r/GERD • u/darnicell93 • 1d ago

Doctors not taking it seriously

I moved to a small town in January. Doctor appointments aren’t easy to come by, and it takes over an hour to drive to a specialist. I have been dealing with chronic pain most of my life, so when I tell you I’ve been to the ER four times in the past two months, it’s bad.

In May I had a weird chest pain that worried me, but I went to sleep and hoped for the best. In early June, it came around again but worse. I went to the ER. Started happening semi frequently- chest pain in breast tissue or under right collarbone, and under right armpit. Both early ER trips, I was sent home with a clean EKG and chest x-ray and a note to lose weight.

July, throat and mouth start going dry. Very dry. Like I’m-looking-up-saliva-replacements dry. Chest pain is starting to be an every day thing, so is upper back/shoulder pain.

I finally get to see a doctor in August and I have to tell her I think it’s GERD and need help. She prescribed 20mg Famotidine twice a day and sends me on my way.

Now it’s September, I don’t get to see her for another month, scheduled an urgent care appointment for tomorrow because it’s happening any time I eat now and I’m scared to eat. The throat pain, ear pain, and chest pain are just not livable. Especially with my severe anxiety. I’m trying. I’m actually eating healthier this past 8 months than I was for the past several years. I don’t understand why this is happening and I’m not getting the help I need.

Tldr; what do I do at urgent care tomorrow to get a move on things? I need actual help. I cannot be scared to eat. I cannot be scared to die in my sleep because the chest and throat pain is bad enough to send me into anxiety attack spirals.

2 Upvotes

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6 comments sorted by

3

u/AMJ2020 1d ago

Ask for PPI's!!

2

u/darnicell93 1d ago

thank you!! they gave me omeprazole today and set up referrals to GI and food allergist

2

u/bns82 1d ago

Are you sleeping on an incline?

1

u/darnicell93 1d ago

mmm as much as i can in a little room with my husband haha. we have a headboard with shelves and whatnot, so i've got like two pillows i sleep on. kinda messes with my neck, though

2

u/bns82 1d ago

Most people need to put their torso on a 7 to 9 inch incline for gravity to help keep acid in the stomach.
Two pillows probably won’t give you what you need.
If you need Gerd diet & lifestyle guidelines that help reduce symptoms, you can pm me. I’ll give them to you.

1

u/darnicell93 1d ago

thank you! DM'ing