Your Serious Acid Reflux May Be Something More Serious....But Is Easily Treatable

2023-07-31T16:20:33-04:00

ACID REFLUX IS NO FUN

When I was in the process of medically separating from the Army, it felt like everything came crashing down, despite being a young, otherwise healthy 27 year old. I was in the process of finishing my nursing degree, and it was an absolutely stressful time.

Okay, yes, maybe my diet could have been better, and maybe I could’ve held off on drinking that extra Cosmo. But what I was experiencing physically, and the way my medical provider went about it… well, I don’t think I’m alone, so I am bringing it here.

I started having SEVERE acid reflux, and it was sudden. No changes in my diet or alcohol intake, no increase in my stress level really. But if you are taking Prilosec, Protonix, Nexium, or any of a number of medications for acid reflux (or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or "GERD”), please learn from my experience.

For two years I took this medication. My care team knew the symptoms, and “diagnosed” me with GERD, but no one ever told me WHY I was having these symptoms.

THE VA KNOWS VETERAN HEALTH ISSUES

My pain became so intense, I went to the hospital; my blood pressure was through the roof, elevated from the pain. The medical team said “everything looks good on your CT scan, it’s probably stress,” and told me to follow up with a gastroenterologist. I went to the VA, they asked me my symptoms, where I had served in the military, and they handed me a small, hand-held bag and told me to breathe into it.

I was pretty mad; I assumed they thought I was panicking or stressed out. But it was actually a “Urea breath test” that is used to identify Helicobacter pylori, a common Gastro Intestinal bacteria in post-9/11 veterans due to the nations we deploy to. But because it isn’t common in the United States population, it is overlooked!

YOUNGER VETERANS ARE AT HIGHER RISK

Here’s the scary part: infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) causes chronic inflammation and significantly increases the risk of developing duodenal and gastric ulcers and subsequent gastric cancer and possibly MALT (mucosa-assisted lymphoid tissue) lymphoma.

Infections with H. pylori are the strongest known risk factor for gastric cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.

Most Americans do not need to be concerned as the infection prevalence in the United States is less than 30%. However in places like Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, the rates are upwards of 70-90%. Sources of H. pylori include:

- Contaminated food, water
- Unsanitary eating utensils
- Infected bodily fluids
- KAF “Poo pond”

Infections in military veterans are equally as common as the general population - HOWEVER, the age variances are what is most important to recognize. H.pylori infections are 11% higher in military veterans aged 17-25 years old and 8% higher in ages 26-35 years.

In my case, that bacteria progressed for two years and created a mild ulcer. But a week of antibiotics fixed, and healed, two years of overlooked pain.

HERE'S HOW TO FIND OUT MORE

I highly recommend if you served during post-9/11 (or even before) and you have acid reflux or similar symptoms, ask your healthcare team for an h.pylori test. Trust me, if you are positive, it is a LIFE-CHANGER.

To learn more about GERD and other gastrointestinal disorders, go to:
https://rly.pt/Hunter7Gastrointestinal-disorders

To learn more about toxic exposures and the illnesses resulting from military service, go to:
https://rly.pt/HunterSeven

Hunter7Gastrointestinal-disorders

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Jul 31 at 2023 4:34 PM

2023-07-31T16:34:30-04:00

Thanks for sharing SGT Chelsey Simoni

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jul 31 at 2023 6:58 PM

2023-07-31T18:58:51-04:00

You are so right. My mom was actually treated for that

Response by CPT David Gowel made Aug 1 at 2023 6:45 AM

2023-08-01T06:45:40-04:00

Wow - thank you for sharing. I imagine there are a lot of symptoms misdiagnosed by primary care physicians who can't possibly know all possible diseases / conditions, especially in cases where those symptoms point to a health issue not common in their own part of the world. Hopefully people with unexplained acid reflux who hear your story can get urea breath tests soon.

Response by PO2 Keith G. made Aug 3 at 2023 1:57 AM

2023-08-03T01:57:08-04:00

Yet another thing to discuss with my PCP next time I'm able to get in to be seen

Response by SPC David Schuerman made Aug 3 at 2023 2:35 AM

2023-08-03T02:35:07-04:00

I'm glad you found an answer. I have silent GERD which caused chronic coughing for over a year, post nasal drip, etc. Sometimes I get heartburn, but not frequently. I tried Omeprazole, but it didn't seem effective. Then I learned people are having kidney issues from long term use. Now that lawyers are suing over this, there may be something to it. No doctor warned me about this. Fortunately, I didn't take it that long, maybe a couple of months, so I should be fine. I don't know if other proton pump inhibitors have the same issue, but it's good to be cautious with this stuff. GERD can cause some serious problems. My doctor put me on Sucralfate which is for ulcers, but it calmed my system down enough for the coughing to go away. I just take it if the coughing comes back since it's not meant for continuous use.

Response by SPC Patricia Banks made Aug 3 at 2023 7:22 AM

2023-08-03T07:22:19-04:00

Yes-it's imperative to counteract bacterial culprits ASAP!

Response by Sgt Sheri Lynn made Aug 4 at 2023 9:09 AM

2023-08-04T09:09:18-04:00

I'm so glad you were able to find help and recovery for this! It reminds me that perseverance is so necessary when dealing with or physical and mental health. Especially when dealing with a large, sometimes clueless organization. I sometimes wish, when in pain, that someone else would step in and do the managing of appointments and doctors for me. It's a real challenge. But, again, kudos to you for pressing on and sharing your story!

Response by SFC Todd Sutherland made Aug 5 at 2023 7:12 PM

2023-08-05T19:12:52-04:00

While I applaud noting the OTC meds are exacerbating issues... I'm concerned that you address diet, intake and stress so cavalierly in the middle of the writing.

Add to this too that all things being equal on those regards, you must still enter aging into the equation no matter how socially or chronologically young you feel.

Anyone who is contending with this and does not recognize that intake is the single greatest component is kidding themselves and/or their patients.

Response by SFC Todd Sutherland made Aug 5 at 2023 7:14 PM

2023-08-05T19:14:20-04:00

Response by SPC Rick Price made Aug 7 at 2023 12:01 PM

2023-08-07T12:01:19-04:00

I currently have two ulcers. No reflux. I am working w Va to get them removed. Non-cancerous. Thank you for sharing — very interesting.

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made Aug 8 at 2023 7:30 PM

2023-08-08T19:30:23-04:00

Good evening SGT Chelsey Simoni. Excellent post. Thanks for sharing this Sister Chelsey.

Response by SGT Samuel Shelton made Aug 14 at 2023 9:49 AM

2023-08-14T09:49:01-04:00

I deal with this and I am constantly annoyed by it.

Response by SGT Jessica Kingsley made Aug 25 at 2023 2:48 PM

2023-08-25T14:48:44-04:00

I inquired about this with my VA PCP. She did tell me that prior to doing the test, she wanted me to try this medication. So, she prescribed me this medication that I have been taking for about a week now, and I have had no flare ups, no middle-of-the-night wake ups for a glass of milk, nothing. Thank you for sharing as this really helped me check myself on things going on with my body as I age and being able to openly discuss these things with my doctor.

Response by MAJ Allan Harrelson made Sep 25 at 2023 1:01 PM

2023-09-25T13:01:12-04:00

GERD, aka acid reflux is no joke.
I've had it for years, and have tried every herb, concoction known to man to avoid those dreadful Proton Pump Inhibitors-PPI, with no success.

I've raised my headboard 5 inches, cut back on greasy foods, plenty of exercise.., and still no relief.

So for 8 years now it's been Omeprazole once a day, followed by apple cider vinegar in the evenings to replace the stomach acid the PPI robs from your stomach, and it's much better, though not completely gone.

As a footnote, there is an "exercise" I have found that seems to help as well, and that's to lay down on your back, and with a tennis placed gently at the point where your rib cages meet, just below your throat, and gently roll the ball downward toward your belly button. I do it at night just before bed.

What this does is stimulates the sphincter, a kind of valve that opens and closes which doesn't always work properly, allowing stomach acid to flow back into your esophagus, causing that miserable burning sensation.

Hope this info helps those who suffer from this annoying GERD.

Great article Sergeant, thanks and salute!