Guest guest Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 Yes....I know most people know when they are having GERD and I knew the first spell I had. But then, I thought it was over as I was feeling no symptoms at all. So, like an idiot, feeling all safe and not having been told to take Nexium forever, I stopped. Then I had my Endoscopy after my Primary did an upper GI and said I needed another one immediately (Gastro was out of town and another one did it). I had that in July 2006 and I was told my GERD was far worse and put on double Nexium. So, today, I know I have it but don't feel any symptoms. But I have that problem. By the time I knew my neck and back were hurting a little bit I go to the physical therapist and set their office records on their neuroprobe machine as to the measured level of pain. Then they use the electricity and are amazed how high I can take it. Good thing is high level of pain tolerance, bad thing is I don't get the warnings sometimes that pain is there to give you. > > Sandie, > It's quite common for IPFers to have GERD. I had GERD > for years before being diagnosed with it, after my IPF > diagnosis. I hate knowing it, but it is possible that years > of having virtually symptom-free, untreated GERD, > perhaps with aspiration, caused my IPF. The only > symptom I had of reflux was throat-clearing - never any > heartburn - and they found it through esophagrams and > endoscopies. Nexium alone didn't control it and I was put > on a med called Reglan, which moves the food more > quickly out of the stomach before it has a chance to > reflux. Thankfully, that worked or I probably wouldn't > have been listed for transplant. There's an adverse > correlation between uncontrolled GERD and transplant > rejection. yuk. > > I hate this because just this Monday, my 28-year-old > son had an endoscopy (done with an endoscope, or tube > with a light on the end of it, under anesthetic) and was > found to have GERD and a hiatal hernia like his mom, > as well as Barrett's esophagus. That results from GERD > causing the cells in the esophagus lining to change color > and configuration, and increases the risk for esophageal > cancer. This is going to involve some major lifestyle > changes for him - he eats a lot of Mexican and Indian > food, pizza, and drinks Cokes (NOT Pepsis, Bruce). > > One of the first things the docs usually recommend in > case of reflux, besides meds, is to elevate the headboard > of your bed from 4-8 " . Apparently it isn't enough to use > extra pillows - that can cause acid to build up around the > abdomen and to travel back up into the esophagus. My > gastroenterologist even told me that acid can reflux all > the way up into the head, and can even affect the ears. > (I've got tubes in both of mine.) > > Wow, start me up and I can't stop! > > Hugs, > Gwynne IPF 7/04 listed for transplant 3/07 Texas > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 Yes....I know most people know when they are having GERD and I knew the first spell I had. But then, I thought it was over as I was feeling no symptoms at all. So, like an idiot, feeling all safe and not having been told to take Nexium forever, I stopped. Then I had my Endoscopy after my Primary did an upper GI and said I needed another one immediately (Gastro was out of town and another one did it). I had that in July 2006 and I was told my GERD was far worse and put on double Nexium. So, today, I know I have it but don't feel any symptoms. But I have that problem. By the time I knew my neck and back were hurting a little bit I go to the physical therapist and set their office records on their neuroprobe machine as to the measured level of pain. Then they use the electricity and are amazed how high I can take it. Good thing is high level of pain tolerance, bad thing is I don't get the warnings sometimes that pain is there to give you. > > Sandie, > It's quite common for IPFers to have GERD. I had GERD > for years before being diagnosed with it, after my IPF > diagnosis. I hate knowing it, but it is possible that years > of having virtually symptom-free, untreated GERD, > perhaps with aspiration, caused my IPF. The only > symptom I had of reflux was throat-clearing - never any > heartburn - and they found it through esophagrams and > endoscopies. Nexium alone didn't control it and I was put > on a med called Reglan, which moves the food more > quickly out of the stomach before it has a chance to > reflux. Thankfully, that worked or I probably wouldn't > have been listed for transplant. There's an adverse > correlation between uncontrolled GERD and transplant > rejection. yuk. > > I hate this because just this Monday, my 28-year-old > son had an endoscopy (done with an endoscope, or tube > with a light on the end of it, under anesthetic) and was > found to have GERD and a hiatal hernia like his mom, > as well as Barrett's esophagus. That results from GERD > causing the cells in the esophagus lining to change color > and configuration, and increases the risk for esophageal > cancer. This is going to involve some major lifestyle > changes for him - he eats a lot of Mexican and Indian > food, pizza, and drinks Cokes (NOT Pepsis, Bruce). > > One of the first things the docs usually recommend in > case of reflux, besides meds, is to elevate the headboard > of your bed from 4-8 " . Apparently it isn't enough to use > extra pillows - that can cause acid to build up around the > abdomen and to travel back up into the esophagus. My > gastroenterologist even told me that acid can reflux all > the way up into the head, and can even affect the ears. > (I've got tubes in both of mine.) > > Wow, start me up and I can't stop! > > Hugs, > Gwynne IPF 7/04 listed for transplant 3/07 Texas > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 Gwynne, Good information! So sorry that your young son is headed down the GERD path. It is good that he learned it before more hard was done. I never had symptoms before diagnosis. It is a sneaky condition and wreak havoc on your esophagus and lungs before you even know its there. Hugs, Joyce D.PULMONARY FIBROSIS/LUPUS 1997 BRONCHIECTASIS 2004 INDIANA 2 COR. 12:10 ....when I am weak, then I am strong.>> Sandie,> It's quite common for IPFers to have GERD. I had GERD> for years before being diagnosed with it, after my IPF> diagnosis. I hate knowing it, but it is possible that years> of having virtually symptom-free, untreated GERD,> perhaps with aspiration, caused my IPF. The only> symptom I had of reflux was throat-clearing - never any> heartburn - and they found it through esophagrams and> endoscopies. Nexium alone didn't control it and I was put> on a med called Reglan, which moves the food more> quickly out of the stomach before it has a chance to> reflux. Thankfully, that worked or I probably wouldn't> have been listed for transplant. There's an adverse> correlation between uncontrolled GERD and transplant> rejection. yuk.> > I hate this because just this Monday, my 28-year-old> son had an endoscopy (done with an endoscope, or tube> with a light on the end of it, under anesthetic) and was> found to have GERD and a hiatal hernia like his mom,> as well as Barrett's esophagus. That results from GERD> causing the cells in the esophagus lining to change color> and configuration, and increases the risk for esophageal> cancer. This is going to involve some major lifestyle> changes for him - he eats a lot of Mexican and Indian> food, pizza, and drinks Cokes (NOT Pepsis, Bruce).> > One of the first things the docs usually recommend in> case of reflux, besides meds, is to elevate the headboard> of your bed from 4-8". Apparently it isn't enough to use> extra pillows - that can cause acid to build up around the> abdomen and to travel back up into the esophagus. My> gastroenterologist even told me that acid can reflux all> the way up into the head, and can even affect the ears.> (I've got tubes in both of mine.)> > Wow, start me up and I can't stop!> > Hugs,> Gwynne IPF 7/04 listed for transplant 3/07 Texas> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 We get sick little by little and it makes it so hard to realize what's happening to us. I didn't get help for sleep at 5 or 6 hours per night but waited until 1 1/2 to 2. As for acid reflux, I obviously had a problem long ago but I didn't get help until I reached the point that my stomach was so inflamed that i was throwing up at least every morning and every night. And I did that for a while before figuring out that I had a problem. That sounds so stupid when put into words.....can I take it back so I don't look like an idiot.....guess not. It's just we get so involved in working 65 hours per week and driving 2 1/2 hours per day back and forth and taking care of our families.....Why aren't we born smart? Instead we learn so much the hard way....lol > > > > Sandie, > > It's quite common for IPFers to have GERD. I had GERD > > for years before being diagnosed with it, after my IPF > > diagnosis. I hate knowing it, but it is possible that years > > of having virtually symptom-free, untreated GERD, > > perhaps with aspiration, caused my IPF. The only > > symptom I had of reflux was throat-clearing - never any > > heartburn - and they found it through esophagrams and > > endoscopies. Nexium alone didn't control it and I was put > > on a med called Reglan, which moves the food more > > quickly out of the stomach before it has a chance to > > reflux. Thankfully, that worked or I probably wouldn't > > have been listed for transplant. There's an adverse > > correlation between uncontrolled GERD and transplant > > rejection. yuk. > > > > I hate this because just this Monday, my 28-year-old > > son had an endoscopy (done with an endoscope, or tube > > with a light on the end of it, under anesthetic) and was > > found to have GERD and a hiatal hernia like his mom, > > as well as Barrett's esophagus. That results from GERD > > causing the cells in the esophagus lining to change color > > and configuration, and increases the risk for esophageal > > cancer. This is going to involve some major lifestyle > > changes for him - he eats a lot of Mexican and Indian > > food, pizza, and drinks Cokes (NOT Pepsis, Bruce). > > > > One of the first things the docs usually recommend in > > case of reflux, besides meds, is to elevate the headboard > > of your bed from 4-8 " . Apparently it isn't enough to use > > extra pillows - that can cause acid to build up around the > > abdomen and to travel back up into the esophagus. My > > gastroenterologist even told me that acid can reflux all > > the way up into the head, and can even affect the ears. > > (I've got tubes in both of mine.) > > > > Wow, start me up and I can't stop! > > > > Hugs, > > Gwynne IPF 7/04 listed for transplant 3/07 Texas > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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