Acid Reflux

Engine2 · Post by **Engine2** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 6:15 am

There has been great response in this forum and I even felt funny bringing it.

I have said it somewhere in this forum, that I person at work had two different issues he experienced before going in for bypass surgery and about a week or two after that I developed both symptoms per se.

In December they said I had reflux, everything else is a bonus. They said through the Upper GI I had an abnormal filling defect, which they think might just be a piece of food.

We'll see!

Inside Man · Post by **Inside Man** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 6:37 am

Engine 2,
I had acid reflux for a long time. I went to the health food/herb store in my area and the guy there gave me Food Enzymes. It has worked great for me. He said a lot of people have had great results using this product. It is all natural. I was taking Prilosec and it wasn't working on my acid reflux. I started taking the food enzymes and they worked. You may want to check into this. In my area they are $22.95 for 120 capsules.

Inside Man

Sugarmama · Post by **Sugarmama** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:56 am

Inside Man,
I think that I might try the enzymes. I do feel alot better since I started having reflux symtoms 2 months ago, but I still absolutely cannot have chocolate or caffine like to or coffee. I also have been healing from the anxiety as well which I think in turn is helping the reflux.

fischee · Post by **fischee** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 4:39 pm

I recently bought a book called Prescription for Natural Cures, and last night I sat down to read specifically about acid reflux since it's the latest of my health problems (misdiagnosed with thrush in August by GP, finally got into specialist in mid-Nov. who told me I have stress induced acid reflux. He put me on 40 mgs. Nexium 2x daily).

Anyway, here are some interesting facts I learned from Prescription:

Root Causes:
Poor diet
Weakness of stomach muscles
Pregnancy
STRESS!

Recommended Foods:
Whole grains, raw veg., and raw seeds and nuts. Water dilutes and neutralizes rising acid and flaxseeds or flaxseed oil is recommended. <span class="ev_code_RED">I thought this was especially interesting- cabbage juice soothes the digestive tract; 1 glass *gag* per day is recommended.</span> Has anyone tried this? Camomile tea is also recommended to sooth the digestive tract.

Things to Avoid:
<span class="ev_code_RED">Do not overeat- stop BEFORE you feel full. </span>
Don't eat on the run.
Stop eating 2-3 hrs. before bed.

Hope this was helpful. This book is really a wealth of information on a variety of different common health conditions. I also like that alternative therapies are recognized, suggested, and supported by both a reputable M.D. and an N.D.

Easter Blessings to ALL,
fischee

Rolando · Post by **Rolando** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 6:43 pm

Another Acid Reflux suferer here. Like some others I've gone thru 2 endoscopies, EKGs and stress tests. My doctor told me I had a stomach hernia which causes my stomach to push acid up my esophagus. Doctor prescribed Prilosec first and then Nexium. Prilosec did not work at all and Nexium gave me extreme fatigue which some people believe to be depression as I found out by reading articles about Nexium. Anyways I'm pretty sure that my anxiety and depression got triggered by the frustration of not being able to get rid of my burning sensation in my chest (mostly on my right side) I did come to the realization that my heart burn has absolutely nothing to do with my heart (which helped me) but did get worried about the fact that you can get Asthma from acid reflux (which did not help my anxiety) as sometimes I feel like Im loosing my breath. I finally started feeling better after I stoped eating late at night and going to bed just about 1 hr. after eating (I wait at least 3 hrs now) and after I started drinking Apple juice (I heard that helps with the acid reflux; tried vinegar but did not work, vinegar is only good for those people that do not create enough acid) Im staying away from fast food and my worst weakness: PIZZA! (I will miss you) yeah, avoid anything with tomato and fruits high in acidity like oranges, lemons, etc. Anyways after my reflux got better something unexpected happened: TENSION HEADACHES. I get this annoying pain on the upper side of my neck behind my head and around my ears they mostly come when Im driving and makes it such a struggle to avoid an anxiety attack as they make me feel like maybe Im gonna faint so now Im taking Tylenol when I feel that Im gonna get a headache (Which is every day for the past month) I was feeling extreme fatigue for the past month or month and a half so I joined a Gym and exercising seemed to have helped a bit but the headaches continue. I'm making this a separate post but I thought I'd ask If anyone else suffers from tension headaches as well. Best of wishes to all. Thanks.

Herbalist Mom · Post by **Herbalist Mom** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 1:22 am

Hi Rolando !!

I know this posting has been up for a while, but I am an herbalist and natural health professional. I deal with a great many people who suffer w/ acid reflux and the good news is there is relief !!! (for the headaches too)
Let me know if I can be of some assistance. A few supplements and correct dietary changes and Aaaahhh is waiting for you !
Take good care !
Mary CNHP

Sugarmama · Post by **Sugarmama** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:45 pm

Does reflux ever go away on its own, I mean if its triggered by anxiety will it go awawy once your cured from anxiety?

fischee · Post by **fischee** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 7:09 am

Original Post by Sugarmama:

Does reflux ever go away on its own, I mean if its triggered by anxiety will it go awawy once your cured from anxiety?

I've been wondering the same thing. I've had anxiety for nearly 9 years but was only diagnosed with acid reflux in Nov. 07. I'm taking 40 mgs. of Nexuim 2x daily, but I'm still have acid tounge and can't eat most of the food I like (acidic fruits and spicey, tomato-based).

I'm also concerned because I've struggled with bulimia in the past, and I'm scared of additional damage to my esophogus/teeth.

The good news... I haven't made myself vomit since being diagonosed with acid reflux.

Oh, I had a friend tell me that she had really bad reflux during an especially stressful period in her life, and when she went to a specialist they had her drink something to coat her stomach. She didn't eat for 24 hours, then went into the office, drank ?, and then had to lay on her back, then side, then stomach, then the other side. Has anyone ever heard of this? I see my specialist next week, and I think I'm going to ask about it.

fischee

Engine2 · Post by **Engine2** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 7:27 am

Sounds like they did an Upper GI Series of X-Rays on your friend.

I had a test in December like this. I had to drink barrium (sp) and then they take a mess of x-rays and video equipment to watch how your body works. I was diagnosed with Mid-thoraic reflux during this procedure and they could not rule out a Polyp due to an abnormal filling defect.

I had an upper endoscopy done two weeks ago and the biopsis was negative and they did not find anything as far as polyps or this abnormal filling defect.

They did find that I had inflammation in my esphogas which must be from the reflux they said I have.

I have been on 30mg of Prevacid since about Feb. 21.

I am not sure I ever felt anything, so I am not sure how to tell if I am better or not, so i am just hoping I don't have to keep going for tests.

Mary Wargo · Post by **Mary Wargo** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 7:35 am

I have had 3 endoscopies and an upper GI series. Nexium worked very well for me but now there are reports out about how the proton pump inhibitors can prevent calcium from being absorbed so I switched to Xantac twice a day. I was diagnosed with Barrets Esoph. from the acid reflux so I have to be checked every 3 years. If I stay away from greasy foods, alcohol, lemons, and eating too much at one time I feel fine. Eating smaller amounts and taking a walk after I eat helps a great deal. So does eating slower. Whether or not it totally goes away I guess depends on what is causing it and what life style changes you make. Mine was a mix of anxiety and eating habits.