Nexium Prilosec???what the heck is Betaine with Pepsin...

Ive been fighting this GERD thing for over a year now. Long story short. GERD for me is caused by not enough acid NOT TOO MUCH.

AFter modifying my diet (removing all milk products) it was getting better, but never went away and I had keep taking these
proton pump inhibitors. Ive tried NEXIUM, PRILOSEC, and I have a standing prescription for Pariet, as well as carrying tums
and drinking soda water. And all of those medications for me gave me the most unbelievable constipation imaginable, burping, etc, etc...

Look Im not trying to sell anything, and Im trying to not be a fanatic about this, but my doctor and the specialist both told me that
my symptoms were from acid over production, but neither of them checked to measure my acid production.
Apparently there are some simple tests. But they sure were eager to line me up for a gastroscopy!!!

Finally my sister told me that after having the same diagnosis for a while, she went to see a naturopath. The naturopath said to get to
a health food store and get BETAINE with PEPSIN. Betain is really a beet source of Hydrochloric acid in a
gellcap, and of course pepsin is an enzyme. Im presently taking BETAINE with PEPSIN (the ones Im taking are 650 mg of Betaine with 162 mg of PEPSIN).
I take two with every meal, and I can even skip a meal. These cost me $21 for 180 pills (yes you figure it out cheap cheap cheap)

In one week I went from as bad as ever to being pretty much symptom free.
And I can pretty much eat anything I want (christmas turkey dinner for example) a couple of beers after work!!!!

In reading on the internet the theory is if there is not enough acid in the stomach the valve
on the top of the stomach doesnt realize that stomach is full of slightly acidic partially digested food, and it doesnt close fully.
The slightly acidic stuff leaks out of the top and hits the very sensitive areas that are not protected and you feel really bad.

go here for more a separate writeup....
http://www.twotreesnaturopathy.ca/heartburn.html

Find a naturopath in your area and go and see one. Like me you have absolutely nothing to loose!!!!!

Good luck!

I just re-read everything, and I dont think I answered that very well.

Yes I quit pariet cold turkey for three days before. Then I started 2 per meal of the betaine/pepsin.
I have never taken pariet/nexium/prilosec since then.

During the transition, I was watching my diet really well, eating many smaller meals,
and no trigger foods. But I felt that I could always pop a tums if I got into trouble.
As it turned out I had a couple of marginal days where I did take a tums,
but by the second or third day, I was really good.

From what I understand, it is really important to be off the other stuff completely prior to taking
the new stuff. But to be honest Id only be guessing as to why.

Go see a Naturopath in your area for this. You dont have to believe everything they say
but if your into this for the long term, you have nothing to loose getting a second opinion!

Logan

         I tried Pariet too and it made me soooo constipated. Hve also tried Nexium, Zoton. Neither worked. Am now on Somac. I also drink lots of soda water. Dietitian says it helps because of the bicarbonate in it. I cut out cows milk and drink soy milk. Am waiting for Hiatus Hernis operation, but here, in Australia, as I imagine you all have read in the newspaper, we have real trouble with the hospitals. Not enough doctors, consequently the waiting lists for any procedureis years. Have been taking one 5mg tablet of Valium at night. It helps with the heart palpitations. No side effects. I also eat Mylanta tablets like they're going out of fashion. Help, sort of. Sometimes you don't know what to do to  feel comfortable. I am only 55kgs dont drink or smoke, exercise reguarly. I often think, why me?

PATB, I am taking one such test now.  It's called Bravo.  They insert a small device that's attached to your esophagus via suction.  You get a monitor to carry around with you for 48 hours to monitor PH levels.  After 48 hrs, the monitor is returned.  The device falls off on its own.

Laura

Welllll . . . it seems to me that our stomachs produce the same amount of acid as non-GERD sufferers.  The problem, in most cases, is the LES relaxing inappropriately (or just hanging wide open most of the time).  That said, I am so glad to hear of someone ditching the PPI's.  Hate 'em.

Laura