GERD for 3 years with tests. Variety of prescriptions. Now on Protonix. Not working. Any help?

I had severe GERD for several years, and now it is very minor due to a procedure I had. I had some of the symtoms you had, but a couple of them, I did not have. My Doctor tried some of the meds you are talking about, which helped for a year or so, then it would stop working, and we would try another. A few years ago, I had a surgical (outpatient) procedure done, called the "Stretta" procedure. A tube was put down my throat to my esophagus (you are in a "twilight" sleep, not completely under), but have absolutely no memory of it. I just went to sleep and woke up and it was done. At the opening of the esophagus, there is a flap that opens and closes continually, as you swallow. With a more severe GERD, the flap doesn't open and close properly, and food/liquid/stomach acid is allowed to come back up from the stomach into the back of your throat, causing the pain and severe heartburn.

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The Stretta procedure cuts around the flap, which, as it heals, causes scar tissue to form and the flap is no longer caught open, relieving the major symptoms that you had before the procedure. The procedure was simple, done on an outpatient basis, and I had very, very little pain afterwords. As I said, it was a few years ago, and today, I take Prevacid and Reglan, and I don't have the backup of stomach contents (just a few small backups now and then) or the pain that I had. I will tell you, I still get heartburn (though most don't). That's why I still take the Prevacid (there is a cheaper Generic now) and the Reglan, but the pain that I had is pretty much gone, save the heartburn I get. This procedure is done quite often with very good results in most people. Most heal completely with no acid reflux, or heartburn problems. I strongly recommend it. It really made a difference in my life. Talk to your Doctor and ask him/her if this procedure would be helpful for you. It sure was for me. Good luck. I hope you find this hopeful and helpful and that you get some relief soon. If you choose not to have this procedure, try Prevacid, Reglan, and Carafate (a liquid you swallow). I found the three together provide the best relief I could get without the Stretta procedure, though I would imagine that it too, will not work as well after a period of time. God bless.

Hello my friends,

The most helpfull Gerd medication is Prevacid combined with a strong diet. While taking the Prevacid it is important to determine the dosage, which is unique for you. Also is very important to follow the Prevacid's instruction. Thus, it must consider that the Prevacid is 8-week one pill everyday medication taking one hour before eating. It must stop to take after 8-weeks because it would not work.

I took only four weeks and I get rid of the acid comming up. However, I did not eat food and did not drink coffee or tea, which provokes gerd. However, when I eat what I suppose to not, I take extra stregth Tums. But not together with Prevacid.

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I advice everyone to put the Gerd under control. My insurance company does not want to cover the Prevacid, which is pricely due to the popularity of it. However, the insurance companies covers the generic Lansoprazole 30 mg that doctors would prescrib. However, before asking doctor to prescribe Lansoprazole, check for interaction with other prescribed medications and side effects.of this generic. If the Prevacid helps there is no reason to switch to other medication because it is a safe medication and together with diet delivers the promissed results.

The http://emedicine.medscape.com Gastoenterology article 176595 provides the information about Gerd and http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov /ddiseases/pubs/gerd provides a list of food, which must be avoided.

Gerd is a serious disease, which can be managable.

I was also rushed to the emergency room with a suspected heart attack. I had jaw pain and throat pain and chest pain. I had all the test and I am fit as a fiddle. I was prescribed Prilosec twice a day and told to change my diet. i eliminated citrus,tomato dairy spicy foods, I got a slant pillow for my bed as I usually had to sleep sitting up and nothing made a difference if I stopped the prilosec. I was recommended by my herbalist to start taking "Aloe Life"Herbal aloe "Stomach Plus Formula". I took it 3 times a day for 3 weeks and stopped the prilosec. I then tapered it off and only take it maybe once every two days. I sleep like a baby. No sore throats,endless burping, chest pain. it is really a miracle cure for me.

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It is a liquid, a little strange to taste but worth anything.I DO NOT work for this company!I am a retired 69 year old woman who was told by my medical doctor that due to my age it was something I would have to put up with for the rest of my life.I was concerned about the side effects of Prilosec and that was why I searched around for an alternative