23 Just Diagnosed, Alcohol intake??

Hi guys. I went to the Ear Nose and Throat Dr today and after scoping my throat he suggested that I have GERD. I have to go to the hospital next week for a barium swallow test to confirm. He said I can't eat foods like onions, mushrooms, and tomatoes...this is devastating because I LOVE to cook and usually use one of these three ingredients in everything! I can adjust to save my esophagus if I must though.

To be honest I am just relieved that I didn't have a tumor or something in my throat (I went to the Dr because I was having major difficulty swallowing).

I do however have an issue with not being able to drink wine or beer. I am old enough now to come home from work and enjoy a drink on the weekends, not being able to do this is frustrating and it is going to be really difficult for me to accept. I would like to hear if any of you guys out there can still enjoy a drink on the weekends or does this really mean I have to stop ALL alcohol intake.

Any insight on weather or not Green Tea is ok would be helpful also! I LOVE GREEN TEA!! It will break my heart if I can no longer drink it in the mornings, but I am willing to do what needs to be done. Any insight is welcome and appreciated.

Hi Livelight,

First, have you had an appointment with a GI doctor?  If you have serious enough symptoms to need to see an ENT, you probably should.  Has anyone prescribed acid reducing medications?

Once you get your GERD issues under control, you will likely be able to drink beer.  Wine is much more acidic, and should be treated with more caution. 

Right now you're at a healing stage. You want to be very careful to avoid GERD triggers, and since you've had severe enough irritation to cause swallowing issues, I'm afraid you will need to avoid alcohol for a while. 

It's unlikely you'll never be able to enjoy a drink with your friends...it's just that you need to give yourself some time to heal.  Please be sure to make an appointment with a GI specialist--or at least your primary care doc. 

If you're having nighttime reflux, be sure to elevate the head of your bed with blocks, wood, or bed risers.  It will help keep the acid in your stomach where it belongs.

Good luck!

Denise

People seem to have a lot of different trigger foods. These may or may not include onions and garlic, though these are common triggers. It is more important to reduce your consumption of fats, that is the most important thing. Acidic foods can make your stomach more acid, so you want to be careful not to eat too much. Many beverages have acidic preservatives, avoid them. I use calcium carbonate to reduce the acidity of foods I like to eat, especially tomatoes. You can buy it at WalMart, or there is a product sold in a shaker on the internet called CalciBlend.

Alcohol is especially hard on the lining of the stomach. If you have any stomach discomfort at all, stay away from alcohol. You are right, you need to find some alternatives for relaxation. Maybe yoga? Maybe sitting in a chair listing to CD's of nature sounds?

I have found the Kouffman low acid diet very educational, and more beneficial than those various lists of foods to avoid. The lists never told me what the good foods to eat are. It is the only GERD diet I've encountered that has some research behind it. Here's alink to the thread I've started here: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2210975

 

Hey Livelight,

I'm 26 and I love to drink and party, but those days are over for me. If I drink even a little bit, I will have a stomach hangover for 2+ days. I haven't had a drink in over 6 months, I'm too scared of the symptoms. I feel bad, this is the time in both of our lives to do it, but when it comes down to it, it's an indulgence that I just can't have right now.

Best of luck to you,
Ashley

I am able to tolerate cocnut rum in water. No beer, wine or any other mixed drinks for me.