Chronic Heartburn Seems to have vanished

[Brian_Wa]

I am a 33 year old male, who has suffered from heartburn for many years. About thgree years ago I had an endoscope which revealed a "small valve" and minor burning in my esophagus. The doctor noted there was no pre-cancerous conditions and diagnosed me with reflux, prescribing prilosec on an "as needed" basis.

I have been on Prilosec as needed for about two years, and recently I have noticed I don't need it very often, and that my heartburn is no where near what it used to be. Some days I can eat whatever I want and not have heartburn, which was never the case before.

Is it possible for people to be "cured" of heartburn or reflux? I have read that a lack of heartburn can signal cell changes such as Barrett's.

Should be having another endoscope to see if there is an underlying cause? I still get heartburn occasionally, but it isn't nearly as bad as it once was.

Thanks.

[MikeP]

Wow! I am so glad I found this group. I started having episodes of GERD about 5 months ago. My doctor put me on Losec, which helped tremendously expect for the morning "rush" to the bathroom and has very low side-effects. With it I can sleep and not worry about acid refulx. I am looking forward to trying DGL, if I can find it here in Canada. I also want to add to the group the importance of moderate exercise and twice daily stress-reducing techniques like meditation or self-hypnosis. Let's face it, stress is everywhere and it can hit hard. And for us, it's our stomachs. I have learned that a change in lifestyle is important and reducing stress WILL help. Even heal perhaps. Thanks.

[karie]

I tried DGL and wonder should I try again. No relief and did 2 weeks, Had to stop and have dental work done.
Carrott juice too strong I think.
Slippery elm: Can't have certain items with sugar and allergies are a factor.
Please offer some suggestions and let me know if you too suffer with weight loss due to unable to eat and pain above bellybutton. Hours of pain, Appreciate your time

[feelbetter]

I stopped prilosec at once, I did not realize that I should wean myself off of it. The side effect that I experienced at first was A LOT of acid backing up at night. I never even had that before where I could actually feel acid burning in my throat. After about 2 weeks that went away and my stools are also back to normal. I no longer have to go 3 or 4 times each morning. As I mentioned, I feel 100% better. The DGL is working so well and I too am thankful to our friend Concerned Lady because without her, I would still be paying $130. a month for prilosec and still suffering anyway. I wish everyone here much improvement. Thanks to all for sharing!

[Concerned lady]

Dear Giggy,

My husband and I use the Gastric Reflux tips EVERY DAY, and, as a result, we are "controlling" our reflux, so that we aren't having "episodes" of the reflux at night, and almost no episodes during the day.

It took us about a week to see good results, but...we don't have a hiatal hernia. I believe that most of the "tips" will help with hiatal hernias too.

Everyone is different. It may take you longer to see good results, AND/OR, you may have to do some other things to help your situation!

However, you should look in various holistic books at health food stores, and at bookstores, to see what they all recommend to help with a hiatal hernia! What does your holistic doc say to do?

Sincerely, Concerned lady

http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[giggy]

He says surgery. I am going to try everything that I can find in the meantime.  The surgery that I am looking at, if I do have surgery, is the BardEndoCinch.  It is pretty new but only takes about 30 minutes and done as an outpatient.  They take a pleat at the end of the esophagas near the stomach so the reflux doesn't come up into the esophagas. This is done by endoscope with a little sewing machine on it.

I have checked  the holistic books and they don't have very much on hiatal hernias.

I just went to a gastro doctor.  He is going to do PH test and mobility test and also another endoscope.  I will know more then.

Thanks you for answering.

[Concerned lady]

Ladies,

I give you ladies a lot of credit, for TRYING some NATURAL methods to combat your gastric reflux! :-)

I'm going to put (our) GASTRIC REFLUX TIPS here, too, to give you food for thought. Sorry for the lengthiness of this posting.

A special "GERD" pillow helps some, or, get someone else (not you!) to put blocks (6 to 8 inches thick) on the floor, under the head end of the bed.

While you are having rebound acid production from too rapid stopping of the acid blockers, you can temporarily "cheat" with TUMS, etc. However, keep up with the DGL, Slippery Elm (throat lozenges, tea, etc.), and organic carrot juice.

If your skin turns carrot colored (orange), cut back on the carrot juice, to prevent an overdose of "beta-carotene", too much of which can be toxic to a weak liver, even though the beta-carotene is water soluble.
********************************************************

Some GASTRIC REFLUX TIPS (without acid blockers):

GER=Gastro-Esophageal Reflux. (Gastro=stomach. Esophagus=food tube.)

LPR= Laryngeal-Pharyngeal Reflux. (Larynx=voice box, containing the 2 vocal cords. Pharynx=throat, above the larynx. The larynx is above the trachea/windpipe.)

Reflux=acidic or alkaline stomach material that backs up into the esophagus (food tube), causing any of these problems: VCD attacks, cough, voice problems, asthma, globus (feeling of lump in throat), constant need to clear throat, worsening of sinus condition, sore throat, pre-cancerous conditions of throat &/or esophagus, etc.

SOME GER/LPR CONTROL THINGS WE DO, that we learned from the excellent book: STOMACH AILMENTS AND DIGESTIVE DISTURBANCES, by Michael T. Murray, N.D. See page 9, References, in my website: http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com   and, also see GER/LPR info on page 5, and on LINKS page.

PLEASE READ THIS GREAT BOOK. It may possibly be bought on-line, from Michael T. Murray

[giggy]

How long did it take before you were completely over the reflux even at night?  I still have it at night. It is completely gone during the day.

I also have a hiatal hernia.  Are there any other natural treatments for an hiatal hernia other than those for reflux?

[giggy]

Seems like it was the next day that my legs & arms stopped burning (side effect of PPI) and diaherra stopped too.

I can't remember how long before the DGL started helping.  I think about a week or 2.  Burping and burning was extremely bad at first. My M.D. gave me Vit. A (liquid drops).  This helped heal and with the acid also.  It takes time to heal.  Be patient & hang in there. Aleo Vera is also very good.

I've had 2 endoscopy tests and scheduled for a 3rd.  There is nothing to them.  They will give you an IV and right before the doctor comes in, they put something in your IV.  I didn't remember swallowing the tube or anything. It only takes about 15-20 minutes.  When you wake up, you think you are awake but won't remember real good what the doctor tells you.  Then will go home and sleep for the rest of the day.  Nothing to it.

[needabreak]

I haven't taken any Prevacid for 4-5 days now...but, I'm having a little "resurgence" of the dry/painful eyes (side effect of the PPI) and stomach pain.  I was wondering if this is a matter of withdrawal from the drug or what?  I don't want to panic and start taking a PPI again as the side effects for me were getting unbearable.  I'm still using the DGL and occasional ProBiotics as well as some aloe juice, etc.   Feelbetter, do you recall what you felt like after you stopped taking your PPI?  Should I stick it out and hope that my system will settle down?  I imagine it takes awhile for the drug to be completely eliminated from your body.  Anyone know how long??  Last night I tried just taking a little Mylanta and after about an hour or so it(the pain) became less and I was able to get to sleep.  I accidentally ran into a gastro doc while at the hospital the other day and was asking him about the endoscopy test...he said there was really nothing to it and told me to take Gaviscon.  I read the label and there is aluminum in it, so didn't buy it.  He told me it wouldn't be enough to affect me adversely unless I already had kidney or liver problems.  
   Anyway, I'm getting long-winded...I just really need a bit of encouragement and your insight on what's going on with this.  Thanks again!   Thinking of you all........needabreak

[giggy]

Since my esophagas has healed some, I even indulged in chocolate without heartburn or reflux!!!!!

My hat goes off to Concerned Lady.  It was her post that got me on the right track.

The only time that I have reflux now, to my knowledge, is when I lay down.  I have a hiatal hernia.  Anyone have some alternative tips for hiatal hernias???

Am having another scope down my throat in a couple of months and a PH test & mobility test to see what's going on.  I am hoping that by then even the reflux at night will be gone.

[feelbetter]

I just want to "second" the DGL. I too have been off all other meds since the end of Feb. I have been 100% better! I still have some problems if I get too bold and eat a "no no" food but this time if I take a tums, it actually works! Before if I had an attack, nothing except time would give me any relief. I too hope that you get a good report! Take care.

[giggy]

The Prilosec may have healed your esophagus.

Concerned Lady on this forum posted alternative treatments for reflux.  I have also been going to an M.D. that uses vitamins in his treatment.  My reflux has improved greatly the last 2 weeks. My doctor said that it was due to all the irritation in my esophagas being healed.  What helped me more than anything, I think, was the DGL (deglycyrrhizinated Licorice Root Extract) and Slippery Elm Throat Lozenges that I got from the health food store. Prior to taking the above, everytime that I swallowed anything, I had burping and burning.

I stopped taking all the prescribed meds for reflux in Nov. because I was having so many bad side effects.

I would suggest that you get another scope to see for sure what is happening because I too have read that when heartburn stops that can be a bad sign.

Good luck to you.  Hope that you get a good report.  Isn't it wonderful to see improvement!!