topic Re: Need some advice on acid reflux remedies... in Wellness

Need some advice on acid reflux remedies...

AliJoi5 — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 21:16:10 GMT

Hello all,

This is my first visit to the wellness forum here, but I'm a long-time poster to the Q boards. Apologies if this is ground that has been covered, but for those of you who have some tried and true methods of combating acid reflux, I'm in desperate need of your advice.

Just a little background info... I have suffered from AR for a few years now, but I don't experience any other GI issues. I'm sure I have GERD, but I've never been tested. Since a gluttonous Christmas (surprise, surprise), I have begun experiencing discomfort in my esophagus (burning and constriction). I am not overweight, and I'm now avoiding all triggering foods, drinks, etc. and replacing them with foods that help with AR. I don't smoke. I'm not on any medications. I live on Tums. I am trying to avoid PPIs if I can. I take a multi-vitamin, complex B, and purified fish oil (omega 3,6,9). I finally made an appointment with a gastro doc, but I'm a month out.

I have read that taking an aloe vera supplement or ginger supplement, and a probiotic supplement (flora capsules) can really turn things around. But there is so much info and so many products out there, my head is spinning. The consensus on aloe vera seems to be overwhelmingly positive. With ginger, some say it helps and others say it worsens their symptoms. I would like to try combining either aloe vera with a probiotic or ginger with a probiotic. Any recommendations on which combo is most effective? Or do I not need flora at all if I am not experiencing any other GI issues? I'm looking at Andrew Lessman's products right now.

Sorry for the "book." Any advice or suggestions anyone is willing to share, would be greatly appreciated.

Signed,

Combusting As We Speak

Re: Need some advice on acid reflux remedies...

hoosieroriginal — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 21:17:57 GMT

I had acid reflux - when I stopped drinking coffee, it went away - too acidic.

Re: Need some advice on acid reflux remedies...

AliJoi5 — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 21:20:29 GMT

Hi @hoosieroriginal - Yes, I heard caffeine is a killer for AR. I stopped drinking coffee (much to my chagrin) years ago.

Re: Need some advice on acid reflux remedies...

hoosieroriginal — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 21:22:29 GMT

@AliJoi5 - OMG - I love coffee - love the smell, the taste - it's not the only problem it caused - it also caused me to have bladder problems - I was constantly going to the dr. thinking I had a bladder inflection - it was the coffee irritating my bladder.

Re: Need some advice on acid reflux remedies...

graciesmom1 — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 21:25:39 GMT

Please see a gastroenterologist soon. It would really be prudent to obtain the advice of an expert. The risks of untreated reflux include permanent and serious damage to your esophagus. You can try to decrease symptoms until you see a doctor by dietary changes such as small frequent meals. No food for at least 2 hrs before you go to bed, avoid high fat foods, pastries, very spicy food -some people react to certain spices. Most people have certain foods that produce more reflux than others. Alcohol should be minimized as well.

Re: Need some advice on acid reflux remedies...

fortune — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 21:26:00 GMT

@AliJoi5 wrote:
Hello all,

This is my first visit to the wellness forum here, but I'm a long-time poster to the Q boards. Apologies if this is ground that has been covered, but for those of you who have some tried and true methods of combating acid reflux, I'm in desperate need of your advice.

Just a little background info... I have suffered from AR for a few years now, but I don't experience any other GI issues. I'm sure I have GERD, but I've never been tested. Since a gluttonous Christmas (surprise, surprise), I have begun experiencing discomfort in my esophagus (burning and constriction). I am not overweight, and I'm now avoiding all triggering foods, drinks, etc. and replacing them with foods that help with AR. I don't smoke. I'm not on any medications. I live on Tums. I am trying to avoid PPIs if I can. I take a multi-vitamin, complex B, and purified fish oil (omega 3,6,9). I finally made an appointment with a gastro doc, but I'm a month out.

I have read that taking an aloe vera supplement or ginger supplement, and a probiotic supplement (flora capsules) can really turn things around. But there is so much info and so many products out there, my head is spinning. The consensus on aloe vera seems to be overwhelmingly positive. With ginger, some say it helps and others say it worsens their symptoms. I would like to try combining either aloe vera with a probiotic or ginger with a probiotic. Any recommendations on which combo is most effective? Or do I not need flora at all if I am not experiencing any other GI issues? I'm looking at Andrew Lessman's products right now.

Sorry for the "book." Any advice or suggestions anyone is willing to share, would be greatly appreciated.

Signed,
Combusting As We Speak

Does it hurt before eating and get better with food, or does it hurt after a meal?

Re: Need some advice on acid reflux remedies...

Kardi — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 21:28:30 GMT

My symptoms sound very much like yours. I know I need to get to a gastroenterologist too, but haven't as yet. I also use Tums and know some of my trigger foods. I usually mix a alf teaspoon of baking soda into a glass of water and drink it to relieve my heartburn. It does work well. It is high in sodium if that is an issue for you, otherwise I prefer it to medications.

Re: Need some advice on acid reflux remedies...

AliJoi5 — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 21:34:45 GMT

Hi @fortune - Honestly, it's always there, but better after I eat. I don't know if I just have an overly acidic stomach or if my LES if faulty (or both). What I'm really interested in knowing is if anyone here uses natural supplements to combat their AR/GERD. If so, which are most helpful? Aside from aloe vera and ginger, I also heard apple cider vinegar can help, as counterintuitive as that sounds. Oh man I'm suffering something wicked, my friend.

Re: Need some advice on acid reflux remedies...

AliJoi5 — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 21:36:39 GMT

Thanks so much @Kardi. I also read that baking soda can help. I don't have any sodium issues, so that's good. Would you say a half teaspoon for maybe 6-8 oz. of water should do it? Thanks again.

Re: Need some advice on acid reflux remedies...

Lipstickdiva — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 21:44:01 GMT

The only thing that has worked for me so far is a prescription for Dexilant, which you said you don't want.

I have not been feeling well almost all year on and off with various gastro issues. My latest was a horribly heavy feeling in my chest that felt like someone was sitting on my chest along with nausea and loss of appetite. I saw a gastro doctor and my own family doctor. I had just about every test you can think of and everything kept coming back normal. I was hospitalized on x-mas eve because after a surgical consult, he was convinced I was having a cardiac issue, although everything checked out okay.

From there I was put on the Dexilant and after about 3 days of taking it, I have felt much, much better. Now I just hope I stay this way because this has been the way things have gone for almost a year. I feel better for a few weeks then all my symptoms come back.

Prior to the Dexilant, I was taking a ginger capsule every day. It helped with my nausea but didn't help with the heaviness in my chest.

Re: Need some advice on acid reflux remedies...

Kardi — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 21:45:22 GMT

I've tried vinegar with no luck. I think it actually aggravated my reflux. Tried Andrew Lessmans Turmuric and Ginger root also and again I think it made it worse for me. The baking soda is my go to. My daughter has had reflux since she was a teenager. She had her gall bladder removed finally as well. She found some relief eating yogurt daily. Also as a curious and interesting addition, both my daughter and I found our reflux minimized when we were on the South Beach diet. We came to the conclusion it is less the fat or dairy causing our problem and more about the carbs, especially sugar and processed white flour.

Re: Need some advice on acid reflux remedies...

Kardi — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 21:47:52 GMT

I mix 1/2 tsp. Into about 1 1/2 cups of water. Try it. Fair warning, you'll belch like a sailor but it is a huge relief.

Re: Need some advice on acid reflux remedies...

Lipstickdiva — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 21:52:49 GMT

@Kardi wrote:
I mix 1/2 tsp. Into about 1 1/2 cups of water. Try it. Fair warning, you'll belch like a sailor but it is a huge relief.

OMG the belching! LOL Prior to me having the issues I noted above, I noticed that I was belching as you said "like a sailor." Then things progressed from there. That's why when the surgeon said he thought it was a cardiac issue, I was pretty sure it wasn't.

Now that has gone away as well since I started taking the Dexilant. It was horrible.

Re: Need some advice on acid reflux remedies...

AliJoi5 — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 21:57:43 GMT

Hi @Lipstickdiva - I'm so sorry to hear you were in the hospital on Christmas Eve! How horrible. I am glad you are feeling better and I hope it lasts this time. Thank you for your post... I'm hoping a PPI or H2 blocker will be a last resot, but if that's what I need, that's what I'll take. I'm just praying my esophagus isn't beyond repair or that I don't need surgery on my LES. Eeek! Thanks again for your help.

Re: Need some advice on acid reflux remedies...

hckynutjohn — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 21:59:19 GMT

@AliJoi5 wrote:
Hello all,

This is my first visit to the wellness forum here, but I'm a long-time poster to the Q boards. Apologies if this is ground that has been covered, but for those of you who have some tried and true methods of combating acid reflux, I'm in desperate need of your advice.

Just a little background info... I have suffered from AR for a few years now, but I don't experience any other GI issues. I'm sure I have GERD, but I've never been tested. Since a gluttonous Christmas (surprise, surprise), I have begun experiencing discomfort in my esophagus (burning and constriction). I am not overweight, and I'm now avoiding all triggering foods, drinks, etc. and replacing them with foods that help with AR. I don't smoke. I'm not on any medications. I live on Tums. I am trying to avoid PPIs if I can. I take a multi-vitamin, complex B, and purified fish oil (omega 3,6,9). I finally made an appointment with a gastro doc, but I'm a month out.

I have read that taking an aloe vera supplement or ginger supplement, and a probiotic supplement (flora capsules) can really turn things around. But there is so much info and so many products out there, my head is spinning. The consensus on aloe vera seems to be overwhelmingly positive. With ginger, some say it helps and others say it worsens their symptoms. I would like to try combining either aloe vera with a probiotic or ginger with a probiotic. Any recommendations on which combo is most effective? Or do I not need flora at all if I am not experiencing any other GI issues? I'm looking at Andrew Lessman's products right now.

Sorry for the "book." Any advice or suggestions anyone is willing to share, would be greatly appreciated.

Signed,
Combusting As We Speak

If you have not "been tested" how do you know it is Gastric Reflux? My suggestion and "Advice"?

Schedule an Endoscopy.

hckynut(john)

Re: Need some advice on acid reflux remedies...

SeaMaiden — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 22:07:39 GMT

I have had several friends tell me about how D- Limonene helped their GERD. Here is a link. The best price is Solaray brand, but many companies sell it.

http://fixyourgut.com/the-magic-bullet-treatment-for-gerd-d-limonene/

Re: Need some advice on acid reflux remedies...

AliJoi5 — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 22:03:10 GMT

Yes @Kardi, I read that complex carbs can also contribute, so I'm not surprised to hear that cutting them out helped curb your symptoms. Thanks again for the advice regarding baking soda. I took it about 20 minutes ago. No sailor belches, lol, but I must admit the heartburn has noticeably subsided. I just hope this isn't something I would need to do all day long? I couple of doses I can stand, but hopefully not more than that. But we shall see! I may also try Lessman's aloe vera supplements. They have great reviews, along with his ultimate friendly flora.

Re: Need some advice on acid reflux remedies...

AliJoi5 — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 22:09:18 GMT

@hckynutjohn I've spoken with my PCP about it in the past, and she was quite convinced it was acid reflux because it was relieved completely, albeit temporarily, by antacids and the like. But at that time, I was not tested further, as the symptoms weren't nearly as bad as they are now. And, as I said, I have an appointment with a gastroenterologist, but it's a month away. I'm trying to manage my symptoms until then and looking for some suggestions on home remedies.

Re: Need some advice on acid reflux remedies...

RainyDayGal — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 22:37:39 GMT

I've had acid reflux and GERD for several years. I did really well when I stopped caffeine (stick to decaf coffee) and chocolate. I still was able to eat a lot of the trigger foods like tomatoes just not all the time. It's a royal pain in the behind when it's flaring up. Taking Prevacid helps me, but I try to avoid taking it long term (as I do with any medication).

One of the suggestions is to elevate the head of your bed a few inches. Don't just elevate your shoulders when you sleep, actually put the bed on blocks.

Re: Need some advice on acid reflux remedies...

chickenbutt — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 22:29:06 GMT

I'm glad you have a doc visit coming up! I don't have medical care anymore, so I just deal with stuff on my own.

As for the esophagus thing - man, who knew there could be so many things go wrong, and the pain. oy

I just try to be careful. Mostly what I find is that meat and bready-type stuff will cause me the most problems. They get all balled up at the esophagus and will not go down. I end up having to, um, refund. Sometimes that is extremely difficult.

The pain when swallowing some things, like that, when it gets down to the esophagus is mind-blowing! I can handle a lot of pain but this is extreme. Consequently, I don't go out to eat anymore and make every effort to not eat around others. I only take very small bites and chew well. Something about it that sometimes, especially if I get in a hurry or am stressed, makes it just ball all up there until I have to bring it up. The weird thing is that, being that the esophagus is down there in the middle of the chest, you don't know it's going bad until it's REALLY bad.

I find that if I am going to eat something that is a heavy meat and/or bread type thing, if I do it earlier in the day it can go much better. I will do a dinner-type lunch and then I usually either don't eat at night, or just one very small, light thing so I can take my evening vitamins.

Anyway, best wishes that you are able to get on top of this thing because here's the deal I've learned - it doesn't get better. It only gets worse. I'm sure they have treatment choices that will make your life much easier.