Natural Reflux Remidies - DGL, etc. good luck with these? bad luck? Opinions, please!

I've done probiotics. All it did was help with the gas (flatulations) issues.

KatherineG

hi!

ive tried everything on your list and then some!

i have silent gerd....that is... i usually feel no classic heart burn symptoms, but get burned way up top of my throat and in my larynx and sometimes i inhale reflux into my lungs making for symptoms like pneumonia or asthma

from your list, the aloe juice and or honey were a big help for me in coating , soothing an i believe healing my burnt upper throat areas

the other remedies on the list...not so much, but i know people who swear by dgl and some of the others

enzymes didnt do anything noticeable for me and i paid a lot of money for the best in the effort

probiotics seemed to help with motility..move stuff along quicker

i chew a lot of sugar free gum as the saliva helps protect the esophagus

good luck, and let us know what works for you

Post Edited (mock turtle) : 6/27/2011 2:22:38 PM (GMT-6)

Mock Turtle,
I also have mostly "silent" GERD. For the longest time (months), my Dr. kept diagnosing me with cold/cough/brochitis/sinus infection, because of the chronic cough and post nasal drip. Long story short, tests showed normal lungs and sinuses, finally tried PPIs, made a big difference quickly with the cough and "drip". I went on a strict diet but am still having issues for sure, I even notice the classic "heartburn" now. I have my 1st GI specialist appt. this week. My throat really needs to heal. Thanks for the input!

Mudmagnetmum,

Thanks for replying, I'm sorry to hear you are not having good luck having to go on and off PPIs must be really frustrating. Best of luck to you. Thanks for letting mek now what you have tried. I agree, this natural stuff can be costly!

KatherineG

you are welcome and btw i agree with comments above, ginger is good and i have read testimonials that ginger helps the les...of course thats not proof.

ive had no problems with ginger tea and, on occasion, slices of home made candied ginger

regarding on going problems with silent gerd, yes progress is slow ... it takes more than just a while for lpr sufferers to heal

i hope you are sleeping with your head and (AND) torso elevated, raise the head of the bed at least 8 inches, or a foam wedge that goes hip to head, or my favorite...sleeping in an upholstered chair leaning back no more than 45 degrees

best wishes
mock turtle

KatherineG

yes thats true for me too, i wake up in the middle of he night and find ive slipped down half way off it so then i climb back up!

there are some other tricks to it and here are a couple ideas..

dont pick a wedge thats too radically inclined and cut an inch or two off of the thinnest edge, the part that sits down by your hip (so the pointy end of the wedge is slightly truncated. ive found it helps if my hips are off the wedge but my waist is on...yes i sleep on my side so this idea wont be a help for those who mostly sleep on theri back

i usually start of the night in my recliner chair tilted back no more that 45 degrees and then switch to the bed when i wake up briefly in the middle of the night

by that time im sure that my stomach is empty and my hips and back are more than ready to switch from the upholstered chair to the better support of the bed

ive got aches and pains in the hip and back from the chair treatment but i almost never reflux at night anymore so im willing to pay that price... and i always found i did a majority of the damage to my throat, larynx, and lungs, at night

so to top it off my strategy is... no late night food and starting out in the chair

of course i eat small meals and avoid coffee, chocolate, alcohol, mint, and any other LES (lower esophageal sphincter) weakening substances

best of good luck to you
mt

note edited an hour later to correct spelling..had written "LED" , but meant LES...ooops

Post Edited (mock turtle) : 6/28/2011 12:54:55 PM (GMT-6)

Hi Katherine,

I have posted here before and I am surprised by how many replies you got so fast. Last time I posted I got one reply....

There are many who have gone through this, I am one of those...

I am happy you are trying the natural way...I think is the best way as I am doing that also....

When you do go to the gastroentoroligist get tests he might overlook

such as

Iron test CBC, to check if you are absorbing all food correctly

Test for H pylori.

Test for Candida Albicans

Test for Vitamin B12

Test for Vitamin B6

Test for Calcium

Test for Celiac Disease

Test for Anti-gluten

See if they can check for Hiatal Hernia

See if they can check your acid level

Endoscopy

Emptying of the stomach

Get a food and journal diary and write what you eat and how you feel

I know these are a lot of tests but many of these will help you see what is the cause of your problem. You want to know the root of your issues not just control the symptoms right?

The reason you need to check for vitamin deficiency is because PPIS or bacteria can block your absorbation of certain things.

Chew your food thoroughly this has helped, chew slowly and eat smaller frequent meals..Drink water in between..This has helped for temp relief...I am still trying different things but you are a person I want to keep in contact since you are interested in doing this naturally also like I am.....

Get a endoscopy and see if he can get a biopsy from your stomach or esophaugas

Ask your dr. if there any additional tests he can check to see if you are absorbing all nutrients...

I am seeing a Naturopathic dr., I saw a gastroentorologist for 3 years never helped. He meant good but I tried alllllllll acid reflux medicines, anti-depressant, etc....

Ask a lot of questions

If you want to chat further through a messenger just reply..

I am currently suffere from acid reflux, burping, bloating so tryin to control my symptoms by eating healthier...

 

Well you know what PPI's don't you?
THere are warning labels on those if you use for long term they can block absorption of certain vitamins and minerals...

Here is a link of ppl taking these anti-acids and now suing....Do note these ppl took for a while like a year at least...so please tlk to your dr. about the long term effects'

http://www.aboutlawsuits.com/hip-fractures-nexium-prilosec-heartburn-drugs-18719/

Its an artcle from 3 weeks ago in Houston where women are suing ....

Do mono meals to see what triggers your symptoms.....
Thats what I am doing try to eat certain foods alone and write how you feel after....

DOnt mix so many foods together...Dont mix fruits with food...eat them between meals...try to limit your intake of sugar....'

PPI's i think is not the solution..they might help temp but not good enough...We want the causeeeeee not control the symptoms for the rest of your life right?

Tell me about the producst you tried, the natural stuff though