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7 Weeks Pregnant and GERD really bad, what can I take?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 1/6/2012 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, I found out 2 weeks ago that I am pregnant :) Up until then I had been taking Tecta, I stopped it as my pahramsist suggested that it was recommened to take during the first trimester, so 2 weeks ago I stopped taking them and now, I am dying with acid reflux!!! Today was one of those busy mornings so breakfast was out of the question, so coffee it was first thing, then dinner time came and again, had to be put off. I started t feel sick so I ate soda crackers and felt a little bit better, but 10 mins later I was starving so my 3 year old suggested a slice of pizza, so I got one for him and two for me, and trust me, bad idea. I have been dying ever since I ate it. I have been eating tums and taking a tsp of gaviscon which normally works, but not today. I was also told by my pharmacist that I can take Zantac, so I took one of them, no change! Please help!! It's gonna be a long 8 months!!! cry
Posted 1/6/2012 4:54 AM (GMT 0)
My dr gave me protonix but it didn't help so I was told to take prilosec and zantac. The prilosec worked wonders for the first 6 months, after that I think it was bad from the pressure on my les.
Posted 1/6/2012 5:16 AM (GMT 0)
First of all, congratulations on your exciting news!

I'm trying to resist being hard on you...because you already know you have this condition yet you are not following recommended diet and behavior modifications. If you "follow the rules", they will go far in managing your symptoms if you are limited in the medications you can take. Tums and Gaviscon will help -- but using them doesn't mean that you can still eat/drink what you want...especially when you have the pressure from your fetus adding to your problem.

Please check the "stickies" at the top of the forum page, as there is good information there and links to other sites. IMO, coffee is out of the question, and learn your other trigger foods. I'd say pizza is not a good choice, but you already know that. Raise the head of your bed, don't eat 4-5 hours per bed, etc. Is it possible the Zantac didn't work because it wasn't timed properly before a meal?

Also, don't rely on your pharmacist for your information -- talk to your doctor!

You can do this, and we're here for support. Best wishes!

-Bruce
Posted 1/6/2012 10:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and congratulations....

I was very sick when pregnant, from day 1, so nothing to do with size of the baby! My first pregnancy they refused to give me anything. Second time I was vomiting 8 times a day and they said it was reflux - I took Ranitidine 150 mg morning and night and it worked perfectly. It needs to be prescribed by a doctor though. If you can manage it, you might want to try to get to 12 weeks without meds, just for peace of mind with the developing foetus - so I would try all the lifestyle measures first. Having said that, I'm not sure all those months of vomiting didn't do permanent damage to me, and if I had my time again I would push for treatment much sooner (I was 7 months gone and dehydrated before they took pity on me ....).

I used lots of Gaviscon - it made very little difference. Eating small amounts frequently did help - and lots of dry crackers! No tea, coffee, fizzy drinks etc also helped.

All the best,

MMM
Posted 1/6/2012 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Grady,

Congratulations!  Like MMM, I was sick all day long for 5 months of both of my pregnancies.  For some people the increase in estrogen is very hard to handle. 

I totally agree with Bruce.  You should definitely call your OB and get guidance on how to handle your reflux issues.  Explain that you were on a PPI but stopped on the advice of your pharmacist.  Often OBs will have very specific information that even trumps pharmacists. 

Don't treat yourself in any way without getting help from your OB doc.  If you need to make an appointment to get the information across, be sure to do that. 

When you've been on a PPI for some time, you're almost sure to get some rebound acid when your stomach produces even more in reaction to having been suppressed for so long.  That is not a permanent condition, but can make your problems a lot worse for a time.  Remind your OB of this, and see what you can safely take. 

Again, congratulation! What happy news. 

Glad you've joined the forum!

Best wishes,

Denise

Posted 1/6/2012 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone for replying, first off I just want to let Bruce know that I do follow a very srtict diet, but in saying that I drink 1 coffee in the morning which is pretty good considering I used to drink 3 a day and pepsi all day, which I have stopped pepsi all together and now drink water all day long. I can not remember the last time before yesterday I had pizza as I know it is one of my "trigger foods" I have had gall bladder issues in the past and have since then had it removed so I know all about the "do's and don'ts" of what I can eat, I could write you a book! I have the tums and gaviscon because sometimes I feel like having an apple or orange and some days they give me grief some days they don't, and when they do gaviscon or tums seem to help for a moment. I don't eat hardly any tomatoe sauces as they do give me grief. I have tried everything out there there is to try for my reflux and Tecta was working, but I have found that I use a PPI for 6 months or more then they stop working so I am forced to try something else. I don't eat after 7pm and I have raised my bed 4 inches, I walk on a regular basis but its as though nothing works.

Again thanks for the congrats, we are very excited:)

Posted 1/6/2012 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear that you are actively managing things. BTW, 4" is not enough of an incline. If you raise it to 10-12 inches, you'll reduce your overall exposure, which might make your daytime reflux episodes a bit more "tolerable". If you have a Bed, Bath, & Beyond nearby, they sell a reflux foam wedge that will go from your head to your hips. It's about 7-8" at its highest, so that on top of the amount you've already raised the bed might be about right. You can raise it more by using some old towels or blankets underneath to build it up some, and make it so your pillow is at a comfortable angle. But that might be too much. Make sure that the wedge starts at your hips, though. Any higher and it might crease your torso at the wrong spot, making the reflux worse.

-Bruce
Posted 1/7/2012 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
Bruce, thanks for tips about the wedge from Bed, Bath and Beyond I am def going to see if I can find something like that. I have only inclined my bed 4" because my husband doesn't like it if it's any more and if it's any higher I find we are sliding off the end lol

Again thank you very much :)

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