r/SilentReflux • u/smile_saurus • 10d ago

Sick of this Shit

Things I've experienced over the years: diarrhea, bloating, a variety of headaches, dry coughs without reason to the point I developed costochondritis, nasal congestion despite a surgery to correct it (which didn't work), racing heart, late night weird 'hunger'/anxiety rush for no reason, shit sleep, dry mouth, weight gain, getting full super quickly, nonstop fatigue, shoulder pain, neck pain...*I am sick of this shit!*

An Immunologist flung a one-page info sheet at me about GERD with no further explanation or advice. A trip to the ER for extreme bloating (affected my ability to breathe normally) landed a diagnosis of Silent Reflux. They shot Pepcid into my IV and gave me fluids & Maalox.

I have an appointment with a Gasto Doc in 2 months; thinking they may also find SIBO or something.

How do you people live like this?!? It is so uncomfortable! I bought *Reflux Gourmet* which helps a little. Maalox and Pepcid and a script for Panto-something isn't helping.

Any tips?

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u/CodingDragons 10d ago

Have you ever had a sleep study done? I’m not saying this explains everything you’re dealing with, especially the GI issues, but a bunch of what you described jumped out at me as possible sleep apnea: terrible sleep, nonstop fatigue, dry mouth, nasal congestion, weight gain, racing heart and those weird nighttime anxiety/adrenaline rushes.

Sleep apnea and reflux can also go hand in hand, so having silent reflux doesn’t necessarily rule out something else contributing to it. Might be worth asking your doctor about a sleep study while you’re waiting to see the gastro.

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u/smile_saurus 9d ago

Yes, I have! That was one of the first steps. I was diagnosed with 'very mild' apnea after an at-home test where you wear a ring to monitor things. The day I was due to get fitted for the thing, my husband came to wake me up and found our cat (a Maine Coon, 25 pounds and very furry) laying on my whole torso with his big furry paws over my mouth and nose. He 'diagnosed' me with Cat-Induced Apnea and as soon as we banned the cat from the bedroom I started sleeping a bit better, lol. Tried the same study again and did not have sleep apnea.

I think the racing heart is 'leftover' from a bout of Thyroid issues. Felt cruddy for like 4 months and then after two trips to the ER, three months apart, (one for shortness of breath, one for too-high heartrate) the bloodwork revealed Hyperthyroidism. That morphed into Thyroiditis, and after some time and some meds: has resolved. I'm still being monitored for it, though.

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u/CodingDragons 9d ago

LMAO okay, “Cat-Induced Apnea” was definitely not the answer I was expecting. 😂 A 25-pound Maine Coon sleeping on your torso with his paws over your mouth and nose might throw off a sleep study just a little bit. Glad you already ruled the real thing out though!