Ashley's Story

"My name is Ashley and I am 19 years old. I have had acid reflux very intensely since I was about 15. I have been on Prevacid ever since then and now the Prevacid doesn't even seem to be enough to control my symptoms. I feel miserable all the time. I usually feel tired and weak and I get pains in my stomach all the time. I take Rolaids, but that only seems to suppress the symptoms for a little while, and I can't be on Rolaids for the rest of my life. I pretty much feel sick all the time. I am seriously considering the benefits of surgery to correct my issue because I can't stand it anymore. Does anyone have any advice or any comments for me?"

Points to Remember:
If you have an concerns about the medication you are on, whether it is working properly or effectively, or additional symptoms occur, you should discuss this with your doctor. It is especially important to talk to your doctor if you are thinking about surgery. And while what we eat is often the trigger for acid reflux, there may be other things we do that increase the risk of reflux, and changing how or when we do these may help in eliminating symptoms. Nighttime heartburn is a common problem, and a few preventative steps may help stop the reflux. Also, what we do before, during, and after a meal can contribute to acid reflux, even when we watch what we eat. Meal planning helps with this. Other lifestyle modifications are also helpful.

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Related Resources:

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Antacids
Fundoplication Surgery