SW in IL Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 I've struggled with what's probably GERD for years. I've mentioned it to my doctor and he referred me to a gastroenterologist. The problem is, I don't have insurance and the gastro wants $250 for the initial visit plus whatever tests. No way can I afford that. <removed rant about my regular doctor> I've tried some OTC products with differing results but now it's worsening and I know the answer isn't to up the dosage or take more pills. I watch what I eat and avoid the foods that I know give me heartburn/GERD. I don't eat within 6-8 hours before I go to bed. I tried sleeping with my head raised or in a sitting position (didn't work very well). Any homeopathic or other remedies that work? Thanks, Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoggirl Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 How bad is it? I don't know what GERD is, but I thought I had acid reflux issues when what I really had were gallstones. I had attacks periodically over probably three years (no real pattern to them), before I realized it was gallstones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 yes! I cured dd12 of this. When she was younger, the meds were being increased more and more, and they weren't helping her a bit. I did my research. I put her on a GERD diet, gave her organic apple cider vinegar in her water 3 x per day, and I gave her these to eat with each meal: http://www.iherb.com/Doctor-s-Best-Double-Strength-SAM-e-400-30-Enteric-Coated-Tablets/4732?at=0 She has been cured for years and on a normal diet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra in FL Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 (edited) Do you have allergies or have you taken antacids/TUMS? It could be that you are low on the amino acid histidine and have low stomach acid. It sounds contrary to your symptoms, but heartburn or what some think is too much stomach acid, could actually be low stomach acid. http://www.cfsn.com/histidine.html "Histamine also stimulates the secretion of the digestive enzyme gastrin. Without adequate histamine production healthy digestion can become impaired." It's a vicious cycle - without histidine/gastrin (because of allergies/antacids), food's not digested properly so you're low on histidine. For $17, it's worth a try. When my allergic ds' digestion goes haywire, it's the first thing I try. However, don't supplement long-term or else supplement minerals - in particular zinc. Edit: the suggested apple cider vinegar also raises stomach acid and is probably more readily available/cheaper. Edited January 4, 2012 by Sandra in FL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TracyR Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 yes! I cured dd12 of this. When she was younger, the meds were being increased more and more, and they weren't helping her a bit. I did my research. I put her on a GERD diet, gave her organic apple cider vinegar in her water 3 x per day, and I gave her these to eat with each meal: http://www.iherb.com/Doctor-s-Best-Double-Strength-SAM-e-400-30-Enteric-Coated-Tablets/4732?at=0 She has been cured for years and on a normal diet. Yup. Apple cider vinegar helps. Add about a tsp or so to about 8 ounces of water. Also baking soda helps too. It tastes a little off but you can heat up 8 ounces of water to 1tsp of baking soda to 1 tbsp of maple syrup to hide some of the taste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandragood1 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Licorice is helpful for treating the pain of the burning. It helps to coat your esophagus. Aloe gel or juice also. You really need to see a doc soonish and have them look at your esophagus (you have to be knocked out for this). Check out information on Barrett's esophagus. It's nothing to play around with. Try every alternative remedy that seems reasonable. Look up the maximum safe dose for the OTC drugs and go up to that. Try herbs, enzymes, probiotics, diet changes, etc. But at the same time, save up for the exam and look around for cheaper providers - maybe a public U teaching hospital? My dad developed Barrett's esophagus and required quick treatment to get rid of precancerous esophageal cells. Sandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 1) lose weight unless you are already quite slim (even being 20# over your ideal makes a difference IME) 2) take Pepcid AC (or comparable generic) daily (or as needed) 3) avoid eating late in the day/evening 4) avoid lying down within a few hours of eating 5) keep a food journal and note when you have worsening symptoms, and then avoid offenders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Katia Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 This works very good as well: http://www.amazon.com/Life-Extension-Natural-Esophaguard-softgels/dp/B000PC32LC/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1325652791&sr=1-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiddenJewel Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 For my dh it was due to not enough stomach acid. When we added HCI he was able to handle foods much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Sue, sorry that you're suffering with this, plus the lack of insurance, etc. :glare: This has been what's worked for my dh. He's now on meds and takes them most of the time. There comes a point where the natural stuff just isn't as effective any more. Even with Rx, many find that they need to keep switching around. You know many of these already. My dh (who is very thin) has been suffering from this for going on 3 years now. I do want to point out that if anyone is on Rx meds for this, please, please remember to consider supplements for bone strength. If you need specifics on which type of calcium is best, I'll share. Which type, based on my reading. Plus, other supplements are needed for bone strength - the right type of magnesium, D3, etc. Acid reducers also reduce B12 levels. Here is what has helped my dh off and on. Vitacost.com has the best prices and reviews. Acupuncture helps a lot. Helps with reducing anxiety and stress levels. Aloe Vera Juice aids in healing of intestinal tract It coats the esophagus, keeping rising stomach acids under control Drink a half-cup twice a day between meals. The juice coats the esophagus, keeping rising stomach acids under control. (Caution: Aloe vera may cause diarrhea in some people and shouldn’t be used during pregnancy). In India, turmeric powder is a highly regarded remedy for heartburn, because it breaks down fatty foods and reduces acidity. Chamomile Tea More Fiber – oat bran, flaxseeds - many have found that GERD is aggravated by constipation. Triphala is a fabulous, fabulous supplement for this. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and peppermint. Caffeine increases acid secretion. Alcohol and peppermint make it easier for acid to creep back up. Avoid dairy. Milk is one of the most acid-producing foods. I would think that cow's milk is the worst. As usual. Nothing new there. Acidic foods – citrus juices and fruits Coke, Pepsi, carbonated drinks Sugar is a major problem with GERD. Fats Fried Foods Raw Onions Peppermint Spicy or highly seasoned foods Tomatoes You need to see what works and doesn't work for you. Not everyone reacts the same way. SUPPLEMENTS Aloe Vera supplements if juice is not tolerated or desired. Although the juice is probably better. DGL (Deglycyrrhizinated licorice) Gastro Soothe Slowly chew two tablets before or between meals and at bedtime This worked for dh for a while. Works for many. Slippery Elm Heals irritated digestive tract tissues Marshmallow Root Soothes inflamed intestines Magnesium neutralizes acids in the digestive tract. Magnesium deficiency is one of the causes of reflux because magnesium helps the sphincter at the bottom of the stomach relax, allowing the food to go down. For most people on a healthy diet, 400 mg of Magnesium daily should be sufficient. But for those who have symptoms of deficiency (as previously listed), I would recommend more, but probably no more than 1200 mg. Add in more magnesium gradually. Your body knows how much it can handle according to how much your bowels can tolerate. The stools should feel soft, but not excessively loose. Take in divided doses and with meals to ensure optimal absorption – preferably more at night I have read that it’s preferable to not take magnesium at the same time as calcium. Others say that it’s fine. This is where I am confused. I think the former makes more sense. The most absorbable forms are: Magnesium Citrate Magnesium Glycinate Magnesium Taurate Magnesium Aspartate Magnesium Malate Magnesium Succinate Magnesium Fumirate Avoid: Magnesium Oxide Magnesium Carbonate Magnesium Gluconate Magnesium Sulfate These are not absorbed well and are the cheapest forms Side effects from too much magnesium include diarrhea, which can be avoided if you switch to Magnesium Glycinate. People with kidney disease or severe heart disease should take magnesium only under a doctor's supervision. Irish Moss in tea form or in capsules – Irish Moss helps indigestion, since it protects the digestive tract with a coating that reduces inflammation, gas, bloating, and heartburn. B12 – Digestive complications and the drugs we use to treat them – can lead to huge shortages of B12. Shortages can lead to mental fogginess, mood imbalances, and memory lapses. Eat more: active-culture yogurt and probiotics. Also take B12 sublingually – 1000 mg daily. Increase the dose to 2000 mg if you’re over 40 or taking acid blockers. Cumin Seeds Soak an ounce of the seeds in water, and eat a spoonful of them three times a day to neutralize acid. Bitter herbs, such as devil’s claw, dandelion greens, and wormwood, boost enzyme production, which aids digestion and gently neutralizes stomach acid. Meadowsweet Tea Pour 2 teaspoons of the dried herb in one cup of hot water; steep 20 minutes and drink once a day. The Native American herb, high in salicylic acid, calms inflammation in the stomach, often working within a day or two. For people on protein pump inhibitors who are desperate to get their heartburn under control without medication, it’s recommended to drink one cup of meadowsweet tea a day and that’s all they need. They’re often shocked that it’s so easy. Don’t eat before bedtime. Finish eating 2-3 hours before you lie down to give gastric contents time to empty into the intestinal tract. Prop up your head w/extra pillows. Sleeping flat can lead to acid backflow. This does help my dh, but as with everything, every body is different. Smaller, more frequent meals As many as 90 percent of people with acid reflux have a hiatal hernia, where the upper part of the stomach pushes into the opening of the diaphragm and gets stuck. I highly recommend seeing an alternative practitioner (acupuncture, chiropractor, whatever) - or an integrative physician - one who believes in both approaches - if you can afford to do so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Licorice is helpful for treating the pain of the burning. It helps to coat your esophagus. Aloe gel or juice also. You really need to see a doc soonish and have them look at your esophagus (you have to be knocked out for this). Check out information on Barrett's esophagus. It's nothing to play around with. Try every alternative remedy that seems reasonable. Look up the maximum safe dose for the OTC drugs and go up to that. Try herbs, enzymes, probiotics, diet changes, etc. But at the same time, save up for the exam and look around for cheaper providers - maybe a public U teaching hospital? My dad developed Barrett's esophagus and required quick treatment to get rid of precancerous esophageal cells. Sandra :iagree: with all this. Natural is great and all - but there comes a point where you need to have endoscopies from time to time. Dh has them every year. It's important. There is a rather expensive supplement that has been proven in a few studies to really help prevent Barrett's and esophogeal cancer. Dh takes this a few times a week. We'd take it more, but it's quite expensive and he's doing okay now that he's on meds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 I had very painful heartburn/GERD for 15 years. It disappeared completely, plus my energy level doubled, when I went on a diet that consisted of: * High fiber * Whole grains * No sugar * Minimal dairy products (feta cheese on salad, 1 c. skim milk a day) * Very low saturated fat (max 7 grams/day) * Low fat otherwise * 2 fruits per day (raw, fresh) * 8-10 veg servings per day (mostly raw) * No canned foods except for beans & tomatoes * No carbonated drinks - I don't drink soda anyway * No fast foods or packaged meals * Protein from various sources; rarely eat beef or pork; 4 oz./day * Magnesium, B12, D3, multivitamin, fish oil, B complex I can drink coffee and eat tomatoes with no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krista in LA Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 I was misdiagnosed with reflux for a couple years. Non of the PPI's did anything for me so finally the dr referred me to a gastro. He did a scope (which cost way more than I thought it would) and found an ulcer and put me on carafate and I did start to feel better, but not always. Fast forward a couple years, I was hospitalized with pancreatitis caused by gallstones. Looking back on it, I'm pretty sure it was my gallbladder all along, just symptoms were more consistent with reflux and it's the easiest diagnosis and treatment, so it's what my dr did. When the gastro saw the ulcer, he just assumed that was the cause of my pain. Regardless, it is kind of important to figure out what it is for sure and treat it. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mchel210 Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Mine was from my gallbladder...my mom had her gallbladder out and later had what you describe as GERD and it was a hernia. I believe they gave her meds...but she hasnt had surgery for it...I think that would be something to look at as well. I think she takes Nexium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Generic prilosec has been DH's life saver. 10 bucks a month. Dh's turned out to be inflammation of the stomach lining they found doing the scope. He will be on prilosec for a few months to heal his stomach. We tired every natural route possible and nothing worked. He stayed miserable for years and finally went in December to a doc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyLittleBears Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 My ds had sucess with apple cider vinegar 1 shotglass chased by a glass of water 3x day. He did this for a while and now he only takes it once or twice a month. -Slippery elm lozenges for on the go -And Glutagenics made by Metagenics, usually sold by nutritionists or chiropractors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiddenJewel Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Generic prilosec has been DH's life saver. 10 bucks a month. Dh's turned out to be inflammation of the stomach lining they found doing the scope. He will be on prilosec for a few months to heal his stomach. We tired every natural route possible and nothing worked. He stayed miserable for years and finally went in December to a doc. So slippery elm taken in liquid form didn't help to heal the lining? Did he use any herbal anti-inflammatories like turmeric or others? If so, which ones didn't work. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8circles Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Negin, thank you. Id love any additional information you have on supplements. I take both Pepcid and Prevacid daily. I've never had any GERD symptoms except during pregnancy until a few months ago they discovered I have Barrett's esophagus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 So slippery elm taken in liquid form didn't help to heal the lining? Did he use any herbal anti-inflammatories like turmeric or others? If so, which ones didn't work. Thanks. This has been going on for years so trying to remember everything he took is hard. The things that made him worse were the apple cinder vinager, turmeric and I can't remember the other thing. His gallbladder burst and was removed years ago. He had dealt with this since we have been married. He went dairy free to see if that would help. Our holistic nutritionist tried everything to help him. His gastro did say it was possible that that this was originally a virus that attacked his gut and if he had gone for help sooner they could identify it. His biopsy showed severe inflammation. On a interesting note- this turned off his chronic hunger. We both have noticed he is no longer eating all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiddenJewel Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 This has been going on for years so trying to remember everything he took is hard. The things that made him worse were the apple cinder vinager, turmeric and I can't remember the other thing. His gallbladder burst and was removed years ago. He had dealt with this since we have been married. He went dairy free to see if that would help. Our holistic nutritionist tried everything to help him. His gastro did say it was possible that that this was originally a virus that attacked his gut and if he had gone for help sooner they could identify it. His biopsy showed severe inflammation. On a interesting note- this turned off his chronic hunger. We both have noticed he is no longer eating all the time. Glad he found answers. There are so many things that trigger our organs to go wrong and there definitely isn't a one-size fits all answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Glad he found answers. There are so many things that trigger our organs to go wrong and there definitely isn't a one-size fits all answer. Believe you and me that I am so glad he found something that works. The best part is I get my pillows back:lol:. At one point, he had about ten pillows stacked so he could sleep. And the antacid budget went down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lea1 Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Well, I am definitely going to check into this first thing tomorrow. I was just reading more about having too little stomach acid and it seems to fit my symptoms. I have been suffering for so many years, I have lost count...and I have already had my gallbladder removed. I am looking forward to checking into this further and I will also be having my B12 levels checked. Thanks for this thread! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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