Anybody deal with reflux??

[American1776]

A few weeks back I posted about my health scare. I believed that I had throat cancer (sore throat for months, enlarged tonsil, prominent red lump on the back of my throat).

I was examined by an ENT specialist (who specializes in head and neck cancers). His diagnosis was *Reflux* was likely causing my issues. He told me that there was no suggestion of cancer, and the red bump was an area of lymphoid tissue that was inflamed. He prescribed Omeprazole before breakfast and dinner. I must modify my diet as well.

Now, my question: Has anybody had to deal with reflux? What were your symptoms? I've had a mild cough, I constantly clear my throat, I have a sore throat, mild tongue pain, post nasal drip, and my ears sometimes hurt and feel 'full' with the need to pop them.

Also: what has helped you to alleviate your reflux? I'm a powerlifter, been doing it for years. I'm learning that my habits are the worst for reflux (I drank huge protein shakes right before bed, I'd drink protein and eat, then use a tight lifting belt and deadlift huge weights right after eating). I also drank a ton of coffee. I've since cut back on the coffee (just in the morning, and perhaps a little in the afternoon). I've cut out eating before bed. I've tried to cut back on acidic drinks and foods.

Any tips or experience with symptoms? (In the back of my mind I still worry that I have undiagnosed cancer in the throat).

Thanks.

 

[sheepdawg]

The omeprazole, (Prilosec) works for me, I've taken it since before it went over the counter. One thing I have noticed is the brand name stuff is better than the generic. No other changes in my eating habits, two cups of coffee in the morning, can still eat spicy foods. Never have ate before bed.

 

[kraynky]

My symptoms were much more mild. I just had heartburn a lot, anything the least bit carbonated or acidic (think pizza sauce) would have me reaching for the Rolaids. I had them in all of my jacket pockets, car door, glove box, desk drawer or anywhere I might suddenly get heartburn.

Back then I just dealt with it, about 10 years ago or so I'd had enough and told my doctor. I take a 40 milligram omeprazole every morning and I'm good to go. Sometimes I forget to take it and I'm good well into the next day. But by day two without it, Tums for the tummy. I still keep a roll or two stashed away, but they are seldom needed.

Did the doctor mention sleeping with your head elevated? That seemed to help me from time to time. Coffee and soft drinks don't bother me anymore. Hope it works for you.

 

[arjay]

Not eating after 6 pm,no booze or coffee in the evening has helped some

 

[Watchdog]

First reflux "attack" I had was way back in the early eighties...thought I was having a heart attack. Ended up at the ER. My doctor showed up, and correctly diagnosed acid reflux.

None of my symptoms were remotely similar to yours, though.

Doctor told me to stop eating soon before bed. Told me to give up all types of dark cola drinks...Coke, Pepsi, etc. Also told me to lighten up on spicy food...I ate a lot of Mexican and Italian stuff back then. I actually gave up all types of soft drinks over six years ago. Don't miss 'em at all. And I don't knowingly ingest caffeine in any form.

I, too, take Omeprazole...in 20mg doses, once a day...but actually only take it now on an as-needed basis. With my health plan, it's actually cheaper in the Rx form than in the OTC stuff. Thirty capsules cost me $1.40 per Rx.

I think you should change the way you take your protein supplement. I do my protein shakes anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour before working out, or in the same time frame after a workout. And I don't guzzle it all down at once, either. A 12-ounce protein shake with maybe a banana and some fruit added in feels like it just lays in your stomach, you know? And if you're adding in some CLA and amino stuff, it's even heavier on your stomach. You don't want that stuff laying in your stomach while you're sleeping.

Acid reflux can damage your esophagus over time if not kept under control. Just stop eating/drinking before bed. If that little "trapdoor" to your stomach opens up when you're laying down, it's most unpleasant.

Good luck with your eating/lifestyle changes and treatment.

 

[American1776]

thanks for all the quick replies.

Watchdog: thanks for the advice on the workout supplement plan. I would always drink the stuff as fast as I could. Not good I suppose.

I think I'm going to try to find a foam support for sleeping.

 

[halvenut]

I've dealt with this problem for years. I take Omerprazole twice daily and watch my diet. Any thing that has an acidity to it causes problems. Have to watch night time snacks. Some times drinking milk or having yogurt helps. Otherwise it tums and antacids. It does seem to cause irritation in my throat. The worst problem that I had was an Esophageal spasm which was quite painful.

 

[JSR III]

I get acid reflux when I drink too many Angry Orchards. I also think that eating before bed is not a good idea. If not just for the weight gain side effect, having a gut full while prone can cause the content to fill the esophagus and potentially end in the throat or mouth. The stomach acids can actually burn the throat in extreme cases and cause serious damage.

I have had this happen on a few occasions, usually after drinking more than I should, and then lying down.

I would cut back on the coffee and limit it to morning and as Cheryl Tiegs recommended, eat nothing after 7 at night.

 

[dben002]

Agreement with those here who advise no food late night before going to bed....Eat and give yourself 2 hours to digest intake before laying down....For me cheese and cheese product snacks caused the most problems. I don't eat anything after 7:00pm and generally go to bed around 10:30 or 11:00.

Sleeping upright (recliner) also helps to some degree......

 

[Watchdog]

Watchdog: thanks for the advice on the workout supplement plan. I would always drink the stuff as fast as I could. Not good I suppose.

Let me say this about that. There used to be (and may still be) a school of thought about protein and other supplements in relation to weight and strength training. Basically, it was like if you do these supplements, do your workout ASAP because the working of the muscles will draw that protein into your system super fast. Well, that's B.S. If you're power lifting, you're probably taking mega doses of protein, aren't you? You may even be doing some creatine monohydrate for that extra little energy boost and to help your muscles retain water and stay hydrated (and look bigger). So seriously, give the stuff time to naturally get into your system before training sessions.

Here's something that's funny to me now. Long time ago, before all the really serious supplement rage hit, we'd eat protein pills between each set. Do a set of this or that, then chomp up four or five protein pills. It was like eating chalk, but we just knew we were accomplishing something...we were gonna get bigger. The girls were gonna love us, right? So we'd do another set and eat more pills. We were convinced, aka brainwashed, into believing that stuff was going straight to our biceps or lats or traps or whatever, you know? But it was really just the guy running the gym doing his sale pitch on us.

As I said earlier, acid reflux is extremely unpleasant. You think you're just going to burp maybe, but instead this stomach acid comes back up into your throat. A nasty feeling, just nasty.

 

[rwsmith]

Comes and goes.....

I've had 'bouts' of it but not long lasting, thank goodness. I have enough problems, knock on wood.

Does the doctor think you may have a hiatal hernia? If so, that can be fixed surgically. You should keep tabs on it.

In 1965 my Grandfather died due to esophageal erosion. Heavy drinking was mentioned as a probable cause, but I never heard anything official.

My Dad died of kidney cancer a year ago. They did say that he also had very bad erosion in his esophagus and he hadn't had anything but some beer and wine for many years, so the drinking thing may have been balony or a guess with nothing to back it up.

Either way, keep tabs on it. I'm going to keep tabs on mine. In the meantime I hope your get some relief.

 

[RobertJ.]

I deal with it. I'll wake up in the middle of the night choking, depending on what I've eaten. Not always, but sometimes.

Fred Meyer stores here in the PNW (Kroger) have in the vitamin section an enzyme made from pineapple and papaya. Years ago I started eating a couple before bed, and it works as good as Prilosec.

 

[pharmer]

Those taking PPI's (Proton Pump Inhibitors), you need to ask the doc about taking them "forever." I sold Protonix (pantoprazole) for years and if'n you take them "chronically", the cells in the stomach that the acid kills in a never ending symbiosis start growing up into the esophagus. That ain't good. A month on, a month off. Can't believe I said that out loud, my old District Manager would have lost his shoe in my ### for that. Joe

 

[MygunisaS&Wrevolver]

I have had Acid Reflux for the last 20 years. It's an "old cop disease" (eating fast while on breaks between calls) also a Hyatle Hernia can cause it.
I take two Prilosec tablets daily and don't have any problems. If I miss just one dose of the Prilosec, I definately notice the acid coming back. My Dr. told me that I would be on Prilosec for the rest of my life otherwise I would face esophageal cancer. I think these meds can cause other problems such as joint problems.

 

[American1776]

Let me say this about that. There used to be (and may still be) a school of thought about protein and other supplements in relation to weight and strength training. Basically, it was like if you do these supplements, do your workout ASAP because the working of the muscles will draw that protein into your system super fast. Well, that's B.S. If you're power lifting, you're probably taking mega doses of protein, aren't you? You may even be doing some creatine monohydrate for that extra little energy boost and to help your muscles retain water and stay hydrated (and look bigger). So seriously, give the stuff time to naturally get into your system before training sessions.

Here's something that's funny to me now. Long time ago, before all the really serious supplement rage hit, we'd eat protein pills between each set. Do a set of this or that, then chomp up four or five protein pills. It was like eating chalk, but we just knew we were accomplishing something...we were gonna get bigger. The girls were gonna love us, right? So we'd do another set and eat more pills. We were convinced, aka brainwashed, into believing that stuff was going straight to our biceps or lats or traps or whatever, you know? But it was really just the guy running the gym doing his sale pitch on us.

As I said earlier, acid reflux is extremely unpleasant. You think you're just going to burp maybe, but instead this stomach acid comes back up into your throat. A nasty feeling, just nasty.

You’ve obviously been in the iron game for a long time. I remember my dad telling me that when he met John Grimek at York Barbell, he offered him all these protein pills that were described as chalk.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[chief38]

Pepsid Complete works great! Stay away from Red Sauces.

 

[ExRanger714]

How I cured MY ulcer.

I was writing a guy that turned out to be a salesman for Glaxo Pharma a speeding ticket and just about doubled over from the pain.

He asked if I had an ulcer and, when I told him yes, he told me to eat as many green chili peppers as I could stand. I was of course incredulous. But he reminded me of basic chemistry and we agreed the best thing to neutralize acid was alkali and he said that green chilis were a great source of alkali.

I asked how much and how often and he said as much and as often as you could stand. I thought he was messing with me but, upon reflection and willing to try anything, I started eating canned green chilis: with eggs in the am, on sandwiches, at supper with anything, and on soda crackers between meals.

30-40 days later no pain and no problem since and that was in 1991.

I now wish I'd torn up that ticket.

Regards JD

 

[da gimp]

not sure what caused my ulcers/GIRD... I only took 3000mg naproxen daily instead of my prescribed pain meds, smoked 3-4 packs a day, chewed tobacco & dips of Kodiak/Skoal. minimum of 2 qts a day stiff black coffee, then iced tea after that about ten oclock AM. Now I drink zero tea, maybe a qt of black coffee, then water after that, no cigs or chew/dip since Apr of 2013 when I had the rest of my R lung taken out.

The Almighty created a wonderfully self renewing body for us... if we don't insist on destroying it like I did. The Rx strength purple capsule meds for ulcer/GIRD is still the best if your insurance will let you have it... Mine won't let me have 3 months of it to cure mine... but they've happily paid for daily prescription Omeprazole since Apr of 2013....go figure.... I still keep Tums beside my chair & a small roll in my jeans pocket to keep with me.

 

[URIT]

My wife was diagnosed with GERD over ten years ago. She did a lot of online research following her diagnosis which helped her feel more in control and less apprehensive about GERD.

She has changed her diet, lost weight (many midsection inches), and switched her main meal from evening to afternoon. Now, we have dinner in the early afternoon and a small supper before 7 PM. This management strategy has worked well for her and she rarely uses OTC meds.

 

[rwsmith]

Not exactly on topic but.....

You’ve obviously been in the iron game for a long time. I remember my dad telling me that when he met John Grimek at York Barbell, he offered him all these protein pills that were described as chalk.

Thanks for the advice.

Our gym coach taught health class and said that supplements were no good and stay away from them.
Later in a football game rally he said that one of his boys was taking protein pills and really building up muscle.

I wasn't very sophisticated in those days, but does 'hypocritical' seem like the right word to describe this?