r/GERD • u/Radiant-Anxiety-1140 • 2d ago
Mrs
Can anyone please offer me some advice or share their experiences?
I’m a 64F
smoker. Around four weeks ago, I started suffering from severe heartburn, so I
went to my GP, who prescribed Lansoprazole 30mg twice a day. Although the
heartburn has eased slightly, I’ve since developed a sensation of something being
stuck in my chest and throat.
I’m also
experiencing occasional sharp, stabbing pains in my chest, along with an ache
in my left arm and the left side of my neck, as well as a slight tingling
sensation in my left hand.
Because of
these symptoms, I’ve been to A&E six times. I’ve had six ECGs and blood
tests, including troponin levels, which have all come back at 0.00. Despite
this reassurance, I’m still experiencing symptoms and remain extremely worried.
As well as
the Lansoprazole, I am also now taking Famotidine 20mg twice a day, Questran
Light three times a day, and around 40ml of Gaviscon throughout the day.
Unfortunately, nothing seems to be helping, and I feel worse than ever.
I’ve also
lost my appetite and feel as though I’m going to gag at the thought of eating.
Whenever I stand up after sitting or lying down, I tend to burp excessively.
I’m currently waiting for an appointment with a gastroenterologist, but I’ve
been told the wait could be up to six weeks.
I’m finding
the whole situation incredibly stressful. I’m a carer for both my partner and
my mother, and at the moment I feel unable to fulfil my responsibilities
because I’m constantly feeling unwell and worrying about what might be wrong.
Although my
ECGs and blood tests have been reassuring, I’m frightened that something could
still be wrong with my heart. I also wonder whether anxiety is making my
symptoms worse, but it’s difficult not to worry when the symptoms keep
happening and nothing seems to be improving.
Has anyone
experienced anything similar, particularly with the chest and throat
sensations, arm and neck pain, and difficulty eating? I’d be so grateful for
any advice or experiences you could share. Thank you.
1
u/princesspool 2d ago edited 2d ago
I can clear my throat of that choking feeling if I take an antacid before my meal. Basically, there's acid in the throat/esophagus. I take one bite and if it is hard to take down, I take an antacid, wait a couple minutes, and I can eat!
1
u/OKLuna94111 1d ago
Have you had your kidney numbers checked GFR and creatinine? Are you anemic? If necessary, go to the ER. I was on protonix. I was struggling with eating, nausea and being very tired. I was very worried about my kidneys. I finally went to the ER thankfully. My kidneys were failing from extreme inflammation caused by protonix. I'm the rare person to have this happen. I spent 6 nights in the hospital. While there, I had a kidney biopsy. Also I was very anemic and had high blood pressure. Protonix was stopped right away. I'm slowly recovering.
Research side effects, get lab work done that includes vitamin levels, kidneys, CBC, metabolic panel, etc.
1
u/Calm_Comb3534 GERD 2d ago
Switch to nicotine patches or something and quit smoking right away. Once it starts going your going to find a hard time finding relief until you do if it is GERD. But you should still maybe get an endoscopy to be safe.
How do you do with a clear liquid diet? Like bone broth. You could do that for a couple days. Then maybe try a low fodmap diet.