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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 6/4/2006 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Too many nights of waking up with acid in my throat and many sleepless nights later, I'm trying to find a solution.  Zantac caused weird side effects so I took Pepcid last night.   A 10 mg which is the smallest amount, but I awoke to elevated blood pressure and a racing heart.  Has anyone experienced this from Pepcid or for that matter Zantac. I am at my wits end.  I gave up any foods that could cause problems so I am left eating bland boring foods, but still suffering with acid reflux which is worse during the night. I am sleeping on a wedge pillow with two pillows on top of it and still can't get any relief.  I'm really disgusted and thought maybe someone would provide some words of wisdom that would give me some answers as to wht to do.  Many thanks.
Posted 6/4/2006 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hamie,

I used to take Pepcid and had the same symptoms that you are having.

The elevated BP and racing heart.  I was sleeping, if that is what you want to call it, on many pillows trying to sit up so the acid wouldn't back up in my throat.  Nothing helped.  Finally, I went to the doctor and asked to switch to Nexium.  He agreed.  My Gerd is from meds I take. It took over a month for the Nexium to really start working, but it was better than over the counter meds.  I had a scope done and now I have switched to aciphex which works pretty good.  Also, don't eat anything for at least 2-3 hours before bed, this seems to help.  I have found certian foods make my acid reflux worse, like chocolate, or foods with high carbs. I still can eat carbs, it just depends on which ones they are. Hope this helps.   Laurie

Post Edited (Lat) : 6/4/2006 5:56:12 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/5/2006 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your post. I went to the health food store today and bought some recommended items. I am very sensitive to drugs therefore I am going to try the suggested items. I am just about at my wits end because of this problem, having given up most food that I like. What were you diagnosed with? I still have not seen a doctor. I have been doing a lot of web searching and I see that my symtpoms are either GERD relatd, ulcer related or hiatial hernia related and that diet plays an important role. I too have been sleeping on many pillows, with a wedge pillow are the base, but it doesn't really seem to keep the acid from my mouth. So very annoying. As I type I have that miserable taste in my mouth. Oh, what to do?????
Posted 6/5/2006 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with Gerd, but I only had mild redness where the stomach and esophagus meet. I'm guessing it was mild because I have been on meds since February. I have been walking, which does help. I read this morning that just losing a little weight does help. Also, try not to eat big meals.
Posted 6/5/2006 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Hamie, I had those same symptoms in response to my GERD. Was taking Tagamet and I still sat up at night with a racing heart. I started taking Protonix and the symptoms slowly disappeared, but I also changed my diet, exercised, slept in better positions, didn't smoke or drink, etc. Now that the Protonix has helped my tissues heal, I will get off it. Allow about three months for the healing to take place. OTC medications weren't strong enough for me. I have a dread of doctors and medication too, but in this case, the PPI helped to get me out of that crisis.

Posted 6/9/2006 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Hamie,

as some people have mentioned previously a prescription PPI did the trick however, some other things that are effective are exercise and small frequent meals throughout the day.
Posted 6/9/2006 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Hamie,

as some people have mentioned previously a prescription PPI did the trick however, some other things that are effective are exercise and small frequent meals throughout the day.

Gaviscon is great for occaional heartburn
Posted 6/19/2006 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hamie, as to sleeping on many pillows:  I tried that, too, and I even have a hospital-type bed that I raised the head of, and it didn't work.  What did give me some relief was putting the head of my bed up on 5-7 inch blocks.  I have to keep crawling back up to the top of the mattress, though, because I keep sliding down to the foot of the bed.  But it does help some when I can stay high up on the mattress.  What helps the most is not eating or drinking anything for an hour or so before lying down.

Posted 6/20/2006 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
If you can't invest in a hospital bed, try buying one of those wedge pillows and putting it in between the mattress and box springs. Plus the blocks for the legs of the bed. It works pretty well. (If you need it, you can still add more pillows to that).
Posted 6/25/2006 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, All, thanks for your input. I have found that taking Gaviscon about an hour before bed produces way less acid so I don't wake up with that horrible acidic taste in my throat. I do use a wedge pillow to which I add another one or two pillows on top of it. I don't want to jinx myself, but I have been feeling better. I know that there are illnesses far worse than GERD & stomach problems, but it does Suck (!) to have to give up the foods that you once enjoyed. Bland food is definitely boring and I am so afraid of straying for fear of that no so good feeling. But I will admit today I shared a hot dog with my husband and it tasted so good. I am hoping not to have hot dog revenge at 3 in the morning. I actually gave up Yankee tickets because I didn't want to be around hot dogs, but maybe, after today, I could enjoy the ballpark again...LOL. Anyway, thanks everyone for your support. It's great to know that help is at the other end of this keyboard. :)
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