Acid Reflux and Baking Soda

[gattara]

My wife had the hiatal hernia surgery by laparoscope three weeks ago, and she came out of the surgery very well. While she's not yet eating steak, she's eating most anything else, including ice cream which triggered her reflux.

This is a surgery that many physicians don't understand or suggest. But it's because they are ignorant on the technique.

She's getting better every day, and is very satisfied she had the surgery. She's yet to have any reflux of any kind that previously absolutely scared her to death. If she doesn't ever have to go through reflux caused pneumonia again, this surgery could be a lifesaver for her. If you have reflux, be sure to go to a really good endodontist.

Bamaman, how big was the hiatal hernia? My husband had an endoscopy yesterday in Atlanta by a former Mayo Clinic surgeon. He said DH's hernia was very small. We'll meet with him in a week or two after he compiles data from the Bravo ph test, but I'm wondering if surgery might be recommended for a such a small hiatal hernia.

 

[Sojourner]

If you have reflux, be sure to go to a really good endodontist.

I think you mean gastroenterologist. An endodontist is someone who does root canals.

 

[joeea]

This is a surgery that many physicians don't understand or suggest. But it's because they are ignorant on the technique.

If you have reflux, be sure to go to a really good endodontist.

It's probably true that many endodontists are ignorant regarding laparoscopic hiatal hernia surgery.

 

[Sanstar]

I think experimenting with diet changes is worth a trial. I was on all the meds for heartburn and acid reflux; elevated head of bed, etc...Eliminated all meat and dairy and within 3 weeks all was resolved. Six years later, drinking coffee, tea, alcohol but no meat or dairy and no recurrence.

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

This is getting to be a pretty lengthy thread, so forgive me if this post is repetitious. (in fact, I may have written a similar post in this thread myself! Blame it on long-term memory loss).

I recall a gastroenterologist on The People's Pharmacy (a public radio show) blaming reflux on an overabundance of candida fungus in the gut. The Candida feast on carbs and produce gas, which backs up the digestive system and pushes acid into the esophagus as it gurgles upward. That was the theory, and it made sense to me.

I had a pretty severe reflux attack that got me started on generic Prilosec, but I hate taking the stuff. Now I mostly rely on a steady diet of probiotics and Rolaids, which contain magnesium and calcium rather than sodium. DW takes magnesium citrate tablets to reduce leg cramps; I pop one now and then myself. Mostly I lay off high-carb junk food. I do like an adult beverage, which also has not only carb content but also yeast.

I think if I were to seek a different metallic remedy to reflux, I'd go for milk of magnesia rather than bicarb. It's pretty unusual to have a dietary shortage of sodium, but high-protein diets can increase the body's demand for magnesium. And who among us is subsisting on a low-protein diet?

If I experience discomfort after a big meal, say, I may take a ranitidine tab. It seems to me to be less "systemic" than omeprazole.

 

[TromboneAl]

I'm trying something else that seems to be working. It's a system that's based on this hypothesis:

It's all about volume.

That is, for me, it's more about the volume in my stomach than the acidity. I suspected as much when I found that drinking 4 fl oz of wine caused fewer problems than drinking 12 fl oz of almond milk.

The thing I'm trying: I don't drink with meals. Not even water.

My research has shown me that water alone is cleared out of your stomach in 5-10 minutes. So, here's what I do to remain hydrated:

I wake up at 6 am. I immediately drink 10-12 fl oz of water. I don't eat anything for fifteen minutes, at which point my stomach is empty (it's even possible to hear the stomach emptying). My breakfast may consist of lo-carb nut granola in 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream. No coffee.

I then don't eat or drink anything for another hour or more.

I found that I can drink an entire 12 oz beer, but as long as I do in between meals, it doesn't cause problems. I assume that beer alone is emptied from the stomach as fast as water()

In a sense, the cure is worse than the disease, in that drinking with a meal is pleasant. I've long felt that it's not the cookie bite but the coffee after the bite that gives the most pleasure. I'm hoping I can add back the liquids.

I've had a few nights of zero coughing, which hasn't happened in years.

I'll keep you posted.

 

[John Galt III]

I think experimenting with diet changes is worth a trial. I was on all the meds for heartburn and acid reflux; elevated head of bed, etc...Eliminated all meat and dairy and within 3 weeks all was resolved. Six years later, drinking coffee, tea, alcohol but no meat or dairy and no recurrence.

I'm almost out of my Lansoprazole (PPI) pills. My sister gave me a bunch of Omeprazole (PPI) pills since they upset her stomach. Maybe I'll just go off the PPI's again, and see what happens with dietary changes. But then I'd have to give up fun things like tomato sauce after 4 PM, beer or wine after 4 PM, etc. Bummer. I take one 15 mg Lanso pill every other day, which is a very low dose for a PPI, and it has been wonderful in allowing me to go wild with the food and beverages. Hmmmm...

 

[Dreaming of Freedom]

You could try an elimination diet to see if you are allergic to something specific that is causing acid reflux. I did an elimination diet and learned that I am allergic to caffeine (not coffee, not the acidity). I switched to decaf coffee years ago, and my reoccurring, daily acid reflux issues disappeared.

 

[TromboneAl]

UPDATE: Fooled Again.

My latest conclusion shows how experiments can fail (or be misinterpreted).

On Easter, I was tired of small meals with no drinks. We had roast leg of lamb with tons of garlic embedded in it. I had a generous portion along with this incredible side dish. I also drank three glasses of wine. I thought my LPR would go ballistic, but that night it wasn't bad at all.

WTH?

I figured this out:

In addition to not drinking with meals, I also haven't been drinking any water after 7:30 PM. And that may be the important factor.

I discovered this, because a few nights ago I was thirsty while falling asleep. My LPR was good—very little coughing. I reached over and took two sips from my water bottle. Minutes later, I was coughing pretty badly.

Perhaps with those sips, the lower esophageal sphincter opens to let the water into the stomach, but doesn't close well, letting stomach acid up the esophagus??

 

[TromboneAl]

UPDATE: Wedge Pillow Solves It

I've now been using a wedge pillow for two weeks, and I can say that it essentially solves the problem. That is, with the wedge pillow, instead of coughing and clearing my throat from ten minutes to an hour, I only have to cough or clear my throat a few times, if at all.

This is the one I bought:

I also raised the head of the bed by 3.25 inches.

Note that the wedge is memory foam and very comfortable. I do slide down a bit during the night, but I was surprised that I didn't have to get used to the new sleeping position.

My shoulder sinks in a bit, so my upper body isn't raised up as much as you might think, but apparently it's enough to do the trick.

Being memory foam, it's very warm—sometimes too warm.

 

[TromboneAl]

I have found that sometimes, 30-60 minutes after eating, I will start coughing and clearing my throat—sitting at the computer, for example. For that, I chew gum, which gives me instant relief.

My hope is that by preventing the irritation of my laryngopharynx with the pillow and the gum, some healing will happen. Anyone know if that's the case?

I'm guessing the underlying problem, the poor performance of the lower esophageal sphincter, will not get any better.

 

[Amethyst]

then how to explain that if I wake up with reflux, I can drink a bunch of water and quiet it down again? Figured I was diluting the reflux and also washing it back down where it belonged.

I don't think there is very much rhyme or reason to acid reflux. It falls under the umbrella of APOGOD, "All Part Of Getting Older, Dear."

UPDATE: Fooled Again.

My latest conclusion shows how experiments can fail (or be misinterpreted).

On Easter, I was tired of small meals with no drinks. We had roast leg of lamb with tons of garlic embedded in it. I had a generous portion along with this incredible side dish. I also drank three glasses of wine. I thought my LPR would go ballistic, but that night it wasn't bad at all.

WTH?

I figured this out:

In addition to not drinking with meals, I also haven't been drinking any water after 7:30 PM. And that may be the important factor.

I discovered this, because a few nights ago I was thirsty while falling asleep. My LPR was good—very little coughing. I reached over and took two sips from my water bottle. Minutes later, I was coughing pretty badly.

Perhaps with those sips, the lower esophageal sphincter opens to let the water into the stomach, but doesn't close well, letting stomach acid up the esophagus??

 

[Bamaman]

After my wife recovered from her hiatal hernia surgery, she's able to eat just about everything. She is just worry she fought having surgery, and didn't get the procedure done by laparoscopy 10 years ago. She's suffered enough.

Now she doesn't have to sleep in a hospital type bed, and can eat ice cream before bedtime.

 

[gattara]

Bamaman, my husband has a very small hiatal hernia. The doc who did the endoscopy said they are very common in folks over 60 and won't do surgery on it. I guess they have to be a certain size to require surgery?

 

[tango2]

sounds like you need a ppi (protein pump inhibitor). omeprazole an otc any drug store is a good cheap one. take it for a week and then stop. you may have to see a G I dr. if it keeps on. the acid reflux can lead to barretts disease which can lead to esphogeal cancer. So if heart burn ie reflux persist, see a gi dr.

 

[ncbill]

I've now been using a wedge pillow for two weeks, and I can say that it essentially solves the problem. That is, with the wedge pillow, instead of coughing and clearing my throat from ten minutes to an hour, I only have to cough or clear my throat a few times, if at all.

This is the one I bought:

I also raised the head of the bed by 3.25 inches.

Note that the wedge is memory foam and very comfortable. I do slide down a bit during the night, but I was surprised that I didn't have to get used to the new sleeping position.

My shoulder sinks in a bit, so my upper body isn't raised up as much as you might think, but apparently it's enough to do the trick.

Being memory foam, it's very warm—sometimes too warm.

Get a bigger wedge and just shove that under the mattress instead?

 

[tango2]

sorry about your problem with it. you should only take for couple of weeks and the see gi dr. if still persist. Another problem with ppi is other drugs you take may increase if potency and cause problems. Nothing is without risk esp in medical

 

[Al in Ohio]

I have had acid reflux for over 20 years. I have used a wedge for many years in the beginning, but I’ll tell you nothing beats a Sleep Number bed with an adjustable motorized base.

Barring that, bed leg lifters to raise the entire head end 4-6 inches is the best option for a less abrupt incline and will prevent back issues.

 

[SunnyOne]

Have any of you been tested for H.Pylori infection? Some of the symptoms are similar. We all have this bug in our guts, but when they overgrow, well....problems occur similar to the symptoms discussed here