Acid reflux gone?

lalalacroix

I've had acid reflux for 7 years and am so hopeful that I will lose it as I lose the rest of my weight. It currently seems to be improving.

So I'm curious about others' experiences with acid reflux during or after weight loss? Did it improve? Stay the same?

Kinalau

I had terrible acid reflux for years. After getting back to a healthier weight it is completely gone, even if I eat things like chili and foods with red sauces. It was a nice surprise side effect

fitoverfortymom

I've not had heartburn except once since I got out of the obese range.

astroamy

I was 80 lbs overweight. For years I had to sleep propped up on pillows and not eat too late or I would wake up with acid reflux. After losing about 40lbs, the acid reflux was gone except for extreme situations (e.g., eating pizza and drinking alcohol right before going to bed). I no longer need to prop myself up at night. It's probably my biggest NSV and I didn't even have to lose all the weight.

reflectionofme

I had horrible acid reflux for years. Took perscription medication daily, even that didn't completely take it away. I haven't taken anything for it for months now. I can eat everything from spaghetti to oranges now with no reflux or medication.

slimgirljo15

I haven't had reflux since I started drinking diet ginger ale.. idk why, but it seems to settle my stomach

dukeofthedeck

At my heaviest I was taking 40mg of Omerprazole. As I started losing weight I was able to decrease the dosage to 20mg. I tried stopping completely but would occasionally get acid reflux. Now I take the medication once every 3 or 4 days and I'm fine.

stricklee11

My acid reflux has also drastically improved. Since I started 2.5 months ago, I've only had to use tums 4 times total? Before that, I was taking tums 1-2 times a week. I'm not exactly sure what's prompting the improvement since I have not cut out any food group and still eat "junk" food once or twice a week. I've only lost 14 lbs so I'm not sure if this minimal weight loss would have something to do with it either. But I am glad for this unexpected benefit.

Zinka61

Mine developed rather suddenly when I'd gained weight rather suddenly, but when I lost the weight, it didn't go away. Probably it's more age-related in my case, but it's very frustrating. It is, generally, better, though, the lighter I am and the less I eat.

springlering62

SW 221, 5’7”. Mine was gone within a week of starting an elimination diet and getting off candy and junk food and eating the whole foods suggested by the diet plan, which was stupidly simple: chicken and fish, fresh vegetables and fruit, whole grains, beans, nuts.

I suffered. I kept the big bottles of Tums by the bed, took omprazole and Pantoprazole. It had gotten to the point I couldn’t go out to dinner or events for fear of either puking (OMG one time I did it in an extremely, mega embarassingly public place and was so ashamed) or wetting myself (the absolute worst) from the violence of the heaves. I carried emergency bags in my purse, in my car, stuffed in my pockets. And oh, Lord, being trapped on an international flight and fighting it was hell.

If for no other reason, getting rid of GERD was THE single most life changing reason for embarking on weight loss and dietary change.

I can eat anything I want now. I eat tomatoes by the bushel and last night tried chicken breast stir fried in the Franks Buffalo Wing sauce recommended on another thread. I hesitated eating it, but didn’t experience any burning going down and it didn’t bother me afterwards at all. And it was sooooo good in corn tortillas, too!

WINNER!!!!!!!!!

lalalacroix

Wow. Such awesome improvements overall.

I've lost 33 pounds total with 34 to go. I had a glass of oj the other day which was amazing! I haven't had oj for so long. But my real dream is to drink coffee again. I miss it so much. And although my reflux is improving a bit, coffee brings on the reflux in an awful way so I'm gonna wait until I lose a few more pounds to try it.

Can't wait to hopefully get off the meds.

WickedPineapple

I actually developed acid reflux after losing weight. (Note - I don't think they have anything to do with each other. My always healthy weight sister has had GERD since her 20s.) It was pretty bad for awhile, like I had it just about all the time and couldn't identify triggers. Even on meds it was still pretty bad. Then I cut beef and pork almost completely out of my diet (for unrelated reasons), and it's gone away almost entirely except for a couple trigger foods.

lilithsrose

I get acid reflux now that I'm heavier than I've ever been. I wonder if losing weight will help me with this. I just assumed that it was because I'm getting older, I never thought that it might be related to my weight. Hopefully mine improves as I begin losing again.

mbaker566

i mostly don't get mine now that i lost 50lbs

QueenInge

I've lost 15 lbs. since starting a healthier eating plan at the beginning of Dec. I also quit taking Prilosec which I had been taking daily for 20 yrs. I take two capfuls of apple cider vinegar (with mother) in 8 oz. of water every morning and sometimes up to 3 times a day. Research seems to show that heartburn is a lack of acid instead of too much acid so the ACV acts as a digestive aid. I was actually angry that it was so simple. Complete relief in about 3 wks. for me. It is rare to have heartburn now and when I do, I take more ACV and water. Grrr! Why was I prescribed omeprazole for 20 yrs?! Please study up on the complete digestive process and the function of the small intestine. (I enjoy watching videos by Dr. Eric Berg. Simple language with diagrams. And no, I've not bought any of his products at this time.) If you're not getting all your nutrients, and you reduce the volume of food you are eating, you are getting even less nutrients! Your body will give you cravings and problems until it gets what it needs. Get healthy to lose weight instead of the other way around. Study up, folks!

lalalacroix

I have read in the past that some acid reflux may be caused by too little acid (don't know if it is actually factual). A few years ago I did add acv to my diet to see if it would help with the reflux but it actually accerbated the acid to almost non-tolerable levels. Obviously I stopped immediately.

I have managed my reflux by eliminating coffee, red wine and orange juice. I limit my consumption of fried, spicy and fatty foods. I've also taken Omeprazole for 7 years, which my doctor told me to always take. My diet is mostly plant based so I doubt I'm nutrient deficient.

sivyaleah

I had only occasional acid reflux, however, it completely disappeared as soon as I started eating better. It's been nearly 5 months since I committed myself to losing weight and I don't think I've even had one bout of indigestion in this time period.

lleeann2001

lalalacroix wrote: »

I have read in the past that some acid reflux may be caused by too little acid (don't know if it is actually factual). A few years ago I did add acv to my diet to see if it would help with the reflux but it actually accerbated the acid to almost non-tolerable levels. Obviously I stopped immediately.

I have managed my reflux by eliminating coffee, red wine and orange juice. I limit my consumption of fried, spicy and fatty foods. I've also taken Omeprazole for 7 years, which my doctor told me to always take. My diet is mostly plant based so I doubt I'm nutrient deficient.

Apple Cider Vinegar which has beed touted to help acid reflux actually GIVES me acid reflux...too bad. but i take omeprazole ordered by my weight loss surgeon. so i have to take this for the foreseeable future. i dont mind. at least Im not on 12 pills as I was prior to my surgery.

aishmartin

I used to have acid reflux a couple of times a day, every day. I was eating Zantac like candy (it was getting expen$ive). Since I changed to a low carb high-fat way of eating (because of my type 2 diabetes), my reflux has completely vanished. My way of eating means that I've given up sugar (like most sugary drinks) and most things that have bread/have breading.

earlnabby

lalalacroix wrote: »

I've had acid reflux for 7 years and am so hopeful that I will lose it as I lose the rest of my weight. It currently seems to be improving.

So I'm curious about others' experiences with acid reflux during or after weight loss? Did it improve? Stay the same?

My acid reflux went away but having more room and less pressure on my innards from the fat caused my sliding hiatal hernia to become a permanent one that required surgery. 3/4 of my stomach moved up into my chest cavity.

Zinka61

Yeah, ACV made mine worse, too.

echmain3

My acid reflux came to an abrupt halt the *first* day I started counting calories.

I used to buy antacid bottles 3 at a time. I never need them anymore.

That may have been a bigger victory than my weight loss.

Luke_rabbit

My GERD began about 2 years ago. I was only just in overweight BMI - not related to weight at all, in my case. I'm not expecting any improvement losing 15-20 lbs. I think I am stuck with it. I take Dexilant because Omeprazole didn't help enough, but I still need Tums and Gaviscon most days. I did a full elimination diet (dropped to one food only and added new foods one at a time). There are many foods (coffee, carbonated beverages, spicy, citrus, fried, etc) that I don't believe I will ever eat again.

But, for the vast majority of reflux sufferers, losing weight will improve or eliminate the problem. Good luck!

hixa30

This is one reason I tell people who say "you don't need to lose weight". I tell them that I don't want to get cancer of the esophagus.

NovusDies

Mine has gone away from weight loss and I stopped eating fiber and fat at night. Now I eat a snack or nothing at all.

That is assuming it has gone away. My doctor says that losing the symptoms can be a sign of something worse. I will know in a few weeks.

SoCalBeachWifeMom

NovusDies wrote: »

Mine has gone away from weight loss and I stopped eating fiber and fat at night. Now I eat a snack or nothing at all.

That is assuming it has gone away. My doctor says that losing the symptoms can be a sign of something worse. I will know in a few weeks.

Doctors can say some weird stuff. I am pretty sure its just gone. My nurse told me id have it the rest of my life, such a naysayer right ? Im still dealing with it after a month but hoping itll go away and never return.

SoCalBeachWifeMom

rhaiin wrote: »

I get acid reflux now that I'm heavier than I've ever been. I wonder if losing weight will help me with this. I just assumed that it was because I'm getting older, I never thought that it might be related to my weight. Hopefully mine improves as I begin losing again.

I just started getting it a month ago. I was 20 pounds overweight but lost 10 pounds in the past month because im eating very small meals. Add me if youd like.

SoCalBeachWifeMom

QueenInge wrote: »

I've lost 15 lbs. since starting a healthier eating plan at the beginning of Dec. I also quit taking Prilosec which I had been taking daily for 20 yrs. I take two capfuls of apple cider vinegar (with mother) in 8 oz. of water every morning and sometimes up to 3 times a day. Research seems to show that heartburn is a lack of acid instead of too much acid so the ACV acts as a digestive aid. I was actually angry that it was so simple. Complete relief in about 3 wks. for me. It is rare to have heartburn now and when I do, I take more ACV and water. Grrr! Why was I prescribed omeprazole for 20 yrs?! Please study up on the complete digestive process and the function of the small intestine. (I enjoy watching videos by Dr. Eric Berg. Simple language with diagrams. And no, I've not bought any of his products at this time.) If you're not getting all your nutrients, and you reduce the volume of food you are eating, you are getting even less nutrients! Your body will give you cravings and problems until it gets what it needs. Get healthy to lose weight instead of the other way around. Study up, folks!

Can you please tell me if you ever felt full with acid reflux ? Ive been feeling full and my digestion seems sluggish.

squiffiegirl

Everyone's system is different. For me, GERD and all it's symptoms were due to not enough gastric juices rather than too much.

One multi enzyme digestive aid (Betaine as key ingredient) with each meal and GERD disappeared. I have also found it helpful to drink no liquids at mealtime. Liquids dilute stomach acids.