r/GERD•
tstaszek

Help adjusting

Support Needed 👥

I hope this is the correct way of going about it and not the incorrect forum, so if so, please let me know. Ive had acid reflux issues for years (im 30m). when I was about 8-9, I was hospitalized for a month with systemic cycling vomiting, so im no stranger to protonix and acid reducers. Anyway, I grew out of needing it, or so I thought and then in my early 20s I noticed I had really bad heartburn so I started taking omeprazole over the counter and that helped but I decided to ask my dr for something because if insurance would cover it, why not. So ive been back on protonix for about 5ish years now, and it helps tremendously, very noticeable if I miss taking it in a day. Recently, the past 8 months or so, ive been having other stomach issues, (I thought wasnt related but might be?) where I would get super sick to my stomach out of nowhere or the urge to throw up would be so strong, id have immense pain in my abdomen, and overall just a miserable couple of months. I bring it up to my dr, she orders a scope done to my throat and stomach, we find out I have Barretts syndrome/esophagus (ive seen it referred to both ways), and I was given a rough idea of what it was, but I have not been able to go back to the gastroenterologist for elaborating, so ive relied on google to try to fill the void. I've learned that perhaps I overeat, or am eating to much of something, but this is all extremely new to me, and I don't really have any decent info or input from anyone, so I guess that's what I'm hoping to get (about Barrett's in particular). For a clearer picture, I am overweight although working on losing it, and I've had confirmed gallbladder issues (stones) since I was a teenager, but I'm terrified to get it taken out, so I've adjusted my diet to cope with that. I don't eat any greasy or fatty foods at all, (think McDonalds, which a byproduct of that is my cholesterol is perfect). But anyway, im to the point now, that anytime I eat anything im terrified about it resulting in some immense pain, so I check the clock, I keep track of times because typically its about 2 hour mark when pain would start, so if I make it 3 hours, I think i'm ok, or at least thats how I rationalize it because *anxiety*. So yes, any insight, or info/suggestions would be most appreciated to help me understand and deal with this situation better, thank you in advance! (ps if some things dont make sense, I apologize its on mobile and this was a lot to type out, but ill try to clear things up in the comments if needed)

Posted Nov 1, 2025, 8:06 PM UTC

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