HI Forensic mom! I so sorry you are suffering so much too. I think you are going to have to do what I am and just do things one at a time and with process of elimination.
First of all, my main symptom with my reflux is that I have lots of mucus in my throat, congestion and feeling like I try to get a full breath in. I have coughing spells with this and it is very frustrating. Sometimes I get nauseated if I have alot of drainage going into the stomach. I try to eat little small meals along the way. If it is bad I will get the burning in my sternum area of even pain between my shoulder blades. I also have IBS and trouble at the other end. It all happens for me from stress and perimenopause. Everyday is different for me depending on my stress level and what I have been eating.
As far and figuring it all out. I too am wanting to buy all organic but my goodness is it expensive!! I try to one new product every week or two. Some I incorporate into my diet. Other foods I have tried and they were nasty! So I don't buy them again. I just couldn't handle the taste. I do buy food enzymes and they are suppose to help you digest food and they do work.
I have different things I buy from the healthfood store that they recommend. I have different tea's that I buy. There is one called throat coat that has licorace and slippery elm in it. It is soothing on the throat. Just don't buy ginger. As good as it is for you it is REALLY bad on reflux. It felt like a fire going on inside me. It really scared me. I must have had a little ulcer when I drank that.
Just watch your diet, stay away from coffee, spicy sauces (It's hard because I love pizza and spagetti!) chocolate, acidic and fried food. I think you will feel much better as you watch everything closely.
Oh ya, I was going to tell you Splenda and any artificial sweetners are terriable! Please don't use them. They really are loaded with toxic things. Like chlorine etc...that's why you feel bad! I get migraines whenever I have tried that. I won't even buy any diet drinks whatsoever. I always buy things with regular sugar or an organic substitute. Anything natural. There are so many people who have had health problems when consuming these artificial sweetners. I just know you will feel better without them.
P.S. Don't quit coffee cold turkey! I got the shakes and real bad headaches. Just ease off. Smaller cups and clear down to less than a half a cup. It is a like a drug with drawal. I just don't want you to have to suffer. I did that once and felt so bad for a few days.
Here for you anytime you want to talk!
