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Posted 3/28/2012 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

I just visited my new dentist's office and I learned if we have stomach acid that can carrode (not sure if I'm spelling that right) our teeth. My teeth I just learned have some carrosive issues. I also learned stomach acid can affect the vocal chords. I thought it was the passive smoke in my apartment building that was affecting my voice.

I was diagnosed with Barrett's Esophogus years ago but my most recent gastronologist said I don't have it. I  do have stomach acid issues. I was on a med for several years for the gerd but I took myself off when I found out it could have caused my osteopenia.

Anyone ever here of any of this?

Thanks!

Posted 3/29/2012 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
.tnemtreat htiw ralimif ton tub evah I seY

sorry got bored, said yes i have but not familar with treatment
Posted 3/29/2012 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I've heard of this.  If you have GERD, (gastro esoguhs?reflux disease) the acid from your stomach can back up into your throat and possibly mouth.  It is hydrocloric acid, highly corrosive.  It can eat through a lot of things.  So if you still have it, it could be corroding your teeth. If you were on meds for this, you may want to consider taking them again.  Also, prop your bed up on a few bricks, so the acid doesn't come up while trying to sleep.

I'm sorry, I don't seem to be able to spell well tonight.

Posted 3/29/2012 4:13 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I have GERD, too, which not only causes heartburn but aggravates my asthma. Apparently when you are sleeping, you can have acid that escapes into your throat, mouth, lungs, etc, and you aren't even aware of it.

I sleep with the head of my bed up on blocks, and I try not to eat a couple of hours before bedtime. Also, I do take medication for it.

I know that Prilosec can cause bone mineral issues, but do other GERD meds have the same effect? I wonder if taking something as simple as TUMS or Mylanta before bed would help a little? I know it wouldn't turn off the acid like a Proton Pump Inhibitor, but it would help neutralize it (maybe?).

I have had a ton dental issues, and I know it's no fun. sad
Posted 3/29/2012 6:23 AM (GMT 0)
I have GRRD, years ago I was hospitalized several times for this. I had my gallbladder taken out and now I have large amts of bile pooling in my gut. My concerned is all the years I had it can cause cancer. I would take my acid reflux medication if I were you. I use to be on 4 different kinds of stomach meds, but just one now. I wake up sometimes with bitter acid taste in my mouth. I keep my head up to, don't eat late and stay away from orange juice. Lol
Posted 3/29/2012 7:06 AM (GMT 0)
Ahh gerd, now that I know. And fan, I know asthma too. I suffer with both. During sleeping it is better to be elevated, propped up at the shoulders and head. I used to do Zantac, Prilosec, Protonix, Nexium, 1 big bottle of Rollaids a week, and something else. Anyhow, I took on (with doctor approval) a dare from a friend, whom knows a lot about natural resources. The dare: 2 ounces of aloe vera juice (I prefer to order from Market America where one can get flavoured aloe vera juice as just straight it is wretched) every day for a month whilst not taking the prescription medications, and only the rollaids (now discontinued, and have to use tums) when I absolutely needed it. A month later my friend asks me to produce my rollaid bottle. To my surprise, I had only taken 5 in a month. I am now a firm believer that Aloe Vera Juice works for acid reflux, as well as Illnesses. I watched my same friend when I rented a room from him and his wife get sick from what I had of some virus. Anyhow, we decided to experiment and he did only the aloe vera juice (32 ounces in one setting) and I did the over counter helpers.. He was better in 3 days, while it took me 7 days.
Posted 3/29/2012 9:23 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for your advice and support.

I tried sleeping with an elevated headrest over the years and unfortunately I'm not able to do it. Due to my neck and back injury on top of my fibro, I'm only able to lay on my sides and with the added pressure of having my shoulder elevated it caused much added pressure and pain.

Thanks for suggesting the aloe vera juice, smurfyshadow. I'm going to give that a try. Is it expensive?

If the aloe doesn't work for me, do I need to see my gastronologist about a medication or would seeing a general practioner be good enough? Both doctors are new so they haven't prescribed a gerd med for me before.

Now speaking of asthma, I'm going to talk with my b/f this morning about closing the vents between the basement and the house. He likes to keep his basement cooled in the summer and heated in the winter. Trouble is he has woodworking equipment in the basement (which he unfortunately hasn't been able to use since I've come into his life) and he has exposed insulation on the walls. There is a definite musty smell if I go into the basement. I heard many people with asthma also have gerd. Do you think the basement issue might be a problem for me?

Thanks again!
Posted 3/29/2012 12:25 PM (GMT 0)
I know I developed my osteoporosis because of Prilosec.  I had no bone loss before taking it and, three years after taking it daily to protect my stomach from ibuprofen, I had a moderate case of osteoporosis.  Dummy me didn't check that out but instead went on osteoporosis medication for four years and my bone loss continued.  THEN I get the smarts to look Prilosec up and the FDA is close to putting a black box warning about possible osteoporosis when taking proton pump inhibitors long term.  (You will now notice them saying this on commercials for PPI.)  Taking it occasionally, I guess, doesn't bother you.  So your drugs like Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium...the proton pump inhibitors can "possibly" do this to you. 

 

I use Tums now.  I might try Zantac or Tagamet but I need to talk to my doctor about that.  Those are H-2 blockers...not proton pump inhibitors.

 

Of course acid can chew through your teeth.  It's very bad on your esophogus, too.  I have heard that baking soda can help with stomach acid, too.  This is a link about it from Drugs.com. 

 

http://www.drugs.com/cons/pure-baking-soda.html

 

Check it out with your doctor.  You do need to take something to help you.  If I were you, I would use Tums, baking soda, and possibly Zantac.  These shouldn't hurt your bones.  Tums are calcium carbonate so they would help your bones.  But, as I said above, talk to your doctor.  Hope this helps you and others.

 

Sherrine

Posted 3/29/2012 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Sherrine, I purchased the aloe vera liquid and I'm going to try it tonight. Have you tried it?
Posted 3/29/2012 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
It cost me like 25 bucks for 32 ounces, but it was well worth it and the 32 ounces lasted a month.

Either doctor would be fine.

I also have asthma, drinking black coffee will help. Some kind of chemical in it that helps relax our airways. Hot showers, for the steam helps. Could be the basement. Maybe some molds, etc. Perhaps you should mentally note to when and where you have trouble. There are lots of things you can do, air purifiers, hypo allergenic things, so much more.

The straight aloe vera liquid will taste wretched, try adding as much honey as you need to accommodate the taste.
Posted 3/30/2012 9:14 AM (GMT 0)
Good morning SmurfyShadow,

I tried the aloe vera liquid. It worked beautifully! No tums were needed and my stomach felt very settled all night. I had heard it's a good idea for fibromites to take a couple tums at bedtime. The aloe vera juice works much better for me and it's healthier. Thanks! I did okay without honey and/or flavoring. I took it in a shot glass and swallowed it whole.

Concerning your friends not feeling well due to a virus and feeling better after taking the aloe vera, I've heard our digestive system is our second brain. It makes a lot of sense to keep our stomachs feeling good. But I know I'll still have to be very careful with what I eat and drink. Thanks for the coffee suggestion, unfortunately I have to stay away from caffiene. I get the jitters and have much more trouble sleeping.

I spoke with by b/f yesterday about the basement. He said there's no way to close the venting system between the basement and the house. (Another good reason to eventually move to Florida, no basements...) I'm glad he has a dehumidifier downstairs and a hypoallergetic system on the fan in his furnace and air conditioning system.

Thanks again.

Posted 3/30/2012 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
I, too, have been bothered with stomach acid.  I have taken Nexium for about 9 years, and Prilosec for a couple of years before that.  I have recently been diagnosed with bone loss.  In the past, I have had to take 80mg of Nexium per day in order to keep me from "breaking through."  However, I weaned myself down to 40mg, and I refuse to take any larger of a dose than this.  I have never been able to decrease it any further.  The ppi's were never meant for long term use.  I have never been able to sleep with the bed elevated.  I do try not to eat for a couple of hours before I go to bed, and this helps.  I drink only coffee that is for people with sensitive stomachs.  I have to avoid tomato sauces and greasy foods, although for some reason, spicy Mexican foods do not bother me!  I also take a couple of Tums before I go to bed at night, and I have to do this even with the nexium.  I have real problems without this.  I have tried the Aloe Vera juice, but tried the regular, and could not tolerate the taste.  I will have to try the flavored.

As for the Osteopenia, my doctor has advised me to take Calcium Citrate 2x daily, and this must be taken several hours away from the nexium.  I also take vitamin D3 and Magnesium.   It is also advisable to do weight bearing activity, such as walking daily, and to exercise the back using light weights at least 3x weekly. 

Posted 3/30/2012 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
I forgot to mention that I have read that some people have had success with using an organic form of apple cider vinegar for their GERD.  I believe that they mix honey with it?  I think that I saw this on the GERD forum on this website.  My mother also had very severe GERD, and she would use the baking soda in warm water remedy.
Posted 3/30/2012 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
One thing to remember before using baking soda for any internal purpose is that it's very high in sodium...it's "other" name is sodium bicarbonate.
Posted 4/1/2012 10:41 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks steppingstone and kimliz59. I've tried the apple cider vinegar in the past and it makes my stomach feel worse.

The unflavored aloe vera juice isn't bad at all. I take it in a shot glass and gulp it all down at once. I don't even think it touches my taste buds. Then I have some water.

Good luck to you and thanks again!
Posted 4/1/2012 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
I don't have problems with GERD, but I've heard of taking aloe vera juice for it, as well as for healing ulcers.  Always great to find a non-prescription that solves the problem!
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