Topic: Anyone know of a natural remedy for reflux?
ConnieMc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 191
posted
I was put on prilosec, 20 mg twice a day but started with severe side effects several days later. Neurological burning pain in arms and legs, dizziness, depression, joint pain.
I didn't initially connect the dots, as I tend to go up and down with symptoms. But decided to stop the meds to see what would happen. I started to feel better within 12 hours of missing the first dose.
Was I ever surprised when I went on the internet and researched side effects for these meds. The box says nothing about the side effects, but there is much on the internet about them.
Anyone know of a natural remedy for this? I saw something on the internet about apples, but would have to purchase an article to try this. I vaguely remember something about apple cider vinegar and baking soda?
Anyone know anything about these?
Many thanks!
Posts: 2276 | From NC | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
The only thing that's helped me is Nexium and Reglan. I have recently gone off the Reglan due to side effects. It can cause permanent spasms in the face, etc.
I would do natural if I could, but never found anything that worked.
Apple cider vinegar is very nasty stuff.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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lymie_in_md
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14197
posted
You might want to try a combination. Mastic gum, DGL, and lots of digestive enzymes. You'll have to look at your diet. Add diet items such as fermented fruits and vegatables with live probiotics in them. Kefir, kombucha, and yogurt all have live cultures better for you then just supplementing with probiotics. Plus the added advantage of increasing your enzyme supply in your body. Many people in the U.S. are enzyme deficient. Lymies even more so.
Suggest you look into making your own kombucha to save costs.
The advantage of fermented veggies is quite large and can be quite helpful for some.
You might also want to have a breakfast of oatmeal and ground pumpkin seeds. The oatmeal helps heal the lining of your intestines, it is very mucilagenic.
I had the same issues initially with prilosec a while ago and came to the same conclusion and stopped taking them. It took me a year to get past acid reflux and gerd symptoms. But with the information I have now, I probably could have solved it in a few months.
You'll also want to look into cleanse, start with a parasite cleanse, kidney, then liver.
If your liver is clogged that can be part of the problem.
Look towards some exercises, Donna Eden has a 5 minute routine to get you started. Just search on youtube for "donna eden five minute". You'll find it.
ACV or apple cider vinegar is a good way to increase the acid content of your stomach prior to digestion. But in my mind there are more issues then ACV can solve.
All these very simple techniques might just get you past your problems. Just test them one at a time and see what works for you.
Good luck
-------------------- Bob Posts: 2150 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
I LOVE apple cider vinegar!!! Get the raw kind .... I use Bragg's. The directions are on the bottle, but basically, just a little in a glass of water with a tiny bit of honey (good for the probiotics in the vinegar so it's better for your with the honey). Drink before a meal.
I second what Bob says about fermented veggies and kombucha.
Also parasite cleanses, etc.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
Research limonene, manuka honey and good probiotics. Some combination of the above should help.
I know when I sort of burned my esophagus from Doxy, manuka honey helped a lot.
Posts: 584 | From NY | Registered: Feb 2009
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
i bought the directions online and did it and it worked for me when i was off all meds
mine was basically a tsp of honey after every meal
i melted mine in hot water
BUT-as soon as i had to do any tx for anything the reflux came back
sorry-i'm too disarganized to find it
i did post something about it once on lymefriends or mdjunction
i put it in a post or thread or forum for reflux
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Just popping in to say hey and that I hope you are feeling better soon Miss C. Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Standing in line at Walmart with 3 ex large boxes of Arm & Hammer baking soda, because it's my household cleaning supply.....very elderly gentleman in line behind me asked me what I do with baking soda. He told me it's his treatment for acid reflux and it's better than any drug.
He told me he mixes it with water or juice something daily.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6495 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
Baking Soda. Nexium is the best I've come across though.
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
posted
An apple article I read suggested eating a red delicious apple ( and it has to be this kind) right before going to bed every night to keep the acid down.
I thought this was helpful but it didn't stop it for me.
I like Acid Ease by Prevail.
Posts: 581 | From CT | Registered: May 2008
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posted
Slippery Elm or Marshmallow herbs seem to help a lot for me. Just treating the Bart though cleared all my GI issues.
Posts: 476 | From Columbus, Ohio | Registered: Aug 2007
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
Carol
Posts: 6956 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
She's looking for "natural" remedies. Connie, do a search on baking soda & acid reflux. Tons of info.
Certainly worth a try.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6495 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
Is it due to a hiatal hernia? Maybe a chiro can help.
Posts: 462 | From Newnan, GA | Registered: Aug 2004
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Try DGL and digestive enzymes.
I like Enzymatic Therapy's "DGL Ultra", it comes in a sugar free chewable tablet that works great. DGL is nice because it provides symptomatic relief, heals, and protects. Tastes good too!
Remember, if you've had reflux problems for awhile it will take time to heal your esophagus and stomach.
Good luck!
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
Charcoal Capsules...papaya emzymes... Blessings, Just Jan
-------------------- I used to be marblenose but my lymebrain could not remember what email account I used to sign in so now I am just jan... bit in 1994 diagnosed in 2004 I have tried every anbx and alternative known to personkind.
NICENESS COUNTS!! Posts: 61 | From orange county new york | Registered: Jul 2008
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AliG
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9734
posted
Make sure you're taking all meds with a full glass of water & not laying down (or reclining more than 45 degrees) for about an hour afterward.
Stay away from milk-drinking. It may feel soothing initially, but the lactic acid makes things worse.
The only thing I found that really gave me relief was Apple Cider vinegar.
I couldn't take the taste, to mix it in water & drink a whole glass so I just held my nose & drank a "shot" of it, then chased with water.
It worked like a charm & was one of the most helpful tricks I learned.
Do you know what may be causing your reflux?
-------------------- Note: I'm NOT a medical professional. The information I share is from my own personal research and experience. Please do not construe anything I share as medical advice, which should only be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner. Posts: 4881 | From Middlesex County, NJ | Registered: Jul 2006
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ConnieMc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 191
posted
Thanks for all the helpful ideas!
My symptoms started with that lump in the throat feeling, and the feeling gets better and worse but never goes away.
Very miserable.
I have not really had what I describe as heartburn. So didn't make the connection at first. But an ENT thought I should treat it with reflux meds. This was to confirm the condition. Since the meds helped, I think I now know for sure that is what it is, but since I cannot tolerate the meds, I need to go in another direction.
I have not heard good things about these proton pump meds, and would love to be able to treat this symptom without using those.
So for now, I am trying a combo of things ... more probiotics, digestive emzymes, baking soda, and apple cider vinegar. Time will tell...
Thanks for all the interesting ideas. I have this thread all printed out so I can go through these suggestions one by one until I can get consistent relief.
Thanks to all...
Posts: 2276 | From NC | Registered: Oct 2000
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AliG
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9734
posted
note: baking soda with anything acidic like apple cider vinegar will have a wicked effervescent reaction & I believe produce heat.
I also believe they'll neutralize each other.
I'd leave a couple of hours between taking them.
If it started with the lump in the throat feeling, any chance of a yeast overgrowth?
Some Zhang's Allicin can help if that's the case.
[ 09-10-2009, 09:28 AM: Message edited by: AliG ]
-------------------- Note: I'm NOT a medical professional. The information I share is from my own personal research and experience. Please do not construe anything I share as medical advice, which should only be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner. Posts: 4881 | From Middlesex County, NJ | Registered: Jul 2006
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lymie_in_md
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14197
posted
I mentioned before about DGL. If prilosec doesn't work, its because your not producing enough acid to digest food and the food sits in the stomach longer.
Read the following link from Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum. I did a similar regimen and I don't have gerd or acid reflux and longer. I digest my food just fine.
DGL is something you can just take when you have symptoms like a zantac. by the way DGL is cheap, if you try it you'll find it does settle the stomach very well if it doesn't not to worry you didn't break the bank.
quote:In the 1940's licorice was discovered to be useful in treating peptic ulcers. Unfortunately it had side effects that lead to high blood pressure, potassium loss, and fluid retention.
Researchers discovered that the ingredient in licorice that caused those side effects was "glycyrrhizin." They were able to remove 97% of this chemical and the result was a product call "deglycyrrhizinated" licorice, DGL. DGL maintained its healing properties but had no side effects.
DGL was first used to heal ulcers in the stomach and duodenum without suppressing stomach acids. DGL worked just as good as the drugs Zantac or Tagamet that are designed to suppress stomach acid.
As more people used DGL, they found they got relief from a variety of stomach issues - heartburn, acid reflux, indigestion, bloating, and gas. In addition, they found using DGL was better than using antacids or acid blockers.
DGL works by improving and restoring the integrity of the esophageal, stomach and duodenum lining. It does this by promoting mucus release and cell rebuilding. The mucus released provides gastrointestinal lining protection from acids and gives the lining time to rebuild and regenerated. The result is healing and strengthening of the affected tissue.
Here's how to use DGL. DGL comes in large tablets that you place in your mouth and allowed to melt. You can chew them slightly but not swallow them since it is your saliva that helps activate the DGL.
By allowing DGL to melt in your mouth the resulting liquid will now run along your esophagus and start the healing process where ever there is tissue inflammation or damage.
Use two tablets 3-4 times a day on an empty stomach. Do not use any water when you are taking the tablets. You can take the tablets at least an hour before you eat and an hour after you eat.
Although DGL provides relief for heartburn, acid reflux and other stomach disturbances it does not totally provide a cure. It does provide recover from damaged gastrointestinal lining as occurs with ulcers, but does not change the level of stomach acid.
In some cases Heartburn is caused by to little or to much stomach acid. When too little acid is causing heartburn or acid reflux it makes no sense to use antacids or acid blocking drugs which decrease your stomach acid even more. Low levels of stomach acid leads to serious illnesses.
Because so much is still unknown about the cause of acid reflux or heartburn, it is known that DGL can give you some acid reflux relief and in some case mild cases cure it.
Use DGL for mild or severe cases of heartburn or acid reflux and you will be surprised at the results you get.
Discover how you can eliminate or prevent illness using natural remedies. Go here Now to get my Free report on the "Top 67 Best Foods" to eat to keep disease free.
I should have added cayenne pepper to stimulate acid production in the stomach.
quote:Digestion
Cayenne can rebuild the tissue in the stomach and the peristaltic action in the intestines. It aids elimination and assimilation, and helps the body to create hydrochloric acid, which is so necessary for good digestion and assimilation, especially of proteins. All this becomes very significant when we realize that the digestive system plays the most important role in mental, emotional and physical health, as it is through the digestive system that the brain, glands, muscles and every other part of the body are fed.
finally mastic gum like DGL heals the stomach
You can't solve acid reflux with just a few natural alternative. You sometimes need an arsenal, because lyme screws up the natural balance in our systems.
-------------------- Bob Posts: 2150 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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