I've been reading some posts and getting caught up on some topics. I have one of my own to share.
I woke up at 3 am on the 4th of July with chest pains that seemed generalized. I had to admit I'd been having chest pains off and on that seemed to be increasing over 3-4 months. I am now 59 years old and even though heart disease is not a feature in my family history, who's to say that it can't happen to me. So I called my new doctor (I moved to the KC area 14 months ago) and got in to see her later the same day. (As a side note, she is very supportive of a gluten free diet for many health concerns-- it was refreshing).
We were looking at my 5 year history of LC and all the symptoms and issues that come with that. I wasn't having chest pains when I exerted myself nor did I have pain in my jaw, sweating, etc. I have been increasingly more nauseated, first thing in the morning, but that has been a feature of my LC, even though I am in remission for the last 2 years. It varies in degree but it's usually lurking. After some discussion my new GP says "I think you are having something called Silent Reflux". WTH is Silent Reflux-- I have never heard of it. It's the action and erosion of GERD without the burn. The real concern with Silent Reflux is that it increases the risk of esophageal cancer because damage is occurring but the patient is not aware of it. It's often misdiagnosed as something else.
Because I was already taking Zantac we decided to increase Zantac. That didn't resolve the chest pains. I tried Nexium but found it acted like a laxative for me. I tried a combination of the two. It was better, but not great. The following month I saw the Physicians Assistant for a new GI doc. The good news for me is that after I said I had been on Dexilant 4-5 years ago, she was willing to prescribe that and again I have responded to it well. I'm not thrilled about being back on a PPI, but I am no longer nauseated everyday, I no longer have that feeling of having a lump constantly in my throat, and the chest pains are gone.
The bad news: this PA was young and I expected her to be as progressive as my new GP. No such luck. I'm sure I stared dumbfounded at her when she said "Nausea is not a feature of Lymphocytic Colitis".
In fact people with MC/LC have numerous bouts of diarrhea, but not constipation, not reflux and not nausea, she said. I learned that day that after living with LC for 5 years and rearranging my entire life because of LC I am not willing to patiently listen to someone tell me that I am wrong about the symptoms I experience. I pointed out that the biopsies were conclusive for LC and debilitating nausea has been one of my most challenging symptoms, hence the reason why I am prescribed Zofran and anti-spasmotics by my previous GI docs (only as needed, which is very rare now). The inflammation I experienced was both upper and lower GI. I showed her the pictures of my previous endoscope and colonoscopy. The inflammation was obvious. Then she looked like this:
I happily took the prescription and walked out knowing I won't be back. I'll find someone more progressive. Or I'll go back to the GI docs in my previous town, 3 hours away, who supported me as I followed the guidance of this board. They were pleased and impressed with my progress.
Anyway, I digress-- Silent Reflux, is a real thing and often misdiagnosed as breathing problems due to coughing and hoarseness that occur. Because of my chest pains I had to do a Stress-Echo to rule out any cardiac issues too (and I don't have any cardiac concerns). Silent Reflux increases the chances of esophageal cancer and I think it's something to be aware of. Here's a little more info: http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/gui ... ent-reflux
Take care,
Carol
