Night Time GERD

Refluxer · Post by **Refluxer** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 8:05 am

An interesting article about "silent night time acid reflux" and how it can relate to apnea:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 080008.htm

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 8:54 am

Very interesting, Refluxer. Thanks for posting the link.

It's been only recently that I realized people could have significant acid reflux problems completely unbeknownst to them because they were not having any heartburn symptoms at all. "Silent" acid reflux, in other words.

An important quote at the end of the article:

"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.

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 9:24 am

I used to suffer nocturnal GERD (acid reflux) 3-4 times a week in a good week. In a bad week it was every night.

The last time I had any nocturnal acid reflux was the night before I began CPAP treatment, almost 3 months ago! .

Just "curing" that alone is worth all the hassle of masks and hoses and humidifiers and leaks and ...

BP · Post by BP » Tue Nov 01, 2005 9:55 am

Same here, although mine wasn't as severe, it was getting worse and worse, along with daytime indigestion as well. With cpap therapy the gerd is gone, and the indigestion is fading away.

-BP

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:01 pm

accidental double post

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:02 pm

Same here. Mine was problematic but just prior to starting cpap my doc got me to try PARIET & these have eliminated the symptoms & effects 100% - I take one tiny pill each morning.

I find if I miss 1 day, it seems ok but after 2 days I can feel the symptoms returning. This is now 4 months of taking them.

Links on PARIET

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100002017.html HOW DOES IT WORK

http://home.intekom.com/pharm/janssen/pariet.html TECH INFO

Cheers

DSM

tomjax · Post by **tomjax** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:18 pm

It is about time the GI community recognized the connection of gerd and apnea.
A brief reading of the article seems to imply that the writer thinks the apnea is the result of gerd rather than the result of apnea.
This chicken-egg conundrum may need more thinking by them.
I have always thought of gerd being caused by apnea, not the other way around.

I have also contacted many GI sites and centers with the stories of reflux being dramatically "cured" when a person is put on cpap. They totally ignored me, but now they seem to see the light.
I mentioned this to my wife's GI doc and he just scratched his head and said it was interesting. Same for my PCP.
Glad this is finally getting out.

The only time I had a reaction was when I went to the ER with chest pains that resulted in a stent. The doc mentioned it could be reflux and I told him I did not have it any more since being on PAP, he thought it was interesting and when I explained the reaction of those on the apnea forum, he was more intrigued.
We got a lot of educating the docs left though.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:34 pm

I have always thought of gerd being caused by apnea, not the other way around.

I agree that negative esophageal pressures likely draw fluid up and out of the stomach for some patients. I also suspect GERD can cause specific types of apneas in some folks: airway swelling and/or according to some theorists vocal chord spasms.

How many ways are there to skin a cat? How many ways are there to block the airway? I believe for some GERD causes apnea while for others apnea causes GERD. A reinforcing or viscious cycle, perhaps, with at least two points of entry?

OldSeaRock · Post by **OldSeaRock** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 7:42 pm

PROTONIX!

My internist, when initially told of my symptoms (fatigue, sore throat in the am, etc..) gave me samples of Protonix and scheduled a sleep study.

I take the Protonix first thing in the morning.. I've not had acid reflux in three months. Amazing!

And Protonix isn't all that expensive.

Please, ask your MD for samples of Protonix. It completely eliminated my GERD/Reflux.

Morpheus · Post by **Morpheus** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 8:10 pm

There are a few people - and I'm one - for whom CPAP at relatively high pressure (14) caused GERD. It was resolved completely and immediately on my being given a Bi-Pap. Just to let you know, the question of fluid hydraulics on this can go both ways.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 8:55 pm

[quote="Morpheus"]There are a few people - and I'm one - for whom CPAP at relatively high pressure (14) caused GERD. It was resolved completely and immediately on my being given a Bi-Pap. Just to let you know, the question of fluid hydraulics on this can go both ways.

tomjax · Post by **tomjax** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 9:14 am

Old sea- I am sure the protonics and other PPI's control reflux, but it does at a price.

The problem with them is that they cause rebound problems and if a person tries to get off them, the reflux comes back worse than ever.

I wonder if there are those who were on ppi's BEFORE XPAP and were able to get off them after the pap stopped the cause of reflux.
It may just be that, although PAP stopped the cause, the residual reflux was/is due to the rebound effects.

This is virtually unknown to most users and docs. The companies certainly do not tell patients that the meds will cause reflux in addition to preventing it.

After a period- about a couple of years, a patient will likely need to up the dose to 2 a day.
My wife was put on nexium cause the doc thought her asthma/cough may be due to reflux even thought she never had reflux. When she tried to get off it, she could not. Go Figure.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 9:30 pm

Hi Morpheus,

Was wondering if you know the relationship between the PB425 & PB330. Is the 425 the lightweight version or a later version ? (even though the 330 weighs in at a light 2.7 lbs which is slightly heavier than an S8 Escape).

Thanks

DSM

Actually I can explain the relationship, since I own them both. (The PB330 went south on me after about two years - I got it repaired and keep it for back-up. My insurer gave me the choice for replacement and I picked the PB425.) The 425 does not have an ST function, something which enables the machine to breathe for you if you are unable to breathe on your own for neurological or other reasons. That makes it simpler and less expensive than the 330 and, mercifully, since I don't need what is essentially a respirator function, I chose the higher numbered, newer, but less expensive machine. They otherwise seem almost identical, though the 330 seems a shade quieter.

I hope the 425 proves to be more durable. They are both so light that sometimes I have to secure them to tables or put them on the floor when I travel. I'm impressed to learn there is an even lighter one out there.

Morpheus · Post by **Morpheus** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 9:34 pm

I'm the guest above - I neglected to log in.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 1:47 am

Many thanks for the info. I am going to try a PB330 soon and got it because of the assisted breathing.

No matter what xPAP therapy I undertake, my wife keeps telling me I just slow & stop breathing & the machines strain & whine until I start again.

I notice I am having HI indexes that are 3 to 4 times higher than the AI & think this supports my wifes observations.

I got the PB330 in the belief it may address this or at least help me understand the situation better.

Cheers

DSM

Night Time GERD

Night Time GERD

reflux

PPIs make reflux worse?