OT but in dire need of ideas

[figuerpa]

I have been dealing with this horrilbe heart burn. I have tried over the counter meds and the only thing that helps is Tums but I have to eat them like candy in order to help. Dr is closed until Monday so I guess I am asking for any home remedies that may work until I can get in to see my PCP?

Thanks Paula

[twopack]

Hoping you chose ER over CVS.

How are you today Paula?

Mary

[HoustonDogLove]

You can also try these stomach-cooling juices for heartburn relief: papaya, mango, guava, pear. Or run a cabbage or raw potatoes through a juicer for a natural drink to soothe stomach burn.

Buttermilk is also an acid-reliever, but don't confuse it with regular milk, which can be an acid-maker, especially if you are bothered by lactose intolerance.
Soda crackers (preferably unsalted) are bland, they digest easily, and they absorb stomach acid as well. They also contain bicarbonate of soda and cream of tartar, which neutralize the acid. Tip: You know that package of soda crackers they always give you at the restaurant, that you leave on the table? From now on, take them with you. These come in handy when you're plagued by heartburn and can't seek immediate relief.
Cinnamon. This is a traditional remedy for acid relief. Brew a cup of cinnamon tea from a cinnamon stick. Or try a commercial brand, but check the label. Cinnamon tea often has black tea in it, which is a cause of heartburn, so make sure your commercial brand doesn't contain black tea. For another acid-busting treat, make cinnamon toast.

Ginger. A tea from this root can soothe that burning belly. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger root to 1 cup water; simmer for ten minutes. Drink as needed.
At the first sign of heartburn, try mixing 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1 cup warm water.

I stole all these from
http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/home-remedies/home-remedies-for-heartburn13.htm

I used the Apple cider vinegar with a table spoon of honey and a cup of warm water, I also sprinkled some cinnamon in it. Not my favorite flavor but a bit better than pepto sometimes.

You can try it before you head to urgent care, or before you get to the doctor. and run up a thousand  dollar bill at the hospital.  I'm not saying its a bad idea to go to the doctor or urgent care but I am much slower to jump to the hospital.

[RedFlame]

I agree with everyone,  you should have this looked at to rule out the heart issue.  It's just not worth it to take this lightly.

hang in there,   Red

[mokibear]

I may as well jump on the band wagon here and I say go to the hospital like the others. Rather be safe then sorry with something like this. It could be the effects from the solu medrol but the heart is something one shouldn't fool around with.

Moki

[figuerpa]

Yeah I was on IV solu medrol right before Christmas and now I am on oral solu medrol so that is why I think that is what it is but now you all got me worried, I never even thought of heart attack lol.

Not sure if I should wait and see or go to the ER lol.

Paula

[Willowwoman777]

Aha...steroids....since I've lost some weight and eat low fat, I hardly ever get heartburn...but I did have terrible heartburn while on the IV soluMedrol. I faithfully took my 150mg zantac morning and night and used pepto a couple of times a day if I needed it.

[figuerpa]

Thanks guys, I was just trying to hold off till Monday. My theory is that it has something to do with the steroids. Maybe I will go to the hospital to be on the safe side.

Willowwoman,

My gall bladder got removed 6 years ago so I am safe there.

Thanks everyone,
Paula

[Willowwoman777]

Definitely urgent care...if nothing else they usually have a concoction they can give you if it is truly bad indigestion. Believe me, they won't laugh at you or think less of you if it is just heartburn because it is such a painful thing to deal with. My pcp has me on zantac 150 for it and pepto. By the way - how's your gall bladder?

[Lulu54]

been there, done that with the tums and it turned out to be a heart attack (at the age of 54).  Mary is right, don't mess around with this.  

BTW my husband's cousin, age 50, thought it was indigestion too and even had her daughter buy her extra antacid stuff to take.  The daughter found her dead on the floor in her kitchen later that night.

Two examples of why you should not ignore this  - everyone wants to not be embarassed but in this case it is so much better to err on the side of caution.

You have tons of good hospitals down there - pick one and go.

L

[Sumanadevii]

I agree.  If normal over the counter stuff isn't working, there is a chance that it is the heart.  I wouldn't mess with it if it continues.  Please seek help....ER ER ER ER ER

[twopack]

Are  you absolutely sure it's heartburn?  

Could be heart.
That would need more than an antacid.

Could be esophageal spasms.  
That would need more than an antacid.

Could be an ulcer from recent steroids.  
That would need more than an antacid.

We can't tell what's wrong from here.
If the Tum's are helping that little,
you need more than an antacid.

I know it's not what you want to ear but
Urgent care has a chair with your name on it.

Mary

[COBOB]

Have you tried Gaviscon?  It is the best OTC for reflux that I know of.  You chew it up and it is like trying to swallow a marshmallow whole, but if seems to protect the lower esophagus.

Bob