Gastro oesophageal reflux disease

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vickiandrews
vickiandrews Posts: 254 Member
edited January 2015 in Fitness and Exercise
I've recently found out that I have GORD (can't be bothered to retype all of the above!) and realised that I need some help and advise on how to try and get rid of it naturally. I really don't fancy being on more medication for the rest of my life. My GP has given me some meds to take for four weeks that will hopefully get rid of it but I've spoken to some people that are on them and they've been told that they will have to take them forever and if they miss a couple then their pains come back. Admittedly they have been prescribed them for different reasons.

In the same way as most people on here I was hoping to start a new (and hopefully successful) diet and exercise regime at the beginning of the year but am now struggling on how to move forward. I don't want to start doing things that will aggravate the pain any more.

Any ideas on what I can do that will help me get my curves back?

Replies

  • Sirlevisarmy
    Sirlevisarmy Posts: 9 Member
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    Go to the chiropractor!
  • surfa_rosa_
    surfa_rosa_ Posts: 6 Member
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    Hi! I haven't posted on here before, but I saw your message and I was in the exact same situation this time two years ago. I was prescribed proton pump inhibitors and was told that was basically me for life. However, as I have a real aversion to taking medication, I looked into altering my diet and have not been taking PPIs for a year now. The GORD hasn't gone completely and I can still have bad days, but nowhere near the level I was before.

    What really made the difference for me was completely cutting out all carbonated drinks, even diet ones. I used to drink at least a can of diet coke a day, so this was tough! Coffee was also a bad trigger for me, so I switched to one cup of decaff a day, as I would miss the taste. I really believe that just these two changes made a massive difference, and as a side effect I was drinking more water, which also helped.

    Otherwise, it's about learning your triggers. I read a lot of articles on the internet about what was good or bad for GORD but there is a lot of conflicting information out there. Personally, I found that reducing my meat intake (meat can take longer to digest so can cause excess acid production), increasing the amount of fibre in my diet and avoiding anything overly spicy all helped. But that is just me, and I am far from being a nutritionist! It might just take some time to figure out what works for you.

    Good luck!
  • vickiandrews
    vickiandrews Posts: 254 Member
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    Thank you. I'm also looking for advise on what sort of exercise I can get away with doing that isn't going to make things worse.

    Any ideas?
  • jpaulie
    jpaulie Posts: 917 Member
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    I feel the pain. I have lost 30 lbs of fat and went from 30+% body fat to around 14 over 2 years and...

    I had extreme GORD when I was overweight/obese (and didn't sleep well) and wound up in the hospital about 20 times with 'mock' heart attacks which turned out to be GORD. A number of times they had to put me on morphine because the pain was so bad.
    Now...I still take one med daily 1/2 dose but have not had an attack in18 months. Will probably cut that out soon, as I have with most of my meds I used to take when I was unhealthy.

    Weight and its side-effects are a major contributor to GORD. Of course I have also had a major change in diet. So drop the weight, move to a healthy diet and there is a very strong chance it will diminish or completely disappear

    I am sure you know what your trigger foods are but moving to a healthier diet with high quality fats, fibre, limiting caffeine and alcohol (if that is an issue) will move you in the right direction. Starting an exercise program will just help even more. AND DRINK LOTS OF WATER, most important things you consume in a day. 8 cups is a minimum, should not be a target!
  • jpaulie
    jpaulie Posts: 917 Member
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    btw I took every med on the planet for GORD, only one that kept working was Nexium 20mg. they typically prescribe 40 but I get headaches with 40. Not sure if you have tried that. I hope within the next 3 months to try to completely come off that
  • Laurend224
    Laurend224 Posts: 1,748 Member
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    Have you tried sleeping on an incline pillow? That helps with nighttime reflux.
  • OliviaLynan
    OliviaLynan Posts: 1 Member
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    Hi all,

    Same problem for me - I was diagnosed about 3 years ago and after 2 years of being on PPIs I decided enough was enough and that I had to fix this for myself. I now eat an 80-90% raw food diet, with pretty much zero saturated fat (good fats coming from avocado, olive oil, nuts and seeds etc) and I have been off the meds for a little over a year. Hope this helps - it might be worth a try, it really has changed my life. Good luck
  • jpaulie
    jpaulie Posts: 917 Member
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    also isn't this GERD not GORD? gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). I was driving around after my thinking I don;t have GORD, I have GERD :)
  • jpaulie
    jpaulie Posts: 917 Member
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    Laurend224 wrote: »
    Have you tried sleeping on an incline pillow? That helps with nighttime reflux.

    yes indeed it does, but if it is really serious i found nothing helped. But like I said now that my weight is good I don't get it any more.

    As far as exercises go I never ran into issues with any exercises ie weights or light cardio, Just don't eat Indian food and hope on the treadmill ;)
  • hill8570
    hill8570 Posts: 1,466 Member
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    jpaulie wrote: »
    also isn't this GERD not GORD? gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). I was driving around after my thinking I don;t have GORD, I have GERD :)

    Different sides of the pond, different spellings.

    OP, how's your weight right now? Excessive abdominal fat (like my old paunch) can definitely make GERD (and even basic heartburn) worse.
  • DjinnMarie
    DjinnMarie Posts: 1,297 Member
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    You need a referral to a specialist. If there is damage then it needs to be fixed before you can start treating the problem. How long have you had GERD?
  • James9090
    James9090 Posts: 26 Member
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    Alkaline foods! Drink dark leafy green fresh vegetable juices.
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
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    You need to see a gastroenterologist who specializes in GORD/GERD. They will probably send you for an endoscopy to see what's going on inside.
  • melifornia
    melifornia Posts: 227 Member
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    I have esophagitis, which can be a symptom of GERD, and found that taking a swig of aloe vera juice 10-20 minutes before I eat, especially if a trigger food is on the menu, or any time I start to feel a flare up helps tremendously! You can find it at health food stores, but I found the same brand at Walmart for cheaper. I keep a jug of juice in my fridge and take a swig right out of the bottle as needed.
  • stephicozar
    stephicozar Posts: 36 Member
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    Big time suckage. I've had it for a few years now. You need to go to a gastroenterologist, get an endoscopy and see what's happening. It could be the result of an ulcer, or ulcerated oesophagus, which can be treated with antibiotics. Or it might just be a chronic condition with nothing really to do but take the pills.

    Tracking your food and doing some exclusion dieting will help. You will find certain foods set it off. Mine is tomatoes (big time), high in lactose stuff, anything with high salicylates, red meat, the list goes on.

    I found when I lost weight, the pills works much better. I'm hoping with more weight loss I won't need them at all. It is hereditary - my whole family has it, skinny or fat - but fingers are crossed.

    Good luck!
  • hetheringtontammy
    hetheringtontammy Posts: 2 Member
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    I also suffered from daily sometimes debilitating GERD I went on a gluten free diet out of interests sake......GERD gone, completely, heaven!
  • shor0814
    shor0814 Posts: 559 Member
    edited January 2015
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    I had (have?) GERD and was about 125lbs overweight and on medication. I lost the weight and changed to a bit healthier eating and I no longer need the medication. I still keep it around for the occasional indulgence in some spicy Mexican food but the weight loss was a huge improvement.

    Not sure what your weight situation is but once I got that under control I can exercise with no flare ups. You might use medication and use that as a motivator to get in shape if your situation is anything similar.
  • hotcoffee692
    hotcoffee692 Posts: 167 Member
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    I've had bouts of GERD for the past 6 years now. I was misdiagnosed at first and had my gall bladder removed (I'm still bitter about that!). Anyway, mine is under control since I've cut way down on spicy foods, coffee and alcohol. I can still have them, just less than I used to. I rarely have to take meds, only if I've gone out and had too much pizza and wine, for example. Even then, one dose of Prilosec and I'm good as new. I might take a dose every few months.

    I haven't noticed any issues with working out - my hope for you would be once the medication starts working and you figure out what your triggers are, activity won't be a problem. I don't think GERD will slow down your weight loss process - best of luck!

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