I had to go to the ER last night.
 

(Not MS related) For the last week I've had this constant dull pain in my upper adbomen and I just couldn't take it anymore.I had made an appt with my primary doctor,but I couldn't get in until Oct 7th damn I couldn't wait that long(stupid HMO's). So I went to the ER the doctor said it's looks like I have GERD which is Gastro-Esophageal-Reflex Disease)this is just swell now I have MS and this disease to deal with(haha). My question is does anybody here on the board happen to have GERD and how they deal with it,I got a paper from the doctor about what not to eat and so forth. Thanks Kristi

I don't have GERD, but I have to avoid acidic foods like the plague, or my stomach is a retching mess. Sorry to hear you are feeling poor Kristi. Going to the ER is no fun at all :(.

Hello Kristi sorry your feeling blah, my wife has acid reflux, and imagine some of same things trigger it as does gerd stress cdertain foods and medicine you are taking can also give you troubles, we all were on avelox recently here for sinus issues and it gave us all flu like syptoms so bad that deb ended in hospital and it wasnt the flu it was the meds. go figure huh, I hope you get to feeling better real soon

Hi Kristi, sorry you had to go to the ER - my mom suffers with GERD and has for many many years. She controls hers with diet.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

Hi, I also have it. I try to avoid certain foods (can not drink citrus juices for example) and take nexium to control it.

Well, I was never tested, but my doc has presumed it to be GERD resulting from MS and has me on Nexium as required. I also take Gaviscon, almost daily. Both of those help my symptoms, depending on what they are.

Spicy foods (mexican, italian) and big meals are not good for me. Also, I have to eat many hours before I lay down, or it seems to want to come back up.

Most often the sensation is burning, full right up to the throat, or gassy . . . but I have had it bad enough that I swore I was having a heart attack. On one occasion I parked myself in my doctors office for a couple of hours before my appointment because I figured I was going to die at home alone. :o On another occasion I went to ER too . . . and I am not usually a person that worries too much.

Having said all that, I am now undergoing testing for some stomach issues, which may be the underlying cause anyway. I should know more by the end of the week . . .

Cherie

Hi,Cherie
Well in the ER they did blood, a EKG and took 3 xrays one of my chest and 2 stomach and that was it so I really did not have a specific test.The doctor said he thinks that's it's GERD,I will see my primary doctor next tuesday and will ask her further questions about it. Btw way how is GERD and MS related I didn't know they were. The ER doctor gave me a prescription for Pepcid 20 mgs tablets and Donnatal for abdominal cramping and calms the nerves. I'm alittle leary of taking the Donnatal because it envolves the nerves.) Well,Cherie good luck with what you find out this week. Kristi

Thanks Kristi,

"In multiple sclerosis, (GERD) may be brought about by demyelisation, or lesion, of the medulla oblongata in the Vagus Nerve, or 10th Cranial Nerve."

http://www.mymultiplesclerosis.co.uk...al-reflux.html

The "other" problem I am being investigated for (I think it is a problem with my adrenal gland), may also be as a result of my T-spine lesion . . . :rolleyes:

Cherie

Hey Kristi~ Both my DH and I have GERD and take Aciphex for it. He really gets it bad, but he tends to eat foods that trigger his. When mine is really acting up, I eat very bland aka ice cream, cereal, scrambled eggs.

Hope you can get it under control and feel better soon.

BTW, Kristi . . . even if it is the a cranial nerve causing the GERD problem, I think the treatment would be the same anyway.

It would only be if there is another condition that's causing it (several things can, I think), that makes it worthwhile for you to discuss thoroughly with your doctor.

Cherie