Acid reflux worse on an empty stomach - Acid Reflux / GERD Message Board

knightrider2009 · 07-07-2009, 11:45 PM

I find that, for myself anyway, that acid reflux (GERD) is mostly a problem if I follow the recommendations and go to bed 3 or 4 hours after a meal. Better if I sleep on a full stomach right after eating! Then I won't have much of a problem. Seriously.

It also happens if I skip a meal or in between meals, but almost never after a meal, unless I eat a "trigger food" such as potatoes or anything with gluten in it.

Can any folks here relate to this?

Thanks,
Paul

jeff76 · 07-08-2009, 12:05 PM

Problems after eating gluten can signal Celiac Disease which can have similar symptoms to acid relux. You should have your doctor test for it.

NYCman · 07-08-2009, 03:04 PM

I sometimes find myself to have worse acid reflux on an empty stomach. I used to get theese weird acid feelings before I ever even had acid reflux diafnosed. I would just eat something, and then the feeling would go away.

If you haven't done so yet, get yourself a blood test for celiac's disease as the other poster mentioned.

I'll be interested in knowing what other posters say about this too. After I eat there's usually some weird and stomach issues, but it's def. alot worse if I haven't eaten for a while.

Zoe26 · 07-09-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knightrider2009

I find that, for myself anyway, that acid reflux (GERD) is mostly a problem if I follow the recommendations and go to bed 3 or 4 hours after a meal. Better if I sleep on a full stomach right after eating! Then I won't have much of a problem. Seriously.

It also happens if I skip a meal or in between meals, but almost never after a meal, unless I eat a "trigger food" such as potatoes or anything with gluten in it.

Can any folks here relate to this?

Thanks,
Paul

Are potatoes a trigger food? I wasn't aware of this and eat them all the time.

knightrider2009 · 07-09-2009, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoe26

Are potatoes a trigger food? I wasn't aware of this and eat them all the time.

I had read that mashed potatoes were a trigger food on Jackson Gastroenterology's website. I'm not sure what it is about mashed potatoes that would aggravate GERD. Potatoes are the only food most linked (besides red meat) with appendicitis. Cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables were the most protective against appendicitis, but the worst for GERD.

I eat cabbage, tomatoes, onions.. all the "bad" foods, but my GERD isn't any worse or better. I've tried the bland diets advocated by the GI specialists and they don't work for me.

I guess everyone is different though. I respond worse to foods that quickly digest or are low in fat.. those give me the worst GERD. That and an empty stomach.

Carbonated drinks are supposed to be one of the worst for GERD too, but when I had a Diet Coke the other day my stomach felt better for a while. I can't figure it out. hehheh...

- Paul