Heartburn with water?

Does anyone out there get heartburn just by drinking water?  I noticed that if I drink water (especially on an empty stomach) I get bad heartburn, even though I have been on 20mg of Aciphex for over two weeks.  I have been trying to only drink water now after I have had a meal or snack, and it has helped.  But I find that I am still thirsty but afraid to drink water for fear of bad heartburn?  Is there anything else those of us with GERD/Acif Reflux can drink?  Thanks.

Thanks, CathyA; I have noticed today that I am not having as much heartburn since I have been trying to wait to drink water until AFTER I eat; I am afraid to drink it on an empty stomach. This is awful and I feel so helpless! I don't remember what "normal" feels like anymore! I feel thirsty because I am not drinking as much as I should out of fear!

Hi again Julie,
It hasn't bothered me too much in awhile, but I can remember thinking that it was my water. We're on a well, and it's very alkaline water. Anyhow.....I tried adding some lemon juice to it a few times, and it seemed to helped. ...which was surprising, considering how lemon can cause me problems. Also, I think I remember having better luck with decaf iced tea, than just plain water. Maybe you could try that. For me, it doesn't help to drink something with sugar, because sugar seems to worsen it.
Maybe when you drink water, you should be careful not to lean over or lay down. In fact, for me, since I'm overweight, sometimes, just drinking and then sitting pushes my stomach too much, and can make it happen.
Do you think your water could be changed a little to make it less a problem? Are you on a well, or city water? I wouldn't want you taking something like Rolaids very often, but could you have a rolaid first, then try drinking? I know what you mean though. Water is so good for us.......but it can make us feel so bad! Let us know if anything works for you.

water? was it tap water? It sounds to be like a bacteria problem. try this go to the grocery store and get some Aquafina water made my pepsi. This water is filter by a few processes. The main ones are reverse osmosis and the other is Ionized water process. the 2nd of the two is better and it's something around $800. Just try Aquaina for a few days and I bet it will help but it's cheaper to get at least reverse osmosis water machine.

If you want to go beyond that you should try cultured yogurt. this add friendly bacteria to your colon so it fights off the bad bacteria. You can buy started culture at the health food store.

Now if you want to go even further go on the no grain diet which is no wheat products, no soy, no corn. Allowed on the diet is vegetables and some fruits (not too sweet though). You can make almonds if soaked overnight. bascically no processed foods. If there is any pain fish oil and coconut oil is very good which you can get at the health food store.

Good luck!

Hi Everyone!

I saw this thread and wanted to jump into this one...I drink basically nothing but water as well and have no problem with it re my GERD troubles, but as we all know each of us is different with our reactions to things.

What caught my attention was in re to what type of bottled water to drink...I know that not all bottled water is the same, but here's a site you might like to read...Hugs, Teri 

"Some bottled water also comes from municipal sources--in other words--the tap. Municipal water is usually treated before it is bottled."

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2002/402_h2o.html

HI julie,

Had to reply to your thread. I have had trouble with reflux from water off and on now for years. There is no pattern that I could find. It causes some of the worse reflux I have, aside from what coffee does lol. I get it whether I have eaten or not. No matter what type of bottled water or well water. Lately however (past few weeks) it's been at its worse with no end in site. I was diagnosed with hiatal hernia a few months ago, I don't know if there is a link to that or not. I finally broke down and made a doc appointment today. Will be seeing him tomorrow. I have been having persistent continual heartburn for quite some time and the last prescription I got didnt work as well, so going back for yet another one. I'll ask him what he thinks about  the water thing and come back with the info okay.

Hi Dmomhere:

I just had my tests done on Tuesday (endoscopy) and was also diagnosed as having a hiatal hernia (along with gastritis); Have you had an endoscopy done or how was your hiatal hernia diagnosed? What are the xrays for? I have not asked my dr. about the water and I'm at the point where if water gives me heartburn I should just go ahead and eat the spicy stuff! I ate oatmeal this morning and that gave me heartburn. I know Dr. Norm on this site suggest to eat a restricted carb diet. Have you tried that?

HI Julie,

I missed your reply somehow...sorry. I had an endoscopy about 3 and a half years ago...but somehow, my specialist neglected to tell me about the hiatal hernia. My GP just told a few months ago when I complained about the constant heartburn and how it's only getting worse. The xrays are to see if I have any ulcers in my...ummm, esophagus??? I can't remember exactly and my husband wasn't with me LOL (my husband usually followes me to doc visits as I am so forgetful thanks to fibro). Anyhow, I have "restricted" just about everything at one point or another over the past few years. I haven't really seen any diff. When the GERD decides to show its ugly self, there isnt much I can do. The hiatal hernia seems to affect people in so many diff ways. From what I hear, Im one of the lucky ones. I found relief through meds (Pariet in my case). My mom in law also found relief through meds, but a diff med for her. So maybe you can switch your meds if you are still suffering a lot. I guess the burn and pain can get so bad and constant some sufferers actually opt for the surgery - which from my understanding is a last resort. I actually tried to find some info on the water causing heartburn via internet and it directed me to this thread LOL. That makes US the most knowledgeable on the subject.   All the other sites say that drinking water actually helps heartburn. Do you know much about hiatal hernia? Here is a fairly good link. It's a start anyhow. And I certainly will ask my doc about the water. I am very curious now.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001137.htm

I wish you success in controling that heartburn...it is possible, trust me. BUT you need to be persistent with the docs. Maybe you can ask for some GERD med samples, so it wont cost you a fortune trying out meds until you find the right one for you. Remember, look at the side effects too. I found a week was a good tryout time for me - kept the TUMS close by. If a med is going to work, you should feel the diff within a day or two. Remember, reflux can cause permanent damage to your esophagus so you do need to get it under control. Keep in touch, let us know how you make out...what works and what doesnt okay. I will do the same.

Finally, as to my "quote"...I borrowed it from a client on ebay who sent me an email. I felt it fit me quite well LOL.

Big hugs going your way sweetie.

I think hyetal hernia plays a much larger role than doctors care to admit or, people realize. Basically it is a bulge from within which forces the stomach contents up towards the upper section of the stomach and beyoud...up the canal which goes up to one's troat. I really believe that the majority of the Gerd problems are due to this hernia, which forces the gastric acids up against areas which are not as acid resistant as the bottom of the stomach and, this causes damage, burning, strictures, damages the check valve thus enabling the gastric juices to reach one's throat. The solution is very simple, have the doctor check you out for the bacteria called pyllory and if you have it, take the prescribed antibiotics, lose weight to relive some of the hernial pressure against stomach, avoid at all cost coffee, chocolater, mints, catchup, also make sure you have your last meal at least 4 hours before going to bed and, eat small meals. Very simple.

dmomhere said...

HI julie,

Had to reply to your thread. I have had trouble with reflux from water off and on now for years. There is no pattern that I could find. It causes some of the worse reflux I have, aside from what coffee does lol. I get it whether I have eaten or not. No matter what type of bottled water or well water. Lately however (past few weeks) it's been at its worse with no end in site. I was diagnosed with hiatal hernia a few months ago, I don't know if there is a link to that or not. I finally broke down and made a doc appointment today. Will be seeing him tomorrow. I have been having persistent continual heartburn for quite some time and the last prescription I got didnt work as well, so going back for yet another one. I'll ask him what he thinks about  the water thing and come back with the info okay.

HI Dee,

 

Hi Dee,

What did your Doctor find? Did he offer you surgery?

Regards

Harper

I know that the water gives me heartburn especially when my stomach is empty; I think it stirs up the gastric juices in your stomach and brings them back up into the esophagus causing the heartburn; I don't feel it as much when I have something in my stomach.

Juliemon is right. Drinking water will cause problems in some people with Acid Reflux but, not all people. It will only cause discomfort in people who have the upper side of the stomach already irritated by gastric acids. Normally, with an empty stomach, the acids stay at the bottom where the stomach is much more resistant to the gastric acids. However, if one drinks water, the raising level of the water in the stomach also raises the acids which then come in contact with the irritated upper side of the stomach and thus start causing discomfort. The water dilution does not really do anything to weaken the acids already at the bottom of the stomach because. In reality, it takes very large quantities of water to significantly weaken the acid, we are talking about gallons of water. If you notice that drinking water irritates your stomach, try drinking the water with some acid neutralizer, such as a quarter of a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of luke-warm water. However, if you have high blood pressure, consult with your doctor before using baking soda.

Hi, I have been reading all of your posts and I am glad to find that I am not crazy or the only one who suffers with this problem. I have tried all kinds of water products like FUZE which is just flavored water. I tried putting sugar free prod. like crystal lite in my water and nothing works.

I have found one thing...I can drink Perrier or any type of seltzer water. As a matter of fact I have found that if I do get heart burn from water, if I drink some seltzer water it takes it away in just two sips.

Needless to say I am at BJ's wholsale every 2 weeks buying perrier by the case. LOL

Hope this suggestion helps!