Bad Acid Reflux

Sorry to hear of the reflux, it can be miserable! Mine first started when I was pregnant and was non-stop after that. :( I went to my family doctor & he put me on prevacid. It didn't do much good. I was finally fed up with it & was referred to a Gastroentorologist. The Gastro guy did a scope of my stomach & told me that there's a small 'flap' at the end of your esophogas & top of your stomach, which opens/closes when you eat. Mine basically stayed open, so everything I ate came back up into my throat. Over time, it can errode the lining of the esophogas. I had a surgery called 'fundoplication' (this was well over 10 years ago), and they basically tighten/repair the opening. I have never had heartburn since :-) I would ask your doctor about this procedure. The thought of surgery was never on my mind at first, but after suffering from this for so long & with no relief, this was the option that worked for me. Good luck & feel free to PM me if you have questions.

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I know this might sound like a stupid suggestion, but have your tried eating an apple. When you start getting it, eat a whole apple (or two if it's really severe). My mom had gerd or something and it was the only thing that would help her. She told me about it, and so when prego, I try it, and it works. It somehow neutralizes the acid. I've had friends try it now, and it really works. Hopefully it'll help you!

Also, Alkalime by Young Living is amazing at getting rid of acid reflux.

Feel better!

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Are you also controlling your diet with low acid foods? My husband has severe acid reflux, so we are all on a low acid diet around here.

He also sleeps on a wedge pillow, never fully flat.

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Have your colonoscopy - its important to find and remove the polyps! Its possible to have exam of the upper GI called "endoscopy" but do not wait until this matches your colonscopy date to have your consultation with your family doctor and/or GI doctor.
What you eat/drink does matter! My daughter tells me that the coffee she still drinks is okay if she drinks the "reduced acid" version from trader joe's. The diet recommendation is "no coffee" and "no alcohol". Your doctor's office can give additional advice.
I took OTC H2 blockers for six months and with permission of my doctor I stopped taking them (there is risk of breaking bones more easily if you take them over extended time...but if you continue with acid reflux, there is risk of cancer of esophagus).
I took the time for testing - outpatient imaging testing of the upper GI called "barium swallow test" and endoscopy both gave important data...only the endoscopy could provide a balloon procedure to remedy a constriction of my esophagus.
DO take the time to get advice from your medical team.
Acid reflux is a very common health issue.
I agree that more pillows to elevate the upper body can help during sleep. Being aware of no meals within 2 hours of going to sleep.
It takes time to figure out any patterns of foods that help/hurt.
If you take the time to get help and be open to changes in your diet/lifestyle, it will get better! It takes time and energy and awareness to make these changes. You deserve to have a happier esophagus!

I also tried the apple cider vinegar. I am drinking more water. I do not eat right before bed. I eat smaller meals. I try not to eat spicy foods. My acid reflux appears to be gone even without the apple cider vinegar. But I know if I eat anything very spicy, things will hurt again so I am very careful what I eat. If the food is wrong, it is better to stop eating, get something else and/or wait and eat something more neutral at a different time.

Do make sure you are getting plenty of water to drink every day...not just soda or coffee...you can increase your water by having a glass of water first thing in the morning when you get out of bed...and many times during the day...this helps your digestion including your colon!

Please write back and tell us your progress:-)

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A friend of mine had a problem like this she drank Apple Cider Vinegar, I also heard that Pickle Juice sometimes works. Hope this helps!!

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Braggs apple cider vinegar & water really helps. Taking acidaphilus helps alkaline the stomach. Taking a digestive enzyme with meals helps also. There are lots of testimonies at www.earthclinic.com

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I have to have a glass of milk before bed. Helps keep it down for sleep. And I have tons of pillos so i'mnot actually lying flat but I'm comfortable.

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I had reflux and was taking omeprazole twice a day, and had to take it by the clock or I was miserable. I started using Peppermint essential oil, and haven't taken an omeprazole in a year and a half!

I use therapeutic grade only, the stuff you get in a store (like Whole Foods), while it says is 100% pure, is NOT therapeutic grade and will not work the same way.

Get it fixed asap... it leads to cancer of the esophagus (sp?). Don't fool around!

Would you be interested in nutritional solution? I have a friend whose acid reflux was so bad they thought she was having a heart attack. She also had Barrett's Esophagus which is pre-cancerous. It's completely healed, says her doctor. I'd be happy to talk to you - PM me if you are interested.

Don't wait 2 weeks- even if you have to make an appt. with your general practitioner. If you've already seen your general practitioner for this problem, you may be able to just call and tell him/her that what you are using now isn't helping. They may be able to just call something in for you. There are a lot of different meds for acid. One of them will work. You just have to be persistant. It definately sounds to me like you need a script though, not an OTC med. I've had reflux for years.