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Posted 11/22/2006 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
I get heartburn too, don't understand why, I eat the plainest of foods. I've been taking zantac, it's helping a little. Could u please tell me how the apple cider vinegar and honey taste. You just drink it?

Whiskeygirl

Posted 11/22/2006 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
Whiskeygirl,
You can take DGL licorice (has the same effect as Zantac) and it's natural, not a drug with alot of side effects.

What are you eating???? Even plain food can be acidic, try the alkaline diet.

You can't just drink apple cider vinegar - it's too acidic for someone with symptoms of GERD. You can use it when you don't have symptoms as a salad dressing with a little olive oil.
If you want put a few drops in a glass of water and drink it. Apparently it becomes alkaline in your stomach.
Posted 11/22/2006 9:01 PM (GMT 0)

Danie:

I can't just be on the Akaline diet, I suffer from IBS very badly.  I have added to my diet some of the aklaine suggested foods like, carrots, celery, yams, strawberries, bananas. I have to eat chicken and turkey, and fish. Last year when the acid reflux was very bad I lost 18 lbs. I went from 118 to 100. I can't afford to lose any weight, I have put back 8lbs since then. I don't have sugar, wheats or  fried food, I only eat low fat or fat free foods.

WhiskeyGirl

Posted 11/25/2006 8:49 PM (GMT 0)

Whiskey,

I think it 's been discussed before that some of these meds actually cause heartburn.  Most drugs are acidic and contribute to the problem.  Have you tried taking the DGL instead of Zantac.  I know I'm taking Aciphex and it works pretty good but I still get burning in my stomach that comes on after I've eaten something or even after drinking herb teas.  You wouldn't think I would have it on the Aciphex but I do.  It doesn't seem to matter what I've eaten, alkaline or not, it still happens.   

How's the tongue burning....do you still have it?  I discovered that my tongue burned alot until I stopped taking some other herbs I was taking.  I don't know why but when I take them, my tongue burns excruiately more than when I don't take them. 

Posted 11/26/2006 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
Sillylilly,
I tried the dgl but It made me vomit. I couldnt' take the taste, I ordered it in chocolate mint. I just been made aware that it also comes in capsules, so I'm searching for that as well as the powder. My tongue burns on the side all the way in the back. I still have it, sometimes it's minor and sometimes it's more than that. What do you think of the akaline diet? I have bought more of the veggies and fruits that is on the list and today I actually bought the puffed millet. I'm sure that will taste like cardboard. I can't give up fish, chicken or turkey. I'm thin enough and these days I find it difficult to eat a whole meal.
Posted 11/27/2006 5:21 AM (GMT 0)
Whiskeygirl,
I have read that the DGL has to be chewed to be effective so the capsule form might not work...but what do you have to loose. It gives me a headache so I can't take it.

My tongue didn't burn today and the only thing I did different was to take a Pepcid along with my Aciphex, which isn't working very well by itself. I'm at my wits end so I think I'm going to try the alkaline diet. I also bought the fruits and veges, quinoa and puffed millet...sounds tantalizing. I boiled the quinoa in chicken broth and it's not bad...the puffed millet looks like it will turn to mush in soymilk. I also got tofu and I found the best way to cook it is chop it up with some onions, mushrooms and saute with some soy sauce...I know soy sause is on the acid side but one teaspoon can't be that bad and tofu is sooooo bland you have to put something on it.

I just have to get brave enough to quit the meds and I'm not there yet. I want to heal my esophagus and tongue (I've got burn spots on my tongue) first before I stop the meds. I know what you mean, I've lost weight also and I'm getting into clothes I couldn't wear for along time. I'll keep you posted.
Posted 11/28/2006 1:43 AM (GMT 0)

Sillylilly,

I had the puffed millets two days in a row now for breakfast, really not bad at all, i had mine with bananas and strawberries, sprinkled some cinnamon and added some soy milk. for lunch and dinner, i've had grilled egglplant, sweet potatoe and tonite i'm having brown rice and carrots. I'm a little nervous because I've already lost 3.5 lbs and that brings me down to 106 1/2. I can't afford to go lower than 105. But, in the last two days, my days were better - my nites when I lay down to go to sleep are not good. It feels like the acid is just coming right up and my throat and ears start to bother me. I do believe that stress is involved. Pentup anger and sadness are something that my therapist is working on with me. I live alone and feel very much alone almost all the time.  I just bought a book titled " How to heal my life" - I will let you know if it is something you should read.

later,

WhiskeyGirl

Posted 11/28/2006 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Whiskeygirl...the nights will get better, it'll just take time. I know it's a pain, but trying lying only on your left side when you're sleeping at night. It really does make a big difference. If you lie on your back, make sure your head is propped up...it does help, too. I find I have to get out of bed as soon as I'm awake and the first thing I do is get to the kitchen and have a glass of warm water with sea salt in it, while I prepare something to eat. Right now I don't have the luxury of doing anything else first when I get up...my stomach's been empty all night long and wants food or else it will get acidy. I try having some sort of light snack a couple of hours before I go to bed and it does help a little, but till the reflux thing normalizes the stomach's gonna want/need food when I wake up. My TCM says it's normal for us sufferers, but it will get better in time. Be patient...try not to stress yourself over it. Relief IS on its way.

Btw...I had the burning ear thing, too, but it's now gone.

Posted 11/28/2006 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
Imalukatic:

I have the same exact problem in the morning, I'm really hungry and have to eat right away and I also have the water/sea salt, except I gargle,do u swallow the water? And at nite I'm hungry before I go to bed. What do u snack on? I tried sleeping on my left side, for me that was worse. so I would fall asleep on my right or on my back, then all of a sudden it switched a couple of nites ago, now I can sleep on my left. Honestly, I don't know I would be doing this without the support of this website, Meeting all of you has been a blessing - am I'm not one that believes in blessing. Thanks for everything.
Posted Yesterday 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
Whiskeygirl, yes I do swallow the salt water. First thing in the morning I fill a big glass with warm water and put about a quarter teaspoon of sea salt into it. I don't drink it all at one time. I drink as much as my stomach will allow for one guzzle and finish the rest as the morning goes on...adding some extra warm water each time. It's said you can use a teaspoon of sea salt, but I find that amount causes me to get bloaty as the day goes on. But use whatever you can tolerate. The quarter teaspoon a day works for me. It's supposed to help alkalize your body. I find if I wake up feeling a tad acidy in the stomach or throat, the salt water seems to neutralize it long enough till I can get some food into me.

Because of my Leaky Gut situation, I'm quite limited as to what I can eat right now. So I've been juicing and drinking a veggie/fruit mix a couple of hours before I go to bed and it helps tremendously. In fact I've had evenings where my stomach felt a little uncomfortable from eating a little too much dinner, and the juice seems to soothe everything. My stomach and throat are calm all night and the acid isn't an issue first thing in the morning. If you don't have a juicer, my brother-in-law uses a blender to make his juice with and he says while it's not the greatest method...it does help his acidy stomach as well. He chops up his fruit/veggies and throws it into the blender, adds water, blends, and voila...juice. Even one of those cheapy hand blenders would work. I was using one till I got my juicer as an early Christmas present. So you could try juicing in the evenings or just snack on whatever you can tolerate. Once my gut is restored I plan on resuming my evening ritual of snacking on things like nuts, rice cakes with some kind of spread on them, and whatever else that's not too heavy or fatty for the night.

I had trouble too the first few nights sleeping on my left side. But now it already seems natural, even tho I've never slept on my left side before. My left hip and shoulder joint were aching the first while, but have since gotten used to the new position. However, I still have to remove the earing studs from that left ear or it's killing me all night long.

I know what you mean about the support of this group. I've gotten alot of valuable info and insights on things I otherwise wouldn't have known about, that have been very helpful. It is indeed, a blessing.

 

Posted Yesterday 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
Questions:

Can everyone answer some questions...I'm trying to figure out why so many people are having GERD and specifically LPR (more throat associated) The reason I ask is because I trying to figure out why and what could be the reason because it is too freaking weird for me to believe. I'm 28. I have suffered heartburn two or three times in my life before several months ago I started having soreness and a sensation that something was stuck in my throat. Couldn't figure it out. When I did have heartburn does two or three times it was mid chest. ENT said acid reflux. Recently wake up with burning in ear. Specifically right. Seems like it doesn't matter what I eat. And I think stressing about GERD makes it worse and makes it last longer. If you guys can answer some of my questions...

Did you GERD develop gradually or did it develop all of a sudden?

From 1-10, what is the amount of use of NSAID's (ie. Advil, Aleve) in your life.

Have you swallowed, inhaled steroids...betamasone, asthma medicine.

What has your diet been like (ie.e fatty, salty, acidic, alkaline.)?

Did you GERD occur at a time of high stress?

Does your symtoms change? Throat to chest, chest to throat, throat to tongue,

Have you take Advil for a hangover and slept? If so how many times?

Can you guys tell me your theories? I definetly liked to know. It's just weird, I have never had heartburn really and than I have LPR form of GERD...and night time reflux...*** is that, nah mean?

It so frustrating. The suffering, frustration of what the heck is going on, and the thought of having it for the rest of our lives. But have hope. I believe in miracles.

I believe in the higher power and may GOD really bless you all.

 

Posted Yesterday 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
Oh yeah few more questions...

where you live...
where you work...
drink tap water or bottled?
drink alcohol, and if so how much?
smoke?
Posted 12/5/2006 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
mob1123:

I'm going to try and answer your questions to the best of my ability

1. My acid reflux was fairly nothing until I had some surgery and then put a tube down my throat for the acid reflux medicine. I told my doctor that after surgery, my back was bothering me and everytime I ate I could feel the food go down and within 10 days, the acid reflux got so bad, I had that really bad acidic taste in my mouth 24/7.  It's been 15 months now and I have some relief but not nearly what I want.

2. I take advil and tylenol occasionaly, hard question to answer.

3. no , none

4. my diet is so plain, it's boring. I was 118 before this started , went to 101 now, i'm at 106.5. I am now on a saltier, and slightly alkaline diet. nothing fatty, fried or dairy.

5. My life has been high stress for over 15 months. I am in therapy now trying to rid myself of the stress, anger and sadness.

6. my symptoms have changed. i started with the acidic taste in my mouth, it used to be very cool and minty, now it's just there. my tongue burns, never did before, sometimes it feels like my gums are burning and it's going into my nasal cavity. my throat hurts alot - my ears hurt and i have heartburn.

7. never

8. i live in new york

9. unemployed, doesn't help the situation

10. i switched from deer park to fuji

11.no alcohol, no smoking.

I hope this helps you in someway, if you have anything in common with me - please let me know.

 

Posted 12/5/2006 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
MOB1123
I will just make one point with respect to my GERD (now cured).
I did take Advil for a back injury and I would take it mostly at night so I could sleep. Never read anything on the bottle on how to specifically take it.
I did read on line, after taking it for about one month and getting severe GERD symptoms, that you should not lie down after taking Advil for at least 1/2 an hour.
Posted 12/5/2006 4:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi. Sounds like you're doing some serious research. I'll add my info to the others. Like you, I have LPR.

Did you GERD develop gradually or did it develop all of a sudden? All of a sudden.

From 1-10, what is the amount of use of NSAID's (ie. Advil, Aleve) in your life. 4

Have you swallowed, inhaled steroids...betamasone, asthma medicine. I have an albuterol inhaler I use now and then (exercise induced asthma)

What has your diet been like (ie.e fatty, salty, acidic, alkaline.)? All over the board

Did you GERD occur at a time of high stress? A big yes to this one.

Does your symtoms change? Throat to chest, chest to throat, throat to tongue, - no, mostly just throat

Have you take Advil for a hangover and slept? If so how many times? No

where you live... Minnesota
where you work... I'm a 6th grade teacher
drink tap water or bottled? tap water
drink alcohol, and if so how much? minimal, a glass of wine or two a couple times a month
smoke? never

Hope this info helps you,
WDC
Posted 12/6/2006 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
I wish I got more answers...but let me ask WDC did the stress subside and do you feel as though the relux became less...what i'm saying is was the situation that caused the stress resolved.?

And to whiskey girl...I live in NY as well. I live in queens, work in manhatttan. Job situation is as a temp, so stressed about that.  I am not of the belief that diet alone is a factor, I think stress is a big factor though. It's so easy to dismiss something as just stress. maybe location is a factor, where do you livve exactly in ny? I went to the duane reade near work and for several weeks all three kinds of priolosec were out of stock for several weeks.

Posted 12/6/2006 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
oh yeah whiskey girl, have you ever been or are spiritual, religous, or interested in GOD or the divine?
Posted 12/6/2006 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
MOB

I live in Bayridge, Bklyn. Sometimes, I feel like I live in Duane Reade. I spend more money there than anywhere else. No, I don't believe in God - I have never been religious, didn't grow up that way and I'm not spiritual. But, I do believe in therapy and so therefore I am and happen to have a great and very supportive therapist. I don't believe diet is involved at all, because I have the plainest of diets and have been on a bland diet for a long, long time. The only reason why I feel this is physical is because I can feel the acid coming up from my stomach into my mouth, lately I feel that cool minty taste hitting my gums for moments at at time. And the weird thing is I think it's in my eyes, everyonce in a while they start to sting, like mint, I know I sound weird, can't help it. I am the akaline diet and strangely enough, some of the foods make me feel worse. I found the DGL Licorice in tablets so I can swallow instead of chewing. SO, yes I do believe stress plays a big part.

 

Posted 12/6/2006 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
I wish I got more answers...but let me ask WDC did the stress subside and do you feel as though the relux became less...what i'm saying is was the situation that caused the stress resolved.?



No, the situation causing my stress actually worsened. If you look at the "My Cure for GERD" thread started by riverotter, I tell my story there. I won't repeat it here. I knew the stress would not be letting up, so the idea of being able to deal with it was very appealing to me. Just a note, also discussed in the riverotter thread: the underlying cause of the physical symptoms does not have to be a current stressful situation. It can be repressed feelings from any point in your life that haven't been dealt with. Dr. Sarno actually refers to it as repressed rage. He also discusses certain personality types that are more prone to repression, such as perfectionists, people pleasers, etc.

My reflux has all but gone away, since I started thinking about it this way. My only residual symptom is that little lump in the throat now and then, but even that is getting better. I can actually take a deep breath, yawn, laugh, or sing without collapsing into coughing, hacking, and gagging.

Post Edited (WDC) : 12/6/2006 4:49:19 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/7/2006 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
whiskeygirl,

I get that minty feeling too after I brush my teeth. Its not painful, but very annoying if you know what I mean. Sometimes I feel the acid going up to my ear or ears. I sympythize with your seuffering. Two things important to all living things eating and sleeping are affected, People must think I'm crazy. HAHAHA. I'm sorry your suffering so much. I thought it could be the water, but no. Could it be the air or something, cause I know so many people here ny getting that acid thing prilosec all sold out in DR. Do you think you would be less stressed and have you reflux resolved if you were more busy and were employed or were doing something you enjoy.
Posted 12/7/2006 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
wdc, mines started at a hig point of stress too. I might have accidentally ingested some betamasone. an anti-inflammotory steroid iput on my lips. grrrrrr. I dunno.
Posted 12/7/2006 9:52 PM (GMT 0)

MOB:

I definetly know that when I am busy I am less stressed so therefore I am not focusing on all the symptoms. I do know that in recent weeks that minty taste has definetly diminished and doesn't come up so often anymore. But, my tongue - just in 1 tiny section towards the back feels weird almost like my cat's tongue ruff.   I am really trying hard to get rid of all my pent up emotions. Being umemployed is really tough on me. So, I'm just waiting until I get a job and hopefully I will feel better. Thanks for your support

Whiskey Girl

Posted 12/7/2006 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
I am employed, very busy at work, a single mom and the owner of an active dog.  I have not been able to connect the dots as to why my GERD waxes and wanes... 

I have looked for a pattern in the people I know who have GERD - everyone from the cleaning lady at work to my sister-in-law's father - and have been unable to see a pattern. 

Another question - which probably should be addressed to the Riverrotter thread - Haven't there always been repressed rage and unexpressed emotions - in each generation?  And yet there does seem to be such an epidemic of GERD...And we're all looking for "the remedy that works for us."  ?  Do we use that same line of reasoning with other diseases?

Posted 12/8/2006 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lonibel,

Actually, most of the work that Dr. Sarno has done is with chronic pain, especially back pain, not with digestive conditions. He writes some about how this is connected to our western lifestyle, but also how the kinds of ailments the body produces in response to the rage changes from generation to generation. It's pretty interesting stuff.

Best to you,
WDC
Posted 12/8/2006 2:16 AM (GMT 0)

Lonibel:

Can I ask you what your symptoms are?

Whiskey Girl

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