Acid Reflux

JoePa · #1 03/12/14, 09:32 AM

Just wondering - has anyone been able to manage acid reflux without taking some kind of medicne - I get it once in awhile and end up taking Nexium for a couple days - sometimes longer - I have been tested twice over the past years and yes that's what I have - I have the head of my bed raised - I don't eat chocolate nor coffee nor citrius juices - but still get it every so often - I hate taking bills - thanks -

Helena · #2 03/12/14, 09:35 AM

If it is only on occasion..I would take the medication. You surely don't want any problem with the acid hurting your throat causing more problems. There are other over the counter medication in pill form also..ask at your drug store about them. I find often times that they give you more information on illnesses than doctors at time.

moxiegal62 · #3 03/12/14, 09:43 AM

My husband and I have both had it. Hubby has to deal with indigestion on a daily basis. Back in January, he started adding 1 tsp of ACV (apple cider vinegar) to his morning cup of hot tea. It is the one with the Mother. Non pasteurized.
He has noticed remarkable positive effects on his digestive disorders. He has been doing the treatment every 4 months..Prolisec. It really had not helped him.
Now he is doing much better.
I have been purchasing the ACV for fermented feed for my flock of chickens. They have done really well on it too. They have been on ACV since Oct 2012.
It's worth a try.

TripleD · #4 03/12/14, 09:46 AM

I was on prilosec for years. I always drank alot of milk til I ran out one weekend. Didnt have any problems so I havent bought any milk in over 2 years. The doc says self diagnosis is sometimes how things get worked out. I can eat anything spicey or hot without problems....

Gravytrain · #5 03/12/14, 09:47 AM

I had reflux in a very bad way. I would even wake up in the middle of the night choking on it. It turned out that I, like about half of American adults, am sensitive to wheat/gluten. I stopped eating wheat and the reflux went away.

I am not implying that wheat is your cause...just food for thought....(pun intended).

Marthas_minis · #6 03/12/14, 10:07 AM

I chew gum after meals, eat slowly, and eat lighter meals. I try to limit beef, spicy foods (which is really difficult for me in Texas) & reduce sugar.

The only thing I haven't been able to do is refrain from coffee in the AM.

I only treat with Prevacid if I know I am going to eat something rich, spicy, or sugar laden.

Cash · #7 03/12/14, 10:28 AM

Anyone and everyone with acid reflux must see a doctor and have an endoscopy to check for a condition called Barrett's Esophagus, an inflammation of the lining of the esophagus where it joins the stomach caused by stomach acids rising into the esophagus. I can't emphasize this enough. It's a well known precursor to esophageal cancer.

I had minor acid reflux for years, never paid it much attention, didn't even have to take medication for it. One day in July 2012 I suddenly couldn't eat solid food anymore. An endoscopy revealed a tumor so large it was blocking the esophagus. Further tests showed the cancer had spread to my spine, making it Stage 4 and making me not eligible for surgery.

Radiation and chemotherapy and intensive Vitamin C infusions reduced the tumor to the point where I could eat again by Thanksgiving, but in the meantime I lost 50 pounds on a liquid diet. Ironically, as soon as I lost the weight my acid reflux disappeared. (Being overweight is a serious contributing factor for AR.) Because it has spread, my cancer is considered incurable. Right now it is sort of under control, but sooner or later it will get me.

So get tested. If caught in time, Barrett's Esophagus is reversible.

RebelDigger · #8 03/12/14, 10:33 AM

I was starting to have a problem with it and have added a teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in a glass of water to my daily vitamin ritual. I also take a spoonful of local honey twice a day. As long as I stick with this, I don't have a problem with the AR.

Harry Chickpea · #9 03/12/14, 10:40 AM

I'm not a fan of the purple pill, as it can be a mask for other issues. Continuing GERD does need to be checked out. What the purple pill does is limit stomach acid, which is part of the body's defense system against invaders in our food. Normal digestion pulverizes, then kills via acid, then changes the pH back for digestion in the intestines.

Losing weight, limiting calcium intake, waiting an hour after eating before lying down, not eating late at night, judicious use of peppermint can all help. Also, overeating or stress on the diaphragm from roller coasters or strenuous work and sports can be a problem. I had GERD related to an auto accident for a few years.

Lucky S Ranch · #10 03/12/14, 11:18 AM

I would get it a few times a week so I just take the pills

I have found for me Zegrid works best.

But it is really just a guessing game with the foods. My sister has gerds also and we are almost opposite in what foods bother us. I have no problem with coffee and cocoa and milk but those bother her.

So don't go by what other people tell you about foods. Write down what you eat every day and all day and then write down when you have attacks. Using that do some testing to figure out what are your problem foods. Some times it can be the simplest or oddest things.

I don't eat fried foods and limit oily stuff and that helps me a lot. Another big thing for me is processed foods. I know sometimes they are easier but it seems every time bam heartburn.

Try the antacid with aluminum and magnesium instead of the calcium.

Maura · #11 03/12/14, 11:43 AM

Take a teaspoon of vinegar before you eat.

big rockpile · #12 03/12/14, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cash

Anyone and everyone with acid reflux must see a doctor and have an endoscopy to check for a condition called Barrett's Esophagus, an inflammation of the lining of the esophagus where it joins the stomach caused by stomach acids rising into the esophagus. I can't emphasize this enough. It's a well known precursor to esophageal cancer.

I had minor acid reflux for years, never paid it much attention, didn't even have to take medication for it. One day in July 2012 I suddenly couldn't eat solid food anymore. An endoscopy revealed a tumor so large it was blocking the esophagus. Further tests showed the cancer had spread to my spine, making it Stage 4 and making me not eligible for surgery.

Radiation and chemotherapy and intensive Vitamin C infusions reduced the tumor to the point where I could eat again by Thanksgiving, but in the meantime I lost 50 pounds on a liquid diet. Ironically, as soon as I lost the weight my acid reflux disappeared. (Being overweight is a serious contributing factor for AR.) Because it has spread, my cancer is considered incurable. Right now it is sort of under control, but sooner or later it will get me.

So get tested. If caught in time, Barrett's Esophagus is reversible.

I'm so sorry to hear this. I have been dealing with Barrett's Esophagus for years. I had one Doctor going to take me of my Medication, said I should be ok, didn't do a endoscopy or anything.

I went to another Doctor that sent me to a Specialist, he did endoscopy. Found I was very close to Cancer, said if it turned to Cancer most I would have is a couple years.

My understanding is that Barrett's Esophagus is not reversible, that a person will have it all their life and be on medication.

Me I can't have Pizza or Ice Cream. I have to eat Small Meals, no Alcohol or Caffeine.

Saying a Prayer for you.

big rockpile

haypoint · #13 03/12/14, 11:57 AM

IMHO, it helps if you refrain from eating 4 or 5 hours before bed. Eat smaller portions and lose some weight.
Seems laying down with a full belly of food and 20 pounds of blubber pushing against the stomach, aggravates acid reflux.

TRAILRIDER · #14 03/12/14, 12:18 PM

A lot of good advice here. I had acid reflux for years too. Up to the point of vomiting up acid in the middle of the night. I had the tests done too. My DR put me on omeprizole which I think is Previcid. I know it is very bad for your digestive system to use meds that "prevent" the acid from forming, which omeprazole does. Anyway, a remarkable thing happened when I cut most sugar from my diet and limited my carbs to mostly veggies, some fruit with only occasional grain products. Cut out all soda pop and focused on meat, chicken, fish, natural fats and veggies. Among other good results....my acid reflux COMPLETELY disappeared. The only time I experience it now is when I cave and eat something like a candy bar or something made with bad fats.
My dentist said the disappearance of the acid reflux was from losing the weight. No, it's not. Not entirely anyway. Cause I only get it when I eat something I shouldn't. I think there are a lot of factors to be considered. And yes, you have to be careful of esophageal cancers. Things are not always what they seem.

I forgot to add, I no longer take omeprazole. I don't need it : )

Lucky S Ranch · #15 03/12/14, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRAILRIDER

I forgot to add, I no longer take omeprazole. I don't need it : )

I so need to work on my diet to be able to say this also. I hate pills

Hopefully when I move and start growing most of my food I can get away from them? Time will tell.

K.B. · #16 03/12/14, 01:34 PM

If you are interested in herbal tea options, I have found that a combination of a few sprigs of lemon/lime balm (same plant, different flavor options) and lemon verbena steeped in hot water makes a nice mild tea that has really helped my heartburn/acid reflux issues.

It is not an immediate fix, takes a week or two to really start seeing a benefit, but it has worked for me for years, allowing me to avoid having to take medication (OTC and prescription).

TheMartianChick · #17 03/12/14, 01:35 PM

I used apple cider vinegar effectively, too. I had to mix the ACV with a tiny amount of fruit juice in order to choke it down. I finally figured out that I would get reflux anytime that I consumed the following 3 things in one day: chocolate, alcohol and tomato sauce. Once I figured that out, the reflux went away.

TRAILRIDER · #18 03/12/14, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky S Ranch

I so need to work on my diet to be able to say this also. I hate pills

Hopefully when I move and start growing most of my food I can get away from them? Time will tell.

Lucky S, I was also able to discontinue my blood pressure meds. I was only taking a small dose (and I DO NOT recommend anybody just stopping their meds) I was weaned off mine and my BP stayed in a perfect range.

Contrary to popular thinking, when I started eating more animal fats (butter, cheese, bacon, beef) my cholesterol went down. It was already in the good range, but went lower again.

I think good solid natural food is what is needed (at least for me.) Homegrown or raised if possible, meat, chicken, veggies and fruits. And LOTS of them : ) I eat a lot and work on my farm and don't have to worry much about weight. But when I was eating out, and consuming soda pop and some junk food I had to watch my weight all the time. And I was still hungry : (

moxiegal62 · #19 03/12/14, 02:33 PM

I already know why I get it. I need to lose some weight!

vicki in NW OH · #20 03/12/14, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gravytrain

I had reflux in a very bad way. I would even wake up in the middle of the night choking on it. It turned out that I, like about half of American adults, am sensitive to wheat/gluten. I stopped eating wheat and the reflux went away.

I am not implying that wheat is your cause...just food for thought....(pun intended).

Yes, before I was diagnosed with celiac disease I had horrid reflux.