GERD is not fun.
Those of you that have it – KNOW what I’m talking about.
Those of you that don’t have it…don’t even know what GERD stands for.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
I’ve been struggling with GERD knowingly for about 3 years….the 5-6 years prior to that – I did not know it was GERD. I was SURE it was a heart issue….the chest pain HAD to be a heart issue. Well….I don’t have a heart issue…..at least, I can say that I have been thoroughly looked over for a heart issue, including the infamous 64 slice CT scan like Oprah and her friend Gail had. Now….does that test rule out micro-blockages….no. Does it mean my mitral valve prolapse isn’t part of the issue? No. But I feel pretty confident that GERD is the issue that plagues me.
I’ve had the chronic cough, night time coughing fits (including literally waking up choking, unable to breathe). I’ve had the ENT look at my throat using a scope that is threaded through my sinuses and looks down into my throat. It always shows a red, irritated, raw throat eaten up by acid. I’ve been on all the meds…..aciphex, nexium, prilosec, zantac…..
I currently take prevacid solutabs in the morning and zantac at night – but starting kapidex soon. Getting an endoscope soon too.
You see…this GERD….it’s not going away. Just last night after a day of my Prevacid, eating carefully and then zantac at night….I had a big ole coughing fit in the middle of the night. My bed is elevated like the doctor says it should be, I’ve lost over 10 pounds and was only about 12 pounds over weight when this GERD stuff started….
But still….it sticks around. Worse when I’m stressed.
So…2010….I’m still fighting this battle. I am sure the endoscope and the biopsies it takes will shed some light on maybe h pylori being part of the issue….or if the GERD has turned my delicate esophagus into Barrett’s Esophagus (pre-cancer)…but I am trying. I am not letting this get me down.
Some days are bad with that constant cough or that constant feeling of a lump in my throat….or sore throat….
Some nights are bad with the coughing…
Eating is no longer an all out whooohooo fun activity. I have to try to be careful – but I do slip.
So…that is my update for now….I will again post on this GERD topic after the endoscope and we’ll see what that leads to. Not a fan of surgery….I’m thinking that would have to be an absolute LAST resort.
Those of you suffering from GERD as well….let me know how you’re doing and what is working for you. GERD is more common than you think….and can cause a slew of symptoms other than heartburn. It’s a sneaky booger!
