I've been undergoing diagnosis process of possible early lupus and/or scleroderma. Symptoms are transient malar pinkness, constant mild acid reflux (started December 07) and transient generalized adenopathy.

Doc has done barium swallow (normal) and endoscopy (normal exam and esophagus and stomach biopsies normal) but did show some inflammation. I had an allergy-related sore throat the day of the exam, so not sure inflammation was reflux related or cold related.

Gastro doc recommends now that I follow a strict anti-reflux diet. I have tried that in the past, but I have reflux after everything (except fluids), so even an apple causes reflux. Heavy garlic and/or spice do make the reflux worse, but nothing reduces the symptoms. I've been on one Aciphex (20 mg) a day, and it does help, but does not fully alleviate the symptoms.

Because acidic beverages (including caffeinated and carbonated) actually alleviate the symptoms, the gastro doc thinks I may have "hypersensitive esophagus". Has anyone been diagnosed with that and is there a known cause/cure? I also have had a strange dry cough that often happens briefly when I first begin eating a meal. I have read that it can be reflux related, as well.

Gastro doc does not recommend doing the Nissan procedure due to my mild symptoms and the fact that we do not know the root cause of the acid reflux.

Any ideas on diagnosis or treatment would be greatly appreciated!
Eat Well and Stay Well--

Any other ideas?

Hi, CharBerry--
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I appreciate your insight. I am only on one 20 mg Aciphex once a day, and it really doesn't take care of all the reflux I have. I actually had one "good" day last week, and I was kind of sad because it reminded of me of how my life used to be, before this condition changed it. Nothing I ate caused the reflux. But the next day, it was "business as usual".

I feel in my gut that what I have must be tied in to the potential autoimmune condition I may develop one day. It's interesting that a Coke can resolve your symptoms, too...even though it is caffeinated and also carbonated! But for me, the same is true, acidic drinks (except some teas) usually take care of the acid after eating meals or snacks. I had some watermelon tonight, and it caused reflux. My cereal this morning caused it. Just had some cherries and they caused it. Truly everything I eat comes back up. I saw my endoscopy and it said that I have "chronic gastritis" and something else. Oh, well. More things to research. Hope you are feeling well--