Which doctor?

[ny biker]

Just to update... the doctor recommended that I continue to take Zantac if needed for continuing symptoms of reflux, and cut out trigger foods and beverages. She did not recommend Prevacid or Prilosec because they have more side effects. She did not order any tests. Her practice is affiliated with a local hospital so she has access to the tests I had done last year, which she felt was sufficient. One of them showed a hiatal hernia.

So I have gone from 32+ oz of Diet Coke per day down to 16 oz once or twice a week. How boring. I'm drinking more tea and water than before, or at least I expected to. I'm finding that I'm really just drinking much less overall, to the point where I am probably dehydrated some days. Having a full glass or bottle of water nearby is not enough to make me drink it. So last night I ordered a nice cheerful water bottle from Bed Bath and Beyond, with pink flowers on it. Yes I have plenty of water bottles at home already but I wanted one that is easier to clean and BPA-free. I also ordered a new glass pitcher, again I have a pitcher already but it's old and plastic so I figured I'd go for BPA-free there too. The plan is to keep a pitcher full of iced tea in the fridge at home, and probably also try some powdered drink flavoring (Crystal Light or similar) in the water bottle. I'm trying to keep calories close to 0, so fruit juice is out. I know that infusing water with fresh fruit is also an option but since I live in a household of one I think I'd end up throwing away produce that spoils before I can use it.

I'm also still taking Zantac but at a lower dose than before. I'm hoping to phase it out entirely soon. Most days I do not have any symptoms.

Also I liked the new doctor a lot, so that's a very good thing.

[vicyharper]

Your primary physician can treat it, if it is only mild. You will be transferred to a gastroenterologist if you are diagnosed with chronic symptoms of acidty and stomach ulcer.