Acid Reflux and Baking Soda

[TromboneAl]

It sounds like most posters have, indeed, seen Dr's, gotten tested, etc. Since nothing has been completely helpful, people are looking for other avenues (hopefully harmless ones) to try.

Yes, I've talked about it a lot with my doc. She was definitely not: "Oh, wow, you better solve this or you'll be at high risk for throat cancer!"

Here's my thinking:

People with GERD have a slightly higher risk of getting adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. This risk seems to be higher in people who have more frequent symptoms. But GERD is very common, and most of the people who have it do not go on to develop esophageal cancer. GERD can also cause Barrett’s esophagus (discussed below), which is linked to an even higher risk.​

What I'd like to see is (1) probability of getting throat cancer, and (2) probability of getting throat cancer if you have LPR.

Sometimes "Increased risk" is misleading. For example, "Your risk is doubled" sounds dramatic and scary, but if the risk is normally 1/million and something doubles it to 2/million, it's not that significant.

 

[TromboneAl]

He also suggested reducing alcohol consumption, a tough one because we enjoy having wine with dinner most nights.

With the caveat above (variability makes it hard to form conclusions), I seem to do okay with 4-5 oz of wine with dinner. I think it's because the volume is low. My alternative, 12 oz of grape koolaid, may be worse.

I'm serious about the grape koolaid—I figure it's less acidic than many other drinks (could be wrong).

 

[marko]

Other things are dizzy, headaches, and feeling overheated.

I've been dizzy for a few years. Right now it feels like I'm spinning under 50' of water. Been dizzy all day, about the same intensity. Few weeks ago I stopped at a busy red light, but I sensed I was still moving forward into the intersection. Kinda scary.

DW has been overheated for a couple years. It's as if she was having hot flashes again. Her doctor keeps avoiding the issue, pointing fingers at her other doctor and any other medicines.

One of my adventures with digestive problems was three years of getting nausea 2 or 3 times a week. Tried every gastro guy and evaluation known to man. No one had any idea. The last guy said: "I've been a GE since 1968 and I have no idea what your problem is, but let me ask one more question: Do you get migraines?" I said no.

Well.....turns out there is something called 'silent migraines' where you get the symptoms (dizziness, nausea, disorientation etc) but no headache or flashing lights.

I finally went through a series of some some pretty far out therapies for migraines and my nausea finally went away. Hasn't returned in 2 years now.

Still have the GERD though but see my previous post about "Stomach as second brain"

 

[MrsHaloFIRE]

I'm stunned that so many people choose to self-diagnose and treat their conditions rather than get the advice of medical professionals.

- Is it because folks are afraid of the doctor or the diagnosis?
- Do folks simply want to save the cost of a visit?
- Do people think they are smarter than medical professionals?

From personal experience, I can tell you that this sort of condition is nothing to fool around with. My 87 year old father has inoperable stomach and esophogeal cancer. Although we don't know for sure, persistent acid reflux may well be the cause. I wish he had sought proper treatment. Sadly, it's too late now.

Because the meds weren't working. Bc I still felt like crap. Bc some of the acid reflux medicines actually GIVE women chest pain. And some are linked to a higher likelihood of death. Cutting coffee is relatively painless, free, convenient and with less side effects (none). I would venture the same for Apple cider vinegar, raw baby carrots, baking soda, all the other home remedies that ppl are using that are working etc..

 

[marko]

I'm stunned that so many people choose to self-diagnose and treat their conditions rather than get the advice of medical professionals.

I've been battling digestive issues for over 30 years now.

My personal experience is that even the gastro 'specialists' just don't have enough insight into broad or non-run of the mill problems. For 20 years I went to every GE around, tried all kinds of tests and evaluations and in the end they said "well, I'm stumped". They either thought I was crazy or, as one of them suggested, was just trying to get a Rx for medical marijuana.

What has helped me considerably has been Eastern medicine (Chinese medicals, acupuncture etc) and some fairly 'out there' treatments (Biophoton therapy, Life Actuation, Bemer technology) and some home remedies like Apple Cider Vinegar, baking soda etc along with my PPI.

 

[Winemaker]

My wife just had the LINKS procedure done in September. It's a magnetic mini bracelet that goes around the esophagus just before the stomach; it acts as the original esophagial sphincter that her GED said was damaged by undiagnosed celiac disease. It has been a battle for the past few years. Countless bouts of coughing, stomach unpleasantness, burping and gas, despite using several elimination diets and the use of omeprazole and/or antacids. She even gave up wine for 6 months! Talk about sacrifice.


Coughing has ceased. Celiac diet has been continued, wine consumption has returned. Hiccups now occur after going up steps, but better than the cough.

 

[slowsaver]

I had a similar problem. Wedge Pillow solved it for me, since this orients your body on a slant while you sleep. Harder for the acid to work it's way upward.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00U0A06A4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My DH bought the same wedge pillow off Amazon to help with his snoring. I highly recommend it! *I* sleep much better now.

 

[GoodWishes]

I'm stunned that so many people choose to self-diagnose and treat their conditions rather than get the advice of medical professionals.

- Is it because folks are afraid of the doctor or the diagnosis?
- Do folks simply want to save the cost of a visit?
- Do people think they are smarter than medical professionals?

From personal experience, I can tell you that this sort of condition is nothing to fool around with. My 87 year old father has inoperable stomach and esophogeal cancer. Although we don't know for sure, persistent acid reflux may well be the cause. I wish he had sought proper treatment. Sadly, it's too late now.

I have talked to two different doctors about my not very serious GERD issue. Both suggested medication, one prescribed H2 Blocker and one prescribed Proton pump inhibitors. Both can have mild to serious side affects and PPI with possible permanent damage. I have taken both with some success.

Doctors usually only see you for minutes. It is up to you to know your body and see what work or not work for you (this includes any medication or procedure that doctors recommend).

Many of the suggestions from various posters have none or little harm/effort (i.e. don't lay down for at least 3 hours after eating). If changing your diet, exercise, weight, life style can help, it is worth a try. I have not taken any GERD medication for a while and have been feeling fine.

I think that most if not all here are not afraid of the doctor, try to save money and think that they are smarter than doctors. But doctors, medications, surgeries are not always the answer. No one cares more about your health than you and no one knows more about your body than you. It is usually a combination of medical professionals and your own diligent involvement that yield the best results.

 

[IBWino]

With the caveat above (variability makes it hard to form conclusions), I seem to do okay with 4-5 oz of wine with dinner. I think it's because the volume is low. My alternative, 12 oz of grape koolaid, may be worse.

I'm serious about the grape koolaid—I figure it's less acidic than many other drinks (could be wrong).

Hmm...what type of grilled meat pairs best with grape Koolaid?

We also cut back to a single 5 oz glass with dinner to see if that helps. We previously typically drank a couple of glasses each; one before dinner while cooking and one with the meal. I also gave up my once-a-week martini for the time being.

 

[Amethyst]

It recently occurred to me that the much-mocked "early dinner hour" for old people, which guarantees that all Florida restaurants are packed at 5 p.m., may be a result of the patrons trying to finish eating, three hours before they go to bed!

 

[IBWino]

It recently occurred to me that the much-mocked "early dinner hour" for old people, which guarantees that all Florida restaurants are packed at 5 p.m., may be a result of the patrons trying to finish eating, three hours before they go to bed!

You may be right. My wife has had acid reflux (due to a hiatal hernia) for many years now, and and so she an I have usually dined between 6:00 and 6:30, which we thought was early (we don't usually go to bed until 10:00). The ENT doctor suggested earlier if possible.

 

[Winemaker]

Al, if this helps, 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda took 2 ounces of pH 5.0 coffee to a pH of 7.2, provided my ph meter is calibrated correctly.

 

[TromboneAl]

Al, if this helps, 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda took 2 ounces of pH 5.0 coffee to a pH of 7.2, provided my ph meter is calibrated correctly.

Good info. Thanks.

 

[TromboneAl]

A tip: Although menthol is said to be a trigger, I find that Hall's sugar free cough drops are a fast way to stop the coughing when needed. After sucking on one for a minute, hold it between your teeth and breathe in and out.

You can also wedge it up by your gums while falling asleep.

It may work simply by increasing salivation, but I think the menthol anesthetizes things.

 

[flyingaway]

I'm stunned that so many people choose to self-diagnose and treat their conditions rather than get the advice of medical professionals.

- Is it because folks are afraid of the doctor or the diagnosis?
- Do folks simply want to save the cost of a visit?
- Do people think they are smarter than medical professionals?

From personal experience, I can tell you that this sort of condition is nothing to fool around with. My 87 year old father has inoperable stomach and esophogeal cancer. Although we don't know for sure, persistent acid reflux may well be the cause. I wish he had sought proper treatment. Sadly, it's too late now.

I have seen both stomach and throat doctors for several years and tried many medicines, and no worked. I think they have given up on me and suggested to take medicines to mitigate the symptoms (uncomfortable throat). So here is that I do in my way to alleviate the problem:
(1) Raised pillow, (2) Tums, (3) Avoid eating anything too late.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

So many wonderful things I enjoy correlate strongly with midnight heartburn:

- Breads and pastas
- any kind of spiciness (hot peppers, mustard, horseradish)
- any more than a few sips of alcoholic beverages
- sweets

But it disappears entirely if I eat a couple of baby carrots. I have no idea what chemistry is involved, but raw carrot suppresses the gerd like magic.

Most raw veggies are alkaline. Cabbage and broccoli are usually good bets for us for acid stomachs as well. Cabbage juice is an alternative medicine therapy for ulcers.

 

[Hermit]

My wife just had the LINKS procedure done in September. It's a magnetic mini bracelet that goes around the esophagus just before the stomach; it acts as the original esophagial sphincter that her GED said was damaged by undiagnosed celiac disease. It has been a battle for the past few years. Countless bouts of coughing, stomach unpleasantness, burping and gas, despite using several elimination diets and the use of omeprazole and/or antacids. She even gave up wine for 6 months! Talk about sacrifice.


Coughing has ceased. Celiac diet has been continued, wine consumption has returned. Hiccups now occur after going up steps, but better than the cough.

I have pretty much given up wine. It is amazing how severe my GERD attacks are after a small glass of wine even if I have had little GERD issues for weeks. I have been on omeprazole for many years.

 

[Ian S]

Just a heads up for those taking an OTC ppi like omeprazole for their GERD: it may be cheaper to get a prescription ppi like pantoprazole. With my Medicare Part D drug plan from Aetna (cheapest I could find), my cost for pantoprazole is now zero this year. It was $3 a refill last year.

 

[Hermit]

Just a heads up for those taking an OTC ppi like omeprazole for their GERD: it may be cheaper to get a prescription ppi like pantoprazole. With my Medicare Part D drug plan from Aetna (cheapest I could find), my cost for pantoprazole is now zero this year. It was $3 a refill last year.

I get omeprazole as a prescription. It is free to me under my Advantage plan.

 

[joeea]

You can also wedge it up by your gums while falling asleep.

Good god no.

Never fall asleep with something in your mouth.

 

[travelover]

You can also wedge it up by your gums while falling asleep........

Last winter I had a lingering cough and used these menthol cough drops. I found that if I fell asleep with one in my mouth, it gave me a canker sore. I'm sensitive in that regard.

 

[Winemaker]

I have pretty much given up wine. It is amazing how severe my GERD attacks are after a small glass of wine even if I have had little GERD issues for weeks. I have been on omeprazole for many years.

Wine can have a pH of 2.9 (New York Rieslings) to 3.9 (Washington Syrah)

Cranberry juice 2.5-2.7pH

Coca-cola 2.53pH

Orange juice 3.3-4.4pH

Any issues after drinking any of these?


I would blame the alcohol for relaxing the esophageal spincter, as my wife's physician suggested a small amount during meals after her LINKS procedure. Like I said, so far so good, but we have a good laugh with the temporary hiccups whenever she goes upstairs or downstairs.

 

[Ian S]

My wife just had the LINKS procedure done in September.

Just curious if your wife considered the Stretta procedure before you decided on LINKS.

 

[Hermit]

Wine can have a pH of 2.9 (New York Rieslings) to 3.9 (Washington Syrah)

Cranberry juice 2.5-2.7pH

Coca-cola 2.53pH

Orange juice 3.3-4.4pH

Any issues after drinking any of these?


I would blame the alcohol for relaxing the esophageal spincter, as my wife's physician suggested a small amount during meals after her LINKS procedure. Like I said, so far so good, but we have a good laugh with the temporary hiccups whenever she goes upstairs or downstairs.

I will get a fountain diet cola at Costco on occasion and not had a problem. I think I have had issues with orange juice before but not always. I haven't had enough cranberry juice to tell. I drink either a beer or Angry Orchard hard apple cider with a shot of Fireball whiskey (it's called Angry Balls) most evenings without problems. Dark red wines are the worst (and, of course, my favorite) whites are not as bad, but still bother me.

 

[TromboneAl]

I seem to find that it's not an acute or immediate thing. I can have a soda at lunch, then have a problem for the next several nights.

There are lots of things I don't understand about this--I'm not sure the docs really understand it either. For example, I'm lying in bed and I burp and actually get some stomach acid up where I can taste it. Shouldn't that send my coughing up through the roof? It does not.

Sometimes, I'll be coughing in bed, I sit up and burp, and it immediately gets a lot better.