Anyone out there w/ Acid Reflux?

[Andrea]

For no apparent reason, I've started getting a really painful case of acid reflux.

I went to the doc yesterday, and, of course, he gave me some acid-lowering pill samples. He also wanted to rule out H. Pylori, so he took some blood. If that's the case, the problem should go away with a round of antibiotics. So, for now, I'm taking Aciphex 2x a day, and it takes the edge off.

I'm frustrated, because it doesn't seem to be related to any type or amount of food... or food at all, for that matter. I can drink a glass of room temperature water and it can start hurting.

I told the doc up front that I wouldn't just take pills forever without trying to find out what was causing the problem. He was very understanding with my concerns and said that we'll meet again once the bacteria test is back- either to get on some antibiotics or to discuss what the next step in testing would be. He said that even though I'm not experiencing symptoms of gallbladder problems, he wants to make sure that everything's ok with it.

So- have any of you ever had reflux? Anyone figure out what caused it? Anyone have remedies besides drugs?

[shootingstar]

Hope you get this problem solved...soon.

I've only had it less than 6 times in my life. And each time, it was just once.

[SheFly]

DH has this really badly, and developed it a couple of years ago. Had an endoscopy done, but the test basically came back ok (meaning not cancer). He doesn't have a particular trigger either, and has been on Prilosec for two or three years now. It seems to be the only thing that keeps it at bay. FWIW, he didn't want to go that route either, but he also can't deal with the reflux on a daily basis.

SheFly

[Tuckervill]

My husband has had GERD since he was in his 20s. He's been on Prevacid for about 17 years, I guess. I worry about his liver--they used to test his liver function every year, but they don't do that anymore, I guess because it never changes. He gets scoped every 5 years. He participated in trials for Pepcid back in the day, so he's been tested every way to Sunday. It just *is* in his life, and nothing so far has helped except the Prevacid.

I think it's a stress reaction. When I was going through my divorce I had it bad, too, but I also wasn't eating.

I also think it's hereditary in his case. His dad suffers from it, and our 14 yo son is the only one of my three that has ever experienced more than temporary heartburn, and it follows the same pattern as his dad's. :-( Another reason for them to keep their weight down.

Karen

[Zen]

My husband has had GERD since he was in his 20s. He's been on Prevacid for about 17 years, I guess. I worry about his liver--they used to test his liver function every year, but they don't do that anymore, I guess because it never changes.

I already had liver problems when my Gastro Man put me on Prevacid so I don't think there should be a problem with that. I've been on Prevacid for nine years and would be miserable without it.

[ehirsch83]

I have finally gotten mine under control without medication, but I had to cut out a lot of things I like from my diet(hot sauce, dairy, hot sauce, half the amount of caffeine, hot sauce,etc.) Riding the bike a lot makes it worse because when you are sitting it causes the acid in your stomach to sort of back up. Mine got to the point where I would ahve to pull off of group rides b/c I was burping up acidic materials. I also learned that some of the sports drinks were making mine worse, for i.e. I can't drink cytomax when it is hot out, in the winter i was ok but once the heat came out it caused the acid reflux that I thought was under control to flare back up. Mine as bad, at first I thought I was pregnant b/c I would wake up and feel nauseous all day long and then any time I ate I felt like that again. I did learn that Prilosec OTC worked better for me then the achipex that the dr. prescribed.

[Tuckervill]

Oh, and it's bad to have the reflux day after day. The esophagus gets worn away and it becomes very painful, and possibly precancerous. So, if this becomes chronic for you, that would be a consideration.

Aren't you a doctor?

Karen

[Pax]

I have GERD and my docs tell me I just produce way too much acid. It's not related to anything in particular, it's just how my body works. I take prilosec every day and it keeps my esophagus from eroding. I'm thrilled that there's a treatment for it cuz it HURTS!

[Andrea]

I may have to talk to the doc about prilosec. I don't feel like the Aciphex is keeping everything under control. I'd be interested to know if my problem is being caused by too much acid or by something that's mechanically wrong with the structures that are supposed to keep acid in the stomach. Can they do any tests to determine that?

[wellness4you]

I know how horrible that acid reflux is I had it for about 15 years some months were better and some were worse. when I wrote it like My life story this procedure cured my condition, I believe it can help yours. Many times when I took my first bite of food it would not go down and I would have to throw it up.
My family noticed this so much that it made a nervous wreck out of me. I become so self concious. Go to Google and put in My life saving story and click on wellness.

[Tokie]

Andrea, this may sound harsh, but my friends with the most successful treatment of their GERD have cut out the caffeine, alcohol and carbonated beverages - completely. Also, no eating after an early light dinner meal, and not lots of liquids before laying down at night, not even water. Everyone else is still popping the acid blocking pills and wanking about their GERD while still doing coffee, alcohol, late dinners, rich evening meals and catching up on their fluids too close to bedtime. And I would say that over half the women I work with are on meds for GERD. Tokie

[Pedal Wench]

Those taking Prilosec OTC -- do you take it for longer than the 14 days? My asthma doc prescribe it, thinking that it was causing my throat to shut down, making it harder to breath. While taking it, I did have better breathing, but i'm not sure if I should take it all the time,and it's more fun to ask you guys than to call my doc.

[Pax]

Those taking Prilosec OTC -- do you take it for longer than the 14 days? My asthma doc prescribe it, thinking that it was causing my throat to shut down, making it harder to breath. While taking it, I did have better breathing, but i'm not sure if I should take it all the time,and it's more fun to ask you guys than to call my doc.

I've been on it for the last three years, my doc says since it's working she'll just keep me on it.

[newfsmith]

You do need to know that there is an association with taking proton-pump inhibitors long term and an increased risk of osteoporosis. Since I have both GERD and osteoporosis I've been following this developing story. It may be that by lowering the amount of stomach acid, you reduce the ability to absorb calcium. Be sure to ask your MD about this problem, and discuss your risk factors for osteoporosis. Currently, it is suggested that calcium citrate may be better absorbed than calcium carbonate if you a taking a proton-pump inhibitor. Also ask about the timing of calcium doses and GERD meds.

[polly4711]

hey there,

I have acid refulx. I dont like being on pills either..... I took Nexium. It is different than other pills on the market because it heals your digestive tract overtime. I've been off of it for two years now adn am just now having problems again (I've had a month full of hot sauce).


Careful with stress!

JP