Ask Me Help Desk - Constant heartburn

Constant heartburn

For the past 6 months or maybe even longer, I have been getting heartburn 2-3 times a week. Some cases are mild while others are so uncomfortable. I don't feel the acid burn in my stomach but more in my esophogus area. I thought it strange that a 20 year old could get heartburn frequently as I do. I have done research on stomach ulcers and know it isn't that but I am no doctor so I can't diagnose myself. I drink 1 cup of coffee a day, sometimes 2 on the week ends, I smoke but am not a heavy smoker and I have never gotten heartburn from spicy foods and tomato sauce until now (6 months ago). Tums and Pepto Bismol don't seem to work so any suggestions?

Thanks!

If tums doesn't help at all, I would get to the doctor... I have the reflux but its down low. It seems strange that you don't feel anything burning low, but only up high.

I used to have that problem all the time. I started going to the gym and was losing weight and it went away. I was reading about it and sometimes all it takes is to lose 5 lbs and it goes away. I would check with your doctor to be sure but that's all I had to do.

Thanks StaticFX and ZoeMarie!

StaticFX, occasionally I feel it lower but it always proceeds to my esophogus. Maybe I'm wrong and it really is in my stomach. I don't know.

ZoeMarie, I work out twice a week for an hour or so. I am 5'4 and weigh 115 lbs. I think that if I lose any weight I'll just look anorexic. I'm glad it worked for you though!

Lol, yeah, sounds like you don't need to lose any weight then.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bEaUtIfUlbRuNeTtE

For the past 6 months or maybe even longer, I have been getting heartburn 2-3 times a week. Some cases are mild while others are so uncomfortable. I don't feel the acid burn in my stomach but more in my esophogus area. I thought it strange that a 20 year old could get heartburn frequently as I do. I have done research on stomach ulcers and know it isn't that but I am no doctor so I can't diagnose myself. I drink 1 cup of coffee a day, sometimes 2 on the week ends, I smoke but am not a heavy smoker and I have never gotten heartburn from spicy foods and tomato sauce until now (6 months ago). Tums and Pepto Bismol don't seem to work so any suggestions?

Thanks!

This over the counter remedy is what the doctor recommended for my daughter:

Heartburn Relief and Info From Prilosec OTC — Prilosec OTC Blocks Heartburn for 24 Hours With One Pill a Day

It's a 10 day treatment that helps heal the sensitive tissues of your esophogus. If it continues after this, I would go see a doctor.

I hope this helps.

Thank you so much TexasParent! Is it good to take even when I don't have heartburn?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZoeMarie

lol, yeah, sounds like you don't need to lose any weight then.

If I knew that losing weight would cure all problems then I would most deffinently, but only 2-3 lbs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bEaUtIfUlbRuNeTtE

Thank you so much TexasParent! Is it good to take even when I don't have heartburn?

It's over the counter, and while I am not a doctor; I would suggest you read the labelling information carefully. The fact that it is over the counter suggests you can't get in too much trouble from it IF USED AS DIRECTED.

So you could do the 10 day treatment it suggests and see how it works out for you if your symptoms go away, but I wouldn't use it more than suggested.

Good luck.

It sounds like GERD to me. Gastroesophogeal Reflux Disease. I have it and you described me to a T. GERD can cause permanent damage to the esophagus if left untreated. I got on Nexium and haven't had a problem since the first pill. Nexium also helps to repair any damage that has been done.

Quote:

Originally Posted by J_9

It sounds like GERD to me. Gastroesophogeal Reflux Disease. I have it and you described me to a T. GERD can cause permanent damage to the esophagus if left untreated. I got on Nexium and haven't had a problem since the first pill. Nexium also helps to repair any damage that has been done.

Thank you for your reply J_9. I was hoping you wouldn't say I have some sort of reflux disease but I don't know yet. Is GERD curable or once you've developed it does it stay with you for life? How do doctors test for it?

Well you need to see your doctor to determine the extent of it. But I've been using Prilosec (and now the generic version) for well over a year. Generally, I take a 14 day regimen (though I'm not 100% carefully about taking one every day) and I'm then good for 2-4 weeks more.

It stops immediately after the 1st or 2nd day and doesn't resume until 4-6 weeks later.

Thanks ScottGem. I requested a free sample of Prilosec to be shipped to my house. Hopefully it will help.

It's a pain going to the docotors because I feel that half the time they don't diagnose me properly but since I am not one I might as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bEaUtIfUlbRuNeTtE

Thanks ScottGem. I requested a free sample of Prilosec to be shipped to my house. Hopefully it will help.

It's a pain going to the docotors because I feel that half the time they don't diagnose me properly but since I am not one I might as well.

Um... I recommended Prilosec in an earlier post, just a little positive "Rate this Answer" on my post would be great... lol.

Seriously though, I hope it helps, it has helped my daughter and now you have a testimonial from ScottGem too. You can get Prilosec at any drugstore and they 14-day pack isn't very expensive.

Good luck and tell us how it works out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasParent

Um...I recommended Prilosec in an earlier post, just a little positive "Rate this Answer" on my post would be great...lol.

Seriously though, I hope it helps, it has helped my daughter and now you have a testimonial from ScottGem too. You can get Prilosec at any drugstore and they 14-day pack isn't very expensive.

Good luck and tell us how it works out.

I sure do hope it helps too. For the longest time I just dealt with the pain but now it's to unbearable to work with. I hope I don't have GERD (look to J_9's post).

PS. I gave you a rating!

I generally buy Prilosec in 3 packs. Each pack is a 14-day regimen. I generally paid about $25 for it. As I mentioned they now have a generic version. I just bought a 3-pack at BJs for $19.50.

So you are basically looking at under $10/mth

Do you take it even on the days in which you don't get heartburn?

Yes, as it is designed to repair the damaged tissues. You take it for 14-day straight. Then as ScottGem said, he is then good for about 4 to 6 weeks. Then I imagine you would do another treatment. He says it works within a day or two.

Yes, you are supposed to take it daily for the 14 days. Like I said, I'm not a stickler for this and sometimes I wind up finishing the pack in 17 days or even a few more. There does seem to be a cumualtive effect so I don't get a relapse during that time.

Prilosec does not repair damaged tissues, it is the Nexium that does. Nexium is quite expensive, even with insurance, but if you get a prescription for it you can sign up for a HUGE discount here... https://www.purplepill.com/savingscard/index.aspx

My first prescription was $50 (with insurance), after signing up I have only had to pay $.18, that's eighteen CENTS!!

Now, you can learn more about Nexium and it's healing properties here... About NEXIUM

Thank you J_9. How do doctors diagnose GERD or any kind of reflux disease? What are the proceedures?

My doctor went specifically on my symptoms. Could be because I am a nurse and I have been taught to recognize symptoms. However, with GERD many doctors do go by symptoms until it has gone on so long that there is damage to the esophagus that can be seen with an upper GI scan.

My doc prescribed it to me for 2 months to see if it was effective, since it was, he sent in a years' prescription. Again, your symptoms are identically like mine. You can ask your doctor if he thinks this may be what you are experiencing.

What are the proceedures for an upper G.I. scan?

Quote:

Originally Posted by J_9

My doctor went specifically on my symptoms. Could be because I am a nurse and I have been taught to recognize symptoms. However, with GERD many doctors do go by symptoms until it has gone on so long that there is damage to the esophagus that can be seen with an upper GI scan.

My doc prescribed it to me for 2 months to see if it was effective, since it was, he sent in a years' prescription. Again, your symptoms are identically like mine. You can ask your doctor if he thinks this may be what you are experiencing.

While going to a doctor and finding out what is specifically happening is always the best course, prescription medications are often overpriced, and doctors generally will steer you in the direction of a prescription drug instead of something over the counter (sometimes they get kickbacks for prescribing prescription medications from the drug company).

Here is what I would do. First if you have medical insurance or can afford to see a doctor I would schedule a visit and find out exactly what is wrong. My sense though is since you asked for advice here going to a doctor is not your first choice and would rather try something first before seeing a doctor. While this is probably not the smartest course of action in case you are treating something that doesn't exist and your real problem could be getting worse; again see a doctor, so far none of us here claim to be one.

Having said that, if it is not your intent to see a doctor; try the Prolisec first and see if your symptoms are relieved. If they are, I would still have the doctor check you out at your next visit as the Prolisec could be masking a more serious condition that needs treatment. If it doesn't work, again see a doctor quickly so that he can determine the exact nature of the problem and prescribe something for it.

Unless someone here can say otherwise, I would continue on your course of trying the sample Prilosec you ordered and if it doesn't work then promptly book a visit to the doctor. If it does work, the next time you visit the doctor, say for an annual exam, then I would mention your previous symptoms and that you are taking Prilosec and want him/her to check this out further as you heard from a nurse acquaintance that it could be GERD.

Again, good luck.

Going to the doctors is my third choice, right after asking for advice and then trying certain medications.

I am 30 and have suffered from heartburn and acid reflux for the las 3-4 years. I have been on ranitidine tablets for the last 3 years which were prescribed by my doctor. I would go and see your GP first before you buy anything over the counter in case you can get something stronger or better. Good luck.