The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Ginger
Posted by Ross (Vancouver, BC Canada) on 06/14/2008
★★★★★
I used Ibuprofin for at least 20 years ( Ate them like candy.Thought they were like crack for pain) Then I developed Reflux. Tried everything. Until I stopped taking any NSAIDS there was no respite. What has worked for me is boiled ginger root tea, strained and kept cool, after a meal.(3oz). This has really helped me and the reflux is now barely noticable. I now use tramadol and Tylenol for pain. ( I have diabetic neropathy (sp?) so I need some relief for that). No connection with those painkillers, but definitely with Ibuprofin.
Reduce Stress
Posted by Gislain (Phoenix, AZ) on 05/19/2008
★★★★★
Stress was cause of my Acid Reflux:
3 weeks ago today after lunch at work, I had experienced some acid reflux pain. It was beyond heartburn and made me concerned. I wasn't sure why I was having this so I researched online. The cause: Not digesting my food properly.
So I spent money on digestive enzymes and stress reduction supplements - $50. Then I returned the next morning buying a Chinese herbal remedy supplement - $30. After not sleeping still from the pain at night, I decided to see the doctor and get a prescription for Prevacid - $25. I tested my ph and it was 5.5 so I bought a body ph reduction supplement - $25. Then another supplement - $20. All of this with no relief.
Finally, I tried Apple Cider Vinegar which helped ($4) and allowed me to sleep at night, but during the day and in the evenings, the suffering continued. I couldn't eat this and can't eat that. I overall dropped 10 pounds in almost 3 weeks. I was convinced I had an ulcer or maybe CANCER!
Finally after consulting with family and self-evaluation and insufficient funds at the bank, I found the root-cause of my Acid Reflux - Stress and Worrying!!! I tried relaxation techniques and positive thinking, and last night at dinner, I ate a veggie burger with a WHEAT bun and salad with RANCH DRESSING and FRIED SHRIMP and HOT SOUP and had almost zero problems afterwards. Today, I have had no Apple Cider Vinegar and the stress is down. My Acid Reflux is so much better and is improving. My esophagus is so imflammed still and will need time to fully heal. But in my case, my Stress and Worry caused my problem. Before you decide that you are stuck with Acid Reflux forever, try relaxing first. That may be your problem - Stress!!
I was having stress at work and tend to be a worry-wart at heart. I am my mother's child. She died of pancreatic cancer at age 51. She was under constant stress all her life. I'll be 25 next month and plan on living a long time. Stress will not kill me!
Also, another important thing too is to be calm when I eat. That makes such a big difference!
Banana
Posted by Mike (Raleigh, NC) on 05/12/2008
★★★★★
For Acid Reflux: Bananas, folks. Eat them for breakfast and before bedtime. Works better than anything else I've tried and they're good for you, too.
Reader Theories
Posted by Patricia (Ottawa, Canada) on 04/09/2008
Wow! Have been on Pantoloc for over a year for acid reflux that was caused by SSRI anitdepressants - even on the Pantoloc I have pain. Didn't realize the sore throat was related until I checked in on your site - thought I had throat cancer!! So thanks for that! Am going to try the ACV. And yes, as many of you have said there are two causes of this disease too much vs not enough stomach acid. Have done a lot of research on the acid/alkaline aspect once I discovered that prolonged use of antacids can actually cause stomach or pancreatic cancer - the reason being that for those with too little acid, taking antacids to neutralize the stomach causes your body to keep producing more acid to try to make up the difference. Cancer thrives in acidic conditions. Thanks for the info - will report back with results!
Mustard
Posted by The Doll (Lake Charles, La) on 06/17/2010
Okay, I thought WTH? I been suffering for days and can't get to the store to buy anything. I have tried Milk of Mag, and Tums. Although a couple of months ago I was taking Prevacid every day for about 30 days and had not problems for about a month after I stopped taking it. I decided to give vinegar a try because I had it on hand and it made it worse for me. I just tried the mustard about a minute before I started typing this email, and I pray it is not just my mind playing tricks on me, but I feel the difference... As of now, I would say IT WORKS!
Apples
Posted by Alita (USA) on 03/03/2008
★★★★★
I'll try to keep the history of my acid reflux short, as it pretty much reiterates many other people's experiences. Over the past 10 years I have figured out that my triggers are: 1st and foremost painkillers, particularly Ibuprofen, but the only thing I can take (IF I drink plenty of water or eat with it), is Tylenol. I can't do Sudafed either, and I try to stay away from meds as much as possible. 2nd trigger: dairy, plain and simple, it is very predictable. If I have too much dairy I can count on the fact that I'll be up that night. It's funny, there have been times I'm up struggling with this, and my husband will say "well, you had that ice cream (or whatever) earlier didn't you?", and then I remember, and know that it isn't all in my head, dairy does in fact aggravate it too. However, goats milk is much more tolerable in moderation, than cow products, I know that the proteins are different between the two, but other than that I don't know why it isn't so aggravating. I did Prevacid for a while initially, which controlled it slightly, but not enough. The turning point for me when I started being able to finally gain some control over this, was with an herbal product by "HERB PHARM" called "Neutralizing Cordial". Also, carbo veg homeopathic remedy has helped a lot, so lately I have been able to control it with that and/or Rolaids, (which I would prefer to get away from as well). By learning my triggers over the years and adding these natural remedies into my repertoire, I have been able to manage this and have found that when I'm doing ok I can eat anything, and that when I'm prone to this, anything will aggravate it. All that was prior to last week; THEN, the other day I followed a pop-up ad from recipezaar.com (great web-site by the way) where a guy is selling some booklet about his acid reflux discovery (didn't by his book yet, where he claims to have a cure for it). But, he did vaguely mention his initial apple discovery helping acid reflux. I tried it that night, thinking "it can't really be this simple can it", and low and behold, it was. I kept expecting to wake up choking with acid, and it never happened. Every night (but 1) I have been eating an apple (or a few slices) after dinner/before bed and it is the first time anything has helped so completely!! The night I forgot, I had to take 2 Rolaids, which I realized had been helping me only minimally compared to the apple. What else is there to say, it certainly can't hurt! I fully expect that this will continue to help, as it's already proven to be far more effective than anything I've tried thus far. It just reminds me that in life, sometimes the best things don't have to be complicated or expensive to be valuable, we get so busy trying to "over-think" things sometimes, that we overlook the simple, basic things that are right in front of us. I wish you luck on your own journey of discovery.
Eggs
Posted by Muktar (Minneapolis, MN) on 02/14/2008 5 posts
★★★★★
I am a 22 year old male and I have being struggling with acid reflux with sometime now. I have found that the cure for this disease is very simple. all you need is two eggs, two slices of bread and a long glass of milk. that's right just scramble some eggs with just a touch of salt and stick it between two slices of bread and wash it down with a large glass of cold milk and your cured, you will sleep like a baby.
Raise the Bed
Posted by Todd (San Jose, CA) on 02/12/2008
★★★★★
I have acid reflux only at night. I wake up with a sore throat in the morning. I put bricks under my bed making the head of the bed higher than the foot. (Actually I used one brick and one piece of plywood cut the shape of the brick. However the floor sloped from the foot of the bed down to the head. Thus the net effect was one brick. It was the sloped floor that gave me this idea.) My acid reflux went away. I no longer woke up with a sore throat. This worked for over five years. Then I slept without the bricks for a week. My acid reflux came back. I replaced the bricks. However, my acid reflux had grown worse. I now need two bricks, instead of one.
This might work only for mild cases. I tried it right away as soon as I got acid reflux.
Sleeping position might matter as to whether this cure works. I sleep on my back. I did not adopt sleeping on my back because of the acid reflux. I had slept that way most of my life.
Does anyone know whether some sleeping positions are better than others for acid reflux, i.e. back, left side, or right side? Which way does the connection between the stomach and the esophagus point? Is it the same for all people, or does it vary?
Raise the Bed
Posted by Laurie (Springfield, Va.) on 05/14/2008
Acid Reflux Remedies: Hi, In answer to Frank's question about sleeping positions, it is thought, though doctors aren't sure why, that sleeping on the left side is best for acid reflux. Re the bricks under the bed. As someone else on the site pointed out, it is imperative to raise the head of the bed, either by using bricks, or by purchasing a foam pillow that is raised at the head. The recommended height is from 6" to 8", depending on tolerance. My husband just put the bricks under the front legs of my bed, as I found the foam pillow to be uncomfortable, and I finally did not wake up with acid in my mouth, and a sore throat. I have not tried the natural remedies listed on your site, but I plan to! I HAVE used a drug called Zegrid, which is Omeprozole and baking soda in a long-acting capsule, but I think I might prefer to just try the baking soda and see how that does. Thanks for all the ideas.
Raise the Bed
Posted by Bev (Seattle, WA) on 01/17/2009
★★★★★
I have put (2) 2X6 blocks under my bed for years and it really helps. Take a jar lid, turn it upside down and nail it to one of the blocks, then place the blocks/lid under the wheels of your bed frame. The cats slide down the bed, but they're used to it...besides, one of them has gerd too!!
Raise the Bed
Posted by Another Sufferer (Houston, Texas) on 05/05/2009
I'm a side sleeper, suffering from Gerd and find that sleeping on my right side always makes the reflux worse.
Reader Theories
Posted by Mike (Chicago, IL) on 02/02/2008
Hi there, Wanted to thank you TREMENDOUSLY for this wonderful website! I've been a purple pill victim for about a year now. Until this past year, I used to get reflux on occasion, then I moved to Chicago last January and ever since, I've suffered from terrible reflux. Last November, I couldn't even enjoy Thanksgiving because the reflux was so bad. I would only consume water, soups and yogurt. After months of my own research and the pathetic research of quite a few western physicians, my problem seems to be going away. Granted, I'm still supposed to take 2 purple pills/day, but I only take 1 as of last week when I first encountered your site. After reading articles on your website last week, I decided to change 2 things:
--I stopped drinking the chlorinated tap water from the City of Chicago (which some claim is the cleanest/healthiest water in the US. Well, I can almost guarantee this water has been the main culprit of my reflux. I remember purchasing a water purifier that removes chlorine around March of last year. Then I used the water filter until about August, when it needed a new filter. During this time, my reflux was not too bad (but it was still present) and I was only taking 1 purple pill per day. Then after needing a new filter, time lapsed and I just went back to drinking city water. What do you know, I started suffering really bad around the end of October. At this time I went back to the doctor and they upped my purple pills to 2/day. I started to feel better, but never really recovered. After reading your articles, I bought a new water filter and a week's worth of spring water. All of a sudden, I'm feeling really really good -- Hmmmmm??
--The other change that I made just one week ago was the addition of Apple Cider Vinegar to my diet.
Because I made these changes at the same time, I'm not sure who should get the credit, but I really don't want to stop either one of them as I never want that feeling again! I cannot begin to express my gratitude but this site is awesome! Thank you!"
Aloe Vera
Posted by Ellen (Scott City, Kansas) on 01/10/2008
★★★★★
Take Aloe vera for acid reflux treatment
OTC
Posted by Mary (British Columbia, Canada) on 01/07/2008
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
For about a year I have been bothered periodically by acid reflux. In December 2007, it traumatized my throat and I was having trouble swallowing vitamin pills. The doctor urged me to take Pantaloc. I took one pill and within a day developed erythema nodosum with excruciatingly painful joints and red blotches all over my lower legs. The doctor tested for all other causes, but it was likely an allergic reaction to the sulfur in the drug. Ironically I took Ibuprofen for the joint pain which only made the acid reflux worse. I also now notice that I have developed vertical ridges on my nails and loss of the white half moon on all but the thumbs. The Internet tells me that this is due to a B12 deficiency due to use of antacids. Do a search on "B12 Antacids nail ridges" to read about the potential adverse effects (memory loss, etc). I immediately swore off antacids (even Tums) and went hunting online for natural acid reflux remedies and found your great site. Yesterday I used ACV in water and it cleared up the reflux almost immediately. I will be purchasing the organic today. MANY THANKS!
Papaya
Posted by John (Slana, Alaska) on 01/07/2008
★★★★★
I just wanted to share the cure for Acid Reflux with y'all. I suffered with Acid Reflux for years; I couldn't drink a glass of water without an attack, until I tried the following method.
On a daily basis take a couple Papaya Enzyme tablets and a Fenugreek capsule with each meal; and once a day drink a 16oz fruit smoothy w/Aloe Vera juice replacing 2/3s the apple juice used to make the smoothy. Within three days, my reflux was gone. Within two weeks I was eating anything I wanted with no reflux at all. I haven't had Acid Reflux since then (four years.)
P.S. I'm the kind of guy who enjoys a bowl of chili at midnight; this cure works.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Jaci (Fremont, CA) on 01/02/2008
★★★★★
Guess what I just learned. Instead of trying to calm the acid in our stomachs, it is timing of production of the acid. By taking a thumbnail amount of ginger (even if you chew and spit it out) before and after your meal, or cayenne pepper, it will release the acid so it can do it's job and get out of the stomach. And for healing the esophagus take 70% slippery elm back powder and licorice powder and mix in water till a consistency of light oatmeal. Take a tablespoon every hour. This heals the esophagus. Good Luck!
Cell Salts
Posted by Janine (Brisbane, Australia) on 12/26/2007
★★★★★
I had acid reflux during my first pregnancy and had some relief with over the counter alkalizers. This pregnancy I didn't want to alkalize my stomach acid so I can digest effectively - but I still needed some relief. My naturopath recommended nat phos, the cell salt (also called SP or sodium phosphate) which is working very well, at least as well as antacids without the worry of poor digestive side effects or aluminium additives. Be sure to chew the tablet, or dissolve it in warm water.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Lee Ann (Mobile, Alabama) on 11/27/2007
★★★★★
Acid Reflux - Sinus Infection - Sore Throat - Acidophilus -- Based on personal experience the Polish Girl has it right, it's the diet. Dump the yeasty carbohydrate sugary stuff. After a sore throat that lasted a few months with several different diagnoses and antibiotics, health practitioner said most people really suffering from too much yeast in system which causes a huge variety of illnesses. Change the diet to starve/kill yeast in system now. Yeast thrives on sugar, sweets, fruits, carbs, and of course bread, pasta.
For 3 months my husband and I ate nothing but veggies and meat. Cut the wine and beer from diet too. Also took supplements that rid the body of fungus as well as very strong acidophilus.
Winthin one week, sore throat was gone.
2 Weeks - acid reflux disappeared completely (yay no more prilosec). Sore arthritic feeling knees stopped.
3 or 4 weeks - husband and i who suffer sinus infections frequently quit sneezing, coughing, etc. No more sinus infections for either of us.
3 years later - unfortunately I quit the diet because of pregnancy and dr. advised it would be bad for baby. Now sore knees and throat are back, and now have MRSA. With a lot of the cures here dealing with toxin cleansing etc. I wonder if yeast helps breed the MRSA?? Unfortunately, when I tell friends of my miracle cure when they are ill, their response is 'i could never change my diet that drastically' and they continue seeking that quick fix. Our forefathers had it right -- "You are what you eat".
Reader Theories
Posted by RB (Pentwater, USA) on 11/22/2007
Heartburn acid reflux can also be started by sudden stress. You may not even be aware of this happening. I too have had acid reflux heartburn on in off for some years. Mine started with a death of my father, then I was a care giver to my mother while raising my 6 mo old child. Off in on for 16 yrs. Went to a crabby mean ole Gastro Dr. the same one I had 2 stomach scopes. !st time said maybe had IBS. The 2nd one, he said it was all in my head & my nerves were doing to me. Wrote down this Globus word Told me this, then off he went.Just over a mo. this acid stuff has been bothering me. I'm in Menopause, have allergies, am anxious, some times depressed. Have to live in the cold weather for now. I think a number of things can make your health bad just in your home. Hot air force furnace for one,gas or oil. carpet in your house can be real bad for any one health. I have it all over but don't have the funds to get rid of it. I just recently found this nice place. My acid is back & me too, burning in my back between my shoulder blades. Notice today after Turkey day. tasted so good, but forgot & ate salad with onion in gravy, & over ate. My Dr. just runs more blood work. I am trying Acv, raw apples. I hope something natural helps. We all get tired of being sick with something. now days there is so much polutions in the air. Thanks for reading.
Reader Theories
Posted by Sandra (Humboldt, Tn) on 07/31/2012
First I do not have my Gallbladder so stomach has worsened since when it comes to eating. I found that on occassion I would have bloat in my stomach when I would eat anything, like the food was not digesting and would sit in there for days, ouch hurt. Nothing helped. Not baking soda, gas tabs, nothing. I could see the air pumping up my tummy and it stayed in there, no gas no burping just bloated pain. Which of course greatly reduced ability to eat anything. I felt full all the time. Hardly ever did I have acid reflux, but on occassion I would get a sharp pain in my chest that took my breath away and made my heart race for a few seconds till it passed. Feeling of someone scared me bad. Anyway I found out by accident something that worked for the acid and bloat.
I started drinking cinnimon and honey tea I make Step One: Boiling 8 ounces of filtered water in the microwave for 1.50 minutes, then stirred in one level teaspoon of SIAGON(Spelling ?) ground cinnimon (because the cheap stuff turns to snot looking stuff impossible to filter, yuck! ) steep 30 minutes cover cup with plastic wrap of sandwich baggy. This makes one days worth which is two servings. You can drink it warm or room temp. Just don't add the honey to really hot water because it destroys the honey's properties.
Next Step: Pour half the tea in the cup you will be drinking out of reserving the remander infusion of cinnimon tea for at or around hour before bedtime.
Next step: add 1/4 teaspoon honey to the 1/2 cup of cinnimon infused tea, and stir. [I use local honey from my area due to allergies, store bought will work. ]
NEXT: Add 4 more ounces of filtered water to make a full 8 ounce cup and drink it on an empty stomach 15 minutes in the morning brefore eating and on an empty stomach before bed. Do not drink the sediment as it can upset your tummy. You can add 1/4 tsp ground or 1 slice of fresh ginger to the cinnimon mix at steeping time and that also helps restore natural balance in your tummy if you have been on meds for reflux. Not only will this over time rid you of your issue but will help with weight loss and detoix your intestines of sludge. Drink filtered water perferably room tempature cool or tepid and wait to see the difference you get. Never drink ice cold drinks when eating it turns the fats in your food to sludge in you stomach and wrecks havoic in your gut.
*If you can't find SIAGON cinnimon use the cheap stuff but there is a trick to getting the slimy blob to settle onthe bottom of the cup before pouring off measured amount for tea. After steeping stir, wait hour or so to settle on bottom then pour off for tea. Or make this the night before for morning tea to be room temp and then add filtered water to the remainder 4 ounces infused tea mix to equal 8 ounces. Stir and cover then by bed time the residue will settle to bottom of cup then just take care when pouring off this time no need to add water because you already did that. Tea time. I am having to do this for now due to stores here not carrying the SIAGON cinnmon right now.
