Hi Ciel,
i havent been on much lately and was thinking of you the other day.  Came to see if you've been here and found this.  I am glad you are okay and I'm so sorry you're having trouble.  Hang in there.   I hope you're feeling better! 

I think you guys are right about the steroids. I'm finished with the Prednisone now, at least.

I had my appointment yesterday with my Gastroenterologist/Internist. He switched up my meds again and prescribed Pariet (Rabeprazole). I was on Omeprazole for almost two years but it wasn't helping anymore, even with supplemental Zantac, so my GP switched me to Pantoprazole about 6 weeks ago. I've been on Nexium before as well. The pharmacist recommended liquid Gaviscon on Monday which actually helped soothe my throat tissue.  Janelle, I'm going to ask about the PPI in the am/H2 blocker in the PM -- I hadn't heard that before.

I feel like the Pantoprazole it is less helpful than the Omeprazole so I wonder if the combination of steroids, the decrease in efficiency of the meds, and the systemic upset pushed everything over the edge. He also scheduled me for an ultrasound, a gastroscopy and a colonoscopy and put in a referral to send me back to the geneticist.  And I need another referral to an allergist from my GP and I already have referrals in process for a dermatologist and CAMH. I'm overwhelmed!

I've taken probiotics for years off and on, I haven't paid attention to see if it helps my reflux. I've been lax about it lately so I will get back on it. Great suggestion. Vitamin C. has some anti-allergy properties too. Ginger, peppermint and/or nettle leaf tea were also recommended by my naturopath.

Right now I'm supposed to be in the class where the reaction started last week. I haven't even worked up enough courage to walk out the door yet. 

Popsicles are not good for reflux. At least for me. Sugary foods tend to kick up the acid.

I will take a Zantac. Not only does it help the acid reflux, it is a histamine-2 blocker.

Also--this is anecdotal. My allergist has me on a probiotic. I know. I rolled my eyes, too. But a University of Chicago study last month leads me to believe this could actually be beneficial for food allergies. (Study posted elsewhere in another thread).

Anyway, one day I was taking my probiotic pill and i was having awful acid reflux. The acid was really bad. I didn't know about changing the efficacy of either the Zantac or the probiotic if they were taken together, so I didn't want to do that. I also didn't want to take a tums with the probiotic in case they messed with it. 

So I just took the probiotic. And wow--I did not need the Zantac or tums. I'm not surprised that the probiotic helps my acid reflux, but I was surprised to get any benefit with a single dose (it was my first dose). Overall I have noticed a significant improvement in my reflux. In the last week I've only had to take a tums once and no Zantac (it was before bedtime and I needed quick relief [ate tomato sauce for dinner], so I took tums). I was taking it four to five times a week (or more). Also, taking too much in the way of Tums causes kidney stones for me, so I was already trying to reduce them. The probiotic is making that better it seems.

I am not necessarily recommending that for you. I'm taking one because my doctor told me to--and a particular one (that is top 8 free). But I just thought if mention something that is helping me.

Ciel - could it be the steroids causing the reflux?  I gave up on steroids the last time because the acid was so bad (I was going through a huge mystery rash).  Janelle has said that the liquid steroids worked better in regards to reflux.

I just want to offer 

You got it.   

Oh, I'm sorry you had such a horrible reaction. 

It's really good to see you. I was thinking about you a few days ago and wondering how you were doing.  Reaction-wise and other health-wise I worry about you. This is going to sound really corny, but if you could see your way to just posting a note that you're doing okay once a month or two, it would be great to know that. 

 


Are you currently getting help for the anxiety from a professional that you trust?   


I'm glad that your physical symptoms resolved with treatment.


 

I completely understand that anxiety and I applaud you for getting out and forging ahead in spite of that scary reaction you had.     You are so brave!  Don't forget that!