How do I manage pain, heartburn, and throat lump from GERD?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have GERD. My stomach hurts a lot, and I think that I lump in my throat. I have a heartburn sensation. My doctor advised me to take Pantoprazole and Mucosta 100 mg. My pain gets reduced after taking medications, and after a few hours, it comes back again.

Kindly advise.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. The diagnosis of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) can be established by two things. The first one is an endoscopy, and the second one is a pH meter test. In cases like yours, having a low probability of GERD, it is better to do a pH metry test to confirm and establish the diagnosis of GERD before modifying the treatment independently. There are two ways to use a pH meter. The first one is a 24-hour probe through the nose, and the second one is a pH capsule, which is done by the endoscopist.

The latter one is expensive and requires another endoscopy, while the former is cumbersome for you as a catheter is passed across your nose into the esophagus for at least 24 hours. If you are not willing to do any tests now, then you can have an alternative option. You can take Pantoprazole 40 milligrams half an hour before meals, and it takes around three days to see the response of this medication on your symptoms. Continue taking Mucosta 100 milligram (Rebamipide) thrice daily. You can take Gaviscon 15 ml four times daily, half an hour before meals, till your symptoms improve. Have a follow-up soon.

Before deciding on the next steps, the following investigations are advisable:

Do pH metry testing to confirm GERD.

I would suggest the following measures:

For now, take Pantoprazole 40 mg half an hour before meals and syrup Gaviscon four times daily, half an hour before meals.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.