DH has had it for years (tried every suggestion without success) and just this week was told he needs the fundoplication surgery, where they wrap the upper part of the stomach around the esophagus. While years of prilosec have helped protect his esophagus lining, it has just progressed to the point where this is his last option; his numbers were off the chart with a recent bravo test :(

Bummer . . . hope you can find some relief, summer.

I got tired of all the pills and stuff I was taking for GERD: tums (I was eating them at work like candy), drinking baking soda water at the house (fastest relief), plus taking pantoprazole. I finally tried giving up real coffee and the GERD/heartburn is gone. The only times I've had it since I quit is when I eat spicey food or overeat.

I went to decaf tea too. They also tell you not to eat a few hours before bedtime. Sometimes I do because I work so late, so I sleep sitting up on the couch. I have the head of my bed up on catalogs but it's never helped.

Hope you find some relief soon, if not I would take my doctor's advice. Mine suggested an EGD when he put me on pantoprazole and that's when I decided it was time to stop the caffeine. LOL!

Oh yikes Pixistix. I don't like the sound of that surgery at all. I was dreading the test, let alone going through "another" abdominal surgery. I've had 3, although not related to the GERD. Waaa!

Sad thing is Kath, for the past two mornings I've left off my decaf coffee and I'm still having the discomfort just sipping on water. I just knew it was the morning coffee acid, but now I'm not so sure. Guess I'll be calling my Gastroenerologist.

Good luck to you DH and his surgery Pixi, and I hope you keep finding some relief too Kath. I don't know how you sit up on your sofa and sleep, that sounds like torture to me.

Are you on any other medications that might be causing it? The only time I've had constant acid reflux and heartburn was when I was on a med for migraines. Quit the med (didn't help anyhow) and the reflux went away.

Summer, I got used to sleeping on the couch because of my back pain. I get up most nights and finish sleeping on the couch because my lower back hurts so much. I also have asthma flair ups and can't breath laying down in the bed, so I sleep on the couch.

You probably need to go back to your doctor and find a way to resolve it.

I had severe episodes of GERD for a few years, and still suffer if I miss a dosage of my Nexium. I also eat slowly and avoid certain foods with msg and don't eat at bedtime. I recently had an endoscophy and gastro dr. said Nexium has helped heal the damage the acid had done to my esophagus.

Sorry you're having to go through this. I thought I was having a heart attack when my reflux first started. Hope you find some relief soon!

My acid reflux got really bad, and I started having little infections (pierced ear wouldn't heal, yeast, etc). Then I found out my blood sugars were too high. Once I got them under control, the acid reflux just about vanished and I haven't had any infections since.

I'm on the same meds I've been on for years Lyd, so don't think any of them are causing this flair up. I take a 1/2 of a Hydrocodone occasionally when my back acts up. And have had to more frequently since planting season started. I know those can be hard on the stomach, but haven't had them bother me before that I recall.

I do tend to snack late while watching TV tho. I hadn't thought about it but I will stop that. I have a feeling I'm headed for the Endoscopy. I even tried taking the Nexium at night instead of in the morning and that didn't seem to matter. I've also taken one morning and night. Maybe I need to continue that for a while. ugh!

So sad Kath, that you are plagued with such health problems at your young age.

Very interesting luckygardner. I thought about giving up starches and sweets to see if it helped, but haven't yet. Don't guess it would hurt anything and I might actually lose a pound or two. Glad you found your trouble. I had a blood work up just a few weeks ago and everything came out good. Don't know if they automatically run blood sugars or not though.

I suffered from GERD for years - it came to a crisis situation when I was eating supper one eve. at work, and couldn't swallow - even my spit wouldn't go down! I worked in a hospital, and went down to the ER - evidently the damaged esophagus was spasm-ing (sp?) and eventually eased up. I saw a gastro Dr., had an endoscopy, and was diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus - enough damage had been done that the area was in a pre-cancerous condition. I also (Dr.s order) had the head of my bed elevated 4-6" and also use a wedge-shaped pillow, plus several others. I'm on Protonix and have to have an endoscopy done every 2 years currently to check for cell changes - not at the needing-to-have-surgery stage yet - hope I never am! It helps to:
not eat for 3 hours before bedtime
eat small frequent meals
lose excess weight (still struggling with that!)
avoid caffeine, spicy food, peppermint, onions
limit pop & alcohol
don't wear tight-fitting clothing
I still have an occasional episode in the middle of the night, which Tums just doesn't touch at all - I eat one or two soda crackers, which helps neutralize the acid.

Oh Summer I feel awful for you! My DS and DD#2 have it. DH's family trait is heartburn from hell. They all have it.

No advice other than whats been given but how about a hug?
(((Summer))) I hope you can avoid surgery, but people do seem much better after they have it as far as I know.

I had gerd along with a ton of other problems. It went away when I quit eating gluten and sugar and I take digestive enzymes with every meal. The link below is for the brand that I have used which really helped. (I'm not advertising, this is just to show you the brand.) I don't have gerd anymore. After I quit gluten and sugar I was able to tell that I was also reacting to corn when I ate it and have stopped that now, too. I feel sooooooo much better! I don't binge anymore and am losing weight without even trying. I have been working closely with a naturopathic doctor and am now off of all medications, including nexium and prilosec. Hope this helps.

Here is a link that might be useful: Digestive Enzymes

Try drinking some pickle juice...even eating a pickle may help. It would cure mine almost instantly or at least lessen it to the point where I could go back to sleep.

Hope you find something that works. Also, try not eating anything too starchy before bed (pretzels/dry bread would kill me) and of course, soda -I'm guessing the carbonation, would only make the problem worse. Just try not to eat for a few hours before bed. Plan water even bothered me. I'd prefer thicker drinks.

I found some my worse days were often days I skipped meals or didn't eat enough... so be sure to eat regularly throughout the day. And, again drinking pickle juice really helped me. Some swear by apple cider vinegar.

Here is a link that might be useful: cure for acid reflux

I don't eat anything spicy a few hours before bed and for sure, no chocolate. Drinking milk helps and Tums.

Summer, don't really have any advice for you other than to keep your stress levels low. I've come to your post looking for answers as well.

I have a "silent" version of GERD. All it does is affect my voice. Odd huh? No other symptoms or discomfort whatsoever.

I doubted the diagnosis given several years ago so went back a few months ago with the same complaint; occasional loss of voice. Every so often my voice become gravely and breathy. I avoid making phone calls and talking to people in general when it happens. You can forget about singing, which I love to do. It almost always follows a stressful day at work or when I'm working on a project that involves a lot of concentration. I theorized at one point that I must be clenching my throat muscles when I concentrate or am stressed.

I saw a specialist who put a scope with a video camera into my esophagus (via my nose) to take a look. My vocal chords where terribly inflamed, even I could see that. Dr. said it was GERD and gave me all the instructions about what to avoid and what to do. The only thing I don't do that is recommended is sleep propped up. My cervical spinal stenosis won't allow it.

I am on Famotidine twice a day and avoid caffeine, chocolate, spicy and acidic foods.

In April I went in for my bi-annual teeth cleaning. Once again I complained how the teeth in back are terribly sensitive despite fluoride treatments, prescription toothpaste and other attempts to alleviate the problem.

The dentist was called in to take a look and he asked if I had GERD. I guess the acids from my esophagus are eating away at the protective enamel. I swear, it's always something!

Jodi-

I don't but DH has GERD. Like Scrappyhappy he goes in for regular Endoscopies. He takes Protonix. He also has sleep Apnea and going on the CPAP has helped his GERD also. Better breathing = better digestion.

I cannot stress too strongly that it is extremely important to be under the care of a Gastroentonologist if you have GERD. Like Scrappy said if you come down with Barrett's the prognosis is not good in its later stages. Get that baseline Endoscopy to check for cell damage. Caught early it can be reversed or halted with proper medication and treatment.

This is NOT the time to be using home remedies.

I had GERD for years so I started to eliminate things. I already knew I could not eat spicy food or food with lots of acid.Actually, what finally cured it for me was cutting out alcohol. I was in the habit of having scotch and water every evening.I just enjoyed having a drink but I eliminated that about 3 years ago and the only time I have a problem now , which is rare ,is when I forget and eat spicy food. I am not suggesting that any of you are drinkers but thought it worth telling you what helped me.

From the Cooking forum: RE: Pickle Juice

Posted by carla35

I drink it especially, when, get this, I feel a case of acid reflux coming on (knocks it dead!). Anyway, I've always liked pickle juice -- well, the dill kind, and started drinking it straight when I was a kid.

I read your post this morning, summer, but didn't have much to offer! I have what I call "occasional" GERD...it's never bad enough to wake me up, but I sometimes have really bad heartburn and a bit of reflux. Mine is usually related to stress and what I've been snacking on. I do best if I avoid junk food. *sigh*

Oh Wow, what a wealth of information you folks are. Jodi, I've recently been having trouble with sensitive teeth. Never had the problem a day in my life until then. I thought it was caused from using my whitener kit my dentist gave me but it had never happened before.

I've heard about the apple cider vinegar treatment before and forgot about it but not the pickle juice option.

I'm really sorry to hear there are so many of us out there. It's a miserable condition if you have it bad enough. I was diagnosed a few years ago and up until recently was able to at least keep it down to a spell that usually didn't last over 4 or 5 days at a time. But, 5 or 6 weeks is really getting to me. Especially when I'm taking all of the meds that have been prescribed for it. ugh!

Oh, and I am a worrywart. Come by it honestly from my Mother. :) Sometimes I don't realize I'm worrying until it catches up with me. That may have been what happened this time. We lost a dear friend about 6 weeks ago, are going through yet, another drought, and watching the news isn't always too healthy these days, especially for worrywarts. LOL

I usually have a couple of 4 oz. glasses of red wine in the evenings while I'm making dinner or just relaxing for the day. I've done it long enough that I would have thought it would be an issue if it was going to be by now. But, what ever has got my condition flared up right now, I doubt that's helping. My GP did say that he recommends folks to stop partaking of smoking, dairy, alcohol and caffeine if they are having indigestion/GERD troubles. I knew it couldn't be the caffeiene because I've been off of that for many years. Only drink decaf coffee, tea and colas. I haven't made an effort to get off of the dairy "yet" and sugars/gluten will be tough, but I can do that too if necessary.

I appreciate everyone's input. It's given me a lot to think about. I will be calling my Gastro first thing in the morning to set up an appointment. And, in the mean time, I'll try all of your suggestions to see if I can find some relief. Thanks sooooo much!

Anyone have redness in back of mouth area from drinking too much lemon juice and not knowing you had a bad case of acid reflux? Do you have pain in ears sometimes.? I was on med from Doctor for a year; no longer on meds (Parazole 40 mg). Ears still ache now and thin. I'm seeing a doctor, who looks in my ears. Didn't have voice at one time, but now voice is back and I am back singing again. Sometimes I get tired when I go shopping in stores too long; but it's not really bad. Need comments.

My former brother-in-law had severe GERD due to weight gain and being too cheap to buy larger jeans. No kidding! The constriction caused GERD and so much damage to his esophagus he was diagnosed with Barrett's Esophagus and gastrointestinal infections (H. pylori).

The worst part, GERD isn't a one-size-fits all problem, but it's the symptom for any number of gut issues. I would suggest reading the book, "Digestive Health with REAL Food" by Savannah Wishart. Doctors tend to treat the symptoms, while the underlying issue may be IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) , SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), celiac disease, gluten sensitive, other food intolerances like fructans and fructose malabsorption, lactose intolerance, FODMAPs (short-chain fermentable carbohydrates), gallbladder disease and gallstones..... Many things can go wrong in your digestive system, so learn about as many of these issues as possible to help get a better diagnosis and treatment. It's not just about taking something for acid reflux. The more I study, the more I realize how many of the common diseases people encounter start in the gut. Heal the gut - heal the disease.

-Grainlady

Parazole is a dog wormer! I hope that's not what you were taking.

I probably didn't spell the word correct. Thanks for correcting me. I will look for the book today. I had irritable bowel syndrome years ago, before the issue I'm having now. Pantoprozole is the correct spelling. Doctor had me on this for a year. He took me off the Meds. Told me I was doing good and if I had any problem to come back and see him. I thought everything was find. What if you have nose bleeding?

Mine went into full blown Barrett's... It is so hard to control...I always take Nexium in the morning...Zantac and Protonix in evening. I do not eat tomato products, onions, garlic, chocolate, coffee, tea, sodas, etc...anything fried...and fresh some fresh veggie and fruit.

Shelgal, I would like to know more about your surgery....question...can you still vomit or burp? My gastro surgeon said I probably will not be able to do so, and is leaving decision up to me. I have had an ablation several years ago and I so fear it turning to cancer!

I didn't realize I GERD -- just thought the stress was causing my heartburn. I went for my regular check up, including blood tests. I was one point away from needed a transfusion. I had an endoscopy, and my esophagus was bleeding. I have taken Prevacid for years. It flared up again when I was under a lot of stress. My doctor increased my Prevacid. Haven't had a problem in years.

I take a prescription version of Prilosec and it seems to keep my reflux under control. I also quit drinking regular milk which I thought was causing me a problem and now use soy milk.

I've had it for many years, at least 40. It gets so bad that sometimes I get woken up by the acid coming into my mouth, nose and ears! Trust me that hurts.

I have had to give up peanut butter (after 2pm), caffeine, chocolate, tomato sauces (no pizza), eating in the evening, etc.

I take a n Omeprazole twice a day, that does help, if I behave myself. also sleep with an antacid next to the bed and keep one in my suitcase.

Many a night I have had to get up and just wait for it to subside before I could lay back down again hours later.

Good luck to you.

Not sure why this 7+ year old thread got bumped, but here it is.

Digestive system problems can be so overwhelming and debilitating, I offer my best wishes to anyone dealing with such issues. I have family members so affected. The key to proper management is working with a competent/state of the art GI doc.

Grainlady, you cited the photographer of that book, the author is A. Jacob. She's a dietician, not a physician, I hope she stays away from diagnoses or analyses of medical problems, doing so would be to venture where she's not qualified.

Another tip that my doctor gave me....always stay upright for 3'hours after eating and to sleep on my left side....so the acid stays on the bottom of my stomach instead of on the top where it is easier to drain back into the esophagus.

Mine is worse when I lay ofgn my left side. But, I have a hiatal hernia which makes it worse.