Has anyone out there successfully overcome acid reflux disease?

[leftyladyfrommo]

I am having so much trouble right now. I'm doing everything I'm supposed to: no spices or acid foods, no fat, small meals, sty upright for 3 hours after eating.

Nothing seems to be doing too much good.


I bought some enzymes to take with meals but I don't know if that will help.

Anybody know of anything that actually works.

[liberal N proud]

1. There are many different factors that effect acid reflux

Weight is one.
Diet is huge part of it.
Stress plays a role many times.
I get triggers at certain times of the year. I have bouts with acid reflux and even ulcers.

Have you tried Nexium? It is a wonder drug for me, when I have problems, I contact the doctor, he writes a prescription, I fight with the insurance company about approval as they think I need to run the course with over the counter stuff and need to see proof that I have done that before letting me take Nexium.

I never stay on Nexium more than 2 - 3 months and it usually clears up for a while, maybe a year or even more.

Here is a trick that I use when I get an attack in the middle of the night; Vanilla Wafers, eat 2 or 3 and sip a little water.

[mopinko]

2. i like gaviscon

i take nexium, too. but when it isn't cutting it, i take an occasional gaviscon. works better than other antacids because it has magnesium, making it bubble and sit on the top of the acid. (or so the commercials say)
be careful, tho, too much can cause some diarrhea.

[Hoyt]

3. Take generic prilosec and forget it.

If you are eating right, etc., you probably need some medication help. Any doctor can steer you in right direction. Good luck. It can be extremely painful and long term acid in esophagus can cause serious problems.

[leftyladyfrommo]

4. I've lost about 20 pounds

and still have about 10 to go. I don't think it's helped very much.

I really wanted to get off the strong medicine. But I just may not be able to.

I did read that two prilosecs are the same as one Nexium. I don't think I can afford Nexium. My insurance has a high deductible.

[Shadowflash]

5. I had that issue. Most every night at bedtime.

The only way I could find to beat it was to lose 30 pounds. Nothing else worked and I tried everything.

[libodem]

6. That vinagar with the 'mother'

From the health food store helps some people. My friends take a tablespoon of it daily. It balances your system naturally. They lost weight, too. And that nexium stuff really does help.

I ruined my insides from taking so many anti inflamatories, like aleve and motrin. I almost have to take mylanta with them, if I run into pain, I can't tolerant on my Rx.

[leftyladyfrommo]

7. I think smoking pot doesn't help.

I had to quit. I think it relaxes the muscles and makes it worse.

Just in case anyone cares.

[KC]

8. Sleep with

your head propped up at night with pillows . And eat small meal at night and don't eat late.

[Warpy]

10. Caffeine, nicotine and alcohol also make it worse

so you can't have any fun at all.

Before Prilosec came out, I didn't eat for 12 hours before bedtime and still woke up every couple of hours, needing antacid. My trigger foods were listed as "everything," even plain rice.

Now I can even eat a wheat free bedtime snack and sleep, as long as I don't overdo.

[Warpy]

9. Quitting wheat made a difference for me

but the biggest difference came with Prilosec. It's the difference between eating Tums like candy and not sleeping and living a reasonable life.

The generic stuff at Costco or Wally's is pretty cheap and it can be life changing.

There are several surgeries, but outcomes vary widely. The pills are pretty reliable.

[leftyladyfrommo]

11. I also saw where taking melatonin with the pills helps.

I got some 3mg ones and am going to try that with the prilosec.

I was just hoping I could get away from the pills but so far no go. I am just too miserable.

[Warpy]

12. No, I'm resigned to being on them for the rest of my life

and if the social revolution, WWIII and economic collapse all happen and deprive me of them, I'll just have to stop eating.

That's how bad it is.

[hedgehog]

13. I have Sjogren's, and was surprised to find out that

autoimmune diseases ( RA-Lupus axis) can be associated with reflux. I control my symptoms with generic Prilosec.

[leftyladyfrommo]

14. I broke down and bought prilosec again - and melatonin

So far I'm great. It's such a relief.

People who don't have reflux have no idea how painful it is. And how hard it is to try and eat with no seasoning on anything - no tomatoes, no spices, no oranges. Just bland food. And even that doesn't stop it.

[otohara]

15. DGL

It's on DR Weils must list...it's a supplement made from licorice and a serving of pistachios. I'm on the IPad otherwise I would post a link. Hubby and I are hooked.

[RS1248]

16. Habits of a GERD Sufferer

Unfortunately, there no easy way to eliminate all your acid reflux symptoms. I used to have similar issues, but I did not want to rely on medications anymore or have an invasive surgery.

I kept a food diary to monitor the types and amounts of foods I was eating, which definitely helped me to identify my triggers.

But, I know for some people (like me) this wasn't enough. I had to acknowledge some of my bad habits-- I was overweight and smoked occasionally. If this applies to you, try putting yourself on more than a reflux diet, but a weight loss diet. I slowly started to feel less symptoms over time-- but I still need to stay away from my trigger foods.

I found that eating out can be difficult, so I cook a lot for myself now. I found some great recipes at refluxmd.com [link:refluxmd.com|refluxmd.com] that i use regularly.

Hope this helps.

[hunter]

17. I don't eat much past 3 o'clock...

...and I avoid the foods and drinks that fire up the acid reflux.

Cheap calcium antacids and Prilosec work when it's bad; I do the "handful of Grocery Outlet antacid" thing whenever I have to eat late for social reasons.

But I also know this doesn't work for everyone. Anorexia is one of my default states. Avoiding food is never a problem. At my worst avoiding food IS the problem.

I'll be really pissed off with God if I spin esophageal cancer on life's roulette wheel. That's what killed my crazy grandma.

[LibGranny]

18. I bought something OTC called "Omeprazole" which is

generic. The tablets are small and are 20 mg each and you take one a day. They helped for a while but then it got much worse so went to see GI doctor and was scoped yesterday with resulting biopsies. Awaiting results. After the doctor visit, he upped the dosage of the OTC meds to one in a.m. and one in p.m. and that has helped.

[AAO]

25. generic Prilosec

[safeinOhio]

26. I've been on Omeprazole for over a decade.

Was diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus in the 90's and have to get scoped every 3 years with biopsies. That drug seems to work very well for it. Barretts' is the the results of unchecked GERD and has to be watched as it is a precondition of cancer. I eat most everything and if I do get a little upset, I take a chewable Pepcid.

Get tested I have several friends die from esophagus cancer because the tried to treat GERD with just over the counter drugs.

[unapatriciated]

19. I have been drinking eight ounces a day of Aloe Vera for years.

Used to have really bad attacks years ago, but only have one or two a year now and that is usually because I overindulged. Aloe is very bitter tasting so I either mix it with tart cherry juice (which is also good for your joint health) or mineral water. It took about a month before I noticed a decrease in my acid reflux.
Ask your doctor first to make sure it will not interact negatively to the meds you are on.

I gave up smoking but enjoy my morning coffee and evening glass of wine too much to give those up.

[nomoreflux]

22. What kind?

I know this is an old post (almost a year), but I am having awful reflux and am wondering what kind of aloe vera you were taking. I'm assuming you had the liquid instead of a pill, but there are so many kinds that vary greatly in price. I would like to not spend a crazy amount of money but this problem needs to go away.

I appreciate any help you can offer. Thanks!

[unapatriciated]

23. I work at Trader Joes and buy their brand

It's organic and 1/3 the price of any other brand. $7.99 for a gallon jug. You have to refrigerate after opening. Sorry about the delay in answering but have not been logged on for awhile.

[revolution breeze]

20. I have had reflux for 12 years.

I take Aciphex in the morning and Rinatidine in the evening for the breakthrough acid and pain. I also have schleroderma and RA which, along with the reflux, has caused constriction of my esophagus. Yesterday during my upper gastroscope, my doctor performed an esophageal dialation. My throat is still sore but I did not have as much acid taste in my mouth when I woke up this morning. My friend who had the procedure two weeks ago said it was a lifesaver for him. Best of luck to you.

[nana sew dear]

21. I've had this problem

for years. Several years ago I lost 80 pounds and still had issues. Last year my esophogus closed up to a tiny opening. I had to have surgery. I will take generic prilosec as long as I can. Even if I miss one dose or take it late the reflux comes back.

[ballardgirl]

27. It helps to know the cause

I just found out I developed a hiatal hernia from heavy coughing with bronchitis, which was giving me GERD symptoms. My natural doctor gave me Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (Rhizinbate brand) for the short-term but she fixed the hernia with some body work. The Rhizinate really does work well as I think someone mentioned earlier (Dr. Weil, DGL).

[leftyladyfrommo]

28. I've used DGL and it does help.

You just have to remember to take it about 20 minutes before you eat. Otherwise it doesn't do much. And I like the taste.

[lululu]

29. what works for me

30 mg in the morning and evening of Prevacid and 300 mg of Ranitidine before bedtime. It took awhile to settle things down.

Are you taking any meds? I don't see a mention of them in your post.

[leftyladyfrommo]

30. I'm taking Nexium right now.

And use ranitidine on bad days.

Nexium works better for me than the other OTC stuff I was using.

I just have to be careful and not eat very much at a time. And no fat stuff. And no chocolate. Alcohol makes it awful. I don't ever drink.

[PADemD]

31. Yes, I have overcome acid reflux

by eliminating Carrageenan from my diet. Still overweight, but no reflux, no extra pillows, and no Prilosec.

The Natural Ingredient You Should Ban From Your Diet

http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/carrageenan-natural-ingredient-you-should-ban-your-diet

Review of harmful gastrointestinal effects of carrageenan in animal experiments.
J K Tobacman

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1242073/

STOMACH ACHES CAUSED BY CARRAGEENAN

Carrageenan is a commonly used food additive that is
extracted from red seaweed by using powerful alkali
solvents. These solvents would remove the tissues
and skin from your hands as readily as would any acid.

Carrageenan is a thickening agent. It's the vegetarian
equivalent of casein, the same protein that is isolated
from milk and used to thicken foods. Casein is also
used to produce paints, and is the glue used to hold
a label to a bottle of beer. Carrageenan is the magic
ingredient used to de-ice frozen airplanes sitting on
tarmacs during winter storms.

http://www.notmilk.com/carageenan.html

[auntAgonist]

32. acid reflux and/or GERD is horrible. My Dr recommends that you

raise the head of your bed by about 4 inches. NOT the mattress, the WHOLE bed. A couple of blocks of wood placed under the feet at the head of the bed that way your body is slanted and not creased.

If you 'crease' your body, or fold it or whatever term you want to use, you'll push acid up into your esophagus or throat.

Elevating the head of the bed prevents this.

good luck. IT WORKS.


aA

[pnwmom]

33. Mine was much, much worse before I had to go gluten and lactose free

for other reasons. (intestinal bleeding)

As a bonus, my reflux and fibromyalgia improved.