I was just diagnosed with "silent" acid reflux. The only symptom has been a persistent sore throat and hoarseness. I wonder if this would help? It does seem like pouring acid on acid.

If you put the juice of half a lemon in a glass of room temp. water and drink it all, your acid stomach will go away immediately as lemon juice turns the acid to alkaline stat. It's so much better than otc pills.

For years I cut lemon into a water pitcher each morning. I ended up with the worst acid re-flux!! The Cider vinegar, however a God-send. I second the thanks for all the great info!!

Yes, like gets rid of like. Same concept works in oil cleansing for acne prone skin. It is counterintuitive, but I gotta tell you it works. So I totally can see how acid would work to counteract acid. Great you found relief.

thanks for the vinegar. will have to get yet another "flavor" for the house...already buy white by the gallon, lol...

Yogurt is acid, BTW.

Very often what we perceive as excess stomach acid is actually a symptom of low stomach acid (HCL). I read about how this works many years ago, and of course there's a lot of information out there now. If the problem is caused by low acid, it figures that adding an acid like apple cider vinegar would alleviate it.

Alisande, yogurt is acid? I am wondering whether it is milk products that is causing my "silent" acid reflux. I eat a lot of kefir and yogurt. I'd sure hate to quit them but perhaps need to.

I remain a little confused about what foods I should cut out. The doctor only mentioned coffee, wine, highly spicy foods, tomatoes, and citrus fruits (like lemons).

There's so much confusion about acid. As mentioned above, lemons do contain citric acid, but they have an alkalizing effect on the body. So they're really not an offender. It's possible Arcy got acid reflux from lemons because she has low stomach acid, and the lemons made it worse.

Yes, yogurt is acid. I eat a lot of it too--plain Greek yogurt.

Years ago I gave up virtually all carbs to reverse what was then a pre-diabetic condition and bring down dangerously high triglyceride levels. I was very strict about it. I wouldn't recommend eating that way indefinitely, but it was the best thing for me short-term. I achieved my goals, and one unexpected benefit was a complete absence of acid symptoms.

Something to think about . . . I consumed coffee, wine, spices, and tomatoes, along with meat, etc. No cheese or saturated fats, and no sweets or starches. And no acid issues.

I too am sensing a strong carb and sweet correlation. The few times I've given up those completely (went Paleo for awhile) I felt marvelous, lost weight, high energy. But I don't seem able to keep it up.

Just another viewpoint.

Pillog, when you said that you had "acid from my ears all the way down" it really made red flags wave for me.

How did your jaw feel? I had angina misdiagnosed as reflux for a couple of years before I had a heart attack during an angioplasty. My EKG tests were always negative.

I still get angina when I am stressed and have meds for that.

Just as a word of clarification... capsaicin, as we all know, the ingredient in jalapenos that causes what we feel as 'heat' is alkaline. The body may produce acid to counteract that alkaline, but the 'active' ingredient in the peppers is a base.

I think we and our tummies are all a little different. I had to give up lemonade, which I love, because it was causing me great stomach problems. I've also noticed kefir bothers me as well, though at first I thought it was helping.

I agree 100% that we're all different. I'm always objecting to the "one size fits all" approach medical treatment often takes. So lemons could have been the problem, Sjerin . . . or perhaps it was the sugar. Or some other ingredient if you didn't make the lemonade yourself.

It is commonly accepted that acidic food is a trigger for reflux and stomach upset, and the first thing my doctor told me when diagnosing me with reflux is to avoid acidic food. However, it is also important to see what works for you. I am extremely skeptical that for most people drinking vinegar will help reflux. Apple cider vinegar is one of those things commonly touted as a virtual panacea, with little evidence.

Peter, if this thread is your only exposure to claims that ACV can alleviate acid reflux, I urge you to look further. But since you say it is "common touted," I assume you've seen other testimonials. "Little evidence"? No, not little.

Testimonials are not scientific evidence. For all you know those testimonials are all provided by those trying to sell you the ACV. God knows the Internet is FULL of bogus propaganda in attempts to sell you something, and health benefits is an extremely common meme, nevermind the placebo effect.

I am not saying it is impossible that ACV can help reflux, I am just saying there is little evidence of it, and I myself am skeptical. Also ACV could only cause some kind of numbing, rather than actual true curing, and thus may actually be dangerous in allowing reflux to go unchecked, which can cause cancer.

Susanjf, reACV: What I have and took is Bragg's Organic unfiltered unpasteurized raw apple cider vinegar with the mother. It's of the type that was recommended in the previous thread (which I can't find), with the mother, but I don't remember which other properties were recommended. Regular Heinz ACV is fine as vinegar but not suitable for this, I don't think.

Interesting about the low acid. I don't know if my tendency to reach for yoghurt is sort of self conditioning to counter low acid with acid, or just a general feeling that if one's stomach isn't happy, yoghurt helps. :)

I was trying not to be too graphic when I posted. The lunch jalapeños didn't bother my stomach at all. There weren't even any seeds. But I ate a dinner appetizer that was supposed to have a shrimp and calamari filling, which turned out to have swimmy fish in it too (I say if G-d wanted me to keep kosher, he wouldn't have made me allergic to fish but not to other (non kosher) ocean creatures). There are narrow conditions under which I can eat swimmy fish, but general service kitchen is not one of them. The fish are too old and have started to create the thing that one is allergic to. It wasn't that much fish, but it was enough to make my lips swell and to feel nauseous. What happened later was either a big reflux, or a small regurgitation which receded (quite possibly a delayed reaction from the fish), that spread irritants up my esophagus, and made my eustachian tubes burn, as well as the whole way down to the stomach. It felt acidic, and I assumed that some of the burning was the peppers because it was really burning.

I don't know formal biochemistry--just the bits related to nutrition that I've picked up over the years. I speculated in the previous thread that the vinegar might solve recurring acid issues because the mother helps recolonize the correct bacteria, but if it's really counteracting low acid, that makes sense too. I don't really care. It worked.

What I found remarkable is that the ACV cure was recommended for a long term solution. I just tried it because I couldn't face the yoghurt, after the fish/nausea issue, as something harmless to try. I was actually very surprised when it soothed the whole path, from ears to stomach. Maybe it was the acid countering the base capsaicin (as Rgreen pointed out), more than the stomach acid, but there must have been stomach acid too (like it feels when you throw up), and all the burning feeling stopped before I'd even finished drinking the ACV water. Maybe it's good for both. :) Sure seems that way.

PKponder, thanks for your concern. Unfortunately, I have TMJ and don't know that I would be able to isolate a jaw issue. I can say for sure, however, that this was stomach contents, not just the kind of general ache that could be reflux, gas or a heart issue, so I think I'm okay there.

Peter, I don't think anyone here is making a buck on the sale of the vinegar. Testimonials aren't thorough, double blind, all other possibilities eliminated, but they are observational evidence. Yes, those provided by companies are edited/chosen to make them look good, but the kind that you find in a forum, especially one as old as this where most of the testifiers have been acquainted for more than a decade and generally discuss other topics, can be relied upon to be as accurate of the writer's experience as any other of her/his posts.

Worked for me.

Again, thank-you.

Yes, we are all different....my reflux went into GERD...and now Barrett's Esophagus, which I have to have biopsies every year to make sure it has not turned into cancer. I take so many meds that it is crazy! My main problems come from anything that has a tomato in it, garlic, onions, caffeine...including chocolate...or anything fried. Not much fun eating bland things....so I eat a lot of sweets, which causes more problems.

My gastroenterology specialist told me to drink apple cider vinegar for reflux. He is adamant about it and trying to get as many people off of proton pump acid blockers. I have had excellent results and so has my husband. Once you have the science behind it explained as he did it makes perfect sense.

My little dog has reflux problems and the vet instructed me to add a cap full of acv into her food along with her probiotics and mix well. It has made a dramatic improvement in her digestive health.

It Works! No doubts here.

Hey I am not saying it doesn't work, just expressing skepticism - and that is the correct response to any health claims on the Internet.

Just look at this - http://www.rd.com/slideshows/apple-cider-vinegar-benefits/#.9v8k7s:qWm7

Fights Cancer! Diabetes! Heart Problems! Weight Loss!

When I see a product being touted as a treatment for everything from A to Z - all completely unrelated, no less - the skepticism justifiably rises. Oh and look, it was even on Doctor Oz.

Look, there is even a devoted site - http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com How silly.

Not to knock anyone on this forum, but you see plenty of misinformation all over the Internet, and forums full of people who were abducted by aliens or cured of a supposed Candida infection that was to blame for every problem they've had since childhood with probiotics.... that doesn't make it true. People latch on to ideas very easily, and are easy to agree with a group or idea that fits into their belief system... in this case, perhaps the belief in "natural" cures. There have been entire societies founded upon beliefs that are laughable now. People do not have as firm a grasp on reality as they think.

I should also add that there may be side effects and negative consequences of drinking so much apple cider vinegar. Just because it is natural (kind of) doesn't mean it is safe, to overindulge.

Cassandra, if you are on facebook, there is a LPR (silent reflux) group on it that you may find beneficial. I can't remember the exact name but search on LPR and you might find it. If not, let me know and I'll dig up the correct name.

Peter, I get the skepticism, and value it. It is always good to question. And with unpasteurized food products, it's important to be careful of the source. One doesn't want the cure to be worse than the disease! But ACV (barring any wanton bacteria from a dirty source) by the teaspoonful daily is harmless. It's food. Call it salad dressing. :)

Though.... systemic candida infections, from what I understand, really can cause all kinds of seemingly unrelated symptoms. I don't know if you can cure it with probiotics, but so much of the immune system is in the gut that I find it plausible that, at the very least, using probiotics to promote healthy flora in the gut, and thereby healing it, could well make the immune system healthy enough to fight the candida. Just because the claim is wide reaching doesn't mean it's not true. Questionable, sure, but potentially solid.

I will just assume you MISSED the fact that my Gastroenterology specialist gave me these instructions! NOT Dr Oz or anyone on the Internet! Or ignored it to try to make your point. Whatever... Peter

Ravencajun,

I am speaking in general. I am not telling you what you are doing is wrong, I am merely explaining my skepticism. I thought I made that clear. While you may be doing it on the advice of your doctor, most others are not.

Plllog, systemic candida infections are the result of a severely compromised immune system and are very serious, and often cause death. Systemic candida infections do not happen to healthy people. People have actually been prosecuted for spreading this non-sense, and probably millions of $$ in probiotic sales have been made. http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/candida.html

I didn't realize the treatment was only a teaspoonful... I agree that seems difficult to have negative consequences.

Well, to be exact regarding "by the teaspoonful", it's one to two teaspoons. Less than a tablespoon. Salad dressing range. :)

I agree that selling pro-biotics to cure candida is highly irresponsible! Any seller making these claims should rightfully be prosecuted. All I meant was, given that not all sufferers are so severely compromised, it's theoretically possible that the pro-biotics helped in a sidelong way, and the individual testimonial might have a kernel of truth to it. That is, that your skepticism is well placed, but, considering all things, it needn't be absolute. Thanks for the links--the explanation of the passion behind your skepticism.

"given that all suffers are not so severely compromised"... AFAIK there is no scientific evidence that systemic candida can cause anything other than a very severe syndrome in the immunocompromised. Now, I am not saying it is impossible that such a thing exists... just because there isn't scientific evidence doesn't mean that there isn't evidence yet to be found... but I am extremely skeptical and as of now AFAIK there is no evidence of it.

Obviously reflux is a very real, proven disease and we are comparing apples and oranges here... I was just trying to make a point before - just because testimonials exist doesn't mean it is true (of course, it doesn't mean it isn't true, either.)

I have actually suffered from a long-term, largely unrecognized, thankfully mostly temporary, but totally debilitating disease, and have come out a little jaded from the experience... the number of supposed cures and treatments... all useless and with side effects... left me totally skeptical. And everyone is trying to sell you something, the Internet has become one giant overload of advertisements and even tracking everything you do to direct more advertisements at you. But at the same time, I understand that science has not mapped out everything, and that isn't happening anytime soon, and it is frequently proven incorrect or incomplete as well.

Thanks for the friendly discourse :)

Hm.... I'm sure you're right. The kind of people I was thinking of are more of the this-bothers-me/that-bothers-me type -- discomfort or disagreeableness rather than disease, so I'm not surprised that there's no science behind it. And the only way to prove it's candida is to culture it--I don't know how many have seems-to-be rather than confirmed to be, though many do get it cultured. It comes up when people have gonzo antibiotics, for instance.

Speaking of which, one of those folk cures which people say work is Vick's Vaporub for toenail fungus. The theory is that the eucalyptus oil is anti-fungal (there are studies) and that the base jelly suffocates it (I don't know if anyone has tested this).

I've enjoyed the discourse as well. :)

Plllog, I tested Vick's Vaporub for toenail fungus and it really worked! At least in my case anyway.

Due to a disability, I've had to wear a full length leg brace. Decades ago, the leg brace was made differently. The shoe was permanently attached to the leg brace. Thus, I had no choice but to wear the shoe all day long which eventually caused fungus on a couple my toenails. I didn't know it was fungus at the time. On the big toe, 1/4 of the toenail was yellowing and had thick harden stuff growing between the nail and the skin.

When I learned it was toenail fungus, I did a little research. I read about using Vick's. Since I had a small container of it, I thought, it wouldn't hurt to try it out. I knew it was going to be a long process so, I didn't expect to see immediate improvement. I applied it in between the nail and skin twice a day, after shower and before bedtime. After 2 weeks, I saw improvement. But it was such a slight improvement that I was a bit skeptical about it. I wished I took a "before" picture so I could be more sure. Nevertheless, I continued with the treatment. After another 2 weeks, I was convinced that there was improvement. It took about 3 months or so for the fungus on the big toe to totally disappeared. The smaller toe, it took about 2 months or so to completely free of fungus. The toenails went from yellow to a pail pink; they look normal now.

The fungus hasn't come back. During the Vick's treatment at the time, I was introduced with a new style leg brace. The new model allows me to use most flat heel shoes and able to change them as I please. Thus my foot & toes are able to breath more easily.

Ah! More observational evidence. Thanks for sharing, Ntt_hou! I think I kind of noticed when leg brace wearers started being able to wear cute shoes, but I never really thought about the other effects of having to wear the same shoe all the time. So glad you got the fungus cure and a better style of brace.

Bluebell, if you remember the name of the Facebook group please do pass it on. I did a quick search and found a couple sites for silent reflux in infants, but none dedicated to lpr in adults. On the other hand there are a number of them for GERD and Acid Reflux in general.

I don't mean to hyjack this thread any further but I'd like to quickly share something that I found fascinating since we're talking about leg braces.

The leg braces that were made decades ago were mostly made of strong steel/metal and leather for durability. They were quite heavy to wear. Although, growing up wearing one, I got used to its weight.

Currently, the leg braces are constructed with light and strong materials such as titanium alloys, plastic, etc.. It all began when this material was used for aerospace. Basically as I was told, it started when titanium alloys was used for the space shuttles. Being light and strong, titanium alloys began to be used for medical products such as wheelchairs, arm and leg braces. What a break through.

When I first wore the new model leg brace, I had to learn how to walk all over again. Being so light, I didn't need to kick or use as much effort to walk with the new leg brace. LOL, I had to keep having to adjust my balance. It was certainly a heavenly moment for me.

Plllog, you've heard about the connection between women and shoes? Well, when I learned that I could use any shoes I'd like (well... not all types), it opened up a whole new world on me. It was like a heavenly door opened up and an endless shoe styles shining from one end to the other. I went nuts about shoes for awhile and learned which shoe style worked and which didn't with the leg brace. Then, it was the colors, and which outfit should they be worn with, and etc., etc.. It was fun and frustrating at the same time... but mostly fun.

Seriously, being disabled isn't all bad. I can write a whole new books of fun & learning experiences that happen to people with disabilities, or with a challenge, and wouldn't normally happen to people without. More than enough to keep me out of feeling pity about it.

This might be the Facebook site that Bluebell was referencing:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/332671846923432/

Cassandra, I'm sorry it took me a couple of days to get back here. The Facebook page graywings mentioned (thanks!!) looks like it might be worth checking out. But the one I am a member of is called "Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Support.". I think this link should take you there: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lpreflux/. I have found that I don't go there very often anymore. I've been dealing with it for a number of years and that particular page gets a bit repetitive. But since you're newly diagnosed, there is lots of good info there. Check it out! And the one graywings mentioned, as well!

Many thanks!