Indigestion and inability to eat - esophagitis?

Dear Ask The Doctor: Hi, I am an 18 year old female and lately I have just been having the worst time. About a month ago, I threw up in the middle of the night in my sleep and never even noticed. I have always suffered from bad acid reflux but its way worse. These past two weeks, I cant eat at all. The pain is so bad, and after I eat I immediately get indigestion. I feel as if my stomach has been stapled shut. I am trying very hard but only managing one meal a day, and I have lost 7 pounds. My initial weight was only 113 pounds and I am 5ft3inches tall. I have been taking Nexium and it helps a bit but I still cant eat. I have also had a numb feeling in my sternum region, extreme migraine headaches, nausea in the evenings especially after trying to eat, and pain all around my chests bones(presumably from the acid reflux). I keep going back and forth to the doctor but we are getting nowhere. I really need to start eating, as my bowel movements are really few and far between. What is this and what else can I do to help myself eat??

Dear Siobhan: Having heartburn for quite a while now, you may have developed reflux esophagitis, an erosion or soreness due to acid contact, at the lower end of the esophagus. You need to continue on a bland diet which includes yogurt, plain pastas, cooked cereals, custard etc. Stay away from acid increasing and gas producing foods such as, pepper, spicy foods, tomatoes or acidic fruits, even coffee. You need to drink lots of water to flush out the acid and also help bowel movements. In my opinion you should see a gastroenterologist for further investigations and treatment.