No solution yet. - Acid Reflux / GERD Message Board

neddyflanders · 09-29-2006, 08:48 AM

I'm determined to figure out how to get rid of this GERD. Here's what I've done so far:

1) Originally put on Prilosec OTC. Helped during the day but not at night. Still had sore throat, mucus in throat etc.

2) Continued with Prilosec OTC and took Pepcid Complete before bedtime. Thought this was perfect. No more nighttime or daytime reflux, then I started to get sick feeling in stomach, which got worse and worse. Started having (sour) stomach for hours at a time. Which was worse? sore throat or sour stomach? still can't decide.

3) Stopped taking Prilosec and switched to Pepcid Extra strength, 1 in morning and 1 before bed. Still having hours when stomach feels sour during day, at night throat is bothering me some, not alot but some.

Not sure what my next step will be. Have started exercising everyday for 30 minutes to try to speed up digestion but so far no improvment.

Still deciding what my next move should be, stomach feeling sour alot of the time, may go back to Prilosec, or may try Prilosec twice a day, not sure what to do. Any suggestions?

I will find out the answer, whether it's food related or slow digestion or whatever I will find out. You don't get something like this for no reason, no matter what the doctors say. Their was a cause and their will be a solution.

Ken7 · 09-29-2006, 09:59 AM

You might ask your Doctor to put you on a stronger PPI like Nexium 40mg twice a day...Sound like LPR.

I just started taking Nexuim twice a day on tuesday after only taking it once a day with no improvement and I see some improvement the past two days...But I also have been eating nothing but Chicken, egg beaters, vetgatables and baked potatoes with some bread, banannas and oatmeal for breakfast.

neddyflanders · 09-29-2006, 11:07 AM

Hi Ken, it's definitely LPR but I don't want to be on powerful PPI's for the rest of my life. I know the acid coming up is bad but I also know it's not good to remove the acid completely from your stomach. Their must be a cause. In my case I have a few suspects for causing this:

1) Took alot of antibiotics before this started.
2) Was under alot of stress
3) Have possible IBS (which started again about 4 months before GERD).

I have since eliminated most stress, eat yogurt and stomach has since gotten much better (with IBS symptoms) but reflux remains.

backslide05 · 09-29-2006, 02:56 PM

Hi Neddy
There are two schools of thought, the pro drugs and the no drug approach.
it seems like you are favoring the no drug, and i am in that camp.

We have similar symptoms and I have LPR also, plus stomach issues I've been plaqued with since birth it seems. PPIs gave me way too many side effects and I'm convinced that they ended up giving my father cancer after he was on them for many years for ulcers. You can't alter your body chemistry that much and NOT have something go wrong from it.

Anyway, that being said, here's what helps me:
Walking or exercise everyday does help--believe it or not it is a stress reliever and that in itself helps with symptoms.
Eating pretty much the same stuff most days that work for me, (everyone is different so you need to find your "safe" foods)
NO alcohol.

and I really miss my glass of wine (could use one right now).
No antibiotics unless life or death (you already know that).
Yogurt and Manuka Honey are very good for the stomach.
I sip on water with chlorophyl in it every day.

I don't know if reflux CAN be cured but it can be managed, and I'm determined to find a way to live with mine and be as healthy as I can.
I hope you feel better soon.

linda36 · 09-29-2006, 08:44 PM

Hi - I agree eating the same thing everyday helps if you can find a diet that doesn't upset your reflux. I eat a very bland diet of chicken and vegetables and cake and cookies I can tolerate as well (yea!). I tried to go without the PPI's (I have had reflux for close to 20 years) and just took them for flare-ups but finally gave in and have been taking them daily for the past several months. With the daily PPI's and strict diet I have completely eliminated my symptoms on some days and they are greatly reduced on others. Having said that, some days I still have symptoms and nothing seems to help. I don't think it's a great idea to take PPI's all the time either but the alternative of having acid damaging my esophagus daily seems worse to me. I hope you find something that works for you - Linda.