How do u live with acid reflux

[Claudene]

I was diagnosed with acid reflux is very stressful types I feel pain n my lower belly bck n times I feel like my bones hurt that it feels like it about to break one day I be feeling better eating the things I know I suppose to eat other days it just take over my life I be n depression mood dont wanna come out the house r the bed how do u cope with acid reflux

[starveycat]

Ok I take it you know not to eat any acidic food. Rest after a meal.no late night snacks, I never eat after six. No spicy foods. Have you raised the mattress head end of your bed, by at least eight inches. Don't just lay on lots of pillows as this could harm your neck.

I didn't realize I had reflux just thought a touch of indigestion, then I had to see a consultant who told me I had developed a condition where my vocal cords don't work properly now.

This is the new you, you are probably grieving for the old you, who could eat anything without pain. You will get used to it and realize you are special ❤️

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to starveycat]

I thought I had it fairly well controlled by doing all the right things, but just had a reoccurrence this morning. This seems to coincide with periods of stress.

[Claudene in reply to Rachmaninov2]

Same here I thought I have it control I just need to relax more n not stress over it

[Claudene in reply to starveycat]

Yes grieving the old me eat n drink anything the person that was like a person I'm just lost so weight I don't even want to look n the mirror anymore don't even want to see in public I just isolated myself from the world

[Hidden]

How do I cope with it? By living with it, not fighting against it.

Yes, it’s tough! I’ve been living with digestive issues on and off for thirteen years now. At first it was intermittent: I would have a bad flare up and have to reduce the number of things I ate. Interestingly I have often found that I will “go off” foods that are triggers for me if my system is having a flare. Eventually things would calm down and I could start to reintroduce things and then another flare would happen (presumably because I’d got things wrong) and I’d be back to square one. For the past sixteen months (so this current flare started before covid was on the scene) it’s been a constant. I’m also asthmatic so sometimes it’s quite difficult to tell whether it’s asthma or it’s reflux that’s causing the breathing issues that can be a symptom for me. It’s usually been reflux and hasn’t been easy living with a condition that at times has resulted in weeks of breathing issues every time I’ve eaten or drunk something despite the fact that I’m being careful with my diet. And of course this past year has been so much harder because access to doctors has been so much more difficult.

There are other things you can do to help - apologies if you are already doing all or some of these. If you haven’t already done so raise the head end of your bed around six inches (that should help to keep the stomach acid in your stomach at night - gravity is a wonderful thing). Don’t lie on your right side, ideally lie on your left, that should also help. If you are overweight, try to lose some of it; if you smoke, try to kick the habit - both are known to increase the risk of reflux. Never eat late - your last meal of the day ideally should be no later than seven o’clock in the evening, and whatever you do, don’t snack or take in any food after that. Make sure you don’t slouch for a good hour or two after eating (I know it’s tempting to do so) and, above all, eat small portions!

Most importantly - I assume you are on medication for this. If you are still having issues you must get in touch with your GP and explain the problems you are having.

Finally one other thing: I know this is very difficult but stressing about it won’t help - it will only make it worse, which is why it is really important that you get in touch with your GP if you are struggling. It’s also why I say learning to live with it is crucial.

All the very best!!!

[Claudene in reply to Hidden]

Yea its ruff thnks for ur suggestion I eat after a certain hour cause I be hungry I do eat small portion of food but I'm on medication for it too I just hate the nauseous part but I find things to do that keeps me from stressing over it I always sleep.on my right I be trying my left n I've lost alot of weight because I don't eat much so what kind tea u recommended to drink

[Hidden in reply to Claudene]

I can’t cope with tannin or caffeine (not uncommon with reflux), so tea and coffee are out! So are red wine and fizzy drinks (the latter gives me irritable bowel syndrome - which is very painful!). So for cold drinks I drink water and for hot drinks hot milky water (quarter cup milk to three quarters hot water). I know this sounds disgusting but actually it’s quite pleasant and in Scandinavia it is a recognised drink:-).

Nausea is not something I have so much with my reflux now. Have you been checked for delayed stomach emptying or had a gastroscopy? If not and things don’t improve you really should talk to your GP and see if you can be referred to a gastroenterologist.

[Claudene in reply to Hidden]

Ok I drink water but for hot tea I do ginger but times I can't keep it down especially wen I flare up to the extreme so I try the milk situation I ask my doctor about if I need a gastroscopy

[Hidden in reply to Claudene]

Yes, I used to use ginger (1 teaspoon grated root ginger in a mug of hot water), but I’ve had to be very careful with that in the past 16 months and it’s been rare for me to feel OK enough to have it.

[Claudene in reply to Hidden]

Ok so what u do when u be bloated

[Hidden in reply to Claudene]

Nothing I can do really, other than lie down with a warm (not hot) hot water bottle and wait for things to calm down. The instinct is to curl up, but in my experience that just makes things worse.

[Claudene in reply to Hidden]

Ok I try the water bottle so u just drink it like that

[Hidden in reply to Claudene]

Um - no.

Am I right that you do not live in the U.K. because if you do not then the term “hot water bottle” might be confusing - my apologies:-). Essentially in the U.K. a hot water bottle is a flexible flat rubbery container (about 8 inches by 10 inches - or 20 by 25cm - in size) that can be part filled with hot water. Traditionally it was used to warm a bed at night in winter (so nothing to do with drinking the contents), but it can also be used as a heat pack - which is what I use it for if I’m suffering from bloating resulting from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). I usually find a warm (note - not hot) hot water bottle placed on my abdomen if I’m suffering from IBS helps to relieve the discomfort a little. A warm heat pack of the same sort of size should do the job just as well.

[Claudene in reply to Hidden]

Lol no i live n the Bahamas but since u explain it I have an idea wat u mean i have to check the stores to see if they have it

[Purple_haze51 in reply to Claudene]

I can't drink ginger tea I think it burns my stomach cause it's spicy

[Bellyup200 in reply to Claudene]

Anis tea does wonders for me.

[Brownie1895]

Sorry.I know.I had this.It was so bad,I ended up,with Bartlett .Anyhow,you on medication.So,I would assume you ,already saw a doctor.Unless,you are buying medicine over the counter.If you had it,a long time,you should definitely see a doctor.Heartburn should never ever been allowed to become chronic.Mine did.Anyhow,keep a journal of what you eat and drink.That way,you can see what your trigger foods are.Also,do not lie down,after a meal for as least 3 hours.I also ,chew gum after meals.That seems to help.Some people say,honey helps?Anyhow,there is plenty of material on the internet,on this subject.However,some of it must be took with a hugh grain of salt.As many, unfortunately,just want to sell something.You must find out,what works for you.As,people are different.

[Claudene in reply to Brownie1895]

Yes I been to the doctor that how I know I have acid reflux he put me on one medication times I take the gas medication it works sometimes n other times it dont I be keeping a journal from now on I though chewing gum will give u more gas but I tried it maybe it with the funny taste in my mouth r it be watery which is annoying for me thnks for the suggestion

[Bellaowl]

Can you get hold of cardoman? Put a dried pod in a cup of warm milk.

My foster mother from Grenada used a tiny pinch of mace in milk to ease her stomach pain.

But all you can really do is trial and error.

I find if I take a quick smell if a food or herb or spice, I know if it will help or hinder by the way my body reacts.

You are building a new you. It will come as you learn more about your body.

Bellaowl

[Claudene in reply to Bellaowl]

What is a cardoman I dont know what that is I live n the Bahamas so.im not sure if I can find that here

[Bellaowl in reply to Claudene]

It’s a small seed pod used a lot in Indian cooking. Don’t use the crushed whole pods - too irritating. Use the same way as Mace-see below. I’m not sure if cardoman is grown in the West Indies- but originally came from Guatemala.

It’s a tree, about the size of apricot or small orange.

You can almost certainly get mace since nutmegs are grown in Grenada. Their main crop in fact. But don’t use the nutmeg only the mace around the nut.

It’s more gentle than ginger. You only need a tiny flake and leave it steeping in warm milk. Don’t crush it up and don’t swallow the flake.

If you are better with goats milk you can use that. Or even plain water.

B🦉

[Claudene in reply to Bellaowl]

K thanks

[Mauser1905]

Good useful advice from helpful members here.

Suggest also visit opa.org.uk website for detailed information and articles, diet sheets etc