Confused about medical vs natural approach

[desert turtle]

I have been having trouble with my stomach off and on for over a year.  I went to my doctor and he said it sounded like I had to much acid in my stomach.  (after feeling around and having me go for an ultra sound test)
He prescribed the over the counter medication prilosec and now he has me taking Nexium.  I went to
Sprouts a local grocery store that has a natural vitamin and supplement section and asked the store employee
for that section what she would recommend and she said aloe Vera and apple cider vinegar because my problem is not too much acid like my doctor said but not enough acid.  She said rarely does someone have too much.  The problem is caused by too little.  So now I'm confused.  I would love to follow the natural approach but when I
have anything with vinegar in it my stomach is upset for days.  I can't believe the polarity of these beliefs.  I just want to get well and if medicine can assist me for a while I am fine with that and will taper off to the natural approach.

[selmaS]

Hi,

It will take time to feel better and watching what u eat will help.....I had water make me ill when I had a bad flare.

In the Health Pages with the list of foods to avoid.....it suggests u keep a journal...since everyone is different the foods that r listed as safe may not be for u ...so if u keep track u will know ur triggers.

"selma"

[desert turtle]

I feel a little bit better on the medication.  Nexium..I just ate celery and I can't believe it that celery made it a little worse.
Thanks for the welcome

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the GERD forum.

A grocery store employee is not a reliable sorce as to how much acid u have or do not have....I would take the advice of the person u paid.

In addition there r many other things u should be doing in addition to taking the meds, so eventually u can get off the meds.....

Stress and many other factors can cause too much acid.....certain meds can cause too little acid......for now, ur dr has determined u have too much- I would persue y...ask for the root cause.

Eat several small meals during the day, and follow the diet of foods to avoid to cut down on acid production.
Also follow the lifestyle changes....which include elevating the head of ur bed.Access the HP's via the welcome message or the icon above the recent activity on the right of the screen.

Chewing gum even helps....do see our Health Pages for more info.

Once u know what is a trigger for u , u will be able to keep it under control possibly without the meds.....I went yrs without needing to take them.....

Please post an update