Posted on 03/26/2009 7:57:17 PM PDT by Frantzie
Sorry to post a vanity but looking for some suggestions about acid reflux. It could just be heartburn too???? I never had any problems but entering mid to late 40's this just popped up. Supposedly as we move into the 50's this becomes an issue.
I had it happen again today at work. I saw in Target that have a 3 - 14 day Prilosec regimen for about $25. I heard Rolaids on a regular basis is not good. I saw some anti-acid pills too. I need to avoid eating before sleep and less carbonated beverages during the day I guess.
Any suggestions? I worry because poor Ron Silver died of cancer of the espophogus which can be caused by acid bile coming up. If anyone else has this - take it seriously. Thanks for any suggestions.
I am not an illegal or Congressperson so I do not have free healthcare. Maybe I should go to the doc on my HMO now before the Teleprompter in the Oval Office gives us all "free" healthcare.
Thanks. ;-)
I tank Zantac or Pepsid. Seems to work well.
generic Ranitidine (Zantac) works well for the long run. Tums is good for immediate relief.
I had horrible heartburn when I was pregnant and they gave me Protonix. I swear by it. Never had another night of pain again.
Milk with generic pepsid
Get checked out by a doctor and make sure that’s all it is. It could be something more serious and you don’t want to underdiagnose yourself.
However I used to have it and lost 40 pounds, which is one way to make it go away.
Prilosec is cheaper than any of the prescription drugs (purple pill, etc.) but it takes a little while to kick in.
Your other suggestions also have some validity.
Get a check up Frantzie.
Talk to a doctor. Having said that, I had heartburn recently, and my doctor prescribed Prilosec over the counter. Took it once a day for a month. The heartburn was gone after a few days, though.
Chocolate gives me reflux every time.
don’t eat anything at least a couple hours before you go to sleep.
also, tilting yourself up a bit in bed may help. or put something at the head to tilt your bed a bit, it may only take a few inches.
laying on your left side can help a little too relief-wise
I used to use the pepcid ac chewables.
Tums for the tummy?
Works for me. I like the Wintergreen flavor myself.
Cut down on caffeine, soda pop, spicy food. Anything that might make excess acid. Don’t go to sleep on a full stomach. Dr. prescribed Protonix, and it works well for me.
Talk to your doctor.
I moved up to a better class of rum, and no problem! :-)
Good luck!
I’ve been taking Zantac for years. Works really well for me, although I had it bad enough for a while that the OTC stuff wouldn’t cut it.
For me, it began in my mid-30’s (I’m 41).
I started getting it several years ago and it became quite severe for a number of months. I tried all the over-the-counter stuff, but it was only temporary relief. Someone suggested that I cut out all carbonated beverages before going down the prescription medicine path. I did and about a week later - no heartburn - and have never had it again. But, I drink no soda whatsoever and will only have one beer in a day. FWIW.
I’ve had that problem before. Now, I don’t eat anything 4 hours before I go to bed. If I am having trouble with it, milk seems to help more than water does. Also, sleep propped up on an extra pillow to elevate your esophagus.
An interesting note - I was having a really bad spell of it & then found out that I was diabetic. Since I got my blood sugar levels controlled, I only have attacks on rare occasions now. Good luck - it’s a terrible thing to wake up with that in your throat - I imagine it’s close to what battery acid would taste like.
Frantzie. Go see your Doctor.
NOT JOKING Frantzie. It’s Obama’s fault.
Stress I’d bet, but let your Doctor determine that.
Our systems have been messed up since early Nov., and we are highly suspicious of the constant worry of the assault on our Nation by those entrusted with its care as the reason.
But, you should definitely talk to your doctor as acid reflux could be the sign of something more serious!
Would a glass of lukewarm milk agree with you? Rantidine? Exercise? sitting up straight?
Acid Reflux is unfortunately my and my Mom’s specialty. I take Zantac, my Mom takes Priolsec, she took Protonix(that is the big gun) because she had a sore in her upper GI, still does but it improved. #1, don’t go lie down after you eat, the acid will come up..second, when you sleep, put a block underneath the mattress so that it will move your body in an incline position, it helps the acid stay in the stomach, my suggestion, if it does not go away, get an endoscopy done..you are sedated, you won’t feel a thing
Often the problem people have is that they are not producing enough acid. Taking antacids is the opposite of what you need at that point.
For example, one buddy of mine who was on prescription stuff for this would drink pickle juice (brine) and start to feel better. Pickle brine is acidic. He felt better because his liver was messed up and so was his stomach, but the short of it was he didn’t have enough acid and bile to digest what he was eating, and if you are eating meats that need more time to break down, you’re in trouble.
I don’t suggest pickle juice, but you could drink orange juice, or grapefruit juice, something with a decent acid content. and you need a couple hours for the digestion to work.
Often the problem is people eat carbs and things that don’t trigger your liver to release digestive juices (bile) and because of that, you wind up with heartburn and a lump in the stomach. You need a certain number of grams of protein generally speaking to trigger the bile duct into action to release bile to go after the protein and fats. If it’s mostly carbs it might not happen.
Yes, avoid late night eating before going horizontal. If you can’t help it, you need to sleep on the couch and sleep elevated using a couch arm to prop yourself up. Avoid items you know cause trouble for you. Drop the sodas and drink gatorade, they have lots of different flavors.
What works for me is:
* Eat dinner early, between 5 and 6 p.m. ifp ossible.
* Don’t have chocolate after 7 p.m.
* Cut down on tomato sauce and spicy foods.
* Take a generic pill (mine is Granutec) before bedtime.
You really need to see your doctor.
Apple Cider Vinegar...Google it with Heartburn, reflux, whatever you want...I use it for far more then just that and have been for many years. Improved my health, stamina and a number of things.
Stop eating high-carb foods - wheat pasta in particular. The problem will clear up remarkably fast.
Generic OTC cimetidine (Tagamet) is another option. If male, do read the ‘precaution’ — excessive use can cause breast size increase.
If the condition persists, of course, see a doctor. It could be something more.
If it is gastritis, the only thing I found to work for that is an herbal mixture of ginger root, fennel seeds, licorice root and clove — capsule form available at health food stores. First two days, take 2 caps of each morning, noon, afternoon. Then, take 1-2 of each as needed. Symptoms usually subside after a few days. When the gastritis begins to flair up again, take 1-2 of each as needed.
That's interesting - my husband says the same thing. In fact, if he has a problem with heartburn, he pours a little salt in his palm & licks it. Says it helps.
Change your diet....it is the poor western diet people eat today.
When this happens to me, Alka Seltzer is instant relief, but it's alot of sodium, so you don't want to rely on that. I had to go at it more systemically doing the above. It's worked pretty well.
Frantzie, don’t mess with this. Go to a good gastroenterologist, get a scope done and find out what’s going on. I am almost 48 and my problems with GERD started about 4 years ago. Food got stuck and I had bad heartburn. Turns out I had webs of fiber and he detected it with an endoscopy and knocked it out. The web grew back and I needed the procedure again.
i started on Nexium and have had a lot of relief. Get it checked out. You’ll be better for it.
Zantac.
I’m cheap. Half a teaspoon or so of baking soda in a small glass of water. It is not recommended, however, if there is any reason to suspect a stomach blockage.
I thought all the parts to that bed were replaceable. Have you tried calling the company about fixing the broken parts? We just got one a year ago. How long have you had yours?
Acid reducer (Pepcid, etc.) and I like Gaviscon (Extra Strength). Had heartburn and reflux terribly when I was pregnant x 2. Still works to this day....especially given our ‘country status’. ;)
mix apple cider vinegar with water or juice ( such as apple) and drink. The burning will be gone in a few minutes. Or you can drink pickle juice for the same relief. It really does work!
Bingo - 1 and 2. Too much diet coke during the day. Not too bad with spicy stuff. Very little. Salads, chicken, turkey and tuna sandwiches usually.
Protonix used regularly or use it for a while and generally it is gone?
And... you KNOW this would only happen in the greatest country in the world!!!
Great stuff...and for far more than stomach acid.
maybe it is just heartburn due to the Teleprompter of the United States attempting to destroy the country in his first 90 days. :-(
Salt drops the pH of saliva down to more acidic. The heartburn is the symptom of a LACK of acid and bile, not too much.
Thanks. Call Rush because he is always pushing the Select Comfort bed and maybe he can call them or send you a new one. Stinks that it broke down. Thanks for the suggestions. :-)
Thank you. Apple cider vinegar is excellent for this. It is pretty harsh so diluting it as you do is necessary for most people. you can take it undiluted but it’s going to make your eyes water. I take it and it’s great.
My father passed away a number of years ago from esophageal cancer. I learned more than I ever wanted about this and acid reflux.
Easy things to do:
* avoid peppermint - it relaxes the esophageal muscle and allows reflux
* don’t lay down after eating
* avoid sodas - carbonation also encourages reflux
As others have said - see your doctor. Most people don’t discover Esophageal cancer until its too late.
It works for me...and it's not medicine. (tastes worse!) It's good for a lot of things. I don't like to take medicine. I think our society is over medicated.
My 93 year old mother is on no regularly prescribed Rx. I think it's because she would go to the doctor, come home with a Rx and say, "I can live with that!" and throw the Rx away. I'm not talking serious problems...post-nasal drips, etc.
I couldn't drink orange juice until I started putting AC vinegar in it...works great. Worth giving it a try.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.