Thanks for that. That is definitely an option. Will look into it. :-)
Thanks for the comments and I do appreciate the information, but like I said I have no intention of ever having any form of invasive procedure. If it does lead to more complications so be it. It will be my fault and I definitely won't be getting the more severe treatment either, regardless of consequences.
She still has a hiatus hernia. Typo. ;)
My mother suffered severe GERD and severe LPR for 5 years and gastritis for 25 years/5 years severe. Watching her spewing out pure stomach acid walking around shopping was horrible. She was on high doses on nexium and buying OTC gavison by the bucketload. Today she is free of GERD and LPR and 95% improved with gastritis. No acid blocking drugs. No surgery.
Digestive enzyme supplements to help with digestion, betaine HCI with pepsin to help with insufficient stomach acid and, when needed if stressed out, magnesium and probiotics. She did check for H Pylori bacteria in the past which is another cause of acid reflux conditions. She also had a hiatus hernia so these supplements are amazing. :)
From stomach acid by Jon Barron:
"The bottom line here is that most people are very confused about the role stomach acid plays in health. Most people:
Think they have too much, when in fact they have too little.
Treat the symptom and suppress stomach acid production, ultimately leading to long-term health problems.
Ultimately lose the capacity to produce sufficient stomach acid as a result of dietary abuse and continual use of medications to suppress the body's ability to produce it.
Don't get into that trap.
Use digestive enzymes with all your meals.
Drink aloe vera juice.
Use probiotic supplements with confidence.
Use proteolytic enzyme supplements with confidence.
And, if needed, use apple cider vinegar or betaine hydrochloride supplements to make up for stomach acid insufficiency."
Agree with flycaster.
what you are describing is consistent with severe reflux.
You will be on meds forever. It will never get better. You can take the edge off with lifestyle changes, but if you are truly regurgitatin into the back of your throat...you will need a lap nissen to stop the regurgitation.
If not, you risk tooth damage and lung complications.
YOu should be scared of doctors though...there are a lot of bad ones out there. Choose a reputable, board certified gastroenterologist and a board certified surgeon who does at least 10 lap nissens per year. Listen to BOTH of their opinions.
Selma relayed to you my sentiments, but did so very gracefully and gently. I'll be a bit more direct: I had severe acid like you have, and very, very soon afterwards the enamel of my teeth started to dissolve, and my teeth started turning black. The erosion of the enamel took place very quickly. At the same time, my vocal chords burned, and I'm now and forever hoarse, people have difficulty understanding me when I talk. It led to a very, very invasive surgery, which was successful, but I was left with a bad voice and a huge dental bill to have my teeth re-coated.
An Endoscopy is a very minor procedure, I'd hardly call it invasive. An invasive surgery would be heart bypass, bowel re-section and a Nissen Fundoplication. I've all three, and you very well may be forced to have a Nissen Fundoplication if you don't allow your doctor to treat you with an endoscopy so he/she will know how to treat you. Keep in mind the doctor wants to rule out Barrett's Esophagus, a pre-cancerous condition caused by GERD. It's your call, but I'd start with the easy medical procedures before leap-frogging to truly invasive procedures.
In the short term, try raising your bed about six inches. Those wedge pillows don't work, but raising the head of the bed helps a great deal. Take your pill exactly as prescribed. Unless you are taking a timed-released dose, the presciption is usually taken 1/2 - 1 hours before a meal. Don't eat or drink anything but water three hours before bedtime. I hope you keep us posted on your progress, and hope you reconsider having the procedure.
Well the testing is to confirm or rule out what could be causing the issue, if u refuse the testing there is no way to know, and it ties the hands of the Dr and how he can treat u....
There are things u should be doing such as modifying ur diet and lifestyle, but u really should allow the Drs to help u to the best of their ability.
If not treated properly, GERD and reflux can lead to much more serious issues and conditions.
But the decision is urs, and only ur Dr can tell u from what u allow him to do for u what he can do for u .