Help me understand how low carbs helps GERD

CatonGirl

Hi again! I have taken myself off Lipitor and I tried once to come off a blood pressure pill; wrong time.
So, Now I want to try to get off my Protonix. I understand your only really supposed to be on them about 6-7 months and they leach calcium from your bones. I've been on it about a year and a half. My fear is, I had an esophageal ulcer at the time I was put on it, way before I really started to eat low carb.
I've read that low carb diets can improve GERD but I am really interested in understanding WHY and HOW before I try.
My doctor would probably not approve but I don't feel comfortable with it at all.

Does anyone know the WHY and HOW?? Has anyone else come off them and was it done gradually or do you just stop taking them? Did you have any problems after coming off them? I realize everyone is different. Oh, and is the GERD a result of the WEIGHT I have on, or a result of the carbs I WAS eating??

THANKS

BRaye325

Hi, I also suffer from GERD and acid reflux.
I can't say whether you should change any medication. I would suggest contacting your Dr. before changing.
GERD is caused by a combination of stress, poor dietary habits, and being overweight. Stress can cause the opening of the esophagus to not close completely which allows acid to flow up the esophagus. Eating carbs, especially larger quantity of carbs, creates a higher concentration of acid in the stomach which worsen the effects.
My condition has been treated by over the counter medication (Omeprezole) and by improving my eating habits. I was on the Adkins diet for 1 1/2 yrs and I had no need for the medication and no incidence of reflux. Since I started MFP 4 months ago, I also have not needed the medication and have had no problems. I am not currently on a low carb diet. For me, just losing some weight, eating less, and making better choices has cured the problem.
When I first stopped the medication, I had upset stomach for a week or two while my body adjusted. I just took an antacid tablet as needed. I haven't even needed one of those for the past 2+ months.
Hope this helps.

CatonGirl

Thank you! Yes it does help. I didn't know carbs caused more acid! interesting.. I am going to try taking it every other day for now and see how that goes. I did mention going of it to my doctor and his reply was "why would you want to if it's working?"

BBee5064

I had my gallbladder out several years ago & I suffered badly with Gerd. My gp put me on lansoprazole. Really helped me. After my surgery I came off them, my consultant said keep off Fats. Only have a little. Plus plenty of water. And I can honestly say I took his advise & I've been Gerd free. Hope that helps ?

MostlyWater

Not sure but since DH has IBS, I'm pretty careful to have foods around that won't make him sick. We are toying with the idea of eating more fermented foods and I got some natural sauerkraut today. Mmmmmmmm

He has to avoid sugar including fruit, red meat, nuts, dairy and gluten.

SockSaver

I understand your issues with the gerd and protonix, have finally gotten someone to pay attention to me and found out about half of my stomach had come up thru the diaphram and that was my problem, to point that sometimes even water gives me heartburn. Don't mistake my meaning here, I have to get my BMI under 35 before the surgeon will fix it. But if it's a chronic problem and you have already experienced esophageal ulcer, talk to Dr. very seriously about this.

nikkib0103

I am temporarily on Protonix and it has fixed me right up. I will be coming off shortly. I didn't have a bad case of GERD and it seems to have gone away. Losing weight certainly helped, drinking more water has helped.