Holding down a job and suffering with GERD

I taught school with my stomach issues. I just kept tums on had for breakthroughs.

Yeah good point...I've been out of work for 2 months now, I think I just sit around feeling sorry for myself too much haha.

Hi, most of the time I'm not too bad with burning. To be honest, I seem to go from having heartburn to feeling bloated and full sometimes along with nausea. It feels like my stomach goes from having too much to too little acid to be honest :P

If I have bad burning symptoms, I usually just try and treat it naturally with more alkaline foods now. I drink loads of milk, and have loads of yoghurt...have sometimes tried bicarbonate soda as well with water, although don't want to overdo it with that. I could also try something like Gaviscon, the most well marketed OTC antacid over here if it gets bad, but part of me thinks it won't make a huge amount of difference and I should just treat it with diet, and that I might be wasting my money. PPI's sadly don't work for me :P

Most of the time my acid problems aren't that severe to be honest. It's the bloating, and nausea feeling I get more, but then sometimes the acid problems come back. I think it worries me as well what I'll be like in a job, having to explain to work colleagues how there's loads of things I can't eat and drink. My diet is so restrictive. No wheat, limited sugar intake, limited fat intake, no alcohol, and if I'm having a bad acid spell, no acidic stuff. In my last office job, people were forever bringing in cakes/biscuits/chocolate and it was so hard to refuse, I don't think they understood how difficult this was for me.

Heh, maybe I should just get over it, and stop caring what people think and just be concerned with looking after myself :P I feel kinda embarrised saying this now as it might seem kinda petty...it's hard because I can't be as sociable now with evenings out and meals. Maybe I just need a less sociable job.

But yes, a new job, that is hopefully not too stressful would be great! :P 2 months out of work is long enough

Hi Judy,

I worked for many years with heartburn that nearly brought me to my knees and at first I would chew Rolaids by the roll.  My Dr then instructed me to use the liqid Maalox or Mylanta which I kept in my file cabinet.  I sometimes had a white mustache I knew some of my problems were due to anxiety but also due to drinking Diet Coke. 

Eventually I did have to start taking Prilosec which has worked fairly well for me. 

Looking for a new job and interviews can be stressful so prepare yourself ahead of time to keep your sx down to a low roar.   Stress essentially fuels stomach acid production, encouraging heartburn symptoms. Meditating or doing yoga poses is a better, healthier way to end the day than succumbing to stress eating after a long day at work. So when you end your stressful day try the above. 

You are a woman with physical problems and stress in your life so do not worry that you are feeling sorry for yourself.  We are always here and open 24/7 so come here and share, vent or ask questions whenever you like.  You are family here.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

Thanks for the replies everyone - it was really helpful :)