doublesharp
Member
Take a shot of Bragg's Apple Cider vinegar when you get out of bed in the morning. I do and I haven't had heartburn since I started about 3 years ago.
Anybody deal with reflux??
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da gimp
Member
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?
depending on how long ago it was... the pills he were taking could have been steroids...
one of my brother in laws played offensive tackle for a major west coast university from 66 thru 69... when he snapped an ankle... another brother in law(same era) was a wrestler for a large mid-western school made All American honorable mention, for heavyweight his last year, played a lil college football too...they both were very tall, strong kids when they left for college...
both said they were given large doses of steroids every day, plus ate large meals at their "training table free.. every kid in their school's program did the same to the best of their knowledge... they knew their replacements were begging for a chance if they refused to "get with the program". They both gained large amounts of muscle (& height too I think)...Even now some "coaches" get their athletes to take them.
One had his first big stroke 4 years after college, he'd just finished his military hitch, & gotten hired by a large company two weeks before.
The company stuck by him & kept him on medical insurance & kept his job open...God bless them
The other brother in law developed a few health problems we' believe were linked to his steroid use, then came down with cancer. By the grace of our Lord, he is in remission.
I hope the kid at your school is not taking them....
I was at work in May 1997 when a perfect storm for GERD occurred. I hadn't eaten, I was guzzling coffee all day, and because of office renovations my desk was literally next to the copy machine and that just drove me up wall. All of a sudden I'm having chest pains. I ended up being carried out of the office on a stretcher and taken to the hospital. Luckily, I didn't have a heart attack, just acid reflux. I ended up getting the most doctoring I ever had in my life. I alternated between Previcid and Prilosec, because one of the gave me abdominal pains so bad I was doubling over. When I went back to work I refused to work at the desk next to the copy machine again. Luckily when I had the stomach scope there was no damage and eventually I got better and the problems went away. Retirement has totally alleviated the stress.
I had a camera stuck down my throat 10 years ago. Doc said my esophagus was very eroded due to stomach acid. And he said that if not treated esophagus cancer was high risk of occurrence. He put me on omeprazole and I have been on it since. I had my esophagus scoped again a year and then two years after starting on the meds. My esophagus was healed.
I presume I’m on this drug permanently. I take one in the morning and it lasts all day. I have not changed my diet, but I avoid food, coffee and alcohol within 2-3 hours of bedtime.
I presume I’m on this drug permanently. I take one in the morning and it lasts all day. I have not changed my diet, but I avoid food, coffee and alcohol within 2-3 hours of bedtime.
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Fishslayer
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
Thank God it wasn't cancer. I can tell you that throat cancer is no fun at all.
During my second round of chemo (platinum) I was told to start the once daily Omeprazole to prevent nausea. Not only did it do THAT, but my frequent heartburn and reflux went away completely.
Pretty sure it was the reflux that caused my throat cancer. 2+ packs a day for 40 years probably had nothing to do with it.
Might want to double check that Rx. My purple pills say once daily. They are supposedly not like Tums or whatever that act right away.
Generic purple pills from Costco or Walmart are a LOT cheaper than Prilosec, BTW.
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LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
I suffered from reflux (as it is now known, several other terms have been used to describe this condition over the years) for over 30 years. Basically, I lived on Tums and Rolaids for decades, while having to avoid several different types of food (citrus fruits, bananas, anything with chili powder, and others). Daily symptoms ranged from constant discomfort to violent nausea, with throat and nasal irritation and inflammation always present.
About 15 years ago I was prescribed Omeprazole 20mg capsules, which are now available as an over-the-counter generic. One capsule taken daily at dinner time has made reflux a thing of the past for me. I have shared this information with dozens of other people suffering similar problems, and all have received relief. Some take Omeprazole only when symptoms arise; others use it as a prophylaxis as I do.
Although it is available without prescription (cost about $20 for 30 days' supply at Walgreens), I would suggest discussing this with your physician prior to starting use, particularly if you are taking any other medications that might be affected by its use.
Hope this helps.
About 15 years ago I was prescribed Omeprazole 20mg capsules, which are now available as an over-the-counter generic. One capsule taken daily at dinner time has made reflux a thing of the past for me. I have shared this information with dozens of other people suffering similar problems, and all have received relief. Some take Omeprazole only when symptoms arise; others use it as a prophylaxis as I do.
Although it is available without prescription (cost about $20 for 30 days' supply at Walgreens), I would suggest discussing this with your physician prior to starting use, particularly if you are taking any other medications that might be affected by its use.
Hope this helps.
Holy Cow!
What an awful story.
And this is college ball. Well, everybody knows that pro or not it was and is still big money and perks. Might as well start a football team and build a university to support it.
No, this was way back in the early 70's. The protein pills he was getting was probably soybeans.
What an awful story.
And this is college ball.
Well, everybody knows that pro or not it was and is still big money and perks. Might as well start a football team and build a university to support it.No, this was way back in the early 70's. The protein pills he was getting was probably soybeans.
Wow, that sound's familiar......
I worked next to a mechanical room with huge compressors that were never maintained and whined like a jet engine. That and steam popoffs and a steam EJECTOR that ran most of the time and roared to beat the band. I ended up retiring early. I hated not working but I was glad to get outa there.
I worked next to a mechanical room with huge compressors that were never maintained and whined like a jet engine. That and steam popoffs and a steam EJECTOR that ran most of the time and roared to beat the band. I ended up retiring early. I hated not working but I was glad to get outa there.
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
Waking up in a start, after inhaling digestive acid into your lungs.
Trust me, it takes more than a few Tic Tacs to get that taste out of the your mouth.
I take a PPI, but sleeping on my back with my torso elevated is the only sure way to keep it at bay.
I’ve dealt w/this problem for years and have learned when I stay away from food & drink that set it off and I’m OK. Also, I worked out w/weights (no power lifting) for years and found the big belt made things worse so as I got older (71 now) swithced to lighter weight & higher reps.
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American1776
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Thank God it wasn't cancer. I can tell you that throat cancer is no fun at all.
During my second round of chemo (platinum) I was told to start the once daily Omeprazole to prevent nausea. Not only did it do THAT, but my frequent heartburn and reflux went away completely.
Pretty sure it was the reflux that caused my throat cancer. 2+ packs a day for 40 years probably had nothing to do with it.
Might want to double check that Rx. My purple pills say once daily. They are supposedly not like Tums or whatever that act right away.
Generic purple pills from Costco or Walmart are a LOT cheaper than Prilosec, BTW.
thanks. It sound like you are recovered. I wish you continued health.
And it burns....
And it burns, burns, burns your throat and even nasal passages if it goes up far enough. The taste is bad, but it takes a while for the pain to go away and I can't think about much else until then.
And it burns, burns, burns your throat and even nasal passages if it goes up far enough. The taste is bad, but it takes a while for the pain to go away and I can't think about much else until then.
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
Right. Because once you inhale acid down your trachea there's no way to neutralize it. It's not possible to "breath" an antacid into your lungs.
Wow...this was me quite a few years ago. Had to be scoped every year. Your esophagus really doesn't heal it self completely. Mine went south after a few years.. My doc told me of a new "treatment" they were trying.. It was called esophageal ablation. I was a kinda test patient for my docs about 4 years ago. Cellular changes into esohageal cancer. Had the ablation and since my esophagus has been clear. Oh... raise the head of the bed about 4 inches..stop smoking(and since I was a southern boy..stopped drinking sweet tea). Can't take Prilosec(allergic reaction) so take something else. I was in the early stages of esophageal cancer and consider myself very lucky., Got to go back for my yearly scope of the esophagus... Making the appointment Monday..
Alk8944
US Veteran
I still have relative minor episodes of acid reflux from time-to-time, but nothing like I used to 27 or so years ago. My story is different and apparently quite uncommon!
I used to have severe episodes nearly nightly, often two in a single night. These were as Kernel Crittenden describes. Regurgitate and aspirate stomach contents. Taste bad isn't the half f it as many of you well know!!!!
Well, it was about this same time I was diagnosed as a diabetic! I don't recall what caused me to be checked, but I was. The up-shot was that once my blood sugar levels were under control the acid reflux almost entirely went away. I still have some episodes that are related to diet, but much less severe than I used to have.
So, one more thing to consider, Diabetes! Acid reflux may be an uncommon symptom of diabetes, but it would be worthwhile to look into this if you are not already diabetic, or you are and your blood sugars are not well controlled.
I used to have severe episodes nearly nightly, often two in a single night. These were as Kernel Crittenden describes. Regurgitate and aspirate stomach contents. Taste bad isn't the half f it as many of you well know!!!!
Well, it was about this same time I was diagnosed as a diabetic! I don't recall what caused me to be checked, but I was. The up-shot was that once my blood sugar levels were under control the acid reflux almost entirely went away. I still have some episodes that are related to diet, but much less severe than I used to have.
So, one more thing to consider, Diabetes! Acid reflux may be an uncommon symptom of diabetes, but it would be worthwhile to look into this if you are not already diabetic, or you are and your blood sugars are not well controlled.
In 1990 I doubled over with pain and started throwing up blood. I drove myself to the Instacare and the Doc laid me on the table. I turned green and it started again. He said "you are going to the ER". I said "OK it's just down the street, I can drive there in 5 minutes". He told me their nice little ambulance was puling up and I would get better care that way than if I tried to check myself in.
I had a GI with an esophagal hole where my esophagus joins the stomach. I was cauterized and put on alternating drugs for about a year with exams every 2-3 months to monitor progress. When Omiprozale hit the market I was on 450 MG per day alternating back to something else every other month as no one was sure of the long term effects of taking it. My esophagus still had oozing in late 93 and there was a concern of it turning to Barrets [cancerous] so I opted for surgery. I had a Nissen Fundoplasty which put a twist in my stomach where my Hiatal valve should have been. I took Omniprozale for another year or so then stopped. I have had occasional reflux when eating late or really spicy foods late. If needed I take an antacid.
I would do the following.
1] Elevate your bed 2" minimum. When I stay in a motels I determine which way the slope is and remake the bed. Never have your head or throat lower than your stomach, level is not good if you can avoid that.
2] Keep a food and symptom diary. Record everything you eat and drink by the hour and when symptoms occur by the hour. For some it's tomatoes, for me it's cheese. Find your triggers and avoid them even if it's your favorite foods.
3] Eat nothing 2-3 hours before you go to bed. The exception being if you have reflux on an empty stomach have a cracker or a half piece of plain bread, no butter or anything else.
4] Stick to what works for you. I do much better with a heavy protein diet than a mixed one. I start every morning with two eggs and avoid carbs. Loosing weight is what the experts will tell you to do but I have been between 250-270 for the last 25 years and my reflux is now hardly an afterthought.
I had a GI with an esophagal hole where my esophagus joins the stomach. I was cauterized and put on alternating drugs for about a year with exams every 2-3 months to monitor progress. When Omiprozale hit the market I was on 450 MG per day alternating back to something else every other month as no one was sure of the long term effects of taking it. My esophagus still had oozing in late 93 and there was a concern of it turning to Barrets [cancerous] so I opted for surgery. I had a Nissen Fundoplasty which put a twist in my stomach where my Hiatal valve should have been. I took Omniprozale for another year or so then stopped. I have had occasional reflux when eating late or really spicy foods late. If needed I take an antacid.
I would do the following.
1] Elevate your bed 2" minimum. When I stay in a motels I determine which way the slope is and remake the bed. Never have your head or throat lower than your stomach, level is not good if you can avoid that.
2] Keep a food and symptom diary. Record everything you eat and drink by the hour and when symptoms occur by the hour. For some it's tomatoes, for me it's cheese. Find your triggers and avoid them even if it's your favorite foods.
3] Eat nothing 2-3 hours before you go to bed. The exception being if you have reflux on an empty stomach have a cracker or a half piece of plain bread, no butter or anything else.
4] Stick to what works for you. I do much better with a heavy protein diet than a mixed one. I start every morning with two eggs and avoid carbs. Loosing weight is what the experts will tell you to do but I have been between 250-270 for the last 25 years and my reflux is now hardly an afterthought.
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I've dealt with it since the late 1960s. A couple of time I thought I was having a heart attack, luckily not so. The serious/scary times have been when I aspirated stomach acid into my lungs. It has happened twice. I now manage the situation pretty well. I never eat later than 6pm and I limit the size of my evening meal. A great aid is a mattress where you can raise your upper body while sleeping, never lay flat. I found a thing called a 'bed wedge'. It is a simple insert that raises your upper body. That and a steady diet of omeprazole (Prilosec), two a day. Luckily I get mine through the VA. Reflux is nothing to fool with but it can be managed with a few life style changes.
Interesting thread, as a GERD patient. One thing not mentioned is that GERD causes severe damage to your teeth, the acid attacks the Enamel and leaves the teeth open to decay. If you suffer GERD regular Dentist visits are essential, it was actually my Dentist that suggested I ask my MD for Protonics.
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ontheroad20
Member
Go to a health food store and get on some Prebiotics and Probiotics. Also there is a powder made by "Garden of life" that's called Raw Meal chocolate or vanilla flavored. I had all the symtems mentioned above. I let the body fix it's self not the drugs the Drs give you.
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American1776
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Thanks. I take a large spectrum probiotic daily; for years. Lots of Greek yogurt too
