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From: Rebecca
Remote Name: 12.236.99.7
Date: 10/10/02
Time: 06:46:50 PM
Hi jdk,
Your symptoms sure do sound like a lot of us here with GERD. The lump in the throat is a classic symptom. Also, some of the symptoms you're experiencing (along with doctors who are seemingly unable to help) can also cause significant anxiety, which can actually make the GERD worse. I really didn't think that applied to me at first, but in hindsight I can see that my anxiety definitely played a role in my GERD.
I'm not a doctor, but it's my understanding from what I've been told and what I've learned on this board that many tests for GERD do not always prove conclusively the presence or absence of GERD. Especially if it is something that's come on rather suddenly where the effects of a long-term chronic condition would not be present.
We can all relate to what you're going through, believe me. GERD can have such a devastating effect on quality-of-life. I'm assuming a GI did your endoscopy? If so, perhaps he could recommend another PPI -- there are many such as Protonix, Aciphex, Prilosec to name just a few.
For what it's worth, the one thing I wish somebody would have told me when all this began is to 1) Set your expectations that it might take a while to find a good doctor you feel comfortable with, but keep trying until you do --then 2) Set your expectations again that even with the right doctor it might take a little more time to find the right treatment plan that works best for you, and most importantly 3) Don't give up! With time and persistence you will get to the bottom of this and find an answer. Hope you feel better real soon. Kind Regards, Rebecca