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Suggest Treatment For Severe Acid Reflux, Nausea, Fatigue And Chest Congestion
Posted on
Tue, 21 Jun 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 21 Jun 2016
Answered on
Tue, 12 Jul 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : Doctor: I cannot get an appointment with my gastroenterologist until August, so I need to ask you a few questions as I am experiencing a lot of discomfort and pain.
About a month ago, I started having acid reflux and a sour stomach. That weekend, I had a pain in the center of my chest (where the rib cage joins) that was so bad I thought I was having a heart attack. I took some antacids and the pain subsided somewhat, but ever since then I have had moderate pain in the center of my chest, slight (but noticeable) nausea, slight headaches, fatigue, discomfort in chest (sort of a burn), and loss of appetite. I also feel bloated most of the time and the discomfort does not seem to ease up when my stomach is full or empty, although it is worse in the morning than any other part of the day. So far I have had only one instance of watery diarrhea (last night after eating). All other times, my stools have been mostly normal or loose.
I went to a Doctor who prescribed Nexium. He seem to think there was an ulcer. I went to another Doctor who said it was Gerd. Yet another doctor believes it is gastritis. And a friend of mine who is a doctor believes that I am not digesting food properly for some reason and this is purely a digestive problem that can be corrected.
Two of the doctors believe that I should continue taking Nexium in the morning and Pepcid at night. This does not seem to be helping that much. Another doctor suggested that this is not a matter of excess acid but rather too little acid, and suggested that I take Hydrochloric acid tablets along with a good probiotic.
At this point I am very scared and concerned that something is majorly wrong and I cannot get in endoscopy until August. If it matters, the only other medical conditions I have currently are hypothyroidism (I take synthroid every day and have been on it for at least 5 years) and I get allergy shots once every week. Could this be something else? For example, a hiatal hernia or some other digestive issue? Your thoughts and suggestions for a quick resolution will be much appreciated.
About a month ago, I started having acid reflux and a sour stomach. That weekend, I had a pain in the center of my chest (where the rib cage joins) that was so bad I thought I was having a heart attack. I took some antacids and the pain subsided somewhat, but ever since then I have had moderate pain in the center of my chest, slight (but noticeable) nausea, slight headaches, fatigue, discomfort in chest (sort of a burn), and loss of appetite. I also feel bloated most of the time and the discomfort does not seem to ease up when my stomach is full or empty, although it is worse in the morning than any other part of the day. So far I have had only one instance of watery diarrhea (last night after eating). All other times, my stools have been mostly normal or loose.
I went to a Doctor who prescribed Nexium. He seem to think there was an ulcer. I went to another Doctor who said it was Gerd. Yet another doctor believes it is gastritis. And a friend of mine who is a doctor believes that I am not digesting food properly for some reason and this is purely a digestive problem that can be corrected.
Two of the doctors believe that I should continue taking Nexium in the morning and Pepcid at night. This does not seem to be helping that much. Another doctor suggested that this is not a matter of excess acid but rather too little acid, and suggested that I take Hydrochloric acid tablets along with a good probiotic.
At this point I am very scared and concerned that something is majorly wrong and I cannot get in endoscopy until August. If it matters, the only other medical conditions I have currently are hypothyroidism (I take synthroid every day and have been on it for at least 5 years) and I get allergy shots once every week. Could this be something else? For example, a hiatal hernia or some other digestive issue? Your thoughts and suggestions for a quick resolution will be much appreciated.
Brief Answer:
as explained in details.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
I have read your history carefully and understood your concerns.
My thoughts:
Ulcer/GERD/Gastritis are the manifestations of increased acid secretion and/or reflux into the esophagus that is causing most of the symptoms and the treatment of all the conditions remains same. Even hiatal hernia is medically treated the same way.
I would advise you the following;
Continue Nexium
Add on Ranitidine instead of Pepcid (it is also PPI and works the same way as Nexium)
Antacid liquid every 3-4 hours particularly when you are on empty stomach.
Distribute your food requirements into 4 parts, to be taken as breakfast, lunch, brunch (in the evening) and dinner.
Stop smoking and drinking if at all you do.
Anxiety and/or stress are one of the most important instigating and/or enhancing factors and should be brought under control.
Try to take dinner earlier so that there is a gap of at least 1 hour before you go for sleep.
Sleep in a bed wherein you elevate the head-end of the bed by 8 inches by putting under the wooden blocks or bricks.
Food and beverages: avoid all the foods and beverages that you must have noted by this time to instigate or enhance your problems. In fact stop them.
Find out any other instigating or enhancing factor and keep at bay.
Please start doing these and I am hopeful that you can tied over the problems.
Do all these things and please let me know the progress.
I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
as explained in details.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
I have read your history carefully and understood your concerns.
My thoughts:
Ulcer/GERD/Gastritis are the manifestations of increased acid secretion and/or reflux into the esophagus that is causing most of the symptoms and the treatment of all the conditions remains same. Even hiatal hernia is medically treated the same way.
I would advise you the following;
Continue Nexium
Add on Ranitidine instead of Pepcid (it is also PPI and works the same way as Nexium)
Antacid liquid every 3-4 hours particularly when you are on empty stomach.
Distribute your food requirements into 4 parts, to be taken as breakfast, lunch, brunch (in the evening) and dinner.
Stop smoking and drinking if at all you do.
Anxiety and/or stress are one of the most important instigating and/or enhancing factors and should be brought under control.
Try to take dinner earlier so that there is a gap of at least 1 hour before you go for sleep.
Sleep in a bed wherein you elevate the head-end of the bed by 8 inches by putting under the wooden blocks or bricks.
Food and beverages: avoid all the foods and beverages that you must have noted by this time to instigate or enhance your problems. In fact stop them.
Find out any other instigating or enhancing factor and keep at bay.
Please start doing these and I am hopeful that you can tied over the problems.
Do all these things and please let me know the progress.
I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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