
Suggest Treatment For Persistent Soreness In Chest, Heartburn And Acid Reflux

I've been suffering with acid reflux for just over a month now. I went on Nexium for a 3 week course and it seemed to work very well for the first 2 weeks but then I started getting bad diarrhea so I had to stop it. Now I've been prescribed 150mg Zantac for when symptons of GERD occur and it doesnt seem to work that well. I've tried altering my diet completely mainly consisting of fruit and vegetables but it just keeps coming back eventually. Antacids seem to work but only for a very short period of time. I've tried chewing gum which seemed to kind of work. I am always getting this constant sensation of food in my mouth and my throat feels as if its filled with food 24/7 I also get a sore chest as well with heartburn. Would not eating maybe help since there would be no food for the my body to regurgitate? Im just out of ideas and I have been to the doctors many times and I think that next step would be a specialist. I did suffer from a similar problem to this about 7 months ago but a 3 week course of Nexium seem to completely knock it away. What else can I possibly do?
Kind Regards,
Daniel
Proper care is important, Specialist's opinion helps.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thank for your query.
Noted your history of acid reflux for over a month now, had similar problems 7 months ago when Nexium gave you complete relief. This time too you took Nexium and left due to diarrhea. Why would it occur now if it did not occur 7 months ago?
Zantac works pretty well and is taken as 150 mg at 12 hourly interval.
And if your have refux, you need additional motility regulator medication like Reglan or Domperidone that you have to discuss with your Doctor to get the prescription of and the antacid is to be take as 3 tsf at 3 hourly interval and when the stomach is empty.
You should further take care in addition to have better results:
- 8 hours sound sleep.
- No stress and/or anxiety.
- foods not as someone told you but as per the list you are going to chart yourself depending upon your experience of which foods and beverages suit you the most and only to continue these.
- Say no to the foods and beverages that you must have experienced in the past to cause a problem of any sort.
Your symptoms of constant sensation of food in mouth and throat feeling as full may be due to GERD, which also gives sore chest and and heartburn.
Not eating is not the solution.
Yes, a proper evaluation and Upper GI endoscopy by a Specialist and further tests and treatment under the care of a Gastroenterologist will certainly help to get a confirmed diagnosis and have most proper treatment.
I hope I have covered all the aspects you have raised and will help you to get an early and proper diagnosis and proper management.
Please feel free to ask for relevant further queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.


When I get the reflux I also seem to get this pain in the upper right side of my back could that be related to it?
With the Zantac as well when is the best time to take it? Before or after a meal or before bed time?
And does drinking water help gerd or make it worse should I have it before or after meals?
Kind Regards,
Daniel
Thanks for your feedback.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
Noted your finding of stopping Nexium helping you.
Stress and anxiety are the most important contributory factors. Hence you need to have complete control.
Once GERD and stress/anxiety are over, you will automatically gain weight, hence stop worrying about it.
You can certainly go for small frequent meals.
pain in the right upper back ma be due to referred pain.
Zantac: best time is the morning dose the moment you wake up and repeat after 12 hours. No relation to food or so.
Water per se is not related, take as per your suitability.
I hope this answers your queries.

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