New Members Check In Here First Part 2 :)

I'm hoping that through this site, I'll find natural ways of dealing with reflux.

Brief (hopefully) history:

Mid-1994, started having reflux. Doctor put me on Prilosec. In Dec. of that year, started having fever and getting nauseated when I'd eat; pain in upper right side. Had the scope performed and another test for gallbladder which showed my gallbladder was infected. Had it removed in Jan 95 and was told my problems would go away.

They didn't. I was still limited on what I could eat without causing symptoms. I started finding I was getting nauseated and sometimes diarrhea when I'd drink milk, or eat stuff with milk in it. Tried Lactaid but at that time, the strength wasn't enough to stop symptoms. Found I was able to eat hard cheeses. Still on meds. They also put me on antidepressant because they thought I had IBS.

In 1996, was able to finally stay home full time with my kiddos. Hubby self-employed so we didn't have insurance and knew we couldn't afford prescriptions. Went off of all meds (and had many pray for me). Not sure when it happened, but at some point I was able to eat ALL foods again (except milk) without problems. I was SO excited because I could eat onions, peppers, tomatoes, spices, etc.

When the Ultra Lactaid came out, I found that I could once again consume milk and ice cream (though sometimes I'd still have problems.)

2005 - Decided to lose weight (and needed to). Started drinking diet drinks, walking, counting calories. Lost 47 pounds.

Fall of 2005 - "discovered" that I could consume milk without needed Lactaid. However, I noticed that I began to have problems with constipation. I had also went back to work because we were under financial difficulties. Very stressful. During that time, I got several "stomach bugs" (I was working in a school)

Jan 2006 - Another stomach bug. Went to doctor and told him what was going on (this bug seemed to last for several days). He put me on Previcid. I couldn't understand it because I was able to eat without problems. So I decided not to take the medication.

Feb 2006 - after a wonderful Mexican meal, I had SEVERE nausea and pain. Decided to start taking the Previcid. I WISH now I would have just given my stomach a rest for a few days and not caved in.

Oct 2007 - was put on Nexium because Previcid wasn't helping. Still unable to eat many foods (though it seemed I could drink milk and eat ice cream without Lactaid still).

I have gotten SEVERAL stomach bugs (and I guess passed it onto my family LOL) since 2007. I've read that the PPI's can cause you to become more suseptible to stomach bugs because they decrease the acid in your stomach.

2009 - Armed with this info, I decided to wean myself off of Nexium. My doctor gave me a prescription for 20 mg which I took for a month. Then I switched to Prilosec 0TC for a month and now I'm not taking anything.

However, I STILL have problems. Sometimes I feel as if pills get stuck in my throat near my adams apple area. The bigger the pills, the more the sensation. Food doesn't seem to do it, unless it's really dry. I've been trying to drink water to lubricate my throat before I take a good swig with my pill.

I found DGL Licorice that's a German Chocolate flavor and it takes great but the label says there's milk in it.

I REALLY think there is a correlation between the time when I was "instantly able to consume milk without lactaid" and the eventual onset of the "reflux". I've given up coffee and even the diet drinks thinking that even artificial sweeteners might be an issue too.

I'm avoiding milk although there is milk in the DGL. I can't stomach the taste of the other DGL YUK!

Today I decided to go Low Carb (although I only weigh 120 and I'm 5'2) So I ate an egg and two strips of bacon. Little burning but not too much. I just took these papaya enzymes (that has other stuff in it).

I am currently looking for a Naturopathy doctor because my regular doctor gives me a "blank stare" when I ask him about natural alternatives.

THERE HAS to be something out there that will work for me.

Thank you for letting me write this lengthy post :)

Hi I am Daisey,

I was in severe pain, thought I was having a heart attach. Turn out I have a large Hiatus Hernia, Gastritis and inflammation of the intestines. My Dr. has me on Prilosec two times a day. I wake every morning between 1 and 5am. I am so tired. Even with the meds I wake up with pain. I have only been on the meds for 2 weeks. Does it get better ever? Glad I found this site!