I think i may have gerd (gastroesophageal reflux disease).any suggestion?

last year i had ulcers,i took prilosec for 6 weeks ,and after i m done i was better ,but few month ago i started to feel uncompfortable with a heartburn ,especially when i go to bed,i took tums ,maalox and other medecines with no use,i dont have any insurance or medicaid ,so i asked a friend about it and i was told it;s a heartburn,so i started to take zintac 150 twice a day ,and i felt fine since that.but 3 days ago i felt sick,chest pain ,sore throat ,difficulty in swallowing(like if there is a needle in my throat),sour taste in my mouth,pain in my right ear.do i have gerd ? i will go to a doctor next week ,i just get worry about it ,so i decided to ask for advice.(seriously please)thanks a lot

You may have GERD; one of the symptoms of GERD is heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and chest pain.

Interestingly, ear pain can happen in GERD. Why? Cranial nerve X (the Vagus nerve) is the longest nerve in your body. It passes from your esophagus to your ear, so esophageal trauma can cause related ear pain. The vagus nerve is the yellow nerve in this image http://www.edgarcayce.org/health/databas...

GERD happens when your lower esophageal sphincter http://www.nbc10.com/2006/0209/6867277.j... doesn't close and stomach acids back up into your esophagus, causing many of the symptoms you're experiencing. The acid will erode and inflame your esophagus and may lead to a precancerous condition called Barrett's Esophagus if the GERD isn't treated.

How is GERD treated? Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as Nexium, AcipHex, Protonix, and Prilosec are used to stop the production of stomach acid. Prilosec is available over-the-counter; the others are prescription only. Zantac is a histamine-2 blocker; it reduces your stomach acid.

Tums and Maalox are antacids, which act to neutralize stomach acids, and are not very effective against GERD.

If your esophagus is damaged, it may take up to 8 weeks to heal, so if you begin medications you must be patient. Sometimes you have to switch medications if one doesn't work well.

GERD is also treated by modifying your diet http://www.midwestgastro.com/diet_nutrit... http://www.gicare.com/pated/edtgs03.htm.

Your physician may prescribe PPIs based on your symptoms, or he/she may do a test called a barium swallow. You drink a thick chalky substance and are x-rayed to see if the substance is regurgitated.

You've been suffering long enough, now you need to see a doctor. You may need a Rx. Also increase the head of your bed, avoid caffeine, carbonated drinks, onions, tomatoes, citric acid & citrus fruits, eat small fequent meals & do not eat within 3 hours of going to bed. Constant irritation to the esophagus from the refluxed stomach acid can eventually lead to esophageal cancer so see a doctor.
RN