Help With Acid Reflux

[edwardsfire]

I take Generic Prilosec via a RX. It works GREAT.
You can also buy Prilosec OTC and take 2 per day.
My Doc. put me on 40mg per day. 2 20mg Prilosec (generic) taken at the same time.
Also, Nexium is great. It comes in 40mg. So only 1 per day is needed.
I had the endoscopy also. Got the "normal" results...GERD "Acid reflux".
PPI's (Proton pump inhibitors)are by far the best drugs to DEFEAT Acid Reflux.
My gastroenterologist told me that probably 50% of the public has GERD and some dont even know it untill the damage is done.
Give the Prilosec a chance. 20mg may not do it but just take 2 at the same time each day....FOREVER. You can say goodbye to GERD.

 

[Mysteria]

Also, Nexium is great. It comes in 40mg. So only 1 per day is needed.

I found nexium to be the best for me but my insurance doesn't cover it so had to switch. I would recommend it to anyone that needs this type of med.

 

[edwardsfire]

I found nexium to be the best for me but my insurance doesn't cover it so had to switch. I would recommend it to anyone that needs this type of med.

Yeah, alot of insurance plans wont cover ANY PPI anymore.
But, the good thing about prilosec is that if you take 2....then it "sort" of becomes 1 Nexium.
Achiphex worked good for me, but...my insurance nixed it.
Now, i can STILL get generic prilosec. 60 of them (1 month supply) for a 10.00 co-pay.
I have had NO issues or problems and my tummy feels GREAT!

 

[CajunDixie]

I'll be the odd man errrr woman out and suggest no pills, no milk and certainly no soda.

Have her try mixing 1 cup(8 oz) water, a couple spoonfuls of apple cider vinegar and a couple spoonfuls of warmed honey. Chug it done!!! Then since the vinegar really isn't good for your teeth, have her brush her teeth afterward.

I learned of the vinegar cure after reading about another DIS poster's child drinking vinegar regularly. I did google it and found this site http://forums.crosswalk.com/Drinking_Vinegar%3F/m_1661452/tm.htm
Granted it tastes nasty but it works!!! And you brush your teeth right afterward anyway.

 

[shortbun]

Quick help would be pepcid complete chewable. Have her start a daily acid reducer. Tell her not to lay down flat. It makes it worse. Have her prop up some.

Pepcid Complete chewable is pretty darn good. Better than Zantac for me and you can chew a couple twice a day. No laying down at least two hours after eating. No pop, no caffeine, no red sauce, no highly treated meats like pepperoni/salami, try lowering the fat intake.

 

[Mysteria]

Yeah, alot of insurance plans wont cover ANY PPI anymore.
But, the good thing about prilosec is that if you take 2....then it "sort" of becomes 1 Nexium.
Achiphex worked good for me, but...my insurance nixed it.
Now, i can STILL get generic prilosec. 60 of them (1 month supply) for a 10.00 co-pay.
I have had NO issues or problems and my tummy feels GREAT!

It's messed up right?! My insurance covers aciphex and not nexium. At least I know why. A doc told me when it comes down to it it's all a matter of kickbacks to the insurance company. For what we pay that's horrible but I have no other option atm.

 

[edwardsfire]

It's messed up right?! My insurance covers aciphex and not nexium. At least I know why. A doc told me when it comes down to it it's all a matter of kickbacks to the insurance company. For what we pay that's horrible but I have no other option atm.

I DO get samples from my doc for Nexium.
If he has it, he'll give em to me.

 

[edwardsfire]

I'll be the odd man errrr woman out and suggest no pills, no milk and certainly no soda.

Have her try mixing 1 cup(8 oz) water, a couple spoonfuls of apple cider vinegar and a couple spoonfuls of warmed honey. Chug it done!!! Then since the vinegar really isn't good for your teeth, have her brush her teeth afterward.

I learned of the vinegar cure after reading about another DIS poster's child drinking vinegar regularly. I did google it and found this site http://forums.crosswalk.com/Drinking_Vinegar%3F/m_1661452/tm.htm
Granted it tastes nasty but it works!!! And you brush your teeth right afterward anyway.

Or, you could just take the pill and eat/drink whatever you want..
Seriously though, You're right that it is not always best to fix "it" with a pill but PPI's are harmless. You cant OD with them and they DO work and with no side effects.
Not all drugs are harmless and some have nasty side effects.

 

[HunnyPots]

A good homeopathic remedy is papaya enzyme, available at most health food stores. Stay away from dairy - its one of the worst offenders!

 

[arminnie]

If her reflux is really bad she MUST see a gastro doctor and should have an endoscopy.

Treating the symtoms may not prevent some acid from coming up and damaging the esophagus and lungs. That was happening to me and I NEVER had heartburn.

The acid in the esophagus (even if not enough to cause heartburn) can lead to something called Barrett's esophagus which dramatically increases the odds for getting esophageal cancer. Cancer of the esophagus is a particularly deadly disease - survival rates are very low.

GERD can be a very serious disease, and should not be just dismissed as "heartburn". Unfortunately I've seen people pop pills to control the symtoms and then die of esophageal cancer.

 

[minnie56]

My friend had Acid Reflux and didn't realize (?) she had it! It damaged her Esophagus and she repeatedly gets scar tissue building up..it has a name, just can't recall it?? She has been having surgery to remove the tissue approx every 6 months these past few years..she is on a new medication since the last op and they are hoping this time it does the trick. Pretty miserable..her throat gets so scarred the opening gets to be the size of a straw. She has troubles talking, swallowing and breathing. Acid Reflux should not be taken lightly.

 

[mjkacmom]

I used to take nexium, but the co-pay was too high, so my GI suggested getting prilosec at Costco. It works just as well, and if I go more than 2 days without it, I'm dying!

 

[Laura]

In addition to the various medicatons people have mentioned, make sure she drinks a full glass of water or two and sits up for a long time before going back to bed. The water will help wash the acid down and activate the medicaton properly.

Yes! Water water water water. I'm drinking a LOT because I'm pregnant, and I'm sure the reflux would be worse if I weren't.

Sorry to hear it's getting bad. There is so muxh that is safe now though you don't have to suffer. Definitely talk to your doc and I hope you feel better.

Yeah, if it gets even worse I'll ask her about it. I've been given the okay to take Tylenol PM. My hips and back ache so that sometimes it's hard to sleep.

 

[LovinPooh]

I had heartburn so bad I was eating way too many Rolaids. Actually got to the point where I could feel food get stuck when I went to swallow. Nevermind trying to sleep. My doctor put me on Aciphex and it worked like a dream. Just wish it wasnt so exspensive. Luckily mine was weight related. So I was able to lose weight and then lost the medicine.
Good luck... heartburn is a nightmare!

 

[HelenePA]

Yes! Water water water water. I'm drinking a LOT because I'm pregnant, and I'm sure the reflux would be worse if I weren't.



Yeah, if it gets even worse I'll ask her about it. I've been given the okay to take Tylenol PM. My hips and back ache so that sometimes it's hard to sleep.

if it gets really bad ask for Tylenol 3's.. during the gall bladder attacks they at least took the edge off.. helped me get more than 3 hrs of sleep at night too. I'm so glad I'm not pregnant anymore

 

[disney kid at heart]

If her reflux is really bad she MUST see a gastro doctor and should have an endoscopy.

Treating the symtoms may not prevent some acid from coming up and damaging the esophagus and lungs. That was happening to me and I NEVER had heartburn.

The acid in the esophagus (even if not enough to cause heartburn) can lead to something called Barrett's esophagus which dramatically increases the odds for getting esophageal cancer. Cancer of the esophagus is a particularly deadly disease - survival rates are very low.

GERD can be a very serious disease, and should not be just dismissed as "heartburn". Unfortunately I've seen people pop pills to control the symtoms and then die of esophageal cancer.

You are so right. You can have heartburn for years and treat it but then heartburn will stop because the damage is done. I was diagnosed in 2003 with Barrett's. I'm on 2 Nexium a day and my gastroenterologist keeps a very close eye on me.

 

[disney kid at heart]

Your mom needs to see a GI doc and have an endoscopy. Milk and creamed soups used to be the tx in the 70's til they found out it helps temporarily but increases the gastric juices in the stomach and it rises to the esophagus. Does she take Ipurophen, aspirin, or any anti-inflammatories? These will irritate the stomach and make the problems worse. Orange juice, pop, spicey, vinegary things can also cause GERD to become worse. If a Dr orders Nexium and you have a financial problem with getting it Astra-Zenica will assist people that need it. But have your mom see a gi doc to have the egd so she knows what damage the hb has caused. I hope she feels better soon, I know how bad it feels.

 

[arminnie]

You are so right. You can have heartburn for years and treat it but then heartburn will stop because the damage is done. I was diagnosed in 2003 with Barrett's. I'm on 2 Nexium a day and my gastroenterologist keeps a very close eye on me.

I'm sorry you have Barrett's - but thank goodness it is being watched. You should be okay with that level of supervision. So many people don't know about it until it is too late.

I do not have Barrett's (yet) - but I do have damage to my lungs from the acid coming up from the esophagus and dripping down my trachea.

Heartburn can be so much more serious than just some discomfort.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

I want to cry for her.

My first pregnancy I got it really bad (before that only occasional flareups)..to the point that I was taking pepcid complete pretty often (and it was the only kind that helped). Threw up a few times from it..ow.

After THAT pregnancy I got heartburn often...but an equate version of antacid would cure it.

The second pregnancy must've destroyed my poor esophogus because I was on Gaviscon (LOVE IT) constantly. I couldn't eat, i'd get it, I couldn't NOT eat, I'd get it. I couldn't win.

Since then I have to pop antacids a LOT and I take an acid reducer pretty often as well (equate). Gaviscon is so expensive or I'd buy THAT.

I got an ulcer from it all too. yuck.

I agree with everyone else's suggestions. Chocolate and pizza are my two worst.