Gerd, help/advice?

[Serenitystars]

Hi everyone this is my second post but I need some help/advice.
I went to the doctor (walk-in clinic) last week for this concern I notice, I tend to usually cough/clear my throat after I eat. Usually it’s only one or twice a day hapening around lunch or dinner.
The doctor thought I might have gerd and prescribe me ppi omeprazole 40mg. I never notice any other symptoms such heart burns or anything.
I only taken one pill since then but everything seems to get weird at first my stomach feel queasy next I started belching/ burping pretty often (it’s hard to describe but it like burp in my throat, it doesn’t burn or anything) happens usually if I drink or eat anything including water. It’s like a internal burp if that makes any sense.
I also started experiencing this lump in my throat feeling lately with my mouth feeling completely dry.
I’m also completely stress, been having some sleepless nights.
I’m not sure if I suffering from side affects of the pill (been 4 days), my anxiety or if I have gerd and it’s gotten worse?
I have a upcoming doctor appointment in about a week too. I know most doctor diagnosis GERD base off symptoms and prescribe medication. I really want to know if I actually have GERD since I really only had slight coughing before I start taking medication. Anyone want to share their diagnosis experience? Did they run tests to confirm?
I’m also 20 years old, never smoke in my life, not a drinker, not overweight (kinda underweight I think)

---------- Post added at 12:12 ---------- Previous post was at 11:42 ----------

To clarify, coughing after meals has been around for awhile I don’t know exactly when it started. Before taking the pill I never had this burping problem or the lump feeling in my throat.
Please and thanks
Ps. Anyone know how long it takes ppi to leave your system?

[ankietyjoe]

I can't believe how readily Doctors hand out medication in the USA.

I was prescribed PPI's a few years ago because I did have reflux. I only took them for 3 days before I realised they weren't for me, they made me feel awful. I've also researched a lot that long term PPI use isn't good for you so I decided to not take them at all any more.

Coughing after meals can be a sign of GERD, and quite often the other signs can be quite subtle.

I ended up treating my reflux with a combination of Apple Cider Vinegar (look it up on Youtube) and just being careful about what I eat. If I eat fatty, meaty food too often my reflux will play up a lot. Other people will react to different triggers.

It took a couple of weeks for my stomach to settle after I stopped taking PPI's.

[Serenitystars]

I can't believe how readily Doctors hand out medication in the USA.

I was prescribed PPI's a few years ago because I did have reflux. I only took them for 3 days before I realised they weren't for me, they made me feel awful. I've also researched a lot that long term PPI use isn't good for you so I decided to not take them at all any more.

Coughing after meals can be a sign of GERD, and quite often the other signs can be quite subtle.

I ended up treating my reflux with a combination of Apple Cider Vinegar (look it up on Youtube) and just being careful about what I eat. If I eat fatty, meaty food too often my reflux will play up a lot. Other people will react to different triggers.

It took a couple of weeks for my stomach to settle after I stopped taking PPI's.

I hope I don’t have reflux problem, I don’t want to take medication just for symptoms (doesn’t really bother me; literally one or two coughs) just worried about the acid damaging my throat/esophagus. My cousin also thinks that my coughing might a habit so I’m really unsure. At this point I just want to know if I have GERD for sure, I don’t want doctor prescribe me medicine that I don’t need (especially ppi the long term effects are terrible, scared the heck out of me).
Thanks for replying!

Ps. Do u get monitoring for your throat since your doctor confirm that you no longer have the reflux just to make sure your not refluxinf without symptoms?

[ankietyjoe]

Doctors here wouldn't really bother monitoring reflux, they'd just ask if you're suffering symptoms if you mention it.

I know when I have reflux because I can feel it. As long as I keep my diet ok and I take the ACV it's pretty well controlled.

[Serenitystars]

Doctors here wouldn't really bother monitoring reflux, they'd just ask if you're suffering symptoms if you mention it.

I know when I have reflux because I can feel it. As long as I keep my diet ok and I take the ACV it's pretty well controlled.

Oh okay

[Serenitystars]

Just an update: I’m doing better stress wise but still a lot of burping

[Serenitystars]

Bump, everything seems fine now except for excess gas
Still looking for some tips so wanted to bump up the thread