Feel the Burn! - Acid Reflux / GERD Message Board

KritterKeeper · 09-13-2004, 06:45 PM

Guess I'll be the first. I usually read the anemia board 'cause I'm often anemic. One of the "benefits" to severe iron deficiency is low stomach acid. However, I just had an iron infusion which got my iron level way up. This is great for my blood and terrific for my energy BUT the burn is back! YIKES! I'm noticing something a bit odd this time though. At night if I lay on my left side or on my back I don't get heartburn but, if I turn onto my right side--OUCH!

Anyone else get such a selective burn?

Vanguard · 09-14-2004, 05:56 PM

I would GERD over anemia anyday. Have you tried taking H2 blockers like Pepcid or any proton pump inhibitors like Prevacid?

KritterKeeper · 09-15-2004, 10:11 AM

I took Prevacid for about a year and it worked like a charm! But when my prescription ran out I just didn't go back to the doc to have it refilled. I thought maybe the reflux would stay gone for good and it did for quite a while. It's only now that my iron level has gone back up that the acid is back and doing its thing. One minor disadvantge to the PPIs is that they decrease your ability to absorb iron. I was never great at absorption in the first place hence the iron IVs. I must admit the burn is definitely worth the increase in energy!!!

Sunlover · 09-26-2004, 05:33 PM

It's not selective, but say I am on my right side, it'll burn for a while and finally stop, but if I turn over, it's like I got the "juices" moving again and it'll burn AGAIN until it settles itself down!

KritterKeeper · 09-27-2004, 11:05 AM

Ugggg! Another thing that drives me up a wall (or out of the bed!) is not being able to find a common trigger. One night I'll eat enough red pepper with dinner to light my hair on fire but my belly will stay cool and yet after a dinner of toast I'll be doubled over with discomfort! It's a no brainer to avoid tirgger IF you know what they are!!!