GERD, intolerance or more serious?

[Fashion83]

Can I ask what your GERD symptoms are and if a flare up can last days?

as background I’ve had GERD symptoms for 3 years. I’m a 36 year old female. Non smoker. 3 children. Eat well 80/20. Drink at events but not often at home, perhaps 2 glasses of wine a week. Sometimes nothing.

The burning doesn’t come up my throat but in between my breasts. I’ve had 3 ECGs and blood work to rule out heart problems. My burping when in mid flare is awful. It’s so loud and continuous. Since Friday I cannot shift the pain / burning. I had a large meal and alcohol as we were away for a few days and since then I’ve been floored. I’m almost crying in pain. I’m bloated, gas, going to the toilet more but no loose or bloody. No sickness or nausea.

I’ve had the camera down my throat almost 2 years ago and that was clear.

im back at the consultant on Friday and I don’t know what to say to be honest. Im at a loss as all tests before were clear. Where do I go from here? PPI drugs didn’t cure it so I came off them.

could this be from dairy or perhaps gluten? I’d be interested to hear people’s symptoms it’s intolerances.

many thanks for reading.

I don’t have this but looked into it at one point. Some people suggest that it’s caused by the stomach struggling to digest properly and peptides help. You can buy various peptide supplements that help with gluten, dairy or whatever else you might need help digesting

Have you been tested for celiac disease?

No I haven’t but that did cross my mind. I wasn’t sure because the pain is mainly upper and in my chest?

Gall stones? I read they can contribute to indigestion/GERD

Im on PPIs for life, mine is silent reflux, the occasionale bit of heartburn but mostly coughing, spluttering, constant runny nose. Thats on top of other sinus problems as well.

Did they take biopsy's when you had the gastroscopy? Inflammation is sometimes only found when they check the biopsies.

Have you been checked for helicobacter pylori (not sure in spelling) with the breath test?

Sorry also to add I would suggest the gallbladder gets checked as if symptoms worse after a fatty meal or alcohol it could trigger gallbladder

Thanks for this. No biopsy taken. Yes I’ve been check for helicobactor and had a scan for gallstones but both were checked 2 years ago and clear. My symptoms have been on and off over that time but so much worse the last 3 months so I suppose I could ask to be re tested? My problem is I can’t get a hold of my GP! This appt is with a gastro surgeon via private health care. Would they do all those tests also privately? Today I feel I’ve no quality of life. I’m so miserable and down. Another symptom I’ve noticed is a tingly tongue: perhaps from acid?

Could it be gall stones?

I've had it on and off for a couple of years. I've found a major cause was a drug I was on so that's stopped and made a huge difference. I didn't feel ppis helped and didn't want to be on them long term as I already have osteoporosis, so I have stopped them. Gaviscon (or cheaper generic version) works better for me anyway.
I have two definite triggers left which are red wine and curry.

When I had endoscopy they found extensive inflammation but nothing sinister. Biopsies were clear.

@Poffy - when you have a flare after these triggers, can it last days? That’s what’s making me scared. I drank wine, champagne, coffee, lots of lovely food (posh hotel) over a few days last week and feel awful still.

Yes several days. I load up with gaviscon and eat bland food until it calms down. I'm still unsure how it will pan out because stopping the drug (alendronic acid) has made a huge improvement but I do have a haitus hernia

GERD is horrible and usually happens when your body has been imbalanced by the loading of to many triggers. Alcohol can definitely cause it, even a little amount, if your body is already over the edge. Likewise, any acidic foods eg garlic, onions, dairy, chocolate, citrus fruit etc.. Stress is another trigger and can be tricky when it makes you stress more due to the pain.

I would go on a bland diet, ditch the alcohol and other food triggers for a while. Take digestive enzymes. I’ve found the symptoms can get worse before they get better.

The pain I had felt like a constant burning sensation around my breastplate and burping frequently even after water when it was bad.

@Lottemarine - I’ve had water today with plain yoghurt, banana, honey and blueberries and feel exactly that. Burping after the water. My head is pounding but my period also started today so that could be it and I had 4 hours of broken sleep due to the pain. My stress is very high just now juggling work and children. School holidays, continuous bills and husband being busy at work too. Son awaiting an MRI to check for cerebral palsy. It’s been a lot recently and I’ve lived on coffee!