acid reflux and ovaries

[Annie7216]

Hi everyone
I am a 52 year old woman who has been having acid reflux for one month now. I am also menopausal, not having a period now for 10 months. Heartburn began only at night but now persists all day after I eat or drink anything, including water.I also had a lot of burping. I had an endoscopy which was normal and have started Prilosec and have been on that for 1 week now. Symptoms are definitely improved, but I'm not 100%.

My queston is whether I need to have ovarian screening or not. The internet seems to show that gerd is related to ovarian cancer, yet none of my doctors agree or have even herd of this connection. I have no pain, no swelling, and I am thin. The gerd episode this past month made me thinner,too.

Thanks for your advice, it is much appreciated.

[selmaS]

   It can take a few weeks for the meds to take effect that u notice....u also should be modifying ur diet and lifestyle to aid the meds in helping calm this down.That said not everyone does well on a PPI and do have to try the H2 inhibitors....like pepcid....but try to give the other meds more time and do follow tips for modifying diet and lifestyle.

Elevate the head of ur bed which will help keep the acids down where they belong....and do not eat 3 to 4 hrs b4 laying down....it is very important that u follow these suggestions as they can help.

Same with avoiding the foods and bevs that can trigger a flare up....meds can not help if u continue to eat and drink things that cause more acids to be produced.

Drs also suggest eating 4 to 6 small meals a day instead of 3 larger ones, this will help in using up the excess acids being produced.

Look at the info on foods to avoid in the Health Pages for other tips and lifetsyle changes that can also help. http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=236

[Annie7216]

Thank you again for your reply.

I did see a gi doctor who did the endoscopy (it was normal) and put me on 40 mg omprazerole. I have been on it for one week but still have breakthrough heartburn especially as the evening progresses. His advice was to take two pills rather than one, which I am apprehensive about doing. 80 mg seems like a lot to me. Last night, as the burning started in my throat, I took a Pepcid instead of a second omeprazole. I was able to sleep without a burning throat. I have sent my doc an email asking if I can continue to supplement with the Pepcid instead. I'm not sure the omeprazole is working for me.

[selmaS]

  Keep in mind stress can cause GERD symptoms to flare...so if u can relax, u may find the symptoms calm down as well.....

A GI Dr may also be able to help calm ur fears....so do see one if u haven't already.

Keep us posted on how u r doing.

[Annie7216]

Thank you for your reply. I do go to my gyn regularly and I do not have a history of ovarian cancer in my family. I have just read some internet stuff though, that talks about indigestion and ovarian symptoms. Maybe it is a different type of indigestion that is associated with ovarian, I don't know. I just want to be sure that I have done my due diligence.
I guess it is hard for me to believe that this gerd is not caused by something really bad that I am not aware of, lurking in my body. I'm trying to come to terms with that.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the GERD forum.

I am not aware of this issue being related...but I am not a medical professional.....have u looked to family medical history? That can help indicate if u r on the right path with this....and if u go to ur GYN on a reg basis I am sure they will be able to pick up on ne issue/cancers present.

Ne change in weight may cause reflux, as well as ne stress...and changes to ur body in general so it may be the menopause that triggered it....in addition to trying to take meds for reflux do avoid foods, bevs etc that will trigger it...see the Health Pages for foods to avoid and lifestyle tips-http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=236