Another recent discussion on this subject. GERD is gastroesophageal reflux disease, a.k.a. acid reflux. Ways to avoid being on long-term medication for this problem include lifestyle changes (not eating late at night, elevating the head of the bed, losing weight, avoiding alcohol and cigarettes etc.). There are people here who think apple cider vinegar is good for reflux and believe it lessened their symptoms. Others found that it made them feel worse, or are skeptical that drinking vinegar (an acid) for a problem caused by acid, is any different than hitting yourself on the head with a hammer to cure a headache. As noted in this thread, enthusiasts claim that apple cider vinegar is wonderful for an enormous range of medical problems (including weight loss and weight gain). In my experience, folk remedies that are supposed to cure everything wind up not being good for much of anything. I generally have a salad with dinner that includes a (non-apple cider) vinegar-based dressing. Maybe that's what's totally stopped my acid reflux. Or maybe it's the Prilosec OTC. :)

I have been diagnosed with AReflux. Actually I did it myself and my Dr confirmed. I've had symptoms for 3 yers but thought it was a rib misalignment. My Dr is a homeopath/MD: Her list of guidelines: Avoid carbonated beverages and foods made of soy Meal time liquids: no ice, limit to 1/2 c for a full hour around meals After meals be upright, walk, even chew gum if possible (keeps saliva flowing) Focus on and savor your meals, chew thoroughly. Turn off the computer, TV and phone. Keep meals small or mid-sized, finish eating 3 hours before bed Slant your whole bed: head of bed 1-4" higher than foot. Minimize sweets, non beyond mid-afternoon Filter your water to avoid chlorine ingestion. Non-drug treatment: First Aid: DGL (deglycerized licorice) gum: chew and swallow OR baking soda in water or liquid antacids (1-2 T at a time (Mylanta) Lots of Water 2. Prevention: Priobiotics: In a word "LOTS". 3 different kinds, several times daily, between meals. After one week, if no improvement, add: Digestive enzymes (Multizyme) after meals. After one week add: Zypan (1-2 before meals) Priobiotics include things like yogurt (good quality stuff w/0 sugar fruit); acidolphilus, kefir (you can make your own very easily) BTW: The ACV works for some people due to the type of acid in the vinegar (Malic acid). Lastly: stay away from processed foods; eat close to the ground (fresh dark greens, fresh fruits and vegies - raw if possible and chew); Local foods, Organic; Grow your own if possible. Meats - rabbit is the best due to the low fat content, high protein and many people can raise rabbits themselves. AReflux can also be triggered by food allergies such as milk, wheat, sugar so leaving these things out of your diet might be a way to cure yourself as well. If you are into mind-body connections: Louise Hay is a wonderful source in her book "You can Heal your life" She mentions that Heartburn is a result of "Fear": clutching fear: REmedy: Put Joy back into your life. Fill your life with Joy and happiness, let go of past limitations from parents, etc, Let joy flow thru your body with ease. Good luck on your personal quest for healing.

Hi I am a 14 teen year old teenager that has been struggling with Acid Reflux my entire life. What your describing definitely sounds like acid reflux, don't let anyone tell you differently. A lot of the time I don't want to eat, because your daughter is right it is painful and uncomfortable and sometimes unbearable to live with. I know you don't want her to stop eating but don't force her to eat. If she doesn't eat right away she will. I have found that if my parents tell me to eat something, most of the time it makes me not want to eat something even more. If she does say she is hungry but in pain I have found that cold foods help. I often eat popsicles, little containers of peaches or applesauce that I put in the fridge and sometimes just drinking ice water. It soothes the esophagus an stops the burning. Now let her know that the symptoms wont always be 100% there but most of the time some type of symptom will always be there. Some days you wont feel a thing. Other days it will be awful. Some tricks that I have found help is to elevate the top of her bed on bricks. This keeps her head above her stomach and stop the flow of acid when she sleeps or is laying down. Don't lay down straight away after eating. Try to have her stay in an upright position for an hour after eating. Also I have found that drinking an 8 oz glass of apple juice before bed helps knock down the acid. Also as a girl who is growing and going through the pain of acid reflux, expect that she will have some moody days. It is not fun to go through and sometimes you need your space. Lastly, I know it can get confusing with the many different medication but I would like to tell you to not give up I have been on 15 medications and none of them have worked and now I have found a miracle medicine called Aciphex. It has helped both me and my father, who also suffers from Acid Reflux. I definitely recommend asking your doctor about it. Hope this helps.

Thanks Hallie for replying. I just noticed this post. I am feeling much better now and seem to have the acid reflux under control with medication. I was on Prevacid for a few weeks but the pills were making me sick. I could take it for 3 days and on the 4th day I would feel ill. They did not work for me. I went back to the Zantac but they stopped working too. Back to the doctor and he gave me samples of Pantoloc. Wonderful, wonderful medicine. This is the one that is working for me. I take one around dinner time and that means I have no more pain at night I have been careful in what I eat and I have lost 25 pounds but I do once in a while splurge on something that might cause me pain, but so far nothing I cannot handle. I can have garlic in very small amounts but onions are out all together. I had a little sphagetti with sauce tonight and I feel a slight twinge so I best stay away from tomato sauces for now. I have had my heart checked to rule out the pain was not my heart. My cholesterol is great, no high blood pressure, passed cardiac stress test with flying colours and had an echocardiogram. The heart palpations I thought I was feeling turned out to be spasms in my esophogus. Any food that goes into my mouth cause a spasm so when I feel it I now know that it is not my heart. I am so happy my doctor suggested the Pantoloc. My doctor was giving me samples of the drug until he ran out so he has ordered more for me. I have had to buy them for this month from the pharmacist. They cost $75.00 for 30 pills which is a little expensive for me to pay for each month but if they work I will have to sacrifice something else to get them. Thanks all for replying to my post and giving me suggestions. I really appreciate all the help I received. Anne