How to tackle bad GERD?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/199013402360712 is the FB page for the group following Aviv. It's a bit bureaucratic, you have to read multiple guides to find out where everything is. But they do have awesome recipes.

My issue is probably different than yours, but I thought I would let you know something interesting that happened to me. I’ve had IBS all my life, but about four months ago I’m not sure what happened, but I had sudden terrible stomach distress that was so severe that I almost couldn’t eat anything. I’ve been under a lot of stress and I don’t know if it was that or what, but about a week ago I decided to try some canned sardines because I read that they were anti-inflammatory. I had a CAT scan about three months ago and they saw inflammation in my lower bowel, and it was burning something terrible, which I had never experienced before with my IBS. Anyway, I’m not sure if it was a coincidence or not, But the day after I ate the sardines, the burning went away, and my Gerd got better! The Gerd was new to me as well because I didn’t have that until this new episode of whatever it is that began four months ago. Maybe this is a fluke, but since I read online that fatty fish contains omega-3 oils, and I had a miraculous healing, it appears from eating them, I thought I would share. I’ve eaten some every day and then skipped one day and had a stomachache again. Again, this could be a coincidence, and our situations could be totally different, but you never know. I hope you get your situation sorted out! There’s nothing worse than not being able to eat. You have my deepest sympathy.

Hi !
I also have several chronic gastric/intestinal conditions. Crohn`s, gastroparesis, hiatal hernia, GERD, diverticulosis, chronic gastritis . I also have osteoporosis and Bronchiectasis. Last week I was tested for SIBO. I waiting for the results.
Right now, I am going thru a diverticulitis flare (very painful). My hiatal hernia is small. I am lactose intolerant and I have sensitivity to gluten.
I manage my GERD with diet, famotine, supplements ( my functional Medicine recommended the supplements|) and Gaviscon. I also raised my bed. I ate dinner between 5:00-5:30 pm and I don't drink or eat anything after 7:00 pm. I was on PPIs for many years. I talk to my doctor about stopping the PPIs because all the secondary effects. PPIs can lead to osteoporosis. I know a lot of people take PPIs and the do well. I only take PPIs if I have to, and for a very short period.

Have discussed the longterm use of these meds with my gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic who debunked a lot of articles I've read about this. I have GERD with very small hiatal hernia. I do better on Omeprazole than I did Lansoprazole. Right now I will stay on it but continue to research and get other opinions. I do have to watch my foods and can get by not taking too much meds if I do that.

Same here. I’ve been on pantoprazole for 12 years for GERD and a small hiatal hernia. My brother died of esophageal cancer so always a worry there may be something genetic and I have other cancers. The meds healed my initially red esophagus to pink again. I asked my new GI if I should stop based on long term side effects I keep reading about. He told me there have been many additional clinical studies in the past decade that have debunked all the previous negative info. He said it’s perfectly safe for me. Stay the course. He also said because of the Internet and how nothing there ever goes away, the old now debunked info will constantly resurface.

I'm sorry about your brother. Wow I get why you are very concerned. You definitely want to keep the GERD at bay. That is pretty identical to what my doctor said. And no surprise, he just kept referring back to science and told me to stop reading so much on the internet (in his nice way lol).

It will take about 1 month to get GERD under control on PPI med if u just started the treatment - 40 mg 1st thing in the morning - then wait 30 minutes before eating anything. For Gastritis. It also took 1 month on 40 mg in the morning and 40 mg 30 minutes before dinner - 80 mg total.

Are you taking a strong ppi? Or something like Pepcid?

I had my gall bladder removed in 2022 due to a big stone, which caused pancreatitis. I suffer with really bad acid reflux now and recently had an Upper GI endoscopy which revealed no esophageal abnormality, however there was a large amount of bile accumulated in the bottom part of my stomach which my doctor told me is one reason for my sever acid reflux. I changed from omeprazole to pantoprazole which did help the first 3 weeks after to switching to it, but now it's just as bad as before. I have made some changes with my eating habits and diet, but I am scared to eat anything now as it seems like whatever I eat I still get the acid reflux. The excess bile is the problem. Can anyone advise something for the excess bile?

It may take your body some time to adjust to not having a gallbladder. It took me 3 months to get my appetite back after having gallbladder removed. Drink Alkaline water every day - at least 16 oz a day + plus other drinks
. I get mine from Costco.