The Absolute Frustration Of Living With Chronic Acid Indigestion

Discussion in 'Diets & Dieting' started by Trevalius Guyus, May 14, 2022.

  1. Trevalius Guyus

    Trevalius Guyus Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2020
    Messages:
    792
    Likes Received:
    1,039
    Ever since I popped something in my chest, while changing my second RV tire on the same outing, six months ago, I've been dealing with heartburn and acid indigestion on a low to medium level.

    As a vegan, I know how to eat a healthy diet, and as a science guy, I know how to research a low acid diet. My research is showing me, though, how so many websites are totally full of garbage! Even sites that seem to have all the right credentials give out absolutely wrong info! It's driving me goofy.

    I am going to be assessed for a hiatal hernia in the next few weeks. My mom had one, and she did fine. I, however, am not willing to put up with this crap. No way!

    If any of you have dealt, effectively, with acid reflux, hiatal hernia, esophogitis, etc., I'd really like to hear how you coped with the same.

    I am taking ¼ tsp of baking soda in a quarter glass of water, twice a day. It helps, but does not completely get rid of my symptoms.

    I've researched all the OTC's out there, and they're all terrible, to varying extents, as judged by this or that study.

    If I have a hiatal hernia, and I'm pretty sure I do, I will get the surgery, no doubt about it. If I don't have the hernia, then I'll literally have to pick my poison, and take one of those OTC's. I can't go on dealing with such tight diet restrictions, even though as a vegan, I've been used to watching everything I eat, for decades.
     
    #1
    Tony Page likes this.
  2. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2018
    Messages:
    20,311
    Likes Received:
    42,314
    TG, I've had heartburn for years. Never knew I had a hiatal hernia until I had a full-body scan during my cancer treatment last year. I've been taking generic omeprazole for years because it works. I putzed around with "natural cures" and nothing worked for me. Nothing. Until I found Prilosec and it was like a miracle. I know there are possible side effects to the medication, but there are equally bad side effects to excess acid in the esophagus. Plus... it just WORKS. Good luck to you; I know how miserable it is.
     
    #2
    Tony Page and Bobby Cole like this.
  3. Bobby Cole

    Bobby Cole Supreme Member
    Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2015
    Messages:
    13,054
    Likes Received:
    24,627
    After the VA created a hiatal hernia during a test, I was prescribed Omeprazole and after maybe two weeks I quit taking it.
    I still have a bottle handy just in case I experience any discomfort so in my book it works pretty well.
    I’ve heard of Prilosec and even though I’ve heard some great reviews I have never really had the need to try it
     
    #3
    Tony Page likes this.
  4. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2018
    Messages:
    20,311
    Likes Received:
    42,314
    Omeprazole is the generic for Prilosec.
     
    #4
  5. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
    Staff Member Senior Staff Greeter Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    May 29, 2020
    Messages:
    22,682
    Likes Received:
    32,174
    I feel bad for you folks who suffer with this continuously. I get GERD to varying degrees off & on. I've mentioned that vinegar sometimes helps, but I've had a couple of nights where I cannot sleep because the heartburn is so bad and nothing helps.

    Not only are the risks of meds mitigated by reducing the complications of excess acid, there's a big quality of life issue on the table. You gotta be able to sleep or everything else kinda crumbles around you.

    So how are the outcomes of hernia surgery? Is it highly effective, or does it "depend"?

    As an odd aside, the WIKI page on hiatal hernia says "Between 10% and 80% of people in the United States are affected." That's quite the range.
     
    #5
    Bobby Cole, Tony Page and Don Alaska like this.
  6. Bobby Cole

    Bobby Cole Supreme Member
    Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2015
    Messages:
    13,054
    Likes Received:
    24,627
    That’s mighty nice to know Beth.
    Might save me some footsteps down the line.
     
    #6
    Last edited: May 15, 2022
    Beth Gallagher likes this.
  7. Tony Page

    Tony Page Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2021
    Messages:
    3,527
    Likes Received:
    8,384
    I was diagnosed with acid reflux many years ago and was prescribed Prilosec. It was a two-week treatment, and it work, got me acid free for about 6 months, with watching my diet and the occasional Tums. I repeated this and again it was a 6-month cure, I had to see a heart specialist I asked him about it he prescribed a 20mg Famotidine (Pepcid) tablet every morning. I haven't noticed any side effects from it, but I have noticed I haven't had an acid reflux attack since. For me it works. I take it with my other meds every morning.
     
    #7
    Beth Gallagher and Bobby Cole like this.
  8. Cody Fousnaugh

    Cody Fousnaugh Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2015
    Messages:
    12,751
    Likes Received:
    8,743
    I have acid reflux and have had for some 23 years. I get the same thing Bobby got from the VA (Omeprazole). I take one daily, when I get up. If I don't, I'll be chewing up Tums right and left.
     
    #8
    Bobby Cole and Tony Page like this.
  9. Bobby Cole

    Bobby Cole Supreme Member
    Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2015
    Messages:
    13,054
    Likes Received:
    24,627
    Heard a doctor lecturing on the subject and his contention, as many others have said, that if a person is locked into continuous use of antacids on a daily basis then the natural chemistry our body is trying to regulate gets screwed up. The more antacids, the more the body tries to bring our acid levels back up by adding more acid.

    He furthered his statements by saying that sometimes it is actually better to add a little acidic acid to our diet and take little to none of the antacids so as to make our body produce less hydrochloric acid.

    Now, I no longer have any problems with acid levels but if I did I would think harder on the subject and maybe give it a try. Of course, I’d probably have a bottle of whatever sitting on the side but still, if I was in so much discomfort it would be a any port in a storm situation.
     
    #9
  10. Tony Page

    Tony Page Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2021
    Messages:
    3,527
    Likes Received:
    8,384
    Since I'm taking an antacid everyday I went back to my regular diet with no problems. I can have my pasta, pizza, I do limit Fried Foods no problem. Maybe this was a way of balancing out my system who knows?
    I did try stopping the daily famotidine, I got very sick.
     
    #10
  11. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2021
    Messages:
    10,289
    Likes Received:
    9,333
    So far we stick to baking soda and lemons, but I know that doesn't work for everyone, if it stops we will take whatever works.
     
    #11
    Tony Page and Bobby Cole like this.
  12. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2021
    Messages:
    10,289
    Likes Received:
    9,333
    Although lemons are acidic they turn alkaline in the stomach or that is what I'm told. So if I had heartburn I'll drink lemon juice before bed, I freeze lemons so I'll always have some and keep baking soda too.
     
    #12
    Denise Evans and Tony Page like this.
  13. Denise Evans

    Denise Evans Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Messages:
    6,095
    Likes Received:
    7,627
    I had heartburn bad until I stopped sugars/simple carbs (Keto). I also started using a wedge pillow at night. I do have a small hiatel hernia, showed up in an ultra-sound I think it was. I don't eat after 6 pm, and wait at least 3 hours before I lie down for bed. I've found a couple of little things I can eat with no issues though like boiled eggs or string-cheese. I don't need to take anything as long as I stick to the routine I developed over the last 15 months. I follow a lot of online information such as Dr. Benjamin Bikman, and Pub-med studies. I don't believe everything I read, and only try out what I feel safe in doing. If it works, great! If it doesn't I start reading and listening to something else ;)
     
    #13
    Marie Mallery likes this.
  14. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2021
    Messages:
    10,289
    Likes Received:
    9,333
    I also used a 4x4 about 5 in. high to raise head board, amazing how good that worked.
     
    #14
    Tony Page and Denise Evans like this.
  15. Denise Evans

    Denise Evans Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Messages:
    6,095
    Likes Received:
    7,627
    I love a lemon concoction I make with ACV, ginger, cinnamon, msm and Vit C (as calcium ascorbate) I make a pitch of it and drink one in a.m. before anything else, and one about 2 hours or less, before dinner.

    That tonic comes from a guy that also does Keto and had bad heartburn. Way worse than mine. He's on Youtube if anyone is interested. Oops forgot to add I use an organic lemon juice made here in California.
     
    #15
    Bobby Cole and Marie Mallery like this.

Share This Page