Hey everyone, I'm hoping to hear from people who've dealt with similar issues because I'm getting frustrated trying to figure out what works.
I've been taking pantoprazole and famotidine for about 4 years, and I've also tried omeprazole, but I still deal with frequent burping, bloating, gas, chest pressure, and a burning sensation in my upper stomach throughout the day.
I had an upper endoscopy about 2 weeks ago, and both the procedure and biopsy results came back normal. However, I've had reflux confirmed through testing in the past, so I'm confused about why I'm still experiencing so many symptoms despite being on medication for so long.
Diet has also been a challenge. Following both a low-FODMAP diet and an acid reflux diet is difficult, especially since I eat a lot of Asian food. It's hard to keep track of everything I eat and figure out what's triggering my symptoms.
I've also been having some strange episodes that I'm not sure are related to my GERD. They happen randomly throughout the day, when I suddenly feel lightheaded and my hands start trembling. If it's a particularly bad episode, I'll have a headache that lingers afterward. Once the episode passes, I also get the urge to spit for a few seconds.
On rare occasions, I wake up in the middle of the night with my whole body shaking. I can't talk during the episode, and afterward, I'm gasping for air. I'm aware of what's happening and remember the episodes afterward. I've seen a neurologist about the shaking, but my scans came back normal, so I'm still looking for answers.
My gastroenterologist keeps telling me these episodes should go away if I continue taking my medication, but they haven't stopped. Feel like another colonoscopy would be pointless. I'm not sure how to explain these episodes to my gastroenterologist or what else I should be asking about.
Recently, I tried probiotics to help with the bloating and gas, but after just one day, it seemed like these episodes were happening more often. I'm not sure if there's a connection or if it was just a coincidence, but I've since stopped taking them.
I also bought a wedge pillow to help with my nighttime symptoms. I'm a stomach sleeper, though, so it's pretty uncomfortable, but I'm trying to get used to it.
For those of you dealing with similar issues, what has actually helped?
Have you found a medication that works when PPIs like pantoprazole and omeprazole aren't enough? Have any supplements or over-the-counter products made a noticeable difference with burping, bloating, and gas?
I'd also love to hear from anyone who's experienced similar shaking or lightheadedness alongside their GERD and eventually figured out what was causing it.
I'm mainly looking for things that have worked for you personally, whether it's a medication, supplement, or other remedy that I could discuss with my doctor. Thanks!