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219522 tn?1251760629

Anybody know anything about GERD?

My doctor put me on Prilosec shortly after my diagnosis of Hashi's thyroiditis. I was having GERD and didn't even realize it until I was trying to wean off the Prilosec. Now it's worse--not sure if ITs worse, or I notice it more now because I know I have it. Does anyone else have it? Does it ever go away? Any tips on how to stay awake 3-4 hours after dinner when you're hypo?????
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Avatar universal
Hi there

what have taken to reduce GERD? I too am a graves lady. A SEVERE Graves lady at that and for years I have had digestive problems no doubt brought on by the Graves which has been undetected for over 20 years. having been diag with Graves 12 months ago GERD has aggressively made my life hell for the last 3 months and I actually thought I was having a heart attack one night when my chest constricted and I couldnt swallow and could barely breathe with a nasty burning all up and down my throat to my lungs/chest.

I wish I had known what GERD was because I would have asked for treatment sooner!! Dontcha just luuurve Graves???? UURRGHHHHHH
Helpful - 0
219522 tn?1251760629
I couldn't get on your website at work because of blocks, but I did get on at home last night. I've been googling GERD all week, and I was doing everything wrong, even after being on the Prilosec. I was still drinking port with dinner, going to bed less than 3 hours after eating, living for coffee and chocolate, etc. I'm trying to clean up my "lifestyle" while I wean off the Prilosec. I see my PCP on 9/12, so I'll see how I am and where we go from there. I have read that the longer you take the pump inhibitors, the more likely you are to have rebound reflux, which makes me nervous.

Believe it or not, if you google alkaline food lists, apple cidar vinegar is considered an "alkaline" food!! Just like meats turn to acid ash upon digestion, a lot of foods that taste acid actually end up alkaline in the body.

I also am going to check out the dairy connection, because I get uncomfortable after ice cream, and most dairy is considered acid.

Thanks for your help. This forum is a plethora of information!!
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168348 tn?1379357075
CHOCOLATE and CAFFEINE are two Major offenders for reflux .. forgot to mention those.

C~
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168348 tn?1379357075
I have never heard of that in the world of reflux in children where my exp. is focused on ... I would think it would almost burn things on the way down being so .. well, vinegar based?  How does it help?  I am really curious to know.  I have heard of drinking Aloe juice but one must be careful on some of the juices if it contains oils that are not fully emulsified bcz of risk of aspiration if any oil separates from the juice .. therefore taking mineral oil for constipation is a no-no for those with GERD as the oil can be sucked into the lungs if it comes back up with the reflux.

The best barrier I have heard is Gaviscon to take as preventative or space out after the Prilosec.

Sounds like a decent wean for the orig. posted ? of ev. other day to wean down .. so sounds like you still need it ::: or :::: may switch to a prescrip like Prevacid or Nexium.

FOOD ALLERGIES/INTOLERANCES can play a major role in reflux .. milk, soy, corn being 3 big offenders.  Sometimes just eliminating them and then tossing them back in after 5 days for ea. one may show a trigger in reflux activity.  Reflux can also cause ASTHMA, PNEUMONIA, connection to EAR INFECTIONS is now suspected, VOCAL CORD inflammation, ESOPHAGEAL CANCER and the list goes on and on and on .... it finally is in the forefront of being diagnosed and there is now talk of a link b/t severe reflux and a gene.

Constipation oftentimes goes along with those who have reflux bcz of a water imbalance .. for those with slow digestion a med called Reglan can be prescribed.

For those with esophagitis a med called Carafate can help to ease the pain (like calcium chalk to help heal ulcers and ulcerations).

Hope this helps,

Cheryl
Helpful - 0
209405 tn?1189755821
I had use to have really bad heartburn almost everyday when I was undiagnosed Graves. At the time my doc said it was from laying down too much because I was in bed from fatigue the majority of my life. I don't have it anymore.
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125112 tn?1217273862
I have "LPR" and am taking Prilosec. Yes, many who do not have thyroid problems do have GERD/LPR. Though, can't help but wonder if hypos are more likely to experience it, due to the slowing down of the metabolism?

Anyway. That said, I've heard good reports about apple cider vinegar. I tried vinegar but in going down, inflamed a few areas. I wondered, could this be good for the esophagus? I would think if you have inflammation in the esophagus, it wouldn't be.

Anybody who has wondered this and have an opinion? I've been reluctant to try it again, on account of the discomfort.
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219522 tn?1251760629
I'm taking Prilosec OTC every other day for 2 weeks. And the days "off" I'm going to try the ACV thing.

Any info you care to pass on is greatly appreciated. I saw where you posted your web address and I'm about to read it.

Tks!
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168348 tn?1379357075
How were you weaning from the prilosec .. too fast a wean can actually cause acid rebound affect.

More later ... just got back from 2 day getaway and saw your post .. 2 of my 3 kids have reflux and my sons' was severe for 2.5yrs .. I was moderator on a reflux board for 8 yrs so have seen alot of experiences online.

Cheryl
Helpful - 0
219522 tn?1251760629
I am so excited!! After reading malawi/Roman's posts, I remembered reading about "acidosis" and alkaline/acidic foods and all the pieces fit!! I am going to the health food store in 2 hours. Thank you everyone!!
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Avatar universal
A green drink is basically used to detoxify your body although it has many other benefits.It has things like spirulina,chlorella,and wheat,barley and oat grass juices along with beet,carrot.broccoli,spinach and many other healthy ingredients.It comes in powder form and you just put a scoop into water or juice and mix it up and drink it down.The taste is not bad if you put some stevia in with it.I personally use a product called Perfect Food from Garden of Life but there are other good ones including the Barleans brand.After my Rai a nutritionist told me that by doing a green drink once or twice a day it will almost immediately remove any radiation from your body.
Roman
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219522 tn?1251760629
What's a green drink? Like green tea?
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201897 tn?1245842334
I've been treated for GERD for about 2-1/2 years now.  Was on Protonix and am now on 20mg of Omeprazole every other day (had to cut dosage to try to increase iron absorbtion due to having low ferritin).  I've tried the organic ACV treatment and it absolutely kills my stomach, although a lot of folks have success with it.  I've had some success taking digestive enzymes before eating.  It hasn't completely cleared up my problem, but it does help, especially since I'm not on a full dose of PPIs.
Helpful - 0
209384 tn?1231168306
DLA
Where have you been?  Is everything all right with you and your family?  Been worrying about you.  Also been worrying about your little boy, has he had any more seizures or found anything out about them?

Dac
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209384 tn?1231168306
DLA
Thank you so much for the info.

Dac
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Avatar universal
She takes 1 tablespoon per day on an empty stomach.Also make sure to chase it with a couple of ounces of apple or grape juice as it tends to burn a little on the way down.It must be organic raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar.She said she noticed a huge difference in just 2 days.A coworker of mine started her mother on this regime with the same success.Also very helpful is to do a green drink every day or every other day...hope this helps
Roman
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Ask CHITCHATNINE.  She has a website designed around GERD.
Helpful - 0
209384 tn?1231168306
DLA
When you say a shot...how much are you talking about?  My son has acid reflux and is on Prilosec every day.  He is only 7 and I would like to be able to take him off of this.  Any help or where to find this info would be greatly appreciated.

Dac
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
just an fyi my wife had severe acid reflux for over a year and had tried prilosec and aciphex with minimal relief.She started to do a shot of raw organic apple cider vinegar every morning on an empty stomach after consulting with a nutritionist.absolutely no problems for the past 6 months..
Roman
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You might need something stronger than prilosec. I had to try a few prescription proton pump inhibitors before I found one that gave me 24 relief. For me it's 30mg of prevacid. The other posters are correct that esophageal damage can cause cancer. It can also affect your ability to swallow. Reflux can also make you hoarse! -- I had an endoscope (for upper GI exam) and it was VERY easy!  You are given an IV sedative. I feel asleep immediately and do NOT have any memory of the procedure! I slept through it!!!!!! The anesthesiologist told me that is common!!! So, don't be afraid to go for an endoscopy!! It really is very easy!!!! Also, sleeping with you head raised helps a bit with bed time reflux, but the real solution is to be properly diagnosed (via an endoscopy) and put on the right med.
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Avatar universal
Yes it can cause esophageal cancer, which my step father died of.

I had no choice because the cause of my un-controllable weight loss needed to be found and treated, I was weighing under a 100 lbs and loosing.  Too much weight loss, especially
un-controllable loss, can cause death tool.

I am with you being scared of all those test. Colonoscopy is a must after a certain age. My husband and aunt died of colon cancer and just a  month ago a male friend. But I can't get over the thought of someone, let alone a stranger, and to make it worse, a young one at that, looking up my bummer.  However these test can save lives.

No you are not alone nor the only one in the world with health issues. Some are much worse.

I don't know if "knowledge can be dangerous", but no "knowledge" can kill - ignorance is not bliss when it come to health.

Hope you can find a fast solution and start to heal.  Good Luck!

Helpful - 0
209384 tn?1231168306
DLA
I had acid reflux for many years before being diagnosed with Graves or going hypo.  Did not have any relevance to it at all.

Do make sure you stay on something to keep it under control or it will erode your esophagus.  Can control mine with Prilosec OTC.  When I have a really bad episode of it I will also take Zantac or Pepto plus Prilosec 2X daily.

Dac
Helpful - 0
219522 tn?1251760629
Well, good (I guess) to know I'm not alone! I've been on Prilosec since some time in May. Was good in the beginning, now not so much (that is supposed to be a pump inhibitor). I was tested for H. Pylori and test was negative. The thing that worries me is that the meds say only take for 4 weeks. Long term use can screw you up, too. A co-worker has been taken Prilosec for about 5 years!!

I have hoarseness once in a while, not too often. I'm petrified of an endoscopy. Also colonoscopy, cytoscopy, and pretty much anything that ends in "scopy." !!!

I don't notice it much during the day. It's at night when lying down. I'm getting myself freaked out by reading about it online because it can cause esophogeal cancer if not treated properly. Sometimes knowledge is a dangerous thing...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had Acid Reflux Disease for years before being diag. Hyper/Graves'. It was so bad I though I was going to die when going through an episode.  However, one of the many test my doctor put me through due to my weight loss (ended up diag. Graves'), was an upper endoscopy.  While doctor was down there, he found a couple of issues, one being he told me, was Acid Reflux Disease .  While he was down there he made some fixes and I haven't had problems since,  it has been 11 years.

I don't relate my Acid Reflux Disease as caused by or due to my Hyper/Graves' Disease.

Its just another something (health conditions) that just happens, and happens to a lot of people thyroid or not.

We can't (or shouldn't) blame thyroid conditions for everything.  After all, the normal population gets sick too, with same health conditions as well.


Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'd always had heartburn problems, but shortly before my hashi hypo diagnosis I developed reflux and terrible heartburn that kept me awake at night!!!!! I'm convinced the hashi/hypo made my situation worse. The only med that stopped it completely for me is 30mg prevacid. Protonix helped, but I'd still have some reflux and heartburn when I was in bed. -- Did you have and endoscopy to look for damage or inflammation in your esophagus? Did you take an H.pylori test (for ucler or gastritis)? Both can cause constant discomfort!!! Both can be treated!! The H.pylori bacteria can be cleared w/ prescription med (prev pac). Damage and inflammation in your esophagus can also heal after treatment with proton pump inhibitors. Reflux can be a permanent condition. It's easy to control/live with if you take a daily med like prevacid,neximun, prilosec, protonix, etc. You may have to try a few to see which one works best for you. You might also ask MD about a hiatal hernia (where your stomach is pushing up into your diaphram. It's worth going for an endoscopic exam w/ a GI doctor. Personally, I think hashi/hypo makes heartburn and reflix WORESE. Luckily, there are good medications that relieve it. Good luck!
Helpful - 0
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