I have been on Acifex for a long time to help prevent gastric reflux which exacerbates my asthma.It works very well and I only take 20 mg a day.
The generic is rabeprazole.
DH takes honey and apple cider vinegar with warm water....a tablespoon each....and says it works very well for him.
It is worth a try.

Have you tried Prevacid? There is an OTC strength, but I have a Rx 30 mg strength, generic and cheap.

I take Neium daily and sometimes I still have problems and have learned that just a pinch of baking soda in a1/4 cup or so of water really helps. Not sure how that affects the salt-free diet, but sure is better than being up with heartburn all night. (I need to get serious and lose some pounds and it would help me for sure!)

Carol how is the cost of Aciphex vs Nexium? Right now after insurance the cost DS pays is $51 and some cents. Insurance pays $144! That is a ridiculous cost!!! If the cost is close then no reason to try and switch.
Yep, he's tried everything out there, Tums,Rolaids (both regular and extra strength) Prilosec,Prevacid, generics, baking soda and water. Not the apple cider vinegar though.

I can't take any of it as I am allergic to it, not severely allergic, just itching. I have tried all of them. I took one that I didn't know was a PPI, it stopped the problem but my head itched like crazy, broke out in sores causing the hair to fall out in that spot. Then I found out it was a PPI by then my stomach was in terrible shape. When I stopped taking it my indigestion was soooo much better. Some days I don't even take any tums. The meds were rebounding, making my stomach worse.

My insurance required me to go through the Step program, trying the overcounter Prevacid first. It made me feel sick at my stomach most all the time. The next level was Dexilant, which is a dual release capsule. The first part is released right after taking it then a few hours later the second part is released. It has worked better than the Nexium was doing. I was having a breakthrough some days before dinner time so I was ready to try something else. It costs alot less than the Nexium was going to since it was being increased dramatically. I paid $35 a month, which is not great but better than $200.

Dexilant used to be known as Kapidex (spelling may be wrong.)

Please be careful taking baking soda and/or vinegar for heartburn or indigestion. My brother ended up with Barretts disease, which is a precancerous condition and the doctor said that the continued use of baking soda was a contributing factor.

I found out that if I eliminated sodas that mine got so much better. People have indigestion for different reasons. Mine is related to my allergies and drainage. For some people it is an issue of other medical issues. Please be careful what you take. There are now studies that show long term Protein Prohibitors such as Nexium, Prevacid and even my Dexilant can be a contributing factor to bone issues in women. I am planning on having an endoscopy done after the beginning of the year to see if there is damage to my esphogus, as my brother has. I have never taken baking soda or anything else but Tums and the medicine doctors have given me but I am hoping to wean myself off the Dexilant. There is a rebound affect if you go off too fast. I have tried a couple times but so far, it always comes back pretty bad. Since it is allergy related, I'm not sure what other course of action I might have.

Here is an interesting take on Heartburn/Gerd.

Here is a link that might be useful: eliminating Gerd in 3 easy steps

I have severe GERD I go back and forth between Prilosec and Prevacid both work equally well. I would suggest trying Prevacid if you have not yet tried it.

I was in the drug testing trials for prevacid, prilosec, and nexium.

Many times those with severe GERD are also found to have some degree of Hiatal hernia which contributes to the problem. I do have it. I have regular endoscope exams to watch for erosions.

I use Zegrid (otc)with good results..lil cheaper than Prevacid or prilosec...Mary

I have no idea of the price difference but Acifex must be cheaper if my insurance pays all of it but $20 for a three month supply.

Make sure you use the right dose for yourself. The 15 mg Prevacid didn't help a lot, but the 30 mg dose works for me and eliminates most of my problem. Take a magnesium supplement, too, these things take magnesium out of your system, which can lead to leg cramps.

Lydia, thanks for the sending me to that site. I am suffering with constant heartburn just about anytime I eat anything. I am so busy I forget to not take the next bite of anything.
I do eat a lot of wheat products and fiber. Much to much cereal right? I have learned so much from the article and these postings. Maybe I can cure this on my own. I think I better as my mom had a hiatal hernia too and she progressively got worse with no relief in those days.

It helps to know what is happening inside my body as I make the switch to better eating.

As always, what a difference these posts make in my life.

Very interesting article Lydia!
Thanks everyone!

Connie, have you checked the website to see if they have a reimbursement program? I found a link for a discount card. I have one form my Vimovo Rx for my RA, saves me a bundle!

Here is a link that might be useful: Discount Card

WOW Lynn! I hope the drug store will accept this! I looked and couldn't see if it was just chain drugs store that took it or not, so I think they will. I printed it off and will give it to him. Thanks so much!!!

Whatever else you do, you absolutely need to cut out bread, dairy products (that includes cheese), grains (cereals--five bites at most) and all sorts of soft drinks (that includes tea). Limit your food intake to eighty (80) bites a date, and not more than about fifteen (15) at one time. What a bite? What you can comfortably put on a fork or a tablespoon--and I do not mean a heaping tablespoon. Eat apple sauce. No sugar, no sugar! Don't drink more than a few zips with each meal, if you need to drink at all to feel comfortable. Stay away from foods that expand when mixed with liquids. Beef and pork are a no-no. I never have more than two or three bites in a day, and most of the time none at all. I don't smoke or drink alcohol, so I cannot speak to these. Lots of veggies are good. Avoid fried and sautéed. Baked, broiled, steamed or boiled are find. And if you like some sort of meat, seafood. And let me repeat again: no more than around 15 bites per meal.

Before DH passed away he used Omeprozole, per Dr's instructions, BUT, he also took Gax X or a Simethicone product such as Maalox or Titralac--which is hard to get now as it really worked. Those products he took especially if he ate something that caused ''bubbles"" in his tummy. I use Gax X occasionally. But I do think that many of his problems, was he just ate too fast and the other meds he took for the cancer etc.

My mother has Barrett's and she swears by a probiotic call Innate Choice. She had tried everything. It isn't cheap. She pays 30 dollars a bottle, but it has given her such relief that she makes sure that she always has some on hand.

Robert uses Protonix (by perscription) and Pepcid Complete (otc) . They work for him....he's allergic to other products.