GERD is worse! Wha'ha??

mclgo
mclgo Posts: 147 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have terrible GERD, and I know being overweight does not help at all. I'm on a prescription for it, but it's still with me, even though I avoid trigger foods. Since starting back on MFP about 1.5 weeks ago, the GERD has gotten worse! Anyone else ever experience this?

Replies

  • ronjsteele1
    ronjsteele1 Posts: 1,064 Member
    GERD is not caused by too much stomach acid - it's caused by too little. The foods sits and "ferments" (for lack of a better word) in your gut and after awhile that causes the backup into the esophagus. I would highly recommend adding a digestive enzyme like Bio Gest by Thorne to help get rid of it. If you start at 2 capsules per meal for a few weeks and then cut back to 1 per meal you should see significant improvement. Unfortunately, if you do this with meds they will counteract each other which is counterproductive, and coming off of the meds causes a rebound effect. :( Its something that has to be worked through (additional enzymes can help the initial rebound effect). Eventually the enzymes help "train" your body to produce more of its own enzymes and you don't need them anymore. It took us about 2yrs of steadily cutting back the enzymes but my crew had really bad guts to begin with. Your body will tell you (you'll feel it) when you don't need as much enzymes anymore.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,204 Member
    Yeah, kinda. What diagnostics have they done on you?

    My reflux/heartburn - which had some on suddenly & severely despite years of being at the same weight with no problems - turned out to be because my gallbladder was a wreck (technically, adenomyomatosis) from years of inflammation & high cholesterol. Once they took the puppy out, all was well again.

    Diagnosed via . . . hmm, can I remember? Ultrasound, I think, but it might have been MRI.

    It's not super common, but it's worth noting that there are some oddball things that can cause GERD-type symptoms.

    Hope you're able to resolve it!
  • Jlynn06251985
    Jlynn06251985 Posts: 4 Member
    I have horrible GERD. I find that it acts up when I don't eat enough or space out my meals too far apart. My meds only work so well. My GI doctor said to not space meals too far apart and to make sure I eat enough.
  • Shells918
    Shells918 Posts: 1,070 Member
    Also make sure to sleep in a slightly raised position if it acts up at night. Mine was so bad I was up coughing and vomiting if I didn't sleep sitting up.
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    mclgo wrote: »
    Since starting back on MFP about 1.5 weeks ago, the GERD has gotten worse!

    Using MFP does not cause GERD. ;)

    Think about what else you changed around the same time. Maybe a change in foods? Did you increase your exercise?
  • linde08
    linde08 Posts: 4 Member
    I have Barrett's esophagus, have had it a long time. If you are increasing your fruits and veggies, watch your acidic fruits. Try not to eat too many oranges or grapefruits. Watch your caffeine intake, and diet soda, all bad triggers for me. It is probably a change in what you are eating. Pay attention to what triggers it. Combining coffee and chocolate does it for me. And I agree you shouldn't lower your calorie intake too drastically. I'm staying around 1500 calories. Don't snack too much, but don't skip meals. Rest your digestive system between meals, but don't go too long without eating. Elevate your esophagus while sleeping. I use a wedge. My doctor has me taking my medication twice a day. Maybe ask your doctor about any changes you have made. Good luck.

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