Reflux disease

[Nicholas44]

I'm sorry if this is the wrong area to post this maybe someone will move it. I have had painful gerd for years. I sleep with my head raised. Don't eat spicy foods etc. Prilosec and Tums help some. My doctor told me Tums would make things worse. That makes no sense whatsoever. I can't find anything on why tums would be bad.

[_jenny_]

cimetidine which is sold OTC as brand name Tagamet inhibits stomach acid production. it is indicated for heart burn and should help with reflux disease as well.

there is also Nexium (sp?) but i believe that is Rx only or BTC though, could be wrong.

[lucius]

i have the same problem with my stomach.i has been like that since i was 15.i have tried different medicines for the problem and found that nexium worked the best for me but was expensive.i now take omeprazole(generic for prilosec) for my problem.

[Ofcourse]

Tums could make it worse if it is triggered from "back up" or constipation typically. Essentially you would be compounding the problem if this was the case. Assuming from your post it is not that, but just figured I would explain my understanding.

[mes amis]

Agree with jenney and lucius.

As far as what your doc said about Tums--I remember learning in a pharm class that Calcium (as in Tums) precipitates acid....So there is a rebound effect of acid from Tums.

Are Tums or Rolaids for Heartburn Good? - MedicineNet - Health and Medical Information Produced by Doctors

http://creatingfamilywellness.com/ar...OUT%20TUMS.pdf

Also you might want to try Probiotics...seem to help my gerd.

[Nicholas44]

Thank you all for the informative replies!<3

@_jenny_ I decided to try some otc tagament to supplement the prilosec since I now know why I can't take Tums.

@Margin Thank you for the links about rebound acid from Tums. The pdf explains alot.

I'll look into probiotics you suggested Margin. I heard that can help.

[mes amis]

You're most welcome proMusic. Hope some of the replies here make you feel better soon.

To borrow a phrase @QVC1212 used in the thread below...I'm not authorized to give medical advice on the internet, just had too many tummy aches. Here is a helpful thread r/t your issues with gerd. See post #2 where QVC1212 mentions the acid rebound effect of certain antacids.

Antacid Relief; how should I switch?

[AnnaMarie]

Was wondering if anyone could tell me what probiotics are. Is it yogurt? Why is it good for reflux and stomach problems? I guess it coats the stomach lining like milk?

[_jenny_]

i think they are foods/supplements that promote the growth of the natural intestinal flora. iow the good bugs in our guts that help us digest food - it helps them grow.

[misstrepidation]

@_jenny_ is correct. They help balance your intestinal bacteria to promote the growth of healthy bacteria and reduce the bad stuff.

You can get brand name probiotics like Culturelle or Align or generics from somewhere like Walmart. The generic is cheaper of course but overall, probiotics can be a somewhat pricey supplement so keep that in mind. There is one brand I haven't tried called Accuflora that I've seen for $9.99 for a 60ct, the other brands are in the $25-$35 range.

You could try adding a generic probiotic to your regimen for a couple months and see if you notice any improvement along with monitoring your diet for that time period too. Good luck!

[mes amis]

@_jenny_ is correct. They help balance your intestinal bacteria to promote the growth of healthy bacteria and reduce the bad stuff.

You can get brand name probiotics like Culturelle or Align or generics from somewhere like Walmart. The generic is cheaper of course but overall, probiotics can be a somewhat pricey supplement so keep that in mind. There is one brand I haven't tried called Accuflora that I've seen for $9.99 for a 60ct, the other brands are in the $25-$35 range.

You could try adding a generic probiotic to your regimen for a couple months and see if you notice any improvement along with monitoring your diet for that time period too. Good luck!

Excellent post misstrepidation.

Another cheap probiotic for gerd and stomach issues is Sauerkraut. It's almost a super food...Sauerkraut is a good probiotic, has some fiber, is a (non-dairy) veggie and has some anti cancer benefits. Plain cabbage if eaten a lot can decrease your thyroid hormone but the fermentation process eliminates the goitrogenic properties of cabbage.

If anyone wants to try it, it's best to buy the Sauerkraut in jars...found in the refrigerated section of the grocery. Best if eaten cool or cold as heating it over 120 degrees can destroy some of the good bacteria.

You can make your own with cabbage and sea salt but it's almost as cheap to buy the jars.

[penpilus]

Excellent post misstrepidation.

Another cheap probiotic for gerd and stomach issues is Sauerkraut. It's almost a super food...Sauerkraut is a good probiotic, has some fiber, is a (non-dairy) veggie and has some anti cancer benefits. Plain cabbage if eaten a lot can decrease your thyroid hormone but the fermentation process eliminates the goitrogenic properties of cabbage.

If anyone wants to try it, it's best to buy the Sauerkraut in jars...found in the refrigerated section of the grocery. Best if eaten cool or cold as heating it over 120 degrees can destroy some of the good bacteria.

You can make your own with cabbage and sea salt but it's almost as cheap to buy the jars.

Ha, never heard of sauerkraut as a good probiotic, probably why this cabbage lovin kid has never had any problems with gerd or stomach issues...

To redirec the post to the original topic. I would also reccomend trying a robust Proton Pump Inhibitor that is by prescription only... I cant say for sure as I am not a medical professional, but IMHO

[Nicholas44]

Yes thank you for the reply. I do take a ppi - prilosec. It helps some. I'll ask about a script for a better proton pump inhibitor. I did stop taking the calcium antacid Tums.

[misstrepidation]

Excellent post misstrepidation.
Another cheap probiotic for gerd and stomach issues is Sauerkraut. It's almost a super food...Sauerkraut is a good probiotic, has some fiber, is a (non-dairy) veggie and has some anti cancer benefits. Plain cabbage if eaten a lot can decrease your thyroid hormone but the fermentation process eliminates the goitrogenic properties of cabbage.

If anyone wants to try it, it's best to buy the Sauerkraut in jars...found in the refrigerated section of the grocery. Best if eaten cool or cold as heating it over 120 degrees can destroy some of the good bacteria.

You can make your own with cabbage and sea salt but it's almost as cheap to buy the jars.

@BreeSea - Thanks! That's really interesting about the sauerkraut! I've never heard that before but there are so many foods out there with hidden talents.

[Shayna]

I have gastroparesis, and part of this disease is severe reflux.

I take Nexium in the morning and a double dose of Pepcid at night. I also take other medications throughout the day to help my stomach function.

It took working with a gastroenterologist to discover the problem and devise a treatment. I had no idea that I was damaging my stomach and esophagus by toughing it out and self medicating.

I would recommend if this persists, to find a gastroenterologist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Mine also is very generous with samples of the Nexium as I need these.

[COSGringo]

So it runs in my family and I have had it for over 20 years.

Some other drugs to try when things like omeprazole (generic prilosec) stops working.
Protonix and Aciphex.
I find you have to cycle to new ones after years of being on them. I am on the generic prilosec and was supposed to take it 2x day but usually only once and now even less.

How you may ask? An old folk remedy which really does seem to help-
Organic apple cider vinegar. A little less than a tablespoon in the morning and evening diluted in some apple cider or juice.

I am back to eating spicy foods again!
Also, if you booze it up, that's a killer. I have given up drinking and I think that really helped me also.

[Buttsandguts]

Losing weight and reestablishing the natural reflux barrier to the stomach will help most patients reduce reflux without medications. There will remain some with reflux still and this should be investigated by a gastroenterologist or a general surgeon. If PPIs are required for longer than a year or two, surgical options should be considered. Long-term reflux, even medically treated, increases your likelihood of esophageal cancer...that's why the problem should be treated, not masked.