Alternative med for gerd?

Hey Lem. Just wanted to let you know that I am searching for an answer to this. I won't be able to give you answers from experience, but I was hoping to find some answers for you. Like I said before, hopefully other members will come along with some experience. Until then, I will be on the hunt for you. Wishing you all the best.

Hi Lem,
I can tell you from my experience. I was diagnosed with GERD about 2 years ago, drs recomended the typical nexium, aciphex, etc... I didn't like the way the were making me feel (bloated, constipated, and in some cases it felt like I was producing more acid). I started seeing a naturopath and going thru diferent alternative paths, one of them which I really think is what's wrong with me is testing for food sensitivities. If I really watch what I eat it is so much easier for me to control the reflux. I also take digestive enzimes (Similase), for a while I took Zinlori 75 which helps with the production of mucus in your stomack or something like that. Take glutamine, slippery elm and aloe on a daily basis to heal the stomach and esophagus lining. I feel a lot better. I have made some lifestyle changes, like having dinner early and raising the head of the bed a few inches. I think they are small sacrifices I must make in order to feel better, rather than taking ppi's which in the long run end up depleting your system of vital nutrients.

I have to say that following this treatment I was able to feel completelly back to normal, but thinking I was cured I went back to my old eating habits and everything came back, that's why I'm doing it all over again, and it has taken time but I'm starting to see results, I feel a lot healthier now. A lot of it also has to do with your mind and telling yourself everything will be ok, just be patient and keep a positive attitude.

I hope this helps you!

Ale, thanks so much for your response.  Yes...I have been taking ppis for about 8 years...DAILY.  And Im starting to feel the affects.  Best part was when I went to my doctor bc I was almost passing out often and she found I was severely anemic.  She knew my whole medical history...but never saw the connection.  Just told me to take iron supplements.  idiot.  Needless to say I found a new doc.  I am not one to take a lot of meds bc I feel like they just cause other problems...for me at least.  Anyhow, I have an appointment with a chinese herb and accupunture specialist who is known for curing gerd.  Im hoping it helps, but I'm a little skeptical too.  I changed my diet drastically and am noticing a slight difference.  I just refuse to accept my doctors saying..."Well some people just have this really bad and have to take the PPIs for the rest of their life."  I dont buy it!  Oh well, thanks again for responding!  If I find something that works I will definitely let everyone know!

i have left a post about gerds .with drinking organic carrot juice in the morning and apple juice with 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar its called the mothers apple cider vinegar. you can even put raw honey in it 2 table spoons .the honey helps with the throat .you can get it at any health store .when i was having trouble i ate a chicken sandwich had apple juice with it or ice water.nothing greasy .i buy hamburger meat thats 96% less fat all most no greas in the pan iv never had any problems with that meat.crackers are good for you they seem to help with the acid reflux.no beer or mixed drinks or soda pop try eating grapes bananas this does'nt work for every body but it can't hurt to try.i hope this helps .take care your friend Rick

Rick - thanks for responding!  Sorry if you are getting 2 responses...my computer is messed up!  Anyhow, yes I do smoke.  Only about a pack a week.  I know, it sounds insane even as I write it!  about the vinegar...does the kind from the store not work - like the regular grocery store?  Bc it didnt help me...in fact I think it caused me a lot of pain.  ha.  I have definitely tried bland foods, but it seems that as long as there is something in my stomach, no matter what it is...I get horrible pain in my throat from the acid (if I dont take my meds).  I have continued to take nexium, even though it messes with my stomach bc Id rather eat and deal with some stomach pains then starve and still have a burning throat.  I did try aloe vera juice for the first time yesterday, and it really worked well...immediately too.  Im gonna try it without the meds soon to see if I get the same results.  Thanks again for replying!  And, yes, I am quitting smoking.  Nov 1 is actually my quit date...and im not worried.  But I will keep you posted.

Yes. I have had huge success with alternative therapies. I have yet to see a doctor about my GERD that hit me two years ago. Here is my story:

GERD hit me pretty hard two years ago. However, I have delt with it quite well with a combination of herbal medication, diet, and just paying attention to what impacts my body.

For me I take enzymes, candida Rid pills, and a probiotic as my main mainstay that helped me get rid of GERD. Now I rarely have anything except for an occassional small heartburn. That is even occassional when I drink coffee or have spicy food.

Let me tell you straight out doctors do not know everything. Prilosec only deals with the symptoms and not the cause of GERD. After reading so much about what really causes GERD I have come to a conclusion it is a many things. It is the Western Diet that is more acidic than alkaline. It is the fact that we treat our foods with antibotics which helps to kill the good bacteria on our intestine and causes fungus overgrowth in our intestine, we do not chew our food well, we eat a lot of protien (which wears out our enzymes that helps break down food), along with our huge carb and surgar intake (which helps feed the fugus overgrowth).

Let me just say we are damaging our bodies with this. Therefore, there is no one pill quick cure. It takes time to heal from anything because over time (with those habits) we have hurt our body. Only now our body is saying "ENOUGH!" do something. That means doing some alternative therapy research on this (don't take my word for it) and allowing the herbal treatment time to help. It doesn't happen over night. In the west we want INSTANT gratification and relief, but that isn't necessarily a cure.

I hope that helps.

-Ted.