Severe erosive esophagitis help please

[HayleyBW]

Hi I was diagnosed with moderately severe erosive esophagitis and chronic mild gastritis a month ago via endoscopy and biopsy. I have been on 40 mg omeprazole QAM for 4 and a half weeks and 300 mg ranitidine Qhs. I have no relief of my symptoms. Esophagus feels as something is stuck in it much of the time with sharp pains and burning in chest, arms and back much of the day as well. It doesn't matter if my stomach is empty or I have eaten. Symptoms are the same and I am getting very little if any relief from the meds.

Is there anything that can help or am I in trouble? I am very worried. I don't smoke, drink alcohol or eat spicy foods and always maintained a very healthy life style. I am mainly a vegan and exercise every day. I would so appreciate any advice. Thank you!

[HayleyBW]

Hi Selma, Thank you so much for replying to my posts. I really appreciate it! I had the endoscopy this morning and really like this new gastroenterologist. He said my esophagus is fine and so is my stomach.

I have a loose (?) lower esophageal sphincter that meds can control and a hiatal hernia. He biopsied the esophagus to see if there is a viral infection and I am scheduled to see him April 4th. In the meantime he has me on 60 mg Dexilant bid. He spoke to me while I was in recovery so I was a bit out of it and fuzzy on some of the details (i.e. loose LES) but overall it was encouraging news for me. Weird that severe esophagitis is gone in a little over 4 weeks. The thing is it still feels like food and pills are getting stuck in my esophagus but I am going to be patient and let the dexilant work (hopefully) and see what the biopsy results are at my next gastro visit. And hopefully the burning will abate.

Thanks so much again Selma. I truly appreciate your help!

Best,
Hayley

[Lillye]

I have the exact same symptoms....I eat mostly vegetarian too, although I do include seafood a few times a month...I am in a flare up of symptoms right now too and nothing seems to help...two years ago, I had extreme nausea with thie heartburn for six months-I lost 30 pounds and was already thin but have gained back the weight....I completely got off of all PPIs and ranitidine and wash fine most of the time for months at a time...however, every four to six months, the reflux starts again...this time I have the burning and pain in my upper back, chest and even shoulders...it worried me so much I went to a cardiologist and had a stress test and ultrasound...he said all was well but every evening, it really feels terrible....
Two years ago, I read some books on digestive problems, one of which was "the inside tract" by Dr. Gerard Mullin, an intergrative gastroenterologist with John Hopkins.....his suggestion was to eat less carbs and he suggested some herbal preparations....that worked for me...I need to begin that again...I also took vegetarian digestive enzymes which seemed to help...Selma suggested the apple cider vinegar in water which could also help..
I am going to my gastro on Monday and am going to request the devil ant because

[Lillye]

Sorry , I got cut off---I am going to request the devil ant because a friend of mine has found total relief with it....have you noticed a difference yet?

[HayleyBW]

Hi Lillye, I am so sorry you are suffering with all of this burning and discomfort too. It is really difficult and my heart goes out to you. The dexilant seems to be helping so far (it's my third day on it now) but I am early into this new treatment.  My internist also sent me to my cardio when I first started experiencing the burning just to rule out other issues and all was fine regarding the heart.

My gastroenterologist told me not to do anything natural or med wise except for the dexilant right now-I asked him about drinking aloe which I had started doing a few weeks ago and he told me to stop. I believe in the healing of natural treatments but for now since I am trusting this doctor I will do as he asks and see what happens.

It's amazing how every doctor has said back and arm burning cannot be related to heartburn and yet you have the same symptoms as I do. Thank you so much for sharing and I am sending healing vibes your way. What is the devil ant? And what digestive enzymes have you found relief with? I experience burning whether I have eaten or not so it is confusing to me-is my body producing acid all the time and why? And what can I do to stop it.

Sorry for all the questions. It's so frustrating to be dealing with this for so long without concrete answers and not knowing what the future holds. Hugs to you.

[selmaS]

  Sounds like u got some good news and in time will heal.....

  Keep us posted on ur progress : )

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the GERD forum.

It sounds like you are on the right track with the Drs you are seeing and the diet modifications you are trying.
I would like to add, I never advocate for anyone to take Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV), I myself  drink apple cider (NOT VINEGAR), ....in research I found that Dr Oz has stated taking the ACV can add more acid to your system...we would advise your Dr  do a PH study to see if your levels are high or low, as the symptoms are similar....and  adding more acid to one that is already high would not be helpful. I also do not advocate trying what works for  others without discussing it with your Dr to see what is best for you.
Do keep us posted on what your Dr advise you try next : )