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starvation as a treatment

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 3/16/2015 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all.
I have gerd symptoms since 2005. And since that anti acid medications didn't help at all, I am starting to think out of the box.
It's simple: when u eat nothing, the stomache no longer produces any acid or whatevr else. Hence gerd symptoms should go away cuz there r no acids in the first place.
Now to keep providing ur body with what it needs, u should drink multi vitamins effervescent tablets, water with sugar, water with salt, and protien powders. Like this u get all the necessary nutrients without the need to digest any foods. Now the big problem with this method is the constant hunger pain, but I can tolerate that if it meant I can finally get my life back. Gerd has destroyed my life.
I haven't started this diet yet. What do u think of it guys?
Thanks
Posted 3/17/2015 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Zizo,

Sorry you're feeling so poorly. To the contrary, I think starvation would make things worse.

When you don't eat anything, you have an abundance of stomach acid not doing anything. None of what you've described below has any nutritional value. Protein powders don't have the necessary fats your body needs to continue functioning properly. Especially to keep your heart muscle pumping adequately.

The real solution would be to aggressively treat the GERD you're experiencing. If PPI's are making you worse, then you need to find something that works. Contact your doctor for help. Don't stick to just PPI's out of the box. There are others that are prescription only that could be helpful. Seek a referral to a GI specialist. They can perform additional tests to help determine what the best course of action is to treat your symptoms. Even if that means referral to a surgeon for a fundoplication procedure.

By all means, starving yourself and replacing meals with what you've described will have even worse effects on your body. I would definitely not do that.

Take care of yourself,
-TonyG-
Posted 3/17/2015 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
Have you seen a doctor for a diagnosis, or testing?
Posted 3/17/2015 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
I tried eating much much less and it did not help at all. My gi doc said I have to give the stomach acid something to do, ie digest food, or else it will just find something else to break down...my tissues.

I haven't found the solution either since I can't tolerate the meds, and I'm not a candidate for surgery(swallowing issues), but the eating less made it worse.
Posted 3/18/2015 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
I dont think that diet is a good plan. When my stomach is empty my acid situation is worse not better. I think if you did that you would still have issues. Its best to see a doctor before doing anything that drastic in my opinion.
Posted 3/18/2015 1:06 PM (GMT 0)
You need calories to function daily or you will not feel well in another way. I would recommend getting tested for delayed gastric emptying. Must start ruling some things out what is causing the reflux.
Posted 3/18/2015 1:18 PM (GMT 0)
You are referring to fasting. Many people use fasting to get their health back. Often juicing is used along with fasting to supply the nutrients the body needs. Get a juicer and find some recipes for juicing which will supply the vitamins and minerals your body needs. The reason it may be effective your body does not have to digest the food. It is in liquid form and can be absorb by the body easily.
Posted 3/18/2015 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
Please discuss this with a doctor before you get a juicer and start something like this.
Posted 3/19/2015 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
Your doctor may not be familiar with the natural remedies for GERD. Have to look at your diet. Many studies show sugar is bad for the bodies so I would limit it's use. Here is an article which gives a recipe for juicing that may help your GERD.

http://myjuicecleanse.com/juicing-for-health/natural-remedies-for-acid-reflux-and-gerd/
Posted 3/19/2015 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
zizo84, you might have bile reflux, where it isn't the acid alone but all of your stomach contents coming up your esophagus due to hiatal hernia impacting the lower esophageal sphincter. Have you had a barium swallow x-ray? That would be my first step.

Actually, that WAS my first step. That's how they saw that I had reflux that immediately went up to the top of my throat. Cut to years later -- I've had the nissen fundoplication for over 2 years, and I feel better than ever.

Number one rule for the nissen -- find the doctor with the best skill. I mean like over 10,000 nissens done. Ask anyone, and they'll say the same thing. The doctor is the key.
Posted 3/19/2015 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
Also, zizo, that stuff you're talking about, especially protein powder, will probably make things worse.

Another note -- it could be just gastritis. Which is just when the stomach/esophagus area is irritated. Difficult to tell the difference between gastritis and reflux because your esophagus interprets all irritation/pain as reflux.

For gastritis I recommend carafate suspension (suspension as in liquid form).

A barium swallow x-ray will really tell you a lot of info about what's going on with you. They're easy and quick.
Posted 3/19/2015 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
I dread eating too, as I know I will soon be in pain no matter what I eat or drink. What I'm wondering about is this:

Why are my symptoms WORSE/or just as nasty when my stomach is empty??? I had to fast after midnight Wednesday for my yearly physical and ended up going a totaly of 17 hours without food! Just water as the doctor wants patients well hydrated for the lab work.

I was in horrendous pain, starving and wondered why I had GERD symptoms on an empty stomach? This also wakes me up in the middle of the night, so I never get more than 4 hours of sleep!

Any ideas from my fellow sufferers would be welcome as I have a surgical consult Mar. 25th and want to be as well educated as possible on my symptoms.
Posted 3/19/2015 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
Linda Sue:

It's not uncommon to get GERD symptoms on an empty stomach, and the pain is usually just as bad, if not worse, than eating trigger foods. I was told that on an empty stomach, the acid is more concentrated. I also had hPylori and severe gastritis and the medication cocktail for h-Pylori made me feel even worse. In fact, the first time they surgeon tried to attach the BRAVO 24-hour sensor into my esophagus he decided against it because of my inflammation from gastritis.

Sharon
Posted 3/21/2015 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sharon Z,
Boy, it just doesn't make sense to me. I thought that taking two 40mg. Nexium per day would cause the proton pumps to eliminate most of the acid and I'm also wondering what activates those proton pumps when there is nothing going into the stomach!?!?

Of course, acid controllers have never made me feel better; only worse.

I've never been told I have any inflammation, h-Pylori and no esophageal erosions after several Endoscopies... this GERD is a very confusing and scary condition. Thanks for your input, Sharon.
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