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Dear Ask The Doctor: For ten years now I have had this discomfort right behind my belly button. I thought it was nausea but was told I couldn't be nauseated there because behind my belly button was my intestins. Well, I have delt with it for a long time then it started getting alot worse. Now I am getting lightheaded along with it. I went to my doctor a couple months ago and have blood work, a scope ran down my throat, an ultrasound, a hyda scan, and an abdominal cat scan done. All that came back was that i had a fatty liver, acid relux-which i have known about, and that my thyroid was low. I am taking the meds for my thyroid. I have been given 3 different meds for the acid reflux and all of them make it worse--- prezicid, nexim, prilosec. I was wondering if you had any suggestions?
Dear Katie: Prevacid (Lansoprazole), Nexium (Esomeprazole) and Prilosec (Omeprazole) are all from the same family of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors used in the treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and gastric ulceration. H2 receptor antagonist medications are an alternative therapy, if no benefit was achieved from the medications previously described. Lifestyle modifications may be beneficial in the treatment of GERD and are aimed at enhancing esophageal acid clearance and minimizing the incidence of reflux events. These modifications include: Head of bed elevation, dietary modifications, weight loss, restriction of alcohol and cessation of smoking. Avoiding fatty foods, chocolate, peppermint, and excessive alcohol, which may reduce lower esophageal sphincter pressure, may be beneficial. Also a number of beverages have a very acidic pH and can exacerbate symptoms including; colas, red wine, and orange juice (pH 2.5 to 3.9) and avoiding these may also be beneficial .Obesity is a risk factor for GERD, therefore weight loss would be recommended in addition to elimination of smoking (due to diminished salivation). If none of the above interventions improve your symptoms, I would advise attending your family doctor for an alternative diagnosis. |
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