Yes, research apple cider vinegar for Gerd /reflux. It has made a huge difference for me and my husband. Yes I was in fact used in the early drug studies for the big name meds, prilosec, Prevacid, and time release tagamet because of the degree of damages I had. I was getting scoped every few months.
I use the apple cider vinegar with the mother.
Organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar also contains âÂÂmother,â strands of proteins, enzymes and friendly bacteria that give the product a murky, cobweb-like appearance.
Do some Google research on Apple cider vinegar reflux.
Hard to think that drinking vinegar which is an acid can help you but it does. Now I go and drink some any time I get the burning. It has made me a believer because it made a huge difference.

I too still take my medicine but I have been able to reduce the amount considerably and rarely feel the burning.
That's what works for us.

So far, Nexium has worked real well for me.

My last endoscopy showed no further damage to my esophagus.

Now I want to find this Barrett person and get mine back!

Before doing anything new, I'd think you'd want to first see or speak with your doctor and follow his/her advice. I'm sorry you've had to be in discomfort for so long, you maybe should have made that connection sooner?.

Raven, I recently bought a bottle of Bragg's apple cider vinegar. How much do you take? Do you put it in water?

Thanks!

I put a tablespoon of it in about half a cup of water to a full cup, just make it easier to drink with the amount of water. I take it every day and any time I have reflux. My episodes have been rare these days. My husband has had the same experience.
I have of course been under long term care for the problem, that would be obvious by the fact of repeated endoscopies. My doctor is absolutely aware of what I do.
I suggest researching every thing regarding our health care, being pro active, and discussing it with our health team.

Since phoggie stated that she has been under the care of a doctor and has had multiple endoscopies it certainly sounds like she has a good understanding of her condition and is being professionally monitored! And certainly understands the connection!

What I read suggested she's been having difficulty for a few months, with no mention of having seen a doctor during that time. Maybe that was just omitted. My sense was that she is looking for suggestions from forums and not from physicians.

Doctors pull their hair out over patients who think they're knowledgeable enough to self-alter the treatment of their conditions without communicating or checking first about what they're doing. And mostly, it makes them crazy because it's rarely the case.

Just to clear up something... Raven is correct. I have been under the care of a specialist for about 7 years since Barrett's was discovered. I have been scoped every year since, plus a HALO ablation, and have tried about every medication the doctor has come up with...but I am having a terrible bout with this burning all the time. I do have a primary doctor appointment this afternoon so hope he will have some answers.

Raven, I will get some vinegar and give it a try.....couldn't burn much worse! I do not know why the 40mg Nexium is so darned expensive! My old specialist retired so I have to find another one. He had a partner who I have not seen, but was fortunate that the old one gave me so many boxes of Nexium samples. Now, I pay $500 a month and should really be taking two a day but $1000 is crazy expensive for me!

Thanks for all help!

Absolutely Barrett's esophogus is no time for self diagnosis or care. To be taken very seriously!!!!!!! I'm not sure I've got enough ! marks.

For heaven's sake, does this sound like self-diagnosis or self-care??? (I'm not sure I've got enough question marks.)

Just to clear up something... Raven is correct. I have been under the care of a specialist for about 7 years since Barrett's was discovered. I have been scoped every year since, plus a HALO ablation, and have tried about every medication the doctor has come up with...but I am having a terrible bout with this burning all the time. I do have a primary doctor appointment this afternoon so hope he will have some answers.

Drinking apple cider vinegar is absolutely self care. You can do that, nothing wrong with it, but I wouldn't want anyone (who stumbled on this), thinking it would cure it. I truly hope it helps it, though.

:)

Until a doctor takes my problems away from me & takes them upon him/herself, it's my right & my responsibility to do everything I can to make myself better.

It's all self-care.

Raven, I have been reading a lot about ACV and Barrett's. Sounds like many also add soda and honey. Have you tried adding these?

As long as self care doesn't replace physician care in this case. Barrett's can rise to become esophageal adenocarcinoma. It's no ordinary reflux disease. I think doing a combination of self care, guided by/check in with a physician is smart. Do it in my own life!

I was diagnosed with Barrett's over 10 years ago. I have been scoped (endoscopy) every 2 years, and after the last time, Dr. said he could move it to every 3, so I guess it has improved. This condition is the result of years of gastric reflux which has damaged the upper end of the esophagus, and it can progress to cancer of the esophagus.
I am under the care of a gastroenterologist - highly recommend this. Read up on gastric reflux and Barrett's esophagus - it helps to be fully informed.
Some helpful hints:
Do not eat heavy meals in the evening - eat at least 3 hours before going to bed.
Elevate the head of the bed
Avoid caffeine, peppermint, red wine, many spices (look up what other foods to avoid). Even ice cream has caused me problems in the evening, due to the fat content.
Thoroughly chew food - especially meat.
I am on a prescription med - an acid inhibitor - can't get this over the counter - need a Dr.'s prescription. Get a Dr.

I RARELY have acid reflux now - I just know what to eat and what to avoid, and when to eat. One thing that really helps, and I keep it at the bedside, is soda crackers. If I feel the least bit of acid starting to become a problem, I eat 2 - 4 crackers. They are a "base" that neutralizes the acid.
It can be controlled.

Please don't put words in my mouth or my posts!!!
Perhaps several people should read this thread!
I have never suggested nor instructed anyone to do Anything! I specifically said RESEARCH!!
HER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS WERE HAS ANYONE HAD IT AND FOUND ANYTHING THAT HELPED.
YES I have the condition, yes I have something that helps mine. PERIOD.
We both were quite specific that we are under long term care by gastroenterology specialist. And know what the condition is.

Phoggie you have every right to ask any questions about your condition and you were clear in your explanation.

Good post, ravencajun. Now if others will read and understand it instead of posting unneeded recriminations is another thing.

My mother has Barrett's. She has tried just about everything. She found a pro-biotic that has helped her the most. She also found lactose free milk and a low gluten diet have helped, too.

Mary52's post about low gluten reminded me of something. Recently, with the popularity of gluten-free diets, several people have told me that their acid reflux disappeared when they gave up wheat. One of my relatives had painful GERD until she was diagnosed with celiac disease and gave up gluten.

When I heard these stories I thought about my own experience close to 20 years ago. As long as I could remember, my grandmother, my father, and I all had a problem with excess acid. It was an unwelcome part of life for me--until I changed to a low-carb diet, part of which was giving up wheat. The acid problem disappeared. Since then it has returned, coinciding with the reintroduction of wheat back into my diet. I must rethink that reintroduction.

Anyway, the gluten-GERD connection is something to consider.

I went to my PP yesterday.....can not get into gastro for several weeks....and PP thinks the acid has really burned my entire system to my gut...took me off of one drug and put on Reglan to help empty stomach...Nexium and Zantac twice a day and be sure to follow the diet that I had gotten lazy in staying on, and the small portions, chewing food fully, sitting upright for 3 hours before bedtime, bed risers, etc....all which I already knew....but I get so hungry for Mexican food etc. that I probably cheated too much. If not improved in a week, we will do CT scan.

Thanks so very much for all of your responses...they are appreciated!

I agree with you alisande, the wheat thing is big for me too regarding acid reflux. Right now I'm on a 10 day detoxification program and the first thing to go was wheat. The first thing I noticed was I haven't used a Tums in the past 5 days! Might not work for everyone, but it sure works for me.

Reglan is a drug that I would be very hesitant to take. Most people think of it as an innocuous drug, but it has some very nasty side effects. I had a patient the other day who had irreversible tardive dyskinesia from taking reglan. I'm sorry to worry you, but I would want to know this.

Wow sleeperblues, that is significant and important information!
I see the FDA does have a warning on their website for this and an enforced box warning is now in place.

From what I was just reading it seems more susceptible are females and older ages. I sure would be doing a lot of research on this if I were prescribed the drug. It is always important to at least know what to expect and what to be watching for if you choose to use it.

I know one of my meds(a chemotherapy drug) has major red flag warnings, but I knew that going in and my team tests me very regularly to be aware of any warning signs or changes. And I stop taking it from time to time to allow my body to clear it out, by the instructions of my physician of course.

Good information sleeperblues!

Here is a link that might be useful: FDA information

This is a good article on the symptoms and what increases your chances of developing it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tardive dyskinesia

Great article, Raven. I learned some things from it. Don't mean to scare anyone, but too many times side effects are not effectively communicated to patients. I know I wouldn't want to have these side effects!

Sleeper....WOW...I will be discussing Reglan. I was taking an antibotic, but he thought this might work better....But I may be going back to old med...I have a full bottle left. I already have a hand tremor and I do not need it getting worse! Thanks for your information!