How have you treated acid reflux?

[Gorechick]

Last week I was diagnosed with acid reflux. I'd been having symptoms for awhile but had a painful attack after doc initially thought it was gall bladder. I'm on Prevacid and have been making some dietary changes. I'm off coffee/caffeine (not even decaf), greasy, fried foods, and trying to add more whole grains, fruits and vegetables. In addition to dietary changes, I do need to lose some weight. I carry belly fat and of course that's pushing on my insides. For those that have acid reflux, have you been able to manage it with diet and exercise and go off meds? Any info appreciated. TIA!

 

[Micca]

I take omeprazole (OTC). I've been taking it for probably 15 years with no problems and no further symptoms. I usually take it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. After one hour, I can eat/drink anything I want, no problems. I'd much rather take the capsule rather than give up coffee and all the rest of the things you mentioned, but that's a personal preference. Good luck, I'm sure you'll get it under control & feel better.

 

[kimblebee]

For me, I know that it only happens if I eat pizza sauce or eat too much tomato paste/ tomato paste so I avoid those things as much as possible. For some reason, I can eat buckets of ketchup with no issues so who knows why the other things set me off.

 

[Christine]

I was put on Prilosec back in 1998 for some stomach issues with very mild reflux. I mainly had nausea and feelings of fullness. The Prilosec works well (although I really could never drink coffee again). After many years, though, weaned myself off of it (finally) because of all the risks with long term use that have been so publicized lately. I didn't think my issues warranted the risks of the meds so I've finally stopped it. I am managing well as long as I don't eat horribly. But I did give up coffee years ago so I probably still wouldn't be able to tolerate that.

Not trying to turn you off the medication--it definitely helps prevent erosive esophagitis if you have bad reflux.

 

[My2Qtz0205]

I was on Protonix every other day, but since I started taking Advocare supplements following a clean-eating diet last August, I haven't taken my medicine in months! I do believe clean-eating helps a lot. I have times when I cheat a bit, but mostly I eat wholesome, low-fat to fat free foods and food high in protein.

 

[Tuffcookie]

This last December I went to the ER because I had real bad heartburn and my doctor wanted to make sure it wasn't my heart. They diagnosed me with acid reflux/gerd. She prescribed a generic form of Nexium but,after taking it for a week, I was not finding relief from the terrible heartburn. My sister mentioned apple cider vinegar. Google it or try this web site: www.bragg.com. I figured what did I have to lose? I bought a bottle of the Bragg apple cider vinegar and mixed 2 Tablespoons in a glass of water and drank it thru a straw. It can be hard on tooth enamel so make sure you rinse after drinking. I couldn't believe how quickly it got rid of my heartburn! I love that it is a natural remedy. It's a shame more doctors don't recommend it instead of writing prescriptions for Nexium and the like.

TC

 

[karensi]

I also suffer from acid reflux. I take a rx'd medication every morning but still have to watch what I eat. I have to avoid tomato sauce and chocolate in particular. Sometimes I can just look at a certain food and know it will give me heartburn if I eat it. One thing that I have found helpful is, I fall asleep in bed, kind of sitting up. I watch TV in bed, so sitting up, well having the pillows propped up as you would do if you were reading, is really not a problem or uncomfortable and it's really helped alleviate the heartburn at night.

 

[aristocatz]

Others will probably have better answers, as I only had it during my last pregnancy-it was awful & I dealt with it without medication. Dietary changes & changes to what time of day I ate made a huge difference. I also made sure my last meal was several hours before bed. Sleeping propped up helped as well.

 

[ronandannette]

Yeah, reflux is the worst; I've had it for almost 20 years (it emerged with a vengeance when I was expecting DS and has never resolved). I've been on Prevacid, Prilosec and Nexium, all of which are available by prescription only here. No difference really between any of them so I've settled on Prevacid for the last 4 years or so, supplemented with Zantac and Gaviscon at night when needed. For sure limiting rich food makes a big difference; I rarely eat anything deep-fried. I've never tried to give up coffee so I can't comment on that and although some people have trouble with carbonated beverages, I actually find that a ginger-ale is very soothing as an "emergency remedy" from time to time. I'm not very over-weight, but I could lose a few. Again I've never tried so I don't know if it would make a difference. I have an endoscopy every couple of years to evaluate the condition of my esophagus because acid reflux causes a greatly increased risk of cancer.

 

[Cantw8]

I have suffered for years and left it untreated. Unfortunately, it developed into Barrett's Esophagus a pre-cancerous condition. I have been on Protonix for years, stopped drinking and try to avoid greasy foods. Frequent heartburn is something that needs treatment before further damage occurs.

 

[low-key]

Im a man, I just drink it up and like it

 

[smokeyblue]

I have been on Prevacid for many years for chronic gastritis. I used to be able to take breaks of a few months off the drug and resume when symptoms got bad again. I recently tried again, along with giving up pop and ended up with terrible heartburn. I guess I will just have to keep working on my diet and see if I can try again at some point.

 

[magik]

My doctor has me rotate different kinds of reflux medicines (6 months or a year one kind, then switch) but honestly, the things that I think have helped the most was giving up carbonated beverages (I was never a coffee drinker, but had to have my Diet Coke) and losing weight.

 

[Tozzie]

I had severe acid reflux for years, finally I was on the max dosage of medication and I was still drinking a bottle of mylanta every 2 days, water gave me heartburn, so I had surgery about 5 years ago and wish I had done it 5 years earlier. I can eat and drink whatever I want and I don't get heartburn. Surgery was the best thing I did for it.

 

[donac]

This last December I went to the ER because I had real bad heartburn and my doctor wanted to make sure it wasn't my heart. They diagnosed me with acid reflux/gerd. She prescribed a generic form of Nexium but,after taking it for a week, I was not finding relief from the terrible heartburn. My sister mentioned apple cider vinegar. Google it or try this web site: www.bragg.com. I figured what did I have to lose? I bought a bottle of the Bragg apple cider vinegar and mixed 2 Tablespoons in a glass of water and drank it thru a straw. It can be hard on tooth enamel so make sure you rinse after drinking. I couldn't believe how quickly it got rid of my heartburn! I love that it is a natural remedy. It's a shame more doctors don't recommend it instead of writing prescriptions for Nexium and the like.

TC

I have to agree. I take apple cider vinegar and I have not had any reflux in months. I do mix it in a glass of hot water and sometimes add honey to it. I have not had a tums in months.

 

[Gorechick]

A couple of people I know mentioned apple cider vinegar mixed with organic apple juice. I may have to try.

 

[Christine]

A couple of people I know mentioned apple cider vinegar mixed with organic apple juice. I may have to try.

Just be careful. I tried it also and my stomach hurt for two days.

There's a theory that some people's reflux/stomach distress is caused by too little acid and maybe that's why it helps. I was very hopeful but it really worsened things for me.

 

[ronandannette]

Just be careful. I tried it also and my stomach hurt for two days.

There's a theory that some people's reflux/stomach distress is caused by too little acid and maybe that's why it helps. I was very hopeful but it really worsened things for me.

Excellent information - I have heard that too. You can actually buy hydrochloric acid tablets at health-food stores as a supplement. I've read the naturopathic "test" for whether or not you have insufficient stomach acid is to drink 1/2 tsp. of baking soda dissolved in 2oz. of water, first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. If it takes more than 2 minutes for the chemical reaction between the acid and the base to produce enough gas to cause you to belch, you may have the low-acid problem. ( Yuck - I know, but this is relatively harmless and I'd try before drinking vinegar.)

 

[Kitty 34]

Im a man, I just drink it up and like it

I'm a woman and agree with you.

 

[DisneyHardin]

My DH battles Reflux. He now takes Nexium and a probiotic every day and has very few problems.