Acid Reflux / lump in throat - has anyone had success with naturally overcoming or managing this?

Hi I am still breastfeeding my 8 month old baby and recently been diagnosed with Acid Reflux, was prescribed medication for a few weeks which did not make the problem go away. Before I was diagnosed I had a few panic attacks associated with the reflux blockage and not being able to breath as I didn't know what it was an panicked. ED done a x-ray and ruled out chest / heart problems. Recently went back to GP and were told this Acid Reflux is something I may have to live with and her prescribed more blockers. Pharmacist told me they are not suitable for breastfeeding so I called the doctor back and he suggested the over the counter antacids. I have been searching a lot on the internet for natural remedies and natural ways to overcome this.

I am wondering has anyone had any luck with overcoming this without drugs?

So far some of the suggestions I have found are : doing yoga, ginger root, raw vegetable drinks and I add ginger root to this, aloe vera juice (not sure if this is suitable for breastfeeding an infant so I haven't tried this), some herb teas, avoiding foods such as tomatoe, onions and garlic, avoiding coffee (which I love but found some noticable difference if I avoid it alltogether), drinking milk or butter milk amoung a few other suggestions.

Can anyone help or share a story, I dont want to be on medication forever and want to continue to breastfeed my baby.

GP has referred me to a gastrologist to do a scope so any other pathology or medical conditions such as a hernia / cancer can be ruled out. I am trying to remain positive and dig myself out of this black hole I have fallen into that I believe is stress / anxiety induced (finance / family matters).

Hi there,

The one thing you could immediately do is cut out those bad foods. Like tomatoes, greasy, citrus and bitter foods.
Ex.

Avoid:
Onions, oranges, tomatoes, Chillie, (garlic for some ppl), (milk in some ppl)

Try to eat more often, but lighter.

Try to make water your best friend.

Maybe gum can work for you.

Unless you want to ask your dr. Or Gastro about specific herbs.
You should ask before though.

DGL or slippery elm in lozenges.

I would not take them without a doctors recommendation.

Hi there, thanks for your help. I noticed a difference just by cutting out coffee, tomotoe, garlic, onion and eating smaller and more regular meals. I have never been a fan of greasy and bad foods, I have always lived a very healthy and active lifestyle and had 2 text book pregnancies and natural births. So I cant work out why I have this 8 months after my second child. With the breastfeeding I am always hungry and eating all day long on the run, so maybe poor digestion has been one of the causes? I am not over weight and weigh 58 kg and can not afford to loose any more weight with this reflux problem.

Have an appointment with the GP tomorrow to discuss, at this stage he is recommending Zantac once per day at night time. I also contacted the local Health Food Store who employs a consultant Natropath ND / Nutritionist. They have given me a couple of things to take that are suitable for breastfeeding.

I have not been tested for Helicobacter? What is involved? Will ask him tomorrow. My GP done a full set of blood test to check for iron, B12, thyroid function etc and all came back normal. Also have appointment with Gastrologist Monday and find out more about doing a scope, probably the one under anesthetic I am guessing.