Living With Acid Reflux (pain, smoking, doctor, prescription)

[soma5]

Are there any acid reflux sufferers out there? I have been taking Nexium for about two years. However, it doesn't seem to be working for me any longer. Has anyone had the same experience?

[Global Friend]

Hi, I dated someone that had acid reflux and the only thing that helped was he had to eat really small portions.

[ArkansasTraveler]

Originally Posted by Rapture

Hi, he had to eat really small portions.

Small portions of what? Potatoes Erin?

[Global Friend]

Originally Posted by ArkansasTraveler

Small portions of what? Potatoes Erin?

I don't get it?

He had to eat small portions of whatever he was eating.

[Racelady88]

I lived with Acid Reflux for years. For me, stress was the number one contributor, not food.

There are some things that you can do to help yourself. There is an enzyme in papaya that helps. It comes in a pill form, but I preferred the dried fruit. Caffiene is also something that does a number on your stomach. Make sure to avoid caffiene, and be sure to drink plenty of water. Try to avoid calcium based foods. Try not to eat within 2 hours of bedtime.

I used Pepcid AC. If you take 2 at a time that is prescription strength.

Eliminating the stress from my life has made the Acid Reflux completely go away.

[christina0001]

I had it for years. Took Prilosec for about 3 years (it was by rx only then), and then Nexium came out. I took Nexium for a little over 2 years, and then a GI told me to stop taking it, said it wasn't good to be on medication for so long at my age. The first 6 - 9 months were a little rough, but eventually I was fine, and I seldom get any major acid reflux now. I can't drink orange juice though. Also my experience was similar to evey's, I stopped smoking and drinking caffeine when I was on the Prilosec, and that helped, and stress reduction definitely helped.

[donsabi]

If you are having problems at night raise the head of your bed about 4". Don't eat or drink anything other than water two hours before bedtime.
As the others mentioned, caffeine, smoking, OJ are trouble but so are milk products and chocolate. If your problems don't resolve get and endoscopy, nothing to it, you are out for the procedure.
Don

[christina0001]

Oh yes, elevating your head when sleeping definitely helps! I still sleep w/ 2 pillows under my head. If I don't, I will wake up with a bit of burning in my chest sometimes.

[lookingfortheperfectplace]

I have had it for 7 or so years but have had only 3 times that I needed medication. I took presciption Prevacid and it worked everytime time. Mine was definetly stress related. I never get normal heartburn. I do eat fairly healthy though. After reading some of these post here, I guess it does bother me more than I realize. Like when I have a huge bowl of ice-cream a half hour before bed and then wake up in the middle of the night from having puke trying to go in my mouth. I guess that would be where the "having my head elevated" would come into play?

[mysweet7000]

I've been taking Nexium for chest pain (no burning or acid taste in my mouth) for about4 weeks. The doctor said it was reflux though no tests taken.
It sort of works though I still get the pain if I'm stressed (on disability because of stress!) and if I eat certain foods. I still get the pain a couple of times a day.
I wish the Nexium worked 100% it doesn't for me.
I'm losing weight as I'm overweight.
Plus, the bed head raising... don't do it, it may have made of my legs swell up and I had to go to hospital. Varicose veins seemed to not cope with the bed head raising. The doc said I have weak valves in my leg veins.
If I even think of anything stressful it hurts : ( so... I'm trying to be less stressed.
I'm following a heart-burn diet plus I sure don't bend over or lie down after eating.
I'm aged 52, 5'5" tall and weigh 83 kilos (lost 4 so far) 12 to go at least.
Any suggestions appreciated please.