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Acid Reflux: Prescriptions not helping: What works for you?

Posted by seniormiz @seniormiz, Jun 9, 2023

I have acid reflux. The prescriptions I was given are not a big help. The Over the Counter meds are better. I am careful about whurpat I eat and drink, but I still get symptoms. I burp, I belch, I have bad stomach aches, I get light headed. What do you do?

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gigi4 | @gigi4 | May 1 3:42pm
In reply to @gofishto "@gigi4 I have been on everything recently voquenza it’s a wonder it’s working great" + (show)
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@gigi4 I have been on everything recently voquenza it’s a wonder it’s working great

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@gofishto that’s great! I have never heard of this med.
And I hope once you go off, you will continue to feel good. Keep us posted.
But the proof will be what happens when you go off this medication, unless it’s a med you stay on continually.
Best to you!

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snoots | @snoots | May 1 8:51pm

does anyone know of that helps with silent reflux?

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luvnursing52 | @luvnursing52 | May 2 11:24am

What has helped my severe reflux is peppermint oil. A drop in half a glass of water. Not sure why it helps, but it does. I have had 2 fundoplications & have Barretts', so I was advised to take PPI's but since I have osteoporosis, I'd prefer to avoid them. I believe they interfere with my digestion. right now I'm dealing with swallowing issues, probably nerve damage from the surgeries.

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suetex | @suetex | May 3 5:11pm

The People's Pharmacy has some good repicies. I suggest you look them up. They are on-line. They do work.

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cezanne | @cezanne | May 4 8:55am

Hi, for some of us the LPR never goes away. Mine is probably related to my hiatal hernia and the sphincter that does not fully close allowing acid to go back up.
Everyone is different. For me, management to minimize effects is my solution. These management tools are fully covered in other posts (small meals well before bedtime, low acid diet, etc).

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lauracbaker | @lauracbaker | May 4 9:50am
In reply to @mmilich "I accidentally stumbled across this. I was cooking for my Mom who has celiac disease so..." + (show)
Profile picture for mmilich @mmilich

I accidentally stumbled across this. I was cooking for my Mom who has celiac disease so I cooked gluten free an ate what she ate. I noticed I had stopped taking my medicine. I just didn't need it anymore. I also lowered my carb intake during this time. I don't know if it was the gluten free or the lower carb diet that did it, but once I start eating either carbs or gluten again, I get my reflux back. I mentioned this to my doctor and he said that other patients reported a reduction in reflux symptoms by a low carb diet.

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@mmilich I have a DIL who eats GF. We are still researching and testing theories, but the most important fact we have found: American wheat and other grains are sprayed with glyphosate before harvest, so the consumer is consuming glyph. (Glyphosate is an herbicide, which kills weeds and other plants, such as human gut flora). I have always cooked with ORGANIC wheat flour and have found it more digestible; still not sure if it's good for the GF DIL.

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gofishto | @gofishto | May 5 7:10am

I too have hiatal hernia along with Barrett’s esophagus, I’ve been on everything. The Dr put me on 20mg
Voquenza it’s working

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19281928 | @19281928 | May 9 8:22pm
In reply to @baguette "I do a low-acid/low-fat diet as outlined by Dr. Aviv. There is a FB group that..." + (show)
Profile picture for baguette @baguette

I do a low-acid/low-fat diet as outlined by Dr. Aviv. There is a FB group that has recipes, Acid Watcher Diet Warriors. It's basically a whole foods diet. I also read the online advice of an ENT, https://jamiekoufman.com. She has a diet book too. Based on my reading, I take Gaviscon Advance aniseed as needed, sleep elevated (actually sleep sitting up for the first few hours), alkaline water mixed in with my tap water (gargling/nose drops), sugarless gum, giving myself at least one hour between eating and exercising (and using the Gaviscon before exercising and gum during exercising). I also made a cheap version of Iqoro, a European-approved device that supposedly exercises your muscles around the esophagus. It's not available in the US. I bought a $12 mouthguard with a strap and followed the exercise routine as outlined on the Iqoro site. I feel like I am making progress, tho I do backslide on the diet periodically and can feel it afterwards. Since I am doing a lot all at once, I have no idea which of these steps to credit. I also am experimenting with HCL capsules. I don't take them with every meal. So far I haven't felt any side effects like stomach pains from that. But HCL is controversial in the medical world, since a lot of doctors say it is very rare that too little acid is a problem. I had been on omeprazole 20 mgs daily for four years, but dropped it after I developed Chronic Kidney Disease state 3 and severe osteoporosis. There is no family history of either condition so I felt fairly sure it was the drug. I would say if people take PPIs long term, they should be monitored for the more severe possible side effects. My doctor never did even a CBC panel on me for the 15 years I saw them. My problems were uncovered only after I demanded a DEXA scan after losing 1 inch in height in a short amount of time.

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@baguette do you think the Omeprazole had anything to do with your height? I've lost 3 inches , I've been taking Omeprazole for a while, I try not to take them often anymore due to what you mentioned, it is true they can also cause cancer . I have a hiatal hernia which I think is causing my issues

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mmilich | @mmilich | May 10 9:33am

Gluten causes acid reflux in me. Also carbs also cause reflux in me. They cause inflammation. I don't need reflux medicine when I go low carb. But definitely limit the gluten.

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lylii | @lylii | May 10 9:46am

I take prescription esomeprazole ER every morning, but often that is not enough. I have a hiatal hernia, but my GI does not feel that surgery is warranted. My GI recommended the over the counter antacid called Gaviscon - said it works better because it actually coats you stomach. It does work much better than Maalox or Mylanta. I cannot take Pepto, because it contains an nsaid, which irritates my stomach even more. If you try the Gaviscon, I highly recommend the liquid. I would definitely not take the pills - I chewed two of them the other night and swore never again. They kind of foam up in your mouth and are absolutely ghastly. I can drink the liquid down quickly, followed by some water. Not great, but better than the acid reflux!

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