Topic: GERD - had tereible attack while sleeping last night~~
LisaK
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 41384
posted
I am afraid to now go to sleep.
I see thyey sell slanted pillows for this, but i don't have one right now and this was my first 'real' attack... I thought I had some before, but this was like alien acid melting my insides!!!!
it was actually insane with pain and burning like real acid. it still burns now! and all day in my mouth and esophagus down to my stomach.
now what??? I ate a bunch of antacids today and really tried to be careful eating
what else can I do?
-------------------- Be thankful in all things- even difficult times and sickness and trials - because there is something GOOD to be seen Posts: 3558 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2013
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dbpei
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Member # 33574
posted
This happened to me while on doxy and other ABX recently. My doc prescribed omeprazole with a higher dosage than what you get over the counter. And it seems to have helped. Now I am reducing my dosage gradually and hope to be off in a few weeks.
I know this can mess up your digestion because it removes the acid from your stomach that is needed to digest your food properly and absorb nutrients. But sometimes doing this for a short period is necessary in order to heal your esophagus.
In the past, following episodes of esophagitis, I have had luck with aloe vera juice, slippery elm, and DGL tablets. Also sometimes apple cider vinegar and honey helped too.
Another thing to try is eating delicious apples! Apparently they have something in them that helps to heal the esophagus and gut lining. My Lyme brain is not able to recall exactly what that is.
We take some 1 or 2 inch blocks of wood to put under the bed posts near the head of our bed to help raise my head. That seems to help too. Avoid eating several hours before you lie down and keep track of which foods might trigger your episodes. (and avoid them!)
Believe it or not, peppermint, which is supposed to be good for your stomach, is bad for acid reflux. Good luck and I hope you feel better!
Posts: 2386 | From New England | Registered: Aug 2011
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ukcarry
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Member # 18147
posted
This has been a problem for me too. Be careful about taking too many antacids, as you need the stomach acid to work for at least one hour after each meal and in any case, for me, there was lots of bile coming up as it was pooling....and that will not respond to antacids.
Let your stomach acid do its job (or take betaine hcl if necessary with your food), then you could take some biocarbonate or antacid approx one to one and a half hours after your meal. This allows the small intestine to do its part in the digestive process without disabling the stomach.
I found the slanted pillow too uncomfortable and your head slips down it, so it is better to either put blocks/heavy books under the front legs of the bed or put them under the mattress, so that the bed head is raised.
There is a gel liquid called Silicol that you may be able to get through interrnational shipping that really helps after a bad reflux episode as it coats the passage well before food and is soothing, as long as you don't take too much because that will constipate you!
In UK Gaviscon Advanced (fennel flavour, not peppermint) is the best OTC mainstream remedy and I believe you can get that via Amazon. You can take that at bedtime and again in the night to float on top of your digestive juices, so that any reflux will send a spray of that up too to cushion it (the Life Extension product that Michael recommends below contains very similar ingredients).
D-limonene is readily available and can really help in the same way. It gives you orange burps, but that shows that it's working! D-limonene has a wide range of applications, being anti-bacterial, dissolves gallstones/biliary sludge, good for liver enzymes etc. I use Swansons product usually..
Slippery elm, DGL, Marshmallow will all help to soothe the passages, though I found Silicol to be better.
[ 03-31-2016, 06:43 AM: Message edited by: ukcarry ]
Posts: 1647 | From UK | Registered: Nov 2008
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MichaelTampa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 24868
posted
I have found Betaine HCl and DGL to be very helpful, along with slanting the bed surface.
One other item that has been great for me is Esophageal Guardian, by Life Extension. Generally, I have found the DGL to be better with empty stomach, and Esophageal Guardian to be better after meals.
Posts: 1927 | From se usa | Registered: Mar 2010
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MannaMe
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posted
my sis-in-law uses coconut milk (Thai Kitchen - no extra added sugars or stuff) for her son with acid reflux. Just a swallow or two of coconut milk helps coat the esophagus.
She gets it from Vitacost at a good price.
Posts: 2248 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2011
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Marz
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Member # 3446
posted
My previous MD said that her dad took apple cider vinegar for his GERD and it worked.
I dont know how much or when though.
Posts: 1297 | From USA | Registered: Dec 2002
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LisaK
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Member # 41384
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WOW!! thanks for all the great responses!! I found help with each one!
thank you so much!!!
-------------------- Be thankful in all things- even difficult times and sickness and trials - because there is something GOOD to be seen Posts: 3558 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2013
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Catgirl
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posted
Oatmeal and honey. Oatmeal sucks the acid out and honey repairs the gut (good to take honey on empty stomach).
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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LisaK
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Member # 41384
posted
I am guessing that raw honey is best?? does all honey help?
-------------------- Be thankful in all things- even difficult times and sickness and trials - because there is something GOOD to be seen Posts: 3558 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2013
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WPinVA
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Member # 33581
posted
Have you changed your diet to eliminate coffee, alcohol, acidic foods, etc?
Be careful of the bed wedges. They are usually made with foam and that stuff off-gasses. Maybe there are some with better materials.
Also, don't eat too close to bedtime and stay upright after eating.
Ultimately, you may need a medication. I know people say they interfere with digestion but in many cases, a torn up esophagus is worse. When my GERD was terrible years ago, the only one that worked for me was Nexium. Now I'm on OTC omeprazole. Have you had a scope?
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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LisaK
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 41384
posted
I have cut them back, but dnot 100% gone. I know I know.....
I was saslo thinking that aobut the wedges.
I had a coupel scopes done. I know I have a hernia that contributes . I am fine if I avoid just about all foods, hahaha.... for some reaons or another I can't eat this or that- just about everything except some meat and potatoes. I have actuall ybeen living on potatoe chips!!! ugh
-------------------- Be thankful in all things- even difficult times and sickness and trials - because there is something GOOD to be seen Posts: 3558 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2013
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posted
I take digestive enzymes with dinner. They have made a world of difference for reflux.
Posts: 28 | From NY | Registered: Feb 2016
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