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From: Mr. New Jersey
Date: 02/17/01
Time: 18:14:47
Am I being too optimistic?
I’m a 39 year old male, who never had GERD or reflux; had heartburn only a few times a year (at most). I eat a good diet, am not over weight, and exercise regularly. I could eat anything I wanted without any problems. I liked spicy food (maybe once a week or so) and had NO disorders what so ever until recently. No gas, bloating, flatulence, burping, diarrhea, or constipation. In fact, its been 8 years since I had a stomach virus. I’ve been off caffeine for 2 years (because of a mild case of benign tachacardia back then).
I’ve always been somewhat sensitive to NSAIDs before, but pretty much ignored the symptoms as mild & temporary. In August 2000, I was taking Advil (6 to 8 - 200 mg. per day) because of acute neck pain due to exercise, and had bad heartburn because of it. In October I was put on Naproxin (250 mg. twice a day) & flexeral (10 mg. twice a day) until Jan 2001, & spent lots of time on my back (even after meals).
Now, I had endoscope, diagnosed with erosive esphageoitus, erosive gastritis, and large hiatal hernia. I’m a weigh lifter from way back, so I assume I had the hernia for some time now. Biopsy for H Pylori was neg., so I assume the erosive gastritis had to come from the NSAIDs. (trust me, the "pain in the neck" was acute & very stressful).
Having no history of GERD or heartburn before, or even food sensitivity, can I blame everything on the 5 to 6 months of NSAIDs, aggravated by improper diet & stress? Do I have a reasonable hope that with time, PPI’s, and healing, my condition will greatly improve? I’m convinced it was not only the NSAIDs that exacerbated my condition, but actually caused it.
Thank you for any & all info!