Been in hospital

KitEKats4Eva! · Jun 6, 2007

Well I've been having some trouble with gastrointestinal reflux over the past couple of weeks. I keep waking up in the middle of the night with severe upper abdominal pain that I have to really nail with strong pain killers before I can go back to sleep. I've been going to sleep sitting up, cross-legged, with my head bent forward on four pillows hugging a heat pack.

I had an appointment with a specialist last Friday but for one reason or another I cancelled it. I was feeling better and, having worked in gastro for so many years, didn't want to be guilty of being one of those people who has a little knowledge and therefore reads too much into everything.

Well, Monday night, the last night of my leave, I woke again at 3am with really intense pain. It was radiating through to my back and I couldn't sit or lie down. I was pacing around the house, breathing heavily, with my heat pack, and really strong pain killers didn't touch it. Finally after nearly an hour and a half Max took me to emergency.

I was there for six hours and ended up having four shots of morphine before I could settle down. It was so awful. So I'm seeing a specialist next week. I've had a gastroscopy for a bit of reflux in the past but it's never been this bad, ever. It was really scary and poor Max was almost catatonic with exhaustion by the time we got home in the morning.

Does anyone here have any problems with reflux? I mean really bad, really painful reflux? I must admit that I never knew how painful this could be. I know I need to take medication regularly and modify my diet and eating habits more, but does anyone else have any tips?

Thanks guys, sorry for the long post but I'm feeling a bit rotten

anakat · Jun 6, 2007

No advice, just some

hope you feel better soon.

theimp98 · Jun 6, 2007

i hope you start to feel better soon. HUG
and like i said in my PM, i think i am starting the same thing, anytime i lay down, i burp up acid like crazy, unless i drink a ton of milk before going to bed.

KitEKats4Eva! · Jun 6, 2007

That's no good Bruce!! You should maybe try Mylanta or something and see if it settles. That's what I've been doing but to no avail this time, unfortunately.

I haven't had any other symptoms of reflux like burping or tasting any acid, so when I was in hospital they gave me an abdominal x-ray and ultrasound, and took some blood in case it was gallstones. Mum had very bad gallbladder disease so it had to be ruled out. None thank goodness - but I don't trust emergency radiology so I'm having another ultrasound by a specialist I know just to make doubly sure. Gallstones can be nasty. I'm almost 100% sure it's not that though - thank goodness!

trouts mom · Jun 6, 2007

Aaaaah Sarah..I have no advice for ya..but lots of hugs...

I can't imagine how that would feel..it sounds nasty though.

crittermom · Jun 6, 2007

Yes I do.It is getting worse now also.
I take meds for it and nothing seems to be helping it.Diet change,nothing is working.
I hope yours gets better soon.

neetanddave · Jun 6, 2007

Dang Sarah, I was hoping you were having a great holiday and didn't have time for us.

and hope you feel better soon.

A few guys at work have the reflux, and they swear by drinking a half cup of apple cider vinegar mixed with water twice a day. Said it works better than any of their meds.

KitEKats4Eva! · Jun 6, 2007

Aww thanks Neet. Nope, holiday was lovely but SOOOOO busy - busier than when I'm at work!! I thought it would look REALLY bad to not go to work on the first day I was due back, but my boss was so lovely and understanding. I went in after a couple of hours sleep in the morning to do the afternoon post-op clinic, and he was just so nice about it all.

I am definitely going to try your apple cider vinegar suggestion. I'll try ANYTHING at this stage!

lookingglass · Jun 6, 2007

I hope you feel better soon. I don't have any advice, but you best take care of your self.

lunasmom · Jun 6, 2007

So sorry to hear about your reflux.

I don't know anyone who has it (well fiance claims he has it, BUT he drinks diet sode like its going to disappear tomorrow...so its his own fault

). I hope you do feel better though.

crittermom · Jun 6, 2007

My hubby uses 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water for it.Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww he says it works, cause you burp really loud and then feel better.I tried it once,and threw up.
I am using Prilosec 2 times a day and 4-6 Pepcid AC
So, I know what you're going through.I think the worst part is at night,waking up with the acid in the back of your throat choking you.

KitEKats4Eva! · Jun 6, 2007

Well that actually hasn't happened to me yet. All I'm getting is the intense pain. The consensus at the hospital is that I have an ulcer that is about to burst (nice) and that's why I need further investigation. I've gotta learn to stop getting so anxious about things...

lsulover · Jun 6, 2007

Originally Posted by KitEKats4Eva!

Well I've been having some trouble with gastrointestinal reflux over the past couple of weeks. I keep waking up in the middle of the night with severe upper abdominal pain that I have to really nail with strong pain killers before I can go back to sleep. I've been going to sleep sitting up, cross-legged, with my head bent forward on four pillows hugging a heat pack.

I had an appointment with a specialist last Friday but for one reason or another I cancelled it. I was feeling better and, having worked in gastro for so many years, didn't want to be guilty of being one of those people who has a little knowledge and therefore reads too much into everything.

Well, Monday night, the last night of my leave, I woke again at 3am with really intense pain. It was radiating through to my back and I couldn't sit or lie down. I was pacing around the house, breathing heavily, with my heat pack, and really strong pain killers didn't touch it. Finally after nearly an hour and a half Max took me to emergency.

I was there for six hours and ended up having four shots of morphine before I could settle down. It was so awful. So I'm seeing a specialist next week. I've had a gastroscopy for a bit of reflux in the past but it's never been this bad, ever. It was really scary and poor Max was almost catatonic with exhaustion by the time we got home in the morning.

Does anyone here have any problems with reflux? I mean really bad, really painful reflux? I must admit that I never knew how painful this could be. I know I need to take medication regularly and modify my diet and eating habits more, but does anyone else have any tips?

Thanks guys, sorry for the long post but I'm feeling a bit rotten

I am sorry that you have been sick, I hope they can find something to make you feel better.

I am sending hugs and prayers from Mississippi for you.

crittermom · Jun 6, 2007

Do you mean a bleeding ulcer? YES,those hurt like you know what!!! Makes you want to lay down and cover your head up and never come out again.
The acid chokes me and makes me get up in a hurry to throw up.I often wake hubby up choking on acid.

I hope you get this figured out and feel better soon!!

KitEKats4Eva! · Jun 6, 2007

Yep - bleeding ulcer. Man, the pain. Honestly I was going through stages where I thought I had cancer the last two weeks (although I know that's a bit extreme...). The next day I was feeling so weak and pathetic, but I was starving so I had a mandarin and a banana. Then I hopped in the shower to try to make myself look presentable for work and threw the whole lot up before I could help myself. Not pleasant. But I've been eating normally since then and haven't had any recurrences. Hopefully the specialist will be able to sort it out for me.

I think what you have is almost worse in a way - there must be nothing more uncomfortable than a constant choking sensation and then throwing up all the time

bella713 · Jun 6, 2007

Geez Sarah, that sounds awful

I also have heard of the apple cider remedy, I hope it works for you

babyharley · Jun 6, 2007

Ouch... all I can do is offer some hugs, & hope you feel better VERY soon!!

adymarie · Jun 6, 2007

I'm sorry - no advice here for you. As a person currently dealing with gallstones - I feel your pain. I hope that the specialist will be able to do something to help you.

crazyforinfo · Jun 6, 2007

My Mother had the same problem years ago. She was sleeping sitting up and was in the bathroom throwing up a lot. When I talk to her again I will ask what she did for the pain. I know it acts up when she eats onions.

I hope you feel better soon.

katachtig · Jun 6, 2007

Originally Posted by KitEKats4Eva!

That's no good Bruce!! You should maybe try Mylanta or something and see if it settles. That's what I've been doing but to no avail this time, unfortunately.

I haven't had any other symptoms of reflux like burping or tasting any acid, so when I was in hospital they gave me an abdominal x-ray and ultrasound, and took some blood in case it was gallstones. Mum had very bad gallbladder disease so it had to be ruled out. None thank goodness - but I don't trust emergency radiology so I'm having another ultrasound by a specialist I know just to make doubly sure. Gallstones can be nasty. I'm almost 100% sure it's not that though - thank goodness!

Have the ultrasound - I had the same thing you were talking about - severe GERD for months. The night after I came back from a trip, I had severe pain and was vomiting. About 3am I went to the emergency room and had the ultrasound. Next thing I was having my gallbladder out. I haven't had the reflux problem since.

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