GERD, sleep apnea treatment

[ill13632]

I have GERD/sleep apnea and woke up hyperventilating for years.  Is there a treatment for it?  Is protonix the best treatment for GERD?  I've been taking nexium, zantac, but still have this terrible sleep apnea.  maybe I need nexium at 80mg.  I would wake up choking once after eating spicy food and also have hot flashes


This discussion is related to Acid reflux.

[Smiley2000]

I have never hyperventilated.  That normally happens when you become very anxious and panic attacks and then don't take deep breaths.

You should really get treatment for the sleep apnea as that alone can cause damage to your heart, etc.  Do you have access to a Sleep Clinic?

[ill13632]

do you also have sleep apnea or hyperventilation?  for years I couldn't figure out what caused that
I tried zantac before bed but it doesn't work- sleep apnea has destroyed my life and I am getting diabetes and my endocrine system is messed up

[Smiley2000]

Hi there,

I have always tried to go the natural root first - do not sleep flat on your back - elevate head of bed - do not eat 3hrs before going to bed - avoid acid triggers - no smoking - not overweight - eat 5 small meals during the day, when that did not work I went on 20-40-60-80 mg Nexium, Gaviscon before meals and eventually Surgery.

Make sure that you have done all the necessary lifestyle changes (above) and Gaviscon is a safe option to use as well.

[ill13632]

a few years ago I had endoscopy and also flex sig recently.  I have trouble swallowing sometimes when I lie down.
I read here gaviscon can help too and H2 blockers along with zantac before bed.  do you have hyperventilation too?  I think modifying diet and avoiding gluten, sugar, yeast can help

[Smiley2000]

Hi there,

I watched a Documentary today (RPA) on a patient that had sleep-apnea of 500 episodes in an 8 hour period!  His only symptoms was being tired all the time!  I also thought of how horrible it must be to live like that!

When I read your post I could not help but wonder:  could you be a surgical candidate and maybe even the sleep-issues will improve?

I was on 60-80mg of Nexium and after about 3 years of going through a lot of tests and alternatives I ended up having the Nissen Fundoplication on the 8th of Feb. 2012 and due to the longstanding GERD I have long segment of Barrets and damage to UES muscle.

What type of tests have you undergone so far?  

[ill13632]

are these H2 blockers better?  I am also taking probiotics and prebiotics