Roxanne
I have had acid reflux for about 20 years. It started with a lot of heartburn. I kept asking my PCP about the heartburn and gave me some chalky med to take. I told him that it didn't control the heartburn. Over the years I never got a releaving answer nor did any of the doctors order any tests. I had a hystorectomy in 1987 and was exper severe pain and was sent for an ultrasound to look for infection. They found that I had a hiatal hernia. Acid Reflux can be a sympton of a hiatal hernia. I was sent to a gastor doctor at that time and was told that I could have surgery to repair the hiatal hernia. The hiatal hernia was causing the GERD and acid reflux to be worse. Then came PPI's (prilosec, Prevacid, and now Nexium). I have been on Prevacid since it came on the market. Two weeks ago my PCP told me that I needed to have it checked out to see if there is a more severe underlying condition. I have found that GERD (gastroesophagal reflux disease) includes heartburn, belching and/or chest pain. I have also found that over a long period of time if left untreared, the GERD may lead to Barrett's Esophagus or even Esophageal Cancer. All these years none of my doctors told me of this great danger from acid reflux/GERD and hiatal hernia. I am unable to tell you everything in this post; however, you may email me at any time. I get a lot of information from the Mayo Clinic. craftyrox If you have had this for may years, you should see a gastro doctor. I will know my outcome in March.