New to the forum

Hello Everyone,

I have been reading these boards for a month now and decided to join. I have had Acid Reflux for about 7 years now. I was given a PPI when I went to my primary doctor for stomach pain instead of drastically changing my diet (I did make changes but just not enough because I was not educated about the condition enough) and making some lifestyle changes. I am 29 now and about to get married. I decided to get off my PPI last month because it seemed like my PPI was no longer effective. I did some research and was horrified about the side effects of PPIs. In the last month I have done hours of reading on natural suppliments and diet changes. I tried to go off my PPI cold turkey (I know, that was stupid) and obviously it did not go well. I cut my dose in half and plan to take the half does for another month to get through my wedding. After that I plan to go down to a fourth. I have found some natural remedies that seem to help (Manuka Honey, chewing gum, aloe vera juice, digestive enzymes, chamomille tea, acidopholis) and I am reasearching some more. If you are able to toelrate water, drink a lot of it. Just had an endoscopy and they found non erosive esophagitus from the acid reflux. I get a sensation that a lump is in my thorat sometimes and it drives me nuts. I am determined to get this condition under control without medication, but I realize this will take a while. It has really hurt my social life and my friends and family really do not understand the complexities of the condition. I am glad this forum exists. You all understand.

Hi Ericapeace,

Welcome!  I really do agree with Alcie.  Some can control their reflux with natural remedies, but if you've already had esophagitis and the lump feeling in your throat, I'm not sure it's wise to go PPI-less. 

Like Alcie, I started PPIs long, long ago, and have had no real problems with them.  I wish you luck with your quest, but I would caution you to continue to consult with a doctor regarding your reflux.  You can have lots of reflux and not even be aware of it...often you only feel a fraction of the reflux episodes you're having.

I hope your plan works out for you, but if you end up on PPIs don't worry about it.  Some of us just can't manage without them...

Very best wishes,

Denise

Thanks for the response. My esophogitis is mild, that is what my GI docter reported and I have no ulcers, strictures or anything wrong in my stomache. I also told him of my plan to ween off medication and he was not against it if it works for me.  The reason I want to get off the PPI is that I experience abdominal pain as a side effect and I have read that people really should not be on them as long as they are. I also feel like I was not anywhere near as bad before gttting on the PPI. Other people have said that too. I did cut out a lot and stopped smoking when I got diagnosed but I don't think I did enough.   I am going to try the natural way and if it does not work for me, then I will have to stay on the PPI. But I owe it to myself to try and I have heard of people who are able to manage the condition without a PPI. As I said I will most likely be weening off slowly over time. I think my diet has been a huge help (chicken, turkey, vegetables, almonds, non acidic fruits, ALOT of water-basically the alkaline diet). I still need to go for the PH testing. I should have done that years ago but I just wanted to take a pill and move on when I was in my early 20s. Now that I am almost 30 and thinking about starting a family, I have been more proactive in managing this condition.  I think I will know more after I do the PH test, but I have to wait on that because I am getting married in a few weeks.

It has been hard to look forward to the wedding at times because my first thoughts are: what am I going to be able to eat on the honeymoon, can I enjoy a few beers at the wedding and my bachlorette party?. It is really sad that I have to stress out about this issue before my wedding. People without this condition really do not know how lucky they are. I guess you can say that about other conditions too. Right now on half the dose of my medication and the diet/natural remedies I can function at work and in my private practice with mild symptoms. (I am a therapist). I am really trying to control my stress and I have not had any alcohol in over a month and a half (I had cut down on that significantly prior to the issues). Everyday I wake up and hope that I can be normal again.

lump in throat can be whenever. It is not specific to when I eat. I may get some hoarseness when I have been talking a lot but it is not my primary symptom. Chew non mint gum, that usually helps if you get when you are not eating.