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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Usually acid reflux doesn't give stomach aches, so I'm wondering if you have something else but related. Maybe slow digestion. So you can try to take probiotics to aid digestion. Eat almonds. Chew your food thoroughly. Ask the doctor how to treat if it's not reflux.
You shouldn't have any seltzer or soda. Eat and chew very slowly and thoroughly, with your mouth closed. (less air in your stomach, better digestion) Drink water from a cup and not a bottle. Don't drink with your meals. Only drink up to a half hour before and an hour after, to allow your stomach to digest the food. You can chew gum (or just chew) at any time you feel symptoms because the saliva aids digestion.
Stop completely caffeine (in coffee and tea) and chocolate. (these keep the sphincter open)
After eating, try to stand and walk around.
Don't slouch, especially during and after eating, and stretch your chest and shoulders back
If you're not already using it, try Gaviscon at night or after a meal. It minimizes the acid effects
Best of luck

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Hi! Have you considered getting allergy tested! Symptoms are similar to a wheat gluten allergy! I also chew on ginger "bites" or drink ginger ale (even tho it has no ginger in it!) or club soda. I have found sometimes I just need to have a big burp! And stay away from vinegary or spicy things and stop eating several hours before bedtime. Sometimes i have issues if I take my magnesium pills before I lay down to sleep so now il take them maybe an hour before I go to sleep.

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@t98

Usually acid reflux doesn't give stomach aches, so I'm wondering if you have something else but related. Maybe slow digestion. So you can try to take probiotics to aid digestion. Eat almonds. Chew your food thoroughly. Ask the doctor how to treat if it's not reflux.
You shouldn't have any seltzer or soda. Eat and chew very slowly and thoroughly, with your mouth closed. (less air in your stomach, better digestion) Drink water from a cup and not a bottle. Don't drink with your meals. Only drink up to a half hour before and an hour after, to allow your stomach to digest the food. You can chew gum (or just chew) at any time you feel symptoms because the saliva aids digestion.
Stop completely caffeine (in coffee and tea) and chocolate. (these keep the sphincter open)
After eating, try to stand and walk around.
Don't slouch, especially during and after eating, and stretch your chest and shoulders back
If you're not already using it, try Gaviscon at night or after a meal. It minimizes the acid effects
Best of luck

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Thank you very much. Your advice is very helpful to me.

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Research Kefir. It's amazing !

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I tried to find out a little bit about this and I think what I understand is that as we age, the muscle that keeps acid in the stomach from leaking up into the esophagus just gets weaker, like all our muscles do. The main recommendations everyone seems to make are to cut out coffee and alcohol, stop smoking if you smoke, and avoid high-fat foods. Probably you've already done all of that.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/uncontrolled-gerd-with-burning-sensation-on-tonguemouth/
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-restrictive-diet-usually-not-necessary-to-control-symptoms-of-gerd/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gerd/expert-answers/heartburn-meds-and-b12/faq-20348628

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@seniormiz

I have had acid reflux for about 2 years. Any food or drink with acid sets off pain, discomfort and a feeling of flakiness. My meals are prepared from recipes on the internet and from books that supply acid reflux friendly recipes...however, sometimes I mistakenly choose the wrong food or drink and the pain and discomfort are there. As I said before, the prescription drugs are minimally helpful. The OTC drugs are better, but the belching, the incredible burps and the head fog frequently are there. I am 90 years old, so surgery is not suitable.

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Have you tried a FODMAP elimination diet? It is time consuming but well worth the effort. Have you eliminated gluten? If there is a food you no longer digest well it can cause acid reflux. If your stomach is not emptying quickly enough that can cause reflux too. Ginger caps after a meal help me with digestive motility. Things to consider, everyone is so unique you have to find the source of your problem, not just treat the symptoms. best of luck!

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@scolio

It sounds like you are already taking a lot of responsibility for managing your condition. It must be very frustrating to deal with this! Do you have any days that you are free of the head fog/feeling of flakiness? Do you have any days that you are free of the pain from the GERD?

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No. I have foginess each day in fits and starts...some days I don't feel pain, but I feel like burping and belching.

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@jerrysgirl3

Hi! Have you considered getting allergy tested! Symptoms are similar to a wheat gluten allergy! I also chew on ginger "bites" or drink ginger ale (even tho it has no ginger in it!) or club soda. I have found sometimes I just need to have a big burp! And stay away from vinegary or spicy things and stop eating several hours before bedtime. Sometimes i have issues if I take my magnesium pills before I lay down to sleep so now il take them maybe an hour before I go to sleep.

Jump to this post

I don't have allergy symptoms. I do eat ginger. But I will try your suggestions and I thank you.

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I found the hard way that sometimes less is more. Ask ur Dr about taking Nizatidine for a few days only, not along w/something else. GO by ur Dr's Orders.

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I am not sure what medications you are taking for your acid reflux, Prilosec can cause vitamin B12, vitamin C, calcium, iron and magnesium deficiencies.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4110863/
If you have supplemented with zinc carnosine to help your stomach heal, it can tie up your copper. Low copper levels cause brain fog. Hope this helps!

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