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GERD and Hiatal Hernias

bowhunter1023

bowhunter1023

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Appalachia
Who has experience battling gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and or hiatal hernias? I've been experiencing symptoms of both for a little over 3 weeks, with belching, abdominal discomfort on my left side up under my ribcage, a general feeling of half-swallowed food, feeling like I need to cough with no "substance" behind it, feeling bloated after eating even a little amount, and worst of all, shortness of breath. I've been using Tums and Zantac for the first time in my life, but I'm not seeing much relief. I rarely go to the doctor, but I have a feeling this is going to require it. Perhaps worst of all, I know I'll need to limit my coffee, beer, and spicy food intake, which comprise 99% of my diet! :ROFLMAO:
 
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I was diagnosed with GERD back in 2003-2004 during my 1st deployment to Iraq. I was basically getting heartburn every fuckin day. It sucked!! Ive been on meds ever since. Started out on Aciphex, then jumped to something else, and landed on Omeprazole. I take (2) 20 MG pills every morning. If I get heartburn now, its once in a blue moon. When it does happen, nothing will stop it.
 
Stupid question, but having not dealt with the issues before, it's hard for me to define. What did your heartburn feel like? I guess I'd equate it to an actual burning sensation, which I don't really experience.
 
Me. Prilosec or something a little higher strength was prescribed. They did an endoscopy maybe 10-15 years ago. They can open your throat up a bit with some inflatable deal. Might not actually inflate but essentially it stretches it out a bit.

I hate typing this on this forum. Someone will take it to the gutter.
 
bowhunter1023 said:
Stupid question, but having not dealt with the issues before, it's hard for me to define. What did your heartburn feel like? I guess I'd equate it to an actual burning sensation, which I don't really experience.
Click to expand...

Feels like it sounds. Stomach acid coming back up through your throat. Salivate like a mother fucker. Cant eat, cant drink (beer). Get it taken care of if possible. And yes they will do an endoscopy. Fuck the VA. Last time I had one, I knew what was about to happen, but some dude walked in with a broom, I looked at him and asked what he planned on doing with that damn thing. Well they didnt knock me out enough, I woke up in the middle of it and started choking. Next thing I know Im waking up in a bed out in the middle of the fuckin hallway. Got up and walked out.
 
Usually get heart burns when eating something garlic or something spicy. Milk and water makes it go away a lot of times but if it gets worse and worse then heartburn pill will make it go away in couple hours.
 
Self-treatment

Seeking medical care
See a doctor immediately if you
Have chest pain along with sweating, shortness of breath, or pain in the arm or jaw
Experience heartburn symptoms that don't respond to over-the-counter antacids

Make an appointment to see a doctor if you
Experience heartburn two or more times a week
Get reflux symptoms that interfere with sleep
Develop a new cough
Have difficulty swallowing, nausea, or vomiting
Don't improve with self-treatment
Lose weight unintentionally
For informational purposes only. Consult your local medical authority for advice.
Sources: Mayo Clinic and others. Learn more
 
I gave up all that hot spicy shit back in my early 40’s.... Alcohol never affected mine.... Hot wings started that ball rolling...
 
Gonna laugh at this, but: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR.... They say pill form is best.... Told this to a friend who said yeh, ok bullshit.... Then he tried it and said it helped.... Look it up on the internet....
 
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I started suffering from it 17 years ago. Felt and tasted like battery acid churning in my stomach and I could feel it rising through my body til i belched it up. Tried ignoring it for months on end. Finally started on Omeprazole and have been mostly fine since then. If i forget to take a pill, by 2pm ill start remembering as the acid becomes evident. My worst foods are tomatoes based stuff, onions, orange juice. Anything acidic
 
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I take generic Prilosec (Omeprazole) as well. For a very long time. I'm screwed if I miss a day. 20 mg daily.
Look up gallbladder issues as it can be similar. My wife's is gone now.
 
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I'm on the same program as Dustin. Go get scoped, nothing to it, and have the doc prescribe some Nexxium type stuff. I forget what I was prescribed but I think it is 40mg... emensoproprazale magensium or some shit like that.

Also, as Fletch said, apple cider vinegar helps alot. If I get a case that even my pills won't shut down, I take a few swigs of apple cider vinegar and it's gone. Sounds really odd, but it works.

When I get it, it feels like I have a giant lump in my throat and severe pressure in my sternum.
 
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I had this a few years ago, while doing a startup. 12 hour days and large dinners at the end of the day didn't help. I started taking 2X 20 mg OTC omeprezole, every day for two weeks. Then I backed off to one a day, and limited intake, and didn't sleep for 3 hours after last meal. Eventually, it went away.

Becareful of GERD. If left unchecked, you can develop Barrett's esophogus, which can lead to esophogeal cancer (very bad). Limiting intake near bed is very helpful.

If Omeprezole doesn't work after two weeks, go see a doctor.
 
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