needed.

Dr. suggested a brick under each foot at the head of the bed so the acid doesn't back up..a gravity thing. We never needed to try that.

A hiatal hernia can usually be adjusted by a chiropractor or DO (MD) that knows how to do. My husband had his adjusted (or shoved back into place by our DO about 2 years ago and has not had further problems.

Pretty common knowledge but if you have an ulcer caused by H Pylori bacteria get rid of the H-Pylori and the ulcer clears up. You might find that
gum problems clear up also. We did.

Our Dr. told us that untreated OSA plays havoc the immune system, of course due to the lack of oxygen, which in turn allows for a very ripe environment for virus & bacteria, like H Pylori, Epstein Barr, etc. to take hold.

These are just a few things that worked for us..and we are still in the struggling stages with CPAP and so many things but have hope.
Thanks all,
Julie

Lee Lee · Post by **Lee Lee** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 4:10 pm

You aren't weird at all. I've heard for some people , the CPAP eliminates the GERD, and tha'ts what I was counting on.
It IS somewhat better, but still there. On nights when I have a lot of reflux, my numbers are alot worse.
I'm so glad it helped you!

jennmary · Post by **jennmary** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 4:18 pm

GERD here as well. Had the mucus thing going on....Tums a few times a night. Started sleeping sitting up about 3 nights a week. I have had stomach problems since I was a kid. Started when I was under a year old. Dr told my mom I had a refux problem (not sure it was in those words). Funny thing is that I have had apnea symptoms since childhood as well. At this point the GERD is still giving me problems...though not as bad as before CPAP. I rarely sleep sitting up anymore, although I did go on a new med for the GERD a few weeks back (cant think of what it is. lol). Still eat tums at night a few times a week.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 6:32 pm

If you're really lucky, you can throw asthma into the mix...it reacts to refulx as the airways are also irritated by the acid. I don't suppose I'll ever know if any one of them caused the other but I can say that the GERD is better on CPAP, and the asthma is no worse. I am always short of breath and being tested all over to see what that's about as I have chronic asthma but few attacks. I did smoke for 42 years but managed to miss emphysema...although the COPD from asthma is no fun. I have an adjustable bed and can't say enough good things about it for the asthma, GERD and OSA. Small frequent meals also help so the stomach is not too full, and try to cut out late evening snacking.

jennmary · Post by **jennmary** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 7:18 pm

haha....I am that lucky also! Asthma, OSA, GERD, and a few other things I will leave unlisted. Never smoked or anything....just got lucky I guess.

Lee Lee · Post by **Lee Lee** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 7:05 am

I also have GERD induced asthma, which I keep under control with Protonix,carafate and Pepid complete. The asthma is better with CPAP.
I am amazed at how many Apnea suffers also have these reflux issues. I just KNOW there's a huge link to this and that someday,someone will figure it out.
I wish I had gone into medical research. Hindsight.

roster · Post by **roster** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 3:20 pm

[quote="Lee Lee"]........
I wish I had gone into medical research. Hindsight.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 7:45 pm

Funny, Rooster, but almost every Respitory Therapist I have talked to has osa. Seems like if you are actually in the field you are more likely to be diagnosed.

I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up, ummm, I mean when my kids grow up. I have a bacherlors in biology but want to do something different than what I've done before so may start over.

When they to school, I will prob go back. The idea of being a sleep tech is appealling because I feel the urge to help others with the same problem. But I think having a sleep disorder precludes me from staying up all night looking for other people's sleep disorders!

But I have so many interests I'm sure I'll fill the next few years with all kinds of research into different fields before I settle on one.

Jen

Lee Lee · Post by **Lee Lee** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 8:04 pm

Jen,
Please go back....don't end up like me, a 53 year old empty nester wondering why I never did all the things I wanted to do!
Life is SO short.
Lee Ann

jennmary · Post by **jennmary** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 9:40 pm

Jen....I too am waiting until my daughter goes to school so that I can go back. I am not yet sure what I want to study....just that I want to do something different.

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