Posts tagged: Coffee

Should I be taking Nexium with my fullness symptoms?

Question:

Hello, I recently visited my family physician with complaints about always having a feeling of fullness in my stomach. I’ve had no feeling of acid indigestion but have had severe bloating. Because of recurring headaches, I’ve been taking Excedrin almost daily for months. (I now find that just drinking caffeinated coffee takes care of my headaches). My doctor prescribed Nexium and I’m wondering if I’m taking the correct medication since I don’t seem to have any acid reflux symptoms. Anyone advice appreciated.

Response:

> Hello, > I recently visited my family physician with complaints about always having a > feeling of fullness in my stomach. I’ve had no feeling of acid indigestion > but have had severe bloating. Because of recurring headaches, I’ve been > taking Excedrin almost daily for months. (I now find that just drinking > caffeinated coffee takes care of my headaches). My doctor prescribed Nexium > and I’m wondering if I’m taking the correct medication since I don’t seem to > have any acid reflux symptoms. > Anyone advice appreciated.

Might the fullness really be gas?  Look at your diet and see if it happens more after certain kinds of foods.  Sugars and even artificial sweeteners frequently produce gas. Also, are you constipated?  This too can lead to a full feeling. To answer your question about nexium – does it help? Louise

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello, > I recently visited my family physician with complaints about always having a > feeling of fullness in my stomach. I’ve had no feeling of acid indigestion > but have had severe bloating. Because of recurring headaches, I’ve been > taking Excedrin almost daily for months. (I now find that just drinking > caffeinated coffee takes care of my headaches). My doctor prescribed Nexium > and I’m wondering if I’m taking the correct medication since I don’t seem to > have any acid reflux symptoms. > Anyone advice appreciated. > Might the fullness really be gas?  Look at your diet and see if it > happens more after certain kinds of foods.  Sugars and even artificial > sweeteners frequently produce gas. > Also, are you constipated?  This too can lead to a full feeling. > To answer your question about nexium – does it help?

But they don’t produce gas in the stomach…that is from swallowed air. The most common reason for air swallowing is reflux. Only about 40% of people with GERD have symptoms of heartburn or "acid indigestion". Having said that, I think it’s reasonable to continue the PPI if it helps your symptoms of bloating. If it doesn’t, I wouldn’t pay for another such pill until the diagnosis had been confirmed. HMc

Response:

If you do have gas in your stomach, you could try one of the preparations which contains simethicone (sp?), eg Myalanta.  The simethicone will help you burp and get rid of the gas. AB

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > Hello, > > I recently visited my family physician with complaints about always > having a > > feeling of fullness in my stomach. I’ve had no feeling of acid > indigestion > > but have had severe bloating. Because of recurring headaches, I’ve been > > taking Excedrin almost daily for months. (I now find that just drinking > > caffeinated coffee takes care of my headaches). My doctor prescribed > Nexium > > and I’m wondering if I’m taking the correct medication since I don’t > seem to > > have any acid reflux symptoms. > > Anyone advice appreciated. > Might the fullness really be gas?  Look at your diet and see if it > happens more after certain kinds of foods.  Sugars and even artificial > sweeteners frequently produce gas. > Also, are you constipated?  This too can lead to a full feeling. > To answer your question about nexium – does it help? > But they don’t produce gas in the stomach…that is from swallowed air. The > most common reason for air swallowing is reflux. > Only about 40% of people with GERD have symptoms of heartburn or "acid > indigestion". > Having said that, I think it’s reasonable to continue the PPI if it helps > your symptoms of bloating. If it doesn’t, I wouldn’t pay for another such > pill until the diagnosis had been confirmed. > HMc

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Response:

Too much alkaline foods

Question:

Is it possible to eat and drink so much alkaline at one time that the pH level of your stomach actually gets to 7 or higher?  Things like pure caffeine and other alkaloid substances tend to be basic.  I don’t think a couple of tums will have much of an effect, but anything stonger could have very noticeable effects. In my experience whenever I took a lot of pure caffeine (not coffee, which could sometimes have acidic properties), my stomach felt upset with symptoms of gastritis.  I’m wondering if the reason behind this is the stomach’s attempts to compensate for the high pH level by making lots of acid even after the need for it has disappeared. Although many people take alkaline substances regularly, I guess to drive the point home, I would like to think about any long term damage to the stomach by taking very high levels of alkaline substances.  For one thing, the acid level could be reduced to the point that unfriendly bacteria and fungi can grow and damage the linings of the stomach. Any thoughts on this?

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Is it possible to eat and drink so much alkaline at one time that the > pH level of your stomach actually gets to 7 or higher?  Things like > pure caffeine and other alkaloid substances tend to be basic.  I don’t > think a couple of tums will have much of an effect, but anything > stonger could have very noticeable effects. > In my experience whenever I took a lot of pure caffeine (not coffee, > which could sometimes have acidic properties), my stomach felt upset > with symptoms of gastritis.  I’m wondering if the reason behind this > is the stomach’s attempts to compensate for the high pH level by > making lots of acid even after the need for it has disappeared. > Although many people take alkaline substances regularly, I guess to > drive the point home, I would like to think about any long term damage > to the stomach by taking very high levels of alkaline substances.  For > one thing, the acid level could be reduced to the point that > unfriendly bacteria and fungi can grow and damage the linings of the > stomach.

Your symptoms have nothing to do with the pH of the substances you take in…that’s an old wive’s tale like "don’t go out in the cold and get wet or you’ll get pneumonia", or "wait an hour after you eat before you go swimming". Your "gastritis" symptoms are acid refluxing into your esophagus, facilititated by transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations caused by the caffiene/nicotine/tomato spices/full stomach. As to your last paragraph, about "unfriendly bacteria", and "fungus damage" and "ingestion of alkaline substances"…well…that just doesn’t make any sense. HMc

Response:

You may be right about what really caused the symptoms in me, although I know that it is not all in the esophagus.  Inflammation of the stomach itself does occur, and that is a problem of mine at this point.  But if we’re talking principles of simple pH balance, it’s not so silly to think that acid can be neutralized by base.  It may very well be silly in applying that principle to the stomach, but my question was to address if there was a possibility that something highly alkaline would be able to neutralize or overpower the gastric acid.  After all, where does it all go when you eat or drink it down except to the stomach?  And since the stomach acid destroys much of the potential bacteria that can grow in the stomach (except for H.Pylori), without the acid, bacteria can grow.  This condition does exist, which is called hypochlorhydria, where the stomach does not produce enough acid.  For these people, bacteria in the stomach is indeed an issue. As a matter of fact, because the small instestines and the large intestines are protected from stomach acid, that’s where a lot of bacteria grow.  So yes, bacteria can grow in places that aren’t highly acidic.  Whether this would actually happen in reality for most people is another matter, but I would like to know what the possibilities actually are.  If somebody were to tell me that it is simply impossible for something very alkaline to complete neutralize or overpower stomach acid, I would like to know why that would be the case. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Is it possible to eat and drink so much alkaline at one time that the > pH level of your stomach actually gets to 7 or higher?  Things like > pure caffeine and other alkaloid substances tend to be basic.  I don’t > think a couple of tums will have much of an effect, but anything > stonger could have very noticeable effects. > In my experience whenever I took a lot of pure caffeine (not coffee, > which could sometimes have acidic properties), my stomach felt upset > with symptoms of gastritis.  I’m wondering if the reason behind this > is the stomach’s attempts to compensate for the high pH level by > making lots of acid even after the need for it has disappeared. > Although many people take alkaline substances regularly, I guess to > drive the point home, I would like to think about any long term damage > to the stomach by taking very high levels of alkaline substances.  For > one thing, the acid level could be reduced to the point that > unfriendly bacteria and fungi can grow and damage the linings of the > stomach. > Your symptoms have nothing to do with the pH of the substances you take > in…that’s an old wive’s tale like "don’t go out in the cold and get wet or > you’ll get pneumonia", or "wait an hour after you eat before you go > swimming". Your "gastritis" symptoms are acid refluxing into your esophagus, > facilititated by transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations caused by > the caffiene/nicotine/tomato spices/full stomach. > As to your last paragraph, about "unfriendly bacteria", and "fungus damage" > and "ingestion of alkaline substances"…well…that just doesn’t make any > sense. > HMc

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> You may be right about what really caused the symptoms in me, although > I know that it is not all in the esophagus.  Inflammation of the > stomach itself does occur, and that is a problem of mine at this > point.  But if we’re talking principles of simple pH balance, it’s not > so silly to think that acid can be neutralized by base.  It may very > well be silly in applying that principle to the stomach, but my > question was to address if there was a possibility that something > highly alkaline would be able to neutralize or overpower the gastric > acid.  After all, where does it all go when you eat or drink it down > except to the stomach?  And since the stomach acid destroys much of > the potential bacteria that can grow in the stomach (except for > H.Pylori), without the acid, bacteria can grow.  This condition does > exist, which is called hypochlorhydria, where the stomach does not > produce enough acid.  For these people, bacteria in the stomach is > indeed an issue. > As a matter of fact, because the small instestines and the large > intestines are protected from stomach acid, that’s where a lot of > bacteria grow.  So yes, bacteria can grow in places that aren’t highly > acidic.  Whether this would actually happen in reality for most people > is another matter, but I would like to know what the possibilities > actually are.  If somebody were to tell me that it is simply > impossible for something very alkaline to complete neutralize or > overpower stomach acid, I would like to know why that would be the > case.

How do you know that your stomach is inflamed? Assuming that you have had upper GI endoscopy, which is the only way to know, and that you DO have gastritis, the foods that you eat will have no significant effect on the acid base balance in your stomach. It is possible to change the pH of your stomach to alkaline, but this is done by decreasing the acid output of the stomach with the use of anti-secretory medication such as Tagamet or Prilosec. And antacids such as Maalox will certainly neutralize stomach acid for a short time. Additionally, the AMOUNT of food that you eat can stimulate increased acid production, but the direct effect of food on the stomach lining is negligible. The old concept that acidic or spicey foods will lead to inflammation of the stomach lining was dispelled many years ago. HMc

Response:

Tamer additive

Question:

has anyone here ever used some of the Tamer products to reduce acid in the stomach, or to add to coffee, food etc. i was wondering if it works at all and also if you can take your PPI’s with it. i would appreciate it if someone could give me an answer. thanks — kitty

Response:

I have used the Tamer products for about two years now and they work real well for me. Especially the Food Tamer. I use it on ketchup and other tomato products. I have also talked to others that say it works great in coffee. I also take Prilosec 20 mg a day…no problems. I purchase it through www.heartburn-help.com

Response:

Can someone tell me what these Tamer things are? I am from Australia, which might explain my ignorance. Also, why would you need to take them *and* Prilosec? Doesn’t the Prilosec work?

Response:

Tamer is a product that can be added to food and drink before you consume it in order to neutralize the acid in the food. Prilosec shuts off the acid that is produced by the stomach. When a person has heartburn or Gerd they have to stay away from offending high acid foods and drink sometimes even though they are taking a PPI such as Prilosec. For many people, the Tamer products allow them to once again enjoy coffee, tomato etc. Heartburn and Gastro Esophageal Reflux web page: http://www.heartburn-help.com

Response:

These Tamer products sound interesting. Does anybody know if they are available in Australia?

Response:

They can be ordered from www.heartburn-help.com and sent through the mail.

Response:

Being weened of Prilosec

Question:

I would definitely stay on prilosec if it is helping, unless your doctor can give you specific reasons not to use it.  Sheis probably trying to cut costs. I have been on it for four years, now. Alex.

Response:

Moses here: People end up taking it on an ongoing basis. You’ll know soon enough. If you were a chronic sufferer it will be back. Do you have all the reforms in place? Have you tilted your bed, quit coffee, tea, chocolate, fatty things, peanut butter, tomatoes, citrus and so be back on the med if you can pay for it. What nation are you in? Are you in an HMO…this is a trick they would likely try to cut costs for them. It is no real concern if you suffer to them, as long as their fat old boys at top get their millions of dollars. Ah, the wonder of the brave old frontier of huge bloated private/corporate bureaucracy. Thank Trent Lott and crew and their back room buddies. Sincerely Moses Clarke – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My doctor prescribed Prilosec for me about 2 months ago, but she said it was > not recommended for continuous daily usage.  After my prescription runs out > (tomorrow) I fear my chronic heartburn will return.  I know other people who > take Prilosec every day of their lives, so obviously there are doctors out > there that don’t have a problem prescribing it for full time use. What > should I expect when I stop taking the drug?  What are the concerns with > taking it daily?  Should I threaten to leave my doctor for one who will > prescribe it full time?  These last couple of months have been great, the > purple pill has been a God send.

Before you buy.

Response:

My doctor prescribed Prilosec for me about 2 months ago, but she said it was not recommended for continuous daily usage.  After my prescription runs out (tomorrow) I fear my chronic heartburn will return.  I know other people who take Prilosec every day of their lives, so obviously there are doctors out there that don’t have a problem prescribing it for full time use.  What should I expect when I stop taking the drug?  What are the concerns with taking it daily?  Should I threaten to leave my doctor for one who will prescribe it full time?  These last couple of months have been great, the purple pill has been a God send.

Response:

I FOUND HEARTBURN,REFLUX RELIEF NATURALLY

Question:

Dear Friends, I have suffered for years with severe heartburn and reflux problems, I was taking medication but did not like the long term side effects. A friend of mine told me about a Natural whole food liquid vitamin that was helping alot of people, so I gave it a try. I can honestly say these products have changed my life. In the past three months on the products, I have only had to take medication one day. I now drink coffee and other foods that I have not been able to in a long time. If any of you would like more information on this product, please feel free to contact me any time. Sincerely, Mark

Response:

Mark, I was glad to hear that someone had good results from a liquid vitamin. I am interested in finding out more about it. I’ve been taking Prilosec, Propulsid, etc. for a over a year and still no relief from the Reflux. I was also told about a green clay powder. Have heard about this? Please reply back with the name of the vitamin, company, etc. that was helpful. May you have continue prescription medicine free days. Lynn * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

I FOUND HEARTBURN,REFLUX RELIEF NATURALLY

Question:

Dear Friends, I have suffered for years with severe heartburn and reflux problems, I was taking medication but did not like the long term side effects. A friend of mine told me about a Natural whole food liquid vitamin that was helping alot of people, so I gave it a try. I can honestly say these products have changed my life. In the past three months on the products, I have only had to take medication one day. I now drink coffee and other foods that I have not been able to in a long time. If any of you would like more information on this product, please feel free to contact me any time. Sincerely, Mark

Response:

Mark, I was glad to hear that someone had good results from a liquid vitamin. I am interested in finding out more about it. I’ve been taking Prilosec, Propulsid, etc. for a over a year and still no relief from the Reflux. I was also told about a green clay powder. Have heard about this? Please reply back with the name of the vitamin, company, etc. that was helpful. May you have continue prescription medicine free days. Lynn * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Capsaicum and GERD

Question:

Lately, I have been reading that one should avoid spicy foods with GERD.  I occasionaly put Tabasco sauce or other red pepper sauces on my food and have experienced no problems.  In fact, a little bit seems to soothe the discomfort. On the other hand, chocolate seems to bother me a great deal. I woud be interested in other people’s experiences with hot peppers who have ulcers, GERD, or other such problems. Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

>Lately, I have been reading that one should avoid spicy foods with GERD. > I occasionaly put Tabasco sauce or other red pepper sauces on my food >and have experienced no problems.  In fact, a little bit seems to soothe >the discomfort. >On the other hand, chocolate seems to bother me a great deal. >I woud be interested in other people’s experiences with hot peppers who >have ulcers, GERD, or other such problems.

You’ve probably experienced a crude form of homeopathy: that which will cause can cure. Capsicum can cause burning/dyspepsia/flatulence/ vomiting/sinking sensation in the stomach, and therefore can counter- act those conditions that occur as a result of illness.

Response:

I guess everyone’s different. I have GERD and anything hot like Tabasco sauce makes it much worse, as does chocolate, coffee, tea, etc. Pierre

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Lately, I have been reading that one should avoid spicy foods with GERD. > I occasionaly put Tabasco sauce or other red pepper sauces on my food >and have experienced no problems.  In fact, a little bit seems to soothe >the discomfort. >On the other hand, chocolate seems to bother me a great deal. >I woud be interested in other people’s experiences with hot peppers who >have ulcers, GERD, or other such problems. >You’ve probably experienced a crude form of homeopathy: that which >will cause can cure. Capsicum can cause burning/dyspepsia/flatulence/ >vomiting/sinking sensation in the stomach, and therefore can counter- >act those conditions that occur as a result of illness.

Response:

Have you had that type of problem (GERD, ulcers)?  Some people believe that capsaicum containing (red peppers) will even help heal ulcers.  My experience has been that weak capsaicum, such as that in powdered cayenne pepper or Tabasco sauce is soothing, but stronger forms, such as habanero, is aggravating to the GI system. What is your experience? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Lately, I have been reading that one should avoid spicy foods with GERD. > I occasionaly put Tabasco sauce or other red pepper sauces on my food >and have experienced no problems.  In fact, a little bit seems to soothe >the discomfort. >On the other hand, chocolate seems to bother me a great deal. >I woud be interested in other people’s experiences with hot peppers who >have ulcers, GERD, or other such problems. > You’ve probably experienced a crude form of homeopathy: that which > will cause can cure. Capsicum can cause burning/dyspepsia/flatulence/ > vomiting/sinking sensation in the stomach, and therefore can counter- > act those conditions that occur as a result of illness.

Response:

My experience has been that peppers in any form increase my symptoms. I used to eat bell peppers every day and I had to give them up due to the constant coughing and throat irritation I would get from eating them and they are not even spicy.  I used to eat green chiles but I can’t eat them anymore. -Chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Have you had that type of problem (GERD, ulcers)?  Some people believe that > capsaicum containing (red peppers) will even help heal ulcers.  My experience > has been that weak capsaicum, such as that in powdered cayenne pepper or > Tabasco sauce is soothing, but stronger forms, such as habanero, is > aggravating to the GI system. > What is your experience? > >Lately, I have been reading that one should avoid spicy foods with GERD. > > I occasionaly put Tabasco sauce or other red pepper sauces on my food > >and have experienced no problems.  In fact, a little bit seems to soothe > >the discomfort. > >On the other hand, chocolate seems to bother me a great deal. > >I woud be interested in other people’s experiences with hot peppers who > >have ulcers, GERD, or other such problems. > You’ve probably experienced a crude form of homeopathy: that which > will cause can cure. Capsicum can cause burning/dyspepsia/flatulence/ > vomiting/sinking sensation in the stomach, and therefore can counter- > act those conditions that occur as a result of illness.

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Response:

All peppers are not created equal. My article of the month is on Cayenne.  It is good for stomach problems, read about it on my site. http://www.angelfire.com/ms/herbals/article.html Mitzi Miceli http://www.angelfire.com/ms/herbals Herbal information, herbs, vitamins, supplements, and more! Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

I’ve heard of these curative properties, and I’ve actually tried capsules that contain garlic, capsaicum and ginger. Every time i decide to try one, an hour later, I wish I had just drank bbq starter fluid and lit it instead. Maybe the capsules were too strong, I don’t know. I love Tabasco sauce in just about any food, but I pay the price with bad acid reflux later in the night. I’ve been on Pantoloc for months, and Losec for two yrs before that. I must say have my doubts about these alternative therapies, but I did find that edible Aloe gel was soothing. Pierre – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Have you had that type of problem (GERD, ulcers)?  Some people believe that >capsaicum containing (red peppers) will even help heal ulcers.  My experience >has been that weak capsaicum, such as that in powdered cayenne pepper or >Tabasco sauce is soothing, but stronger forms, such as habanero, is >aggravating to the GI system. >What is your experience?

Response:

in need of nutritional info

Question:

I posted something just now about foods I eat now that I know I have sever acid reflux. Has anyone seen a nutritionist for in-depth detailed discussion of what they can and cannot eat? I was told a number of things to stay away from and they are all the things I eat! (used to eat). I am thinking of asking my doctor to refer me to a nutritionist. I might check my insurance coverage to see if its covered. i guess its not. But I might just go on my own in that case. Has anyone done this? was it covered? How much did it cost? Many thanks to HawkTear and others who have put up heartburn diet web pages. But I need much more detail. i need a list of hundreds of foods and their acidity content as well as nutritive content and even interaction with prescribed heartburn medicines. I would like to know what spices or condiments I can have without causing an acid attack. i need to know if I drink Kava low-acid coffee, will it cause me problems? I eat many different things so sometimes I don’t know what caused my heartburn. sometimes the reaction is delayed so its even harder to tell. And somtimes anyhting, even water sets it off for me. Some things are however difinitely worse than others. If such a page does not exist would there be any interest among the readers if I go ahead and create such a web resource? I just don;t want to reinvent the wheel. -JG

Response:

>I eat many different things so sometimes I don’t know what caused my >heartburn. sometimes the reaction is delayed so its even harder to >tell. And somtimes anyhting, even water sets it off for me. Some >things are however difinitely worse than others.

Not everyone is affected by the same food or drink. For instance, my mother cannot eat mustard or drink lemonade. I can without a problem. The whole matter is further complicated by the fact that a little of something may be ok but more is not. I have even found that I can tolerate something for a meal or two but if I repeat the same thing over two or three days it can cause a problem. So, while a list of foods and drink that have the potential of causing problems for people with reflux could be made, an exact list would be impossible to compile. As you have noticed it takes a lot of individual testing to see if something will create a problem or not. Any effort to create a web source for a Gerd diet would be most appreciated. Perhaps it could start off with a list of foods most likely to cause problems. You may even be able to gather some data on offending foods. For instance if a person with Gerd knew that coffee bothered 85% of the group tested and they are drinking a lot of coffee, they might be able to expedite their own recovery. Let me know if you pursue this. I would be glad to link to your page from the Heartburn-help.com web site. Heartburn and Gastro Esophageal Reflux web page: http://www.heartburn-help.com

Response:

here is the post I referred to: I have hiatus hernia and have burned by esophagus a bit. I used to eat anything.  I now regularly consume : bananas fresh spinach peas in the pod, washed, uncooked apples peaches prunes skim milk milk with carnation instant breakfast in it grapes bread and light margarine or a little jelly mixed vegetables, steamed corn on the cob, no butter, a little salt broiled chicken breast, made without spices fish filets (the frozen easy to make kind) I think just in the above you would get many vitamins and minerals and in their natural form they would be absorbed well in the intestines. I add a little red meat occasionally to be sure I am getting all the proteins I need. A little peanut butter will add protein too, its good on plain saltine crackers but goes down better on a small roll. Adequate water, drank slowly, will help the body function properly, and i assume that means it will help the body process what nutrients it gets and get rid of what it doesnt need. I am just learning how to eat with severe acid reflux disease. It will take practice and discipline. But I hope that out of this will come a diet healther than I had before I worried about acidity. My point is you can find a variety of foods you can eat and enjoy and provide yourself the nutrition you need. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I posted something just now about foods I eat now that I know I have >sever acid reflux. >Has anyone seen a nutritionist for in-depth detailed discussion of >what they can and cannot eat? I was told a number of things to stay >away from and they are all the things I eat! (used to eat). >I am thinking of asking my doctor to refer me to a nutritionist. I >might check my insurance coverage to see if its covered. >i guess its not. But I might just go on my own in that case. >Has anyone done this? was it covered? How much did it cost? >Many thanks to HawkTear and others who have put up heartburn diet web >pages. But I need much more detail. i need a list of hundreds of foods >and their acidity content as well as nutritive content and even >interaction with prescribed heartburn medicines. I would like to know >what spices or condiments I can have without causing an acid attack. i >need to know if I drink Kava low-acid coffee, will it cause me >problems? >I eat many different things so sometimes I don’t know what caused my >heartburn. sometimes the reaction is delayed so its even harder to >tell. And somtimes anyhting, even water sets it off for me. Some >things are however difinitely worse than others. >If such a page does not exist would there be any interest among the >readers if I go ahead and create such a web resource? >I just don;t want to reinvent the wheel. >-JG

Response:

"JG" == "Jim Griffin" writes: The list mentioned peanut butter.  I love it but it’s incredibly full of fat and oils.  Probably best to stay away from it because fats and oils are harder to digest.   JG> prunes Besides being okay on my acid-burn, prunes also help keep ya regular because all those OTC antacids are really constipating (to me, anyway).. JG> skim milk Yes.. even though they taste better, avoid regular fatty milk and half’n'half, etc.  Full of fat.  Fat is hard to digest.  Causes more acid production. JG> broiled chicken breast, made without spices I’ve been buying Tyson’s roasted skinless boneless breasts of chicken and eating them lately.  They’re already cooked and cold at the store in the meat dept.  An expensive cut but usually 100% edible, so nothing to waste.   I’ve also been eating a lot of cereal (Cheerios, Special-K, Rice Krispies, etc.. non sugared, low fat very plain cereals with just skim milk over them). JG> I am just learning how to eat with severe acid reflux disease. It will JG> take practice and discipline. But I hope that out of this will come a JG> diet healther than I had before I worried about acidity. Indeed.  Not to mention you’ll probably lose weight.  I’ve probably shed 10-15 lbs. in the past three weeks of going through a bad bout of acid reflux syndrome.  I know I’m losing weight because I had to drill a new hole in my belt so I could make it tighter because my pants have been falling off! ::blush:: Harv — AmigaZone! New lower price! Visit http://www.amigazone.com for info.

Response:

> I’ve also been eating a lot of cereal (Cheerios, Special-K, Rice > Krispies, etc.. non sugared, low fat very plain cereals with just skim > Indeed.  Not to mention you’ll probably lose weight.  I’ve probably > shed 10-15 lbs. in the past three weeks of going through a bad bout of > acid reflux syndrome.  I know I’m losing weight because I had to drill > a new hole in my belt so I could make it tighter because my pants have > been falling off! ::blush:: > Harv > —

Moses here: If your still suffering, you need treatment. And I don’t mean H-2 blocker like Pepcid, Zantac, Axid, or Tagamet; rather I mean the proton pump inhibitors. If 15 milligrams of Prevacid doesn’t work then have your doctor prescribe 30 milligrams which costs about the same as the 15 milligrams capsule. Some say Prilosec is slightly more effective which maybe because the two doses are 20 milligrams and 40 milligrams, it however is about 5 US dollars per day at the 40 milligram dose. The Prevacids and the other lower Prilosec are about 3.50 dollars per day. One capsule is used per day. Poorly controlled acid reflux is a esophageal cancer risk. Consider the surgury which will cost around 15 000 US dollars here in the States. Understand, it doesn’t always work or last. Though it will often take care of the HH even if it fails, as the a large HH can press on the heart (no, I am not talking about the heart burn—acid reflux) which isn’t said to be good. Also there is the risk too that the surgury will be too tight which causes problems swallowing. However, if the acid reflux let to go on, patients—GERD suffers will tend to suffer a narrowing of esophagus due the on going acid burn scarring. And thus they will have the same problem swallowing. Sincerely Moses Clarke PS Typos typos ….a bird that burns and burns again Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

"MC" == "Moses Clarke" writes: MC> Moses here: If your still suffering, you need treatment. And I MC> don’t mean H-2 blocker like Pepcid, Zantac, Axid, or Tagamet; rather MC> I mean the proton pump inhibitors. If 15 milligrams of Prevacid doesn’t MC> work then have your doctor prescribe 30 milligrams which costs about MC> the same as the 15 milligrams capsule. Some say Prilosec is slightly MC> more effective which maybe because the two doses are 20 milligrams and MC> 40 milligrams, it however is about 5 US dollars per day at the 40 MC> milligram dose. The Prevacids and the other lower Prilosec are about MC> 3.50 dollars per day. One capsule is used per day. I saw my Dr. 3 weeks ago for the problem.  He gave me a free 2-week doctor’s sample supply of Prevacid, 30mg caps and told me to take one a day.  Didn’t help much.  So he doubled the dosage and for the past few days I’ve been taking 1 twice a day.  It’s helped a lot.. at least I want to think the $114 I paid for the next 30 caps is what turned off the burning.   There’s always a possibility that it went away by itself, I suppose there’s no way to really know, but after he had me double the dosage Ifelt a lot better after 2-3 days.  Plus I radically changed my eating habits.. cut out ALL caffiene drinks (I never drank coffee anyway which is full of acid and always upset me) like sodas, all citrus products (sigh.. I LOVE orange juice too), all fatty foods, all chocolates, all spicy foods of any kind, etc. etc.  I’ve stifled myself onto a very bland diet for three weeks, and drinking almost nothing but water and the skim milk I put on cereal. Again, I don’t know if it was the double dosing of Prevacid, the change in diet, or the natural course of healing or a combination of all three, but it seems to be working. Harv — AmigaZone! New lower price! Visit http://www.amigazone.com for info.

Response:

I > I saw my Dr. 3 weeks ago for the problem.  He gave me a free 2-week > doctor’s sample supply of Prevacid, 30mg caps and told me to take one > a day.  Didn’t help much.  So he doubled the dosage and for the past > few days I’ve been taking 1 twice a day.  It’s helped a lot.. at least > I want to think the $114 I paid for the next 30 caps is what turned off the > burning. > There’s always a possibility that it went away by itself, I

Sorry, not too likely. > suppose there’s no way to really know, but after he had me double the > dosage Ifelt a lot better after 2-3 days.  Plus I radically changed my > eating habits.. cut out ALL caffiene drinks (I never drank coffee > anyway which is full of acid and always upset me) like sodas, all > citrus products (sigh.. I LOVE orange juice too), all fatty foods, all > chocolates, all spicy foods of any kind, etc. etc.  I’ve stifled > myself onto a very bland diet for three weeks, and drinking almost > nothing but water and the skim milk I put on cereal. > Again, I don’t know if it was the double dosing of Prevacid, the > change in diet, or the natural course of healing or a combination of > all three, but it seems to be working. > Harv > —

Moses here:      I did a web search using the search word pantoprazole. I found a small study that strongly indicated the Prilosec is the better drug for reflux.      With Prilosec, I be willing to bet you could at least add some spicy foods back into your diet. That is after, you get healed up. Sincerely Moses Clarke Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

>There’s always a possibility that it went away by itself<

I do know a very few people that found that only after a month of Prevacid or Prilosec the heartburn did not return but I would have to agree with Moses…Not too likely. Generally within three days of stopping the medication the heartburn resumes. Heartburn and Gastro Esophageal Reflux web page: http://www.heartburn-help.com

Response:

>I did a web search using the search word pantoprazole. I found a small study

that strongly indicated the Prilosec is the better drug for reflux.< Do you happen to have the http for that study? The only study I have found thus far showed Prevacid slightly stronger in cross over studies. Heartburn and Gastro Esophageal Reflux web page: http://www.heartburn-help.com

Response:

> >I did a web search using the search word pantoprazole. I found a small study > that strongly indicated the Prilosec is the better drug for reflux.< > Do you happen to have the http for that study? The only study I have found thus > far showed Prevacid slightly stronger in cross over studies. > Heartburn and Gastro Esophageal Reflux web page:

http://www.heartburn-help.com Moses here:  Perhaps it all depends on the dose levels of the respective drugs used in the drug comparison studies. Here is the www address for the site, I mentioned. http://www.mednet.ca/html/mn9808.htm Here is another site to compare…be sure to note that the dosages used in the study there are different than the study mentioned above. Therefore, the conclusions are a bit different. So maybe, it is all matter of getting a big enough dose per day. I was looking at Canadian web site and it seemed that some of the drugs were formulated with lower amounts of drug per capsule!!? Which might be alright for an acid stomach but not GERD. Sincerely Moses Clarke PS Typos typos… a bird that stayed in school rather than fly north in the 1960’s. Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

>Perhaps it all depends on the dose levels of the respective drugs used in the

drug comparison studies.< I suspect you are right. I will dig up the study I mentioned and see if I can compare apples and apples. I will let you know what I find. Thanks for the link. If you have any other links you think people might benefit from please send them to me. I will post them on the heartburn-help site. Heartburn and Gastro Esophageal Reflux web page: http://www.heartburn-help.com

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Moses here: >  Perhaps it all depends on the dose levels of the respective > drugs used in the drug comparison studies. Here is the www address for > the site, I mentioned. http://www.mednet.ca/html/mn9808.htm > Here is another site to compare…be sure to note that the dosages used > in the study there are different than the study mentioned above. > Therefore, the conclusions are a bit different. > So maybe, it is all matter of getting a big enough dose per day. I was > looking at Canadian web site and it seemed that some of the drugs > were formulated with lower amounts of drug per capsule!!? Which might be > alright for an acid stomach but not GERD. > Sincerely Moses Clarke

Who censored my posting?? The other site was a AMA site not a spam site! http://www.ama-assn.org/sci-pubs/journals/archive/inte/vol-159/no_7/ira8 0013.htm Assuming I got address correct?  I not sure if it was vol_159 or vol-159? Sincerely M.C. Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

I have had acid reflux with the only symptoms being sore throat and an esophagal muscle spasm (no gastritis etc) and finally have been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia. I have been reading about green grasses in many nutrition magazines and how they help to neutralize stomach acid and help digestive problems.  I have just started to use a product called "Barleygreen" and I have great hopes for it. (I want to avoid medication). Find it on the website called www.purplemountainproducts.com and lets share our experience and hopefully relief! fellowsufferer > I posted something just now about foods I eat

now that I know I have > sever acid reflux. > Has anyone seen a nutritionist for in-depth

detailed discussion of > what they can and cannot eat? I was told a

number of things to stay > away from and they are all the things I eat! (used to eat). > I am thinking of asking my doctor to refer me to a nutritionist. I > might check my insurance coverage to see if its covered. > i guess its not. But I might just go on my own in that case. > Has anyone done this? was it covered? How much did it cost? > Many thanks to HawkTear and others who have put

up heartburn diet web > pages. But I need much more detail. i need a

list of hundreds of foods > and their acidity content as well as nutritive content and even > interaction with prescribed heartburn medicines.

I would like to know > what spices or condiments I can have without

causing an acid attack. i – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> need to know if I drink Kava low-acid coffee, will it cause me > problems? > I eat many different things so sometimes I don’t know what caused my > heartburn. sometimes the reaction is delayed so its even harder to > tell. And somtimes anyhting, even water sets it off for me. Some > things are however difinitely worse than others. > If such a page does not exist would there be any interest among the > readers if I go ahead and create such a web resource? > I just don;t want to reinvent the wheel. > -JG

Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Moses here: While you’re experimenting don’t just think about neutralizing the acid, also think about protectively coating the esophagus. Gaviscon works not only by it antacid..alumium hydroxide but also by the alginate. Alginate foams and coats the esophagus. In theory, the edible aloe products may have some modest benefit. Just remember that as you mess around the esophagus will become more and more damaged. Hopefully, you quit coffee, pop, chocolate, peanut butter, tomatoe products, and mint tea. And you have jack the head end of your bed up on concrete blocks. And quit eating 3 hours before bed. See other posters for other conservative ideas. Understand, I am in the pro-surgury camp mostly. Though I know the surgury fails for some over time. There is a cancer risk not treating as perhaps there is treating with PPI drugs though that isn’t proven yet. The grass products are at best in the aloe camp of effectiveness. You don’t sound like a mild case. Note to digective problems are different from reflux. Beware there are an amazing number of people who want to sell something…..Buyer beware..alt world treatments & orthodox. Sincerely Moses Clarke PS Typos typos…a bird species often found among my posts. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have had acid reflux with the only symptoms > being sore throat and an esophagal muscle spasm > (no gastritis etc) and finally have been > diagnosed with a hiatal hernia. I have been > reading about green grasses in many nutrition > magazines and how they help to neutralize > stomach acid and help digestive problems.  I > have just started to use a product called > "Barleygreen" and I have great hopes for it. > (I want to avoid medication). > Find it on the website called > www.purplemountainproducts.com > and lets share our experience and hopefully > relief! > fellowsufferer > I posted something just now about foods I eat > now that I know I have > sever acid reflux. > Has anyone seen a nutritionist for in-depth > detailed discussion of > what they can and cannot eat? I was told a > number of things to stay > away from and they are all the things I eat! > (used to eat). > I am thinking of asking my doctor to refer me to > a nutritionist. I > might check my insurance coverage to see if its > covered. > i guess its not. But I might just go on my own > in that case. > Has anyone done this? was it covered? How much > did it cost? > Many thanks to HawkTear and others who have put > up heartburn diet web > pages. But I need much more detail. i need a > list of hundreds of foods > and their acidity content as well as nutritive > content and even > interaction with prescribed heartburn medicines. > I would like to know > what spices or condiments I can have without > causing an acid attack. i > need to know if I drink Kava low-acid coffee, > will it cause me > problems? > I eat many different things so sometimes I don’t > know what caused my > heartburn. sometimes the reaction is delayed so > its even harder to > tell. And somtimes anyhting, even water sets it > off for me. Some > things are however difinitely worse than others. > If such a page does not exist would there be any > interest among the > readers if I go ahead and create such a web > resource? > I just don;t want to reinvent the wheel. > -JG > Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

in need of nutritional info

Question:

I posted something just now about foods I eat now that I know I have sever acid reflux. Has anyone seen a nutritionist for in-depth detailed discussion of what they can and cannot eat? I was told a number of things to stay away from and they are all the things I eat! (used to eat). I am thinking of asking my doctor to refer me to a nutritionist. I might check my insurance coverage to see if its covered. i guess its not. But I might just go on my own in that case. Has anyone done this? was it covered? How much did it cost? Many thanks to HawkTear and others who have put up heartburn diet web pages. But I need much more detail. i need a list of hundreds of foods and their acidity content as well as nutritive content and even interaction with prescribed heartburn medicines. I would like to know what spices or condiments I can have without causing an acid attack. i need to know if I drink Kava low-acid coffee, will it cause me problems? I eat many different things so sometimes I don’t know what caused my heartburn. sometimes the reaction is delayed so its even harder to tell. And somtimes anyhting, even water sets it off for me. Some things are however difinitely worse than others. If such a page does not exist would there be any interest among the readers if I go ahead and create such a web resource? I just don;t want to reinvent the wheel. -JG

Response:

>I eat many different things so sometimes I don’t know what caused my >heartburn. sometimes the reaction is delayed so its even harder to >tell. And somtimes anyhting, even water sets it off for me. Some >things are however difinitely worse than others.

Not everyone is affected by the same food or drink. For instance, my mother cannot eat mustard or drink lemonade. I can without a problem. The whole matter is further complicated by the fact that a little of something may be ok but more is not. I have even found that I can tolerate something for a meal or two but if I repeat the same thing over two or three days it can cause a problem. So, while a list of foods and drink that have the potential of causing problems for people with reflux could be made, an exact list would be impossible to compile. As you have noticed it takes a lot of individual testing to see if something will create a problem or not. Any effort to create a web source for a Gerd diet would be most appreciated. Perhaps it could start off with a list of foods most likely to cause problems. You may even be able to gather some data on offending foods. For instance if a person with Gerd knew that coffee bothered 85% of the group tested and they are drinking a lot of coffee, they might be able to expedite their own recovery. Let me know if you pursue this. I would be glad to link to your page from the Heartburn-help.com web site. Heartburn and Gastro Esophageal Reflux web page: http://www.heartburn-help.com

Response:

here is the post I referred to: I have hiatus hernia and have burned by esophagus a bit. I used to eat anything.  I now regularly consume : bananas fresh spinach peas in the pod, washed, uncooked apples peaches prunes skim milk milk with carnation instant breakfast in it grapes bread and light margarine or a little jelly mixed vegetables, steamed corn on the cob, no butter, a little salt broiled chicken breast, made without spices fish filets (the frozen easy to make kind) I think just in the above you would get many vitamins and minerals and in their natural form they would be absorbed well in the intestines. I add a little red meat occasionally to be sure I am getting all the proteins I need. A little peanut butter will add protein too, its good on plain saltine crackers but goes down better on a small roll. Adequate water, drank slowly, will help the body function properly, and i assume that means it will help the body process what nutrients it gets and get rid of what it doesnt need. I am just learning how to eat with severe acid reflux disease. It will take practice and discipline. But I hope that out of this will come a diet healther than I had before I worried about acidity. My point is you can find a variety of foods you can eat and enjoy and provide yourself the nutrition you need. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I posted something just now about foods I eat now that I know I have >sever acid reflux. >Has anyone seen a nutritionist for in-depth detailed discussion of >what they can and cannot eat? I was told a number of things to stay >away from and they are all the things I eat! (used to eat). >I am thinking of asking my doctor to refer me to a nutritionist. I >might check my insurance coverage to see if its covered. >i guess its not. But I might just go on my own in that case. >Has anyone done this? was it covered? How much did it cost? >Many thanks to HawkTear and others who have put up heartburn diet web >pages. But I need much more detail. i need a list of hundreds of foods >and their acidity content as well as nutritive content and even >interaction with prescribed heartburn medicines. I would like to know >what spices or condiments I can have without causing an acid attack. i >need to know if I drink Kava low-acid coffee, will it cause me >problems? >I eat many different things so sometimes I don’t know what caused my >heartburn. sometimes the reaction is delayed so its even harder to >tell. And somtimes anyhting, even water sets it off for me. Some >things are however difinitely worse than others. >If such a page does not exist would there be any interest among the >readers if I go ahead and create such a web resource? >I just don;t want to reinvent the wheel. >-JG

Response:

"JG" == "Jim Griffin" writes: The list mentioned peanut butter.  I love it but it’s incredibly full of fat and oils.  Probably best to stay away from it because fats and oils are harder to digest.   JG> prunes Besides being okay on my acid-burn, prunes also help keep ya regular because all those OTC antacids are really constipating (to me, anyway).. JG> skim milk Yes.. even though they taste better, avoid regular fatty milk and half’n'half, etc.  Full of fat.  Fat is hard to digest.  Causes more acid production. JG> broiled chicken breast, made without spices I’ve been buying Tyson’s roasted skinless boneless breasts of chicken and eating them lately.  They’re already cooked and cold at the store in the meat dept.  An expensive cut but usually 100% edible, so nothing to waste.   I’ve also been eating a lot of cereal (Cheerios, Special-K, Rice Krispies, etc.. non sugared, low fat very plain cereals with just skim milk over them). JG> I am just learning how to eat with severe acid reflux disease. It will JG> take practice and discipline. But I hope that out of this will come a JG> diet healther than I had before I worried about acidity. Indeed.  Not to mention you’ll probably lose weight.  I’ve probably shed 10-15 lbs. in the past three weeks of going through a bad bout of acid reflux syndrome.  I know I’m losing weight because I had to drill a new hole in my belt so I could make it tighter because my pants have been falling off! ::blush:: Harv — AmigaZone! New lower price! Visit http://www.amigazone.com for info.

Response:

> I’ve also been eating a lot of cereal (Cheerios, Special-K, Rice > Krispies, etc.. non sugared, low fat very plain cereals with just skim > Indeed.  Not to mention you’ll probably lose weight.  I’ve probably > shed 10-15 lbs. in the past three weeks of going through a bad bout of > acid reflux syndrome.  I know I’m losing weight because I had to drill > a new hole in my belt so I could make it tighter because my pants have > been falling off! ::blush:: > Harv > —

Moses here: If your still suffering, you need treatment. And I don’t mean H-2 blocker like Pepcid, Zantac, Axid, or Tagamet; rather I mean the proton pump inhibitors. If 15 milligrams of Prevacid doesn’t work then have your doctor prescribe 30 milligrams which costs about the same as the 15 milligrams capsule. Some say Prilosec is slightly more effective which maybe because the two doses are 20 milligrams and 40 milligrams, it however is about 5 US dollars per day at the 40 milligram dose. The Prevacids and the other lower Prilosec are about 3.50 dollars per day. One capsule is used per day. Poorly controlled acid reflux is a esophageal cancer risk. Consider the surgury which will cost around 15 000 US dollars here in the States. Understand, it doesn’t always work or last. Though it will often take care of the HH even if it fails, as the a large HH can press on the heart (no, I am not talking about the heart burn—acid reflux) which isn’t said to be good. Also there is the risk too that the surgury will be too tight which causes problems swallowing. However, if the acid reflux let to go on, patients—GERD suffers will tend to suffer a narrowing of esophagus due the on going acid burn scarring. And thus they will have the same problem swallowing. Sincerely Moses Clarke PS Typos typos ….a bird that burns and burns again Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

"MC" == "Moses Clarke" writes: MC> Moses here: If your still suffering, you need treatment. And I MC> don’t mean H-2 blocker like Pepcid, Zantac, Axid, or Tagamet; rather MC> I mean the proton pump inhibitors. If 15 milligrams of Prevacid doesn’t MC> work then have your doctor prescribe 30 milligrams which costs about MC> the same as the 15 milligrams capsule. Some say Prilosec is slightly MC> more effective which maybe because the two doses are 20 milligrams and MC> 40 milligrams, it however is about 5 US dollars per day at the 40 MC> milligram dose. The Prevacids and the other lower Prilosec are about MC> 3.50 dollars per day. One capsule is used per day. I saw my Dr. 3 weeks ago for the problem.  He gave me a free 2-week doctor’s sample supply of Prevacid, 30mg caps and told me to take one a day.  Didn’t help much.  So he doubled the dosage and for the past few days I’ve been taking 1 twice a day.  It’s helped a lot.. at least I want to think the $114 I paid for the next 30 caps is what turned off the burning.   There’s always a possibility that it went away by itself, I suppose there’s no way to really know, but after he had me double the dosage Ifelt a lot better after 2-3 days.  Plus I radically changed my eating habits.. cut out ALL caffiene drinks (I never drank coffee anyway which is full of acid and always upset me) like sodas, all citrus products (sigh.. I LOVE orange juice too), all fatty foods, all chocolates, all spicy foods of any kind, etc. etc.  I’ve stifled myself onto a very bland diet for three weeks, and drinking almost nothing but water and the skim milk I put on cereal. Again, I don’t know if it was the double dosing of Prevacid, the change in diet, or the natural course of healing or a combination of all three, but it seems to be working. Harv — AmigaZone! New lower price! Visit http://www.amigazone.com for info.

Response:

I > I saw my Dr. 3 weeks ago for the problem.  He gave me a free 2-week > doctor’s sample supply of Prevacid, 30mg caps and told me to take one > a day.  Didn’t help much.  So he doubled the dosage and for the past > few days I’ve been taking 1 twice a day.  It’s helped a lot.. at least > I want to think the $114 I paid for the next 30 caps is what turned off the > burning. > There’s always a possibility that it went away by itself, I

Sorry, not too likely. > suppose there’s no way to really know, but after he had me double the > dosage Ifelt a lot better after 2-3 days.  Plus I radically changed my > eating habits.. cut out ALL caffiene drinks (I never drank coffee > anyway which is full of acid and always upset me) like sodas, all > citrus products (sigh.. I LOVE orange juice too), all fatty foods, all > chocolates, all spicy foods of any kind, etc. etc.  I’ve stifled > myself onto a very bland diet for three weeks, and drinking almost > nothing but water and the skim milk I put on cereal. > Again, I don’t know if it was the double dosing of Prevacid, the > change in diet, or the natural course of healing or a combination of > all three, but it seems to be working. > Harv > —

Moses here:      I did a web search using the search word pantoprazole. I found a small study that strongly indicated the Prilosec is the better drug for reflux.      With Prilosec, I be willing to bet you could at least add some spicy foods back into your diet. That is after, you get healed up. Sincerely Moses Clarke Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

>There’s always a possibility that it went away by itself<

I do know a very few people that found that only after a month of Prevacid or Prilosec the heartburn did not return but I would have to agree with Moses…Not too likely. Generally within three days of stopping the medication the heartburn resumes. Heartburn and Gastro Esophageal Reflux web page: http://www.heartburn-help.com

Response:

>I did a web search using the search word pantoprazole. I found a small study

that strongly indicated the Prilosec is the better drug for reflux.< Do you happen to have the http for that study? The only study I have found thus far showed Prevacid slightly stronger in cross over studies. Heartburn and Gastro Esophageal Reflux web page: http://www.heartburn-help.com

Response:

> >I did a web search using the search word pantoprazole. I found a small study > that strongly indicated the Prilosec is the better drug for reflux.< > Do you happen to have the http for that study? The only study I have found thus > far showed Prevacid slightly stronger in cross over studies. > Heartburn and Gastro Esophageal Reflux web page:

http://www.heartburn-help.com Moses here:  Perhaps it all depends on the dose levels of the respective drugs used in the drug comparison studies. Here is the www address for the site, I mentioned. http://www.mednet.ca/html/mn9808.htm Here is another site to compare…be sure to note that the dosages used in the study there are different than the study mentioned above. Therefore, the conclusions are a bit different. So maybe, it is all matter of getting a big enough dose per day. I was looking at Canadian web site and it seemed that some of the drugs were formulated with lower amounts of drug per capsule!!? Which might be alright for an acid stomach but not GERD. Sincerely Moses Clarke PS Typos typos… a bird that stayed in school rather than fly north in the 1960’s. Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

>Perhaps it all depends on the dose levels of the respective drugs used in the

drug comparison studies.< I suspect you are right. I will dig up the study I mentioned and see if I can compare apples and apples. I will let you know what I find. Thanks for the link. If you have any other links you think people might benefit from please send them to me. I will post them on the heartburn-help site. Heartburn and Gastro Esophageal Reflux web page: http://www.heartburn-help.com

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Moses here: >  Perhaps it all depends on the dose levels of the respective > drugs used in the drug comparison studies. Here is the www address for > the site, I mentioned. http://www.mednet.ca/html/mn9808.htm > Here is another site to compare…be sure to note that the dosages used > in the study there are different than the study mentioned above. > Therefore, the conclusions are a bit different. > So maybe, it is all matter of getting a big enough dose per day. I was > looking at Canadian web site and it seemed that some of the drugs > were formulated with lower amounts of drug per capsule!!? Which might be > alright for an acid stomach but not GERD. > Sincerely Moses Clarke

Who censored my posting?? The other site was a AMA site not a spam site! http://www.ama-assn.org/sci-pubs/journals/archive/inte/vol-159/no_7/ira8 0013.htm Assuming I got address correct?  I not sure if it was vol_159 or vol-159? Sincerely M.C. Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

I have had acid reflux with the only symptoms being sore throat and an esophagal muscle spasm (no gastritis etc) and finally have been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia. I have been reading about green grasses in many nutrition magazines and how they help to neutralize stomach acid and help digestive problems.  I have just started to use a product called "Barleygreen" and I have great hopes for it. (I want to avoid medication). Find it on the website called www.purplemountainproducts.com and lets share our experience and hopefully relief! fellowsufferer > I posted something just now about foods I eat

now that I know I have > sever acid reflux. > Has anyone seen a nutritionist for in-depth

detailed discussion of > what they can and cannot eat? I was told a

number of things to stay > away from and they are all the things I eat! (used to eat). > I am thinking of asking my doctor to refer me to a nutritionist. I > might check my insurance coverage to see if its covered. > i guess its not. But I might just go on my own in that case. > Has anyone done this? was it covered? How much did it cost? > Many thanks to HawkTear and others who have put

up heartburn diet web > pages. But I need much more detail. i need a

list of hundreds of foods > and their acidity content as well as nutritive content and even > interaction with prescribed heartburn medicines.

I would like to know > what spices or condiments I can have without

causing an acid attack. i – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> need to know if I drink Kava low-acid coffee, will it cause me > problems? > I eat many different things so sometimes I don’t know what caused my > heartburn. sometimes the reaction is delayed so its even harder to > tell. And somtimes anyhting, even water sets it off for me. Some > things are however difinitely worse than others. > If such a page does not exist would there be any interest among the > readers if I go ahead and create such a web resource? > I just don;t want to reinvent the wheel. > -JG

Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Moses here: While you’re experimenting don’t just think about neutralizing the acid, also think about protectively coating the esophagus. Gaviscon works not only by it antacid..alumium hydroxide but also by the alginate. Alginate foams and coats the esophagus. In theory, the edible aloe products may have some modest benefit. Just remember that as you mess around the esophagus will become more and more damaged. Hopefully, you quit coffee, pop, chocolate, peanut butter, tomatoe products, and mint tea. And you have jack the head end of your bed up on concrete blocks. And quit eating 3 hours before bed. See other posters for other conservative ideas. Understand, I am in the pro-surgury camp mostly. Though I know the surgury fails for some over time. There is a cancer risk not treating as perhaps there is treating with PPI drugs though that isn’t proven yet. The grass products are at best in the aloe camp of effectiveness. You don’t sound like a mild case. Note to digective problems are different from reflux. Beware there are an amazing number of people who want to sell something…..Buyer beware..alt world treatments & orthodox. Sincerely Moses Clarke PS Typos typos…a bird species often found among my posts. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have had acid reflux with the only symptoms > being sore throat and an esophagal muscle spasm > (no gastritis etc) and finally have been > diagnosed with a hiatal hernia. I have been > reading about green grasses in many nutrition > magazines and how they help to neutralize > stomach acid and help digestive problems.  I > have just started to use a product called > "Barleygreen" and I have great hopes for it. > (I want to avoid medication). > Find it on the website called > www.purplemountainproducts.com > and lets share our experience and hopefully > relief! > fellowsufferer > I posted something just now about foods I eat > now that I know I have > sever acid reflux. > Has anyone seen a nutritionist for in-depth > detailed discussion of > what they can and cannot eat? I was told a > number of things to stay > away from and they are all the things I eat! > (used to eat). > I am thinking of asking my doctor to refer me to > a nutritionist. I > might check my insurance coverage to see if its > covered. > i guess its not. But I might just go on my own > in that case. > Has anyone done this? was it covered? How much > did it cost? > Many thanks to HawkTear and others who have put > up heartburn diet web > pages. But I need much more detail. i need a > list of hundreds of foods > and their acidity content as well as nutritive > content and even > interaction with prescribed heartburn medicines. > I would like to know > what spices or condiments I can have without > causing an acid attack. i > need to know if I drink Kava low-acid coffee, > will it cause me > problems? > I eat many different things so sometimes I don’t > know what caused my > heartburn. sometimes the reaction is delayed so > its even harder to > tell. And somtimes anyhting, even water sets it > off for me. Some > things are however difinitely worse than others. > If such a page does not exist would there be any > interest among the > readers if I go ahead and create such a web > resource? > I just don;t want to reinvent the wheel. > -JG > Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Better wedge?

Question:

Does anyone know of a better bed wedge on the market? All I’ve seen are only 24 inches long.  This bends my back and torso at an uncomfortable angle when I turn on my side.  Also, I tend to "scrunch" down during sleep to avoid the bad angle and end up without the benefit of the wedge. When I took an older wedge, cut it down a bit and laid it over the bottom edge of a new wedge, I got a more gradual slope that extend to about 36-40 inches. This allowed the bend to start at my hips rather than my back and is much more comfortable. But it’s an awkward solution at best.  I would rather have a single piece wedge that is 36-48 inches long.  Anybody seen anything like this?  Anybody else have the same problem?  BTW, yes, I also raise the head of the bed, but any farther and both my mattress and my wife will slide off! Chris

Response:

I am convinced, that heartburn, is caused from STRESS, and too much of the worng foods, like salt, sugar, coffee, hot foods like chili, and even pizza. The worst I ever get it, is when I am under stress. Then my throat is like a forrest fire.

Johnhy Owens

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