When controlling portions I get heartburn and acidity.

[ash894]

Hello, I have joined the NHS weight loss program today, but have been controlling my portions for the past week. Every time I try to control my portions (and believe me I have been trying for years) I get unbelievable heartburn, if i try using Gaviscon I get constipation (sorry). If I eat very large portions then the acidity stays at bay otherwise I'm in pain.

My GP is no use in that matter but I am seriously overweight by 25kg.

Please help.

EDIT: Thank you to all who answered and all your comments are very helpful and appreciated. No matter what I eat or don’t eat I get acidity if controlling my portions. I have already started looking at the NHS weight loss 12 week program and will follow it to the T (fingers crossed). I will definitely get on to my GP on Tuesday for help. Thank you again to all.

[Hidden]

Maybe it’s what you are eating ash894 . I find eating bread and pasta products give me terrible indigestion. I very rarely eat them these days, in fact I don’t eat potatoes, rice, pasta or any starchy carbs after breakfast. If you have just joined us, have a look at the Daily Diary. People put their meal plans for the next day on there, partly to make themselves accountable and stick to their regime, but many f us have found it helpful to have others comment on our plans and tweak them for the better. Good luck.

[Minniewinny 5 stone Maintainer]

Great to have you join us ash894

Welcome and enjoy the forum...

I can't help regarding the acid reflux... Sorry.

Please check with your health professional regarding your actions to lose weight and get their support locally to compliment this wonderful forum...

I'd like to invite you to read our Newbie Pack - which is what I call the sat-nav to the benefits of the forum, here's the link:

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Please also read this about the importance of locking your posts:

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Cheering you on to reach your goals 🎉🎉🎉

[BenRees21]

Your GP should be able to prescribe you 30mg Lanzoprazole which you take once a day. I’ve been on em for years now for acid reflux and they leave you acid/heartburn free no matter what you eat or drink! Mention them to your GP and remind him/her you are trying to help yourself and he/she should be supporting you. 👍🏻

[IndigoBlue61]

Have you tried eating slower, really chewing the food, and drinking plenty of water . . . All things that help indigestion

[Tiggerr]

When you say 'control your portions', are you eating enough? That probably sounds quite subjective but if you read the 12 week plan and run the NHS BMI calculator to acquire your calorie range, you should be in a better position to answer that

[Windymoo 7lbs]

Hi ash894 yes food absorbs the acid so when you allow your stomach to be empty it burns. Just as BenRees21 says your doctor should prescribe you something. If your doctors a total waist of time as mine are I think you can buy renetadien over the counter which does the same. 😸

[focused1 Maintainer 13kg]

It may be your body adjusting to different foods too as I suspect now you are following a healthy eating programme you aren't eating exactly the same foods or amount .If you have reflux at all then shedding weight will do it good . I did things in reverse . I had surgery in January for hiatus hernia and then tackled the weight issue but the tests leading up to surgery were highly unpleasant plus the surgery too . I was told the condition is a lot more common when you are overweight . I was on lansoprazole before surgery . If you read studies and take actual advice from a medical expert then these aren't good to take long term .That's partly why I had surgery . If these issues persist then I would ask for an endoscope as if left your symptoms won't go away of their own accord but I would still be trying to lose weight anyway.

[ash894 in reply to focused1]

Thank you the more advice I’m getting from people the more I’m learning something new. Will definitely heed your advice. Thanks again.

[Lynne64]

Hiya. This might sound nuts, but my dog had the same problem. The vet explained that when I left her stomach empty for too long, acid built up in her tummy. So she now gets a wee bit toast and butter before bed and the same on walking and the problem has gone. So made me wonder if it’s not potion size that’s the issue, but the length of time your stomach is empty? Maybe small and often would work better for you, particularly a wee snack before bed? I do intermittent fasting so have almost 20 hours a day with no food, but my system definitely functions differently from yours. Good luck and shame about your gp. Try another. Lynne

[ash894 in reply to Lynne64]

Lol, that isn’t nuts but describes me perfectly and I’m not a dog 😂. I definitely get acidity after even mild exercise or walking, will definitely try this now, thank you.

[Lynne64 in reply to ash894]

Great! Just make sure you don’t start sniffing lamp posts😂

[ash894 in reply to Lynne64]

Hope not 🤣

[Blath]

I agree with Lynne64, i feel pretty unwell if i go past hungry and then really have to watch what i eat at that stage or it can make it worse. I think its a similar acid build up but have learned to eat snacks more often and always have some on hand, and especially if i think I'm getting near the hungry stage. Best of luck with it, hope you get some relief soon!