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[zuzu_]

This is getting to the point where it's interfering with my daily life.

Doesn't seem to matter too much what I eat or how much.

I take Prilosec every day. And then often it will break through and I will have to take Zantac (two 150mg) and then it will still be there and I drink Mylanta.

Gotta go to the Dr. again, although I'm pretty sure they will scope, which I dread.

Anyone know anything about about GERD surgery?? I'd get it in a second if it would help.

[inthelab]

No but Labkid #1 has GERD, takes Nexium for it.  Her collie has it too!  He take something OTC, Zantac maybe.
Please keep us posted.

[gennimom]

There is one problem with Nexium, as we have found. GD is on it for the rest of his life unless we can afford a hospital-type bed for him to sleep on. Since Nexium stops acid production, you lose a lot of your protection from viruses and bacteria that stomach acid kills. He is always getting every stomach bug that comes his way. If there were a surgery for his particular problem he'd have it in a heartbeat, so if it is that bad, I'd want to do it.

The scope isn't that bad (I've had one, ask to be knocked out). But if you have GERD you are at risk for Barrett's Esophagus which is a precancerous/cancerous condition of the esophagus.

If the surgery is a Nielsen's fundiplication, that is what they did to GD. However, he has NO top valve to his stomach. If you still have yours, then you would probably get more protection than he has been able to achieve (although we knew that going in).

Sounds like you would be a great candidate for the surgery though, ITL.

[anthroid]

SO has significant GERD and takes 2 Prilosec as needed.  One thing that has been incredibly effective for him has been raising the head of his bed significantly--like, at least a foot (it may be more like 18 inches).  It required some serious engineering of the bed frame, but raising the entire head end of the bed has almost eliminated his GERD.

I have a very hard time sleeping in the bed as a result; I keep sliding toward the foot of the bed.  But I'm only there 2 weekends a month so it's tolerable, and it really has made a huge difference for him.

[llanfair]

My sympathies, InTheLab.  GERD is no fun.  My case is pretty mild; most days I'm fine on two 150 mg Zantac tablets, but every now and then I need to chew 2 Rolaids.  A friend once told me that eventually the Zantac ceases to work, and I've begun to wonder whether I'm getting to that point.  Perhaps your Prilosec isn't working as well as it did.

GM's right - scoping isn't so bad if you're not awake for it.  I have this on good authority, tho' I haven't (yet) had one myself.

[gennimom]

Anthroid, we tried the raised head of the bed and had the same problem you did, which is why I mentioned the hospital-type bed. That kind of bed also raises your knees slightly which provides a "stop" that helps prevent the sliding. GD has tried sleeping on a wedge, a stack of pillows, and lately on the couch (no, I haven't kicked him out of the bed). Except for the couch, he has a tendency to fall off the pillows or wedge and wakes up drowning. Literally.

The only kind of bed he has ever slept in without ending up prone and choking was a hospital bed. So if we ever get enough money, we're buying him a new bed. The cheapest we found (and we provide the base frame) was $1400.

[comp_queen]

Genni--could you let people at your church or older relatives know you need a hospital bed?  I'd offer you ours (left over from my grandparents), but we already donated them.

[gennimom]

Right now, none of the relatives have one. We aren't real active in a church. Every time we've tried, one of us got sick. I don't know if we just never found the right church or what.
GD now wants to wait and see if we can get one where we end up, rather than have to move it. One of those you see the ads for on TV are slightly lighter than an actual hospital bed.

[tee_bee]

I have GERD, moderate mostly and under control, although sometimes it really is a killer. Some things I do:

1. I take Omeprezole (generic Nexium) daily, at night.

2. I try not to eat dinner past about 7:00 or 7:30 each night.

3. My wife isn't keen on raising the bed, but if I sleep on a few pillows it seems to help.

4. If it feels like the acid is coming no matter what, I eat about 5 to 7 Tums right before going to bed.

5. I am also trying, but not always succeeding, to cut down on carbonated drinks, which worsens GERD. Water seems to help water everything down, make it get through the system.

Here's something I could do: lose weight. My GERD got worse when I got bigger. I am trying to get my s**t together this year.

And as for the scope--it's not fun, but spotting problems before they get worse is a good thing.

Good luck--I suspect my GERD is milder than yours, but I hope the forum can help.

[zuzu_]

SO has significant GERD and takes 2 Prilosec as needed.  One thing that has been incredibly effective for him has been raising the head of his bed significantly--like, at least a foot (it may be more like 18 inches).  It required some serious engineering of the bed frame, but raising the entire head end of the bed has almost eliminated his GERD.

Yeah, I have a special pillow that is shaped like a ramp, and I've tried raising th ebed a few inches. I think it helps a little, but my GERD is still pretty bad when I'm vertical (standing up throughout the course of my day). 

Perhaps I will try taking two prilosec until I can see my Dr.

I saw a Dr. about this maybe five years ago. He said he wouldn't recommend a scope yet because I was young and had no other weird symptoms. He told me to be sure to get a scope in the 30s. So now I am 33 and it's gotten worse.

I also have a great uncle who died of Esoph-cancer.

[gennimom]

Go get it checked out NOW, Zuzu. This is not something to play around with. GD's can never be totally fixed and I worry about him every day. If you have a chance of fixing the problem, do so! Please!

[michigander]

I've had GERD for years.  Fortunately, I'm lucky and it responds completely to raising the head of my bed just a couple of inches plus one Prilosec OTC each day before breakfast.  I had a colleague at work in a prior job who had to have the surgery twice (!) and reported that the experience was absolutely horrible but that the relief was worth it.

[zuzu_]

Yeah, I am at the point where surgery seems like no big deal compared to the potential relief.

I take generic Omeprazole--isn't that generic Prilosec? is there a difference between Prilosec and Nexium? And for those of you who take two: since they are time-release, do you take both pills at once? Or do you take them 12 hours apart?

I am maybe 15 lbs overweight, but I also had significant heartburn at lower weights.  My diet isn't the greatest--I do a good job with portion control, but I eat a lot of sweets.  Whenever I try to restrict foods, it just doesn't solve the problem. It might be a little better, but I just get to the point where I'm like "screw it--If I'm going to have heartburn anyway, might as well eat my chocolate." But I rarely drink carbonated beverages, and I do drink a lot of water.

Yes, I know I need to get to the doctor. I am about to leave a month-long road trip, though.

[pgher]

I have had GERD for a while and take Prilosec.  That helps, but not enough.  What really helps is Reglan.  Apparently I have a "motility disorder," which I believe is an esophageal problem.  Because of the motility problem, I can't have the surgery, but the Reglan helps enough that I'm OK.  (Motility is diagnosed by X-ray with barium.)

[gennimom]

Prilosec just stops the acid. Nexium actually helps heal the damage to the esophagus.