Newly Diagnosed with Acid Reflux.

I was just recently diagnosed with Acid Reflux. I spent the last week going crazy, thinking I was having anything from a heart attack from the sever chest pains to an asthma attack from the lack of being able to breath. Ive been put on a few medications to help alleviate my pain and symptoms. The problem is that in four days I havent been able to eat more than a handful of food. Im starving but frightened of causing another episode. Yesterday I tried two bites at breakfast and spent the whole day regretting it.

Any suggestions??

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
What medications are you on?

[John987]

Yes, the proton pump inhibitors(PPI's) start working right away by reducing acid, but your esophagus has to heal.  It can take at least two weeks for the healing to start to have an effect.  Acid that comes up into the esophagus causes pain and inflammation that can feel like a lump along with heartburn and several other symptoms that make you feel awful when you eat.  If GERD or acid reflux is the diagnosis, you have to give the meds some time.  You might not feel somewhat normal for a month or more.  Try eating only low fat, small meals, nothing spicy or acidic, avoid chocolate, tea, and alcohol; and don't eat late at night. Apples help some people, even just a few slices throughout the day. A wedge type pillow that elevates your torso can also help.  Take your PPI at bedtime and give it a few weeks.  You should get better little by little.  Sometimes these PPI's have to be taken on an on-going basis to keep the esophagus healthy.  Your doc can advise.  If you are not a lot better in a few weeks, you'll need more tests to make sure you've been correctly diagnosed.  

[sunsitara]

I ,(but this is me) control gerd with diet.Green leaves (other than lettuce that can sometimes  be irritant- It is consider a cooling food. Not refreshing ,but cool) - I also eat a lot of red and green cabbage, brussel sprouts and  the rest of this family.Every day. And yellow , red and violet  veggies and fruits. (Just some fruit because they are high in sugars.)
Anyway , you can eat lettuce.It's healthy!. I am trying to say that there are other important greens also.Like Kale,mustard greens etc...
About four times  a week, a small bunch of walnuts, and in this bunch ,some almonds.No salt or sugar or roasted.For lunch.
Good lean protein and fish.And less and less flour and sugar.Both are irritant and acidic.
In my case, i drink 1/2 to 3/4 cup of young and fresh coconut water between 2:00 pm and 3:00pm.Empty stomach.It is alkaline and for me, has been a  medicine substitute.
The time is because early in the morning or later in the afternoon ,makes me a little thirsty.( i don't know why ,but i don't want to "mix" it with water)
Of course, keep  junk food and  processed food etc away.