Severe GERD

BeckyV

So it's been a rough few weeks and yesterday things went so bad I ended up in the ER. I will spare you the nasty details but it turns out I've developed a very severe case of GERD. The ER dr started me on 40mg of nexium and referred me for a scope. I know verry little about acid reflux/GERD. Does anyone else on here have this issue?

CorneliusPhoton

I went to the ER twice. It is awful. I was on nexium or similar drugs for years. There are definitely things you can do... Primarily, you want to keep the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) happy. It is the valve between your esophagus and stomach. Irritating it allows it to open and allows stomach juices to enter and injure your esophagus. These are the things that worked for me. I am now 100% off meds (5 years!) and have no issues:

Nighttime is often a bad time for GERD. Do not eat or drink after 6pm. This ensures that your stomach is not full and putting pressure on your LES and sloshing around when you are lying in bed. Also, try to stay upright after large meals... no lying on the sofa. Definitely no lying on your stomach.

Don't overeat. Better to eat smaller meals so you don't become overstuffed (especially at night, if you have most of your problems then). Limit carbonated beverages which might add pressure in your stomach.

Elevate the head of your bed by about 6" with pieces of wood or bed risers. Additional insurance to keep pressure off your LES.

Lose weight.

Limit common triggers. My triggers were dark chocolate (especially on an empty stomach), garlic, black tea, and mint, all known to relax the LES. I also had an attack after drinking a large glass of OJ on an empty stomach. Fried foods, coffee, and smoking also affect the LES.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gerd/basics/symptoms/con-20025201
http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/triggers

Nexium alone won't solve the problem... it just makes your stomach pump out less acid, but it will help heal the irritation at the upper part of your stomach and make whatever sloshes into your esophagus less acidic. I believe that by practicing all of the above, you will improve the function of your LES. I am able to eat all of my trigger foods again, as long as I don't do it on an empty stomach. Good luck and hope you feel better!

BaconSan2

My pharmacist told me about "Fenugreek" capsules. I have been taking them now for a couple of months & haven't had a problem. I don't take nothing else. I notice if I eat anything with sugar I can feel things starting up. I'm talking about natural sugar too like in fruits.

jagodfrey08

I had really bad GERD before losing weight. Even the Nexium wasn't helping. I couldn't have coffee, tea, doughnuts, PB, chocolate, OJ, or greasy/fatty foods. Even dairy made my flare sometimes. Now that I have dropped a considerable bit of weight, I haven't had any issues with it. I cut out all coffee and OJ though. Those two will still trigger a flare. I can eat PB, dairy, and chocolate, now. Since I eat healthy, the doughnuts and greasy/fatty foods aren't in my diet. So, I guess I cut those out as well. But, no meds, either. I don't ever want to wind up in the hospital again. I thought I was having a heart attack that day.

singingflutelady

I have gerd but am normal weight bmi 20. I guess I am odd though I have Crohn's and it could be part of that