acid reflux

[Italiana425]

Last year I was suffering from acid reflux which was causing my voice box to be irritated, so the doctor put me on different medicine to help with the problem.  After trying different ones I decided to called it quit, but when I got off taking the md...it seemed to get worse then before.  The Medicine gave me lot of gas and after start reading about the side effects I stopped taking them.  I cut back on my coffee, and alcool, but it didn't help.  Now I have this pain in the left lower side under my rib cage...it's like a hurt burning sensation, and it drives me crazy because it cames and goes.  I red about the ACV Braggs and started taking it three times a day, it seem to help for a little while but I'm not sure that's the answer to my problem.  I am so tired of it.  Also I have a funny taste in my mouth...like very dry all the time.  What do you think it might be.  My bouls  are fine.

[Italiana425]

Stress is also a major cause of ulcers and acid reflux.  I have paid attention lately that when I am not aware of my condition the symptoms are not as bad.  Could that be my imagination?

[Italiana425]

Thanks for your advice Flycaster305 and Ashlara,  My symptoms came and go.  For example the pain that I had yesterday is gone today.  The taste in my mouth it flectuate from day to day depending on what I eat.  I have tried all those drugs you mentioned for the Acid and none of them really worked for me.  I was on prevecid for months and finally got off of it and the acids became worse then before.  My voice gets worse at times...but it seems to be getting better if I keep my reflux under control.  I hope you're getting along better with your condition is under control too. The list of food I am not allow to eat are soooo many that I don't know what to eat anymore.  Can you recommend anything....I love to eat fruits.  I heard Blueberries are ok to eat, they don't contain acid like grapes.   God bless you.

[ashlara]

I'm an RN who is currently suffering from reflux laryngitis and have had reflux for years.
The burning sensation you're describing could be an ulcer, which needs to be checked out ASAP. You need to stop all caffeine and alcohol as this stimulates acid production. Your reflux doesn't go away...the valve between your esophagus (food pipe) and stomach is weak, so acid splashes up into your esophagus. The solution is to get it under control and follow diet advice for reflux.
My current problem started over a month ago- I had NO symptoms and was taking Prevecid twice a day plus Zantac at night. It's called 'silent reflux' and about 2 weeks after I lost my voice it was obvious the meds weren't working. I failed Protonix (bad muscle pain) now I'm on Nexium. I may be failing that too. Don't ever ignore stomach pain! Get it checked soon! If you do have an ulcer, it can bleed. I don't want to scare you, but stomach bleeding can be fatal.

[Flycaster305]

What medicines did your doctor prescribe?   Are you sure it was the medicine that was causing the gas?  
My vocal cords were first irritated, then literally distroyed by acid reflux, and the enamel of my teeth eroded as well.  This came on very quickly.  I also was diagnosed with Barrett's Esophagus, which is a pre-cancerous condition, and eight months ago had stomach surgery to fix the problem.  I'd take the diagnosis very seriously.
I'm also a heart patient and have to take a lot of drugs for that condition.  Frankly, the chance of even mild side effects of most prescribed drugs for acid reflux are very, very low, and the benefit of them in my opinion strongly trumps the dangers.  I'm taking far more reactive drugs for my heart condition.  If you look up these drugs you will read horror stories from users.  Keep in mind, only the very motivated talk about drug reactions, and you are reading the exceptions, not the rules.
I'd talk to your doctor again, and trust the doctor more than the internet!
I'm betting the funny taste in your mouth is acid.  In addition to talking to your doctor and taking the prescribed drugs, I'd raise the head of your bed about six inches with blocks or books or whatever, don't eat after your evening meal or four hours before bedtime, be cautious about highly acidic foods like tomatoes, peppers, onions, etc.  
I frankly mirrored your behaviour and the consequences were dire, and expensive.  For example, I just had to have my teeth capped, they were turning black because of lack of enamel because of corrosive nature of stomach acid.  Kim Carnes, Janis Joplin and I have the same talking voice and my condition became bad in a New York Minute.  
Keep us informed and best wishes.