Hi! My name is Terra Brister and here is my story of living with R-CPD. I've had R-CPD for as long as I can remember but wasn't diagnosed until a few years ago. I've never been able to burp and I literally remember kids in my kindergarten class having burping contests and I never understood why I wasn't able to burp on command - or worse, to never be able to burp at all. I maybe had 5 “microburps” a year. By age 14, I started getting this gurgling/growling sensation that would happen constantly. The intense, painful bloating started shortly after that. From there, my mom took me to many different doctors. I believe I saw 25-30 doctors by the time it was all over. I had many different tests done including the barium swallow test, endoscopy, GI testing, etc. Everything would come back normal aside from “air constantly coming up your throat”. The only thing the doctors could really diagnose me with was aerophagia, which is the swallowing of air. Now, I knew I wasn’t constantly swallowing air and didn’t really understand how it could be happening at that capacity. How was I severely bloated all the time even when I wasn’t eating? What were these gurgling sounds I would constantly hear 24/7 unless I laid flat on my back? Why can’t I burp like everyone else? I just didn’t understand and neither did any doctors... until Dr. Robert Bastian in Chicago came up with a name and diagnosis! R-CPD was discovered in 2019.

I proceeded to undergo my first botox treatment in 2023. I have received 3 botox injections to date and am burping like a champ!

 

I have created a R-CPD guide to assist others on their journey to finding relief. This guide reflects my personal journey and what has helped me with my condition.

 

I AM NOT A DOCTOR OR MEDICAL PERSONNEL. I simply made this website and guide to help others who are struggling with the inability to burp and want to assist however I can. I went through years and years of being dismissed by doctors until I was finally diagnosed and cured. This is not medical advice, I am simply sharing my experience. 

​​

​

What's included in the guide?

+​ R-CPD explained in depth

+ Symptoms of R-CPD

 + Diagnosis & what to expect

+ Treatment Options

 + My journey with Botox treatment

 + A worldwide list & map of the doctors that

diagnose & treat R-CPD with Botox

+ How to get your primary care physician to take you more seriously and/or send you to an R-CPD specialist

+ Helpful websites for support

​​​​​​​

​

 

 

This website was created to help people who feel lost, dismissed, or unheard. While my goal is to help everyone, maintaining this resource does come with costs. Offering this guide for $10 allows me to keep the site running, updated, and accessible to those who need it. If you feel you don't need the guide but still would like to send a donation, I would be so grateful. Thank you!

​

Cashapp: TerraBrister

Venmo: Terra-Brister

Zelle: 8502405007

​

​

​​