MJN Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 twice a day and it wakes me up at night. I am so irritated with my doc as he was not concerned about it. I've gained 13 lbs in three months and am bloated like I'm nine months preggo! I'm scheduling an appt.with a gastro doc in the morning. What's wrong with doctors today?!!?!? Sorry to vent, but I feel bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 For both me and my dh, Zantac gives us the fastest relief for an acute attack. The doctor recommended a course of another OTC antacid for my dh, but I can't remember the name of it. Shame on your doctor for not acting on this problem! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheryl in NM Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 My doc had me take Prilosec OTC for 6 weeks straight. The label says to only use it for 2 weeks. It took about 2 weeks to start feeling better on a daily basis, 4 weeks to feel better most of the time and by 5-6 weeks I had to incidences. I've had to do this about twice a year. Zantac never helped at all. I was so dissapointed because it's way cheaper than Prilosec! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 I'm on Nexium. Sometimes when I need fast relief and have missed a pill or two, I mix a spoonful of baking soda (NOT BAKING POWDER) in a bit of water and drink it. Instant relief, but I don't know if it's good for you or not. The kids love it when I do this, makes me belch like Ree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 I get acid reflux on rare ocassion. I use Gaviscon before bed. Do you have any food allergies? I have a mild allergy to wheat and I notice I feel bloated if I eat too much during the day. Hope you find relief soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krista in LA Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 My dr has told me that if it gets bad, I can actually take it twice a day for a month to get things under control. I've had to do this when I first started taking it and once when I decided I didn't need it anymore and all of a sudden I was feeling badly again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 That's it! Prilosec is what the doctor had my dh on for his chronic acid problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4arrows Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 I use the generic for Zantac or Pepcid. Usually works fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 Baking soda is my first line of defense, and that's what I usually use. Once in awhile, though, my system seems to not want to settle down and keeps generating acid even after the baking soda. When that happens, Zantac seems to calm everything down pretty quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CactusPair Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 My dh has this problem, too. I know you are miserable. His doc. has had him on many meds., but the only one that really made a difference is Protonix. The dr. also said that beside the meds, the most helpful thing is not eating several hours before bed. Avoiding chocolate, coffee, tea, soda pop, alcohol, etc. is also supposed to help. Eating small meals is also recommended. My dh has a habit of woofing large amounts of food and he's trying to change that. If your dr. isn't listening, seek another opinion. Hope you get relief soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohio12 Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 DH and I both think the Gaviscon works like a charm and it is OTC. Also drinking lots of water during the day and staying away from the foods that trigger it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheryl in NM Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 I forgot to tell you about a trick one of my docs told me. First thing in the am, after you pee, drink a full glass of water. Hold your arms out to each side parallel with the floor and bounce (with your feet still on the ground) gently a few times. I know, it sounds ridiculous! Apparently there's a valve that gets stuck and this helps jar it back into place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kortney in AL Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 I have a hyatal hernia (I think I spelled that right) and acid reflux. One thing that helped me alot (besides an acid reducer at bedtime) was elevating the head of our bed a few inches. I think that made the biggest difference for me. My husband just built the bedslats up one at a time starting at the foot, then the last slat at the head being the tallest. That gives our bed more of a gentle slope upwards (I hope this makes sense). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 I forgot to tell you about a trick one of my docs told me. First thing in the am, after you pee, drink a full glass of water. Hold your arms out to each side parallel with the floor and bounce (with your feet still on the ground) gently a few times. I know, it sounds ridiculous! Apparently there's a valve that gets stuck and this helps jar it back into place. I think you need to demonstrate this in a video and put in on youtube for all of us. You can skip the peeing part, but drink the water and bounce up and down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 Not eating too close to bedtime helps the most. I avoid caffeine and soda. It isn't pretty or fun, but I feel a lot of relief! A natural health fella also told me that some acid reflux is your body trying to grab more acid to work with. A spoonful of lemon juice in a small glass of water helps. My son insists that most acid reflux is too much acid and a small glass of milk balances the system. All of the above have worked for me at different times. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty Social Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 I have a hiatial (sp?) hernia and acid reflux too. Ignored it until it got so bad I was waking up every night thinking I was having a heart attack! The gastro put me on Aciphex for a year so I could heal all the damage done from the acid, but now it's just diet, clothing, and lifestyle changes. Basically, he recommends: no tight clothing around your middle, nothing that will put pressure on your middle (sit ups, bear hugs, bending over instead of squatting), small meals (again, don't over fill and cause pressure), avoiding carbonated beverages and limiting coffee. Also elevating the head of the bed a couple of inches. Try to keep some food in your stomach - food will absorb the acid, so it can't reflux. When I ignore this advice (I do like my coffee:D) I usually have problems, but most of the time some pepcid takes care of it. It's good to get it checked out - what was your doc thinking ?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyce Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 Fortunately my doc sent me to a Gastro guy and after doing an endocscopy he prescribed these for me. They've done wonders. I still have to be careful with what I eat but I can eat most things once again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E_Edgerton Posted May 7, 2008 Share Posted May 7, 2008 Of course speak with a doctor to rule out serious problems, but I really found that for me...I had to just change my diet. Things that were very acidic or harsh on my stomach I limited or completely quit eating. I tried so many of the meds...but didn't really feel like they helped me...try to identify which foods effect you the worst and get rid of them...this probably means not eating some foods you love, but it beats being on medication or feeling bad.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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