update

I feel like I fall off this board now and then, and only come back when I have am in bad shape. Just wanted to let everyone now I am doing over 90% better taking digestive enzymes before meals (Udo's) and tums before bed usually. I still get reflux a few times in the day but it is very manageable, although I still don't think my current plan is sustainable long-term.

I had a colonoscopy due to the right side pain that PPI's caused me and that hasn't left even after stopping them. Digestive enzymes also caused it then (or so I thought), but I am on them now with no problem. My GI said digestive enzymes should not really help GERD, but I did read one article that noted that they help stomach distension or something and can help GERD.

Just my update, I hope to stay positive even when the reflux returns (it will :) ) and maybe go on to ACV or try Ranitidine once again and hope against the right side pain...

theacidrefluxman

If the digestive enzymes are working for you then I am glad.  Good to read you are advocating for yourself.  Stay well.

Kitt

Sounds like progress. My gastritis did not take kindly to apple cider vinegar - which was scary and disappointing as so many swear by its curative properties!

Do I remember right . . the ACV also set off your URQ pain?

MMM

That's the problem though - the scientific community put most of the naturopathic theories straight in the bin as "hogwash", and conversely the naturopathic community are completely against drug treatments. If only they would find a way to meet in the middle, they'd probably cure everything! I've found, from experience, that sometimes natural remedies work very well, and sometimes there's a logical (scientific) explanation, but other times there's an unsatisfactory explanation ....... but that's not to say it doesn't work, it's just poorly understood. If memory serves, the reason why digestive enzymes and ACV work for some people is thought to be that they may have an underproduction (hypochlorhydria) of stomach acid.

I also believe that perhaps some of us have undetectable Helicobacter or some other bug (after all Helicobacter isn't the only bug around) and the ACV, manuka honey and mastica gum type remedies may help because they are reducing the numbers of unfriendly bacteria ........ so many theories ......... and so much of the research aimed at drug cures rather than causes .......... ho hum... go climb of soap box now.........

MMM