Anyone with Gerd?

CherryHugs · ‎07-21-2014

Wondering if anyone has Gerd (Reflux) or what ever you want to call it. And have you had Success on any special diet program? I have to be very careful what I eat . Its not fun at all when you cant eat what everyone else is having but if it helps, than its worth it.

Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light. —Helen Keller

Rachb · ‎10-07-2012

I take Nexium but find when I lay off dairy my symptoms subside.

CherryHugs · ‎07-21-2014

I have nexium but my dr says it is not for long term use. She says you really should not use it more than two weeks, that there are risks if you do? But i know alot of people that take it every day.

I might try not having dairy and see how that goes. Thank you!

Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light. —Helen Keller

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

I hope you are doing ok. I took Prilosec (but only one 2wk therapy every couple of months) for a while. But when it went beyond GERD that stopped helping, so I stopped doing it.

My esophagus seems to be pretty messed up at this point and I have a lot of pain down there so I am just careful. It seems like bready type foods and sometimes meat, especially beef, don't do very well and I usually cannot get them down so they have to be refunded.

Sometimes I can get away with eating these things but sometimes it's just a no-go. The pain is beyond excruciating and sometimes it takes a while to bring the food back up.

I just deal with it. I don't have pain more often than I do, so far, so I'm glad for that. Sometimes it's just an acid-type thing so I take some Tums 1000 and that will help. Chew them up really good and then chase with water. Also, try and avoid foods/drinks that are acidic. Coffee, tea, soft drinks - probably the worst. Even chocolate is highly acidic. How awful is that!

Newgate · ‎09-05-2014

Have you been told by a doctor that you have Gerd? Have you had your esophagus looked at? If not I would!

MKR14 · ‎03-09-2010

Sad to say I have GERD and esophageal spasms. I have to watch foods with acid-tomatoes and food with vinegar and spices. Luckily I am not a spicy food person. I also eat 6 small meals a day and never eat meals later than 6 pm. I have had it for over 10 years and developed the esophageal spasms a few years ago. That is under control now. I have drank bottled water now for two years. We live in the city and chlorine can mess your throat up when you have GERD. I also take Nexium. Most people are on short term Nexium. It is safe for me to use due to having pancreatitis also. If I eat any foods with acid it is in moderation and several days in between. There are diets if you Google GERD and the local hospital gave me a copy of what they use. I had to have a consultation to get the diet at the hospital. My husband is seeing my Gastroenterologist on Thursday as he was sent to see him and a my heart doctor to see what is causing the burning and pain in his chest. Anyone having problems should see a doctor as to not cause damage to your esophagus. Good luck.

@chickenbutt Have you ever had an ERCP? It is an endoscopy down your throat to see if acid from GERD has done any damage? I have to have them with ultrasound every few years to check my pancreas and the doctor checks the GERD at the same time. It is not painful and you are put to sleep to do it. Good luck feeling better and finding an answer for you.

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

Just wondering, @CherryHugs, have you been under any ongoing long term stress? I know this sounds weird, but one of my children was working a full time job while attending a very demanding full time college course. The course was a two yr. program. Honestly, I don't know how he did it, surviving on very little sleep and what sleep he did get was broken into a couple of hours here and a couple of hours there. He ended up with GERD, took medication that hardly fazed it. Once he graduated and life normalized again, the GERD went away. Weird, huh?

Melania · ‎06-12-2013

@chickenbutt wrote:
I hope you are doing ok. I took Prilosec (but only one 2wk therapy every couple of months) for a while. But when it went beyond GERD that stopped helping, so I stopped doing it.

My esophagus seems to be pretty messed up at this point and I have a lot of pain down there so I am just careful. It seems like bready type foods and sometimes meat, especially beef, don't do very well and I usually cannot get them down so they have to be refunded.

Sometimes I can get away with eating these things but sometimes it's just a no-go. The pain is beyond excruciating and sometimes it takes a while to bring the food back up.

I just deal with it. I don't have pain more often than I do, so far, so I'm glad for that. Sometimes it's just an acid-type thing so I take some Tums 1000 and that will help. Chew them up really good and then chase with water. Also, try and avoid foods/drinks that are acidic. Coffee, tea, soft drinks - probably the worst. Even chocolate is highly acidic. How awful is that!

Pain is not good. You should be on something...if let go it can turn into Barrette's Esophagus.

I have been on Proton Pump inhibitors for years as I have Gerd plus a Hiatal hernia. I also take Ranitidine at night.

I watch my diet but still have issues. It happens...but to NOT treat your symptoms is far worse than taking something.

Gaviscon chewables are far better than Tums...it really coats your throat and Tums doesn't.

Even if you take over the counter Prilosec, it's something.

Nightowlz · ‎03-11-2010

I have never been diagnosed with GERD. I have had acid reflux. The only time I ever had a problem was in the middle of the night when it woke me up. I never did have it in the morning/afternoon/evening. I don't know if that's how it works or not. Foods I know bother me I only eat earlier in the day. I don't eat after 6-7 pm. I also take Andrew Lessman's Ultimate Friendly Flora (probiotic) & Digestive Enzymes. I have not had any problems since I started doing this.

DH started taking Betaine HCL. It seems to be working for him because he's not eating Tums all the time like he used to. You can read about the Betaine HCL challenge test if you Google it.

I forgot to say I also eat smaller amounts throughout the day. I hate eating heavy meals.

Kardi · ‎05-20-2010

I was getting heartburn or acid reflux every night. Sometimes I'd get up 3-4 times to take Tums or drink baking soda in water. I began to get really concerned about esophageal damage. I went on a low carb diet and it has totally gone away. I stay away from bread, pasta and baked goodies. I have also lost 25 pounds. Trust me, it is well worth the sacrifice. After a month or so you'd be surprised how you don't miss those things.