Help! Non-prescription acid reflux-type remedies?

[denisem]

Been having problems for the past few months, but for various reasons, couldn't get a doctor's appt. until next Monday. (Things have been "controllable" with OTC and the home-grown remedy of baking soda w/water, which worked well until a few days ago).

My symptoms have escalated the past few days where ANY solid foods cause pain/nausea. (Tried some Ensure today to get some kinda nutrition, and that even set it off).

Any other suggestions to get me through this weekend?

Denise < --- while I enjoy being able to now take off my jeans without unzipping them, this AIN'T the best way to lose weight

 

[minniecarousel]

Pepsid Complete? I take one in the AM - don't usually have a problem. But it sounds like you have a pretty severe problem. Good luck.

 

[amid chaos]

Chewable papaya tablets.....try finding them at the health food store.

 

[Kermit]

In addition to taking medicine or papaya, try not to drink any liquid with your food. If you have to, drink room temperature water. Liquids can cause the natural balance of stomach enzymes to be reduced, and iced liquids are even worse. Also be sure to eat small meals and not lie down for the better part of an hour after you eat.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Once when I had a viral bug, my doc had me take perscription strength Pepcid. (Stomach inflammation)
But she told me taking two OTC Pepcids was the same as the perscription strength.
Should help until you can a doc.
GOOD LUCK!!

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

I have been having problems too...since about Christmas. Started with horrible heartburn all the way up to my neck. I'm taking Pepcid Complete and watching what I eat until my doctor's appointment on Wednesday.
Pepcid Complete works pretty good...but I also avoid greasy foods, spicey foods, chocolate, and anything that seems to bother me. The burning is under control but I still get pain in the upper chest and my throat just below my thyroid.

Make sure its the PEPDID COMPLETE

 

[Kteacher]

Wow- couldn't believe it when I saw this post! I have been similar problems for the last 3 weeks. I thought it was the result of a bad stomache bug ( had 2 kindergarteners throw up on me at school ) but the symptoms haven't gone away. I've even done the Ensure route too Denise as I've lost a lot of weight in the last 3 weeks. Hope you find relief soon. I've tried most of the OTC treatments mentioned, but nothing has helped so far. Haven't tried the Papaya tablets yet, so I guess I'll give those a try!

 

[maddiemom]

What kind of pain are you talking about....is it heartburn or something else? The OTC meds will help to reduce the acid if you are definately having reflux...but I don't think it eliminates reflux all together. Make sure you stay upright after eating and/or drinking anything for at least 30 minutes, try not to have anything at all 2 hours before you go to bed and try to elevate the head of your bed slightly (some of the standard anti-reflux precautions). I wonder if something else is going on besides reflux. Is there no way to get into the doctor any earlier. You really need to be able to eat!
Take care!!

 

[Chattyaholic]

My daughter was having the same type of problem, her doctor put her on the purple pill, Nexium I think it is and she's been doing fine ever since. Hope your doctor will be able to help you.
DH has problems too and takes Pepcid, it helps but I really think he should see a doctor but you know men. He refuses to go. So he keeps buying Pepcid.

 

[denisem]

Wow, you guys are great! Haven't tried papaya or Pepcid Complete (just Pepcid AC, Zantac, Gaviscom and every chewable/liquid type available) so I'll run out and get some.

Yes, I've been eliminating spicy foods, acidic (tomato-based stuff really takes me out!), caffeine, etc. I HAVE relied alot on liquids, so I'll experiment with avoiding those while eating.

FWIW, I also had that kick-butt flu that was going around (my 85 yo mom was hospitilized with it), so hearing of Kteacher's experience is interesting...maybe we've gotten some stubborn "bug" that's taken up residence? . Been alot of illness going around our area for awhile, hence the difficulty getting a dr's appt. unless it's an emergency.

In any event, hopefully I'll get some answers/relief on Monday & I do appreciate y'all's advise...thanks!

Denise < --- have a trip to WDW in 2 weeks, I GOTTA get this taken care of soon...

 

[Mskanga]

Zantac, take it from me, I get severe acid reflux attacks and that's what works for me, you can get it over the counter.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Just a note here.... I don't know if all these problems are acid reflux, a lingering bug, or maybe even perhaps a side effect of something totally unrelated.

And, I really do not want to scare anyone here. ( Just a quick public service announcment!) But, I just wanted to say to everyone who may be reading this thread. You should please take this kind of acid-reflux symptom very seriously. I know someone who didn't realize until they found out that they had developed esophageal cancer - which is very very deadly... very low survival rate. My friend had major cancer treatments, and thank GOD, he beat the odds! And, even heart trouble can be mistaken for indigestion/heartburn.

I noticed that everyone here was talking about over the counter symptom relievers, etc. So I just had to say how very serious this can be.

Okay, off my soapbox now!!!

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

thank you Wishing on a Star...

you are right and I am very aware of that for sure as i had an uncle (mom's brother) that died from just that and he wasn't much over 50. That fact scares me all the more. But I also have many in my family that had their gall bladders removed....so I know that it can be this too.
Anyway its not to be messed with....I'll be at the doctor on Wednesday....the rest of you get there too

 

[BethR]

This is not non-prescription, but my DH was using Aciphex and his stomach felt good for the first time in years. He would wake up in the middle of the night thinking he was going to die because the reflux made him feel like he could not breath. You cannot believe how terrifying this is.
So the Doc prescribed Aciphex for 3 months. Supposedly it is supposed to help heal the stomach - and then you are supposed to get off of it. He was then prescribed Zantac. The Zantac does NOTHING for him. His stomach is now back to exactly as bad as it was before the Aciphex. He has been having his nighttime episodes a couple of nights a week.
He has to go back to the Doc and see what she recommends. This is nuts!

 

[browneyes]

Pepcid AC or Zantac. But go to your dr as soon as you can-those are to be used for short term remedies. My SO has had acid reflux for a few YEARS. He's been using both of those for a long time. He finally talked himself into going to the dr this week about it (his symptoms are pretty severe now ). He's got to go to a specialist soon to find out what kind of damage he's done to his esophagus and stomach.

 

[denisem]

Originally posted by Wishing on a star
But, I just wanted to say to everyone who may be reading this thread. You should please take this kind of acid-reflux symptom very seriously.

WOAS: You're ABSOLUTELY correct. I do apologize if my OP sent forth a message that a "quick-fix" was preferable to professional medical care. I was merely looking for suggestions for ANY kinda relief until my dr. appt. on Monday.

(In other words: Don't put it off like I did, or you'll be counting the minutes until your doctor's appt. and looking for solutions on BB's )

Thanks to all for your suggestions.

Denise < --- usually takes pretty good care of herself, but ran into circumstances the past two months that other family members had more pressing health problems, which makes it easier to procrastinate.

 

[Micca]

My doc gives me Prevacid and it works great! I only need it once every 3-4 days, or at times when I'm really stressed(which seems to generate lots of acid). Sorry you're having such a tough time, good luck with a remedy.

 

[milo]

BethR,
Your post especially made me want to respond. DH had the same symptoms, waking in the middle of the night not being able to breathe from acid reflux. It was very scary. The Dr. tried Protonix for 30 days first(similar to the purple pill), which worked, but when the prescription ended the trouble started again. So then he had to have the scope to check the problem, and it turns out there are already changes to his esophagus that cannot be reversed. It's called Barrett's Esophagus, which is a pre-cancerous condition. He also had a hiatal hernia. So now he's on prescription meds forever.
The sad part is he had been complaining to his regular Dr for 5 years that he had bad heartburn, and nothing was ever done.
I am so glad he went to another Dr and that now we are at least aware of the problem.
You can find alot of info if you search the internet. Just get him back to the Dr soon.

Lora (Mrs.Milo)

 

[Kteacher]

I hope everyone gets some relief soon. I'm really starting to think that mine is just a really bad stomache bug- I've had nausea and chills off and on for the last 3 weeks I'd give anything just to get my appetite back.

 

[djgeffers1]

I was extremely ill last year, symptoms were heartburn, stomach pain everytime I ate, vertigo, loss of appetite, vomiting, after many ER visits and Dr. visits, found out I had an ulcer, was prescribed med to get rid of ulcer, ( found out later that this kind of ulcer can come back ) and after finishing meds was given Prevacid to control stomach acid to keep ulcer from coming back. Interesting side not, my vertigo was a side effect from the ulcer, was told that studies show that if you suffer from severe vertigo chances are you could have an ulcer.