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.
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Posted by Jamie (Bloomfield Hills, MI) on 04/13/2007
Hi, I have been taking tylenol extra strenth the past couple of days for headaches... several hours later (usually 2-4) I will get severe regurgitation of acidic fluids.
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Posted by Christine (Aurora, co) on 04/28/2007
I'm completely floored about the info on ibuprofen causing reflux. I was using ib. several times a day because of back injuries from a car accident when my reflux started. I use it from time to time still but was put on Protonix (a proton pump inhibitor)for my reflux, and am figuring out that it is RUINING my health. I diddn't know that PPI's inhibit absorption of calcium, minerals, B-12, healthy digestion, etc. I gained 15lbs within the first 9 mos. of starting it --and i don't gain weight like that. Since then, I've had 2 babies & the weight doesn't come off; I only lost 10lbs after the last one in the 5 mos after birth --that is not normal. I'm almost positive my thyroid is off and I'm estrogen dominant --I have to take progesterone. I've tried getting off this PPI 5 times, and no luck --each time I fail the PPI becomes less effective and now I have breakthru reflux even though i'm taking the PPI. Has anyone had luck weaning themselves off of a PPI????
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Posted by Adam (Aurora, CO) on 05/03/2007
I do feel that Ibuprofen can cause acid reflux. I have not yet gone to the doctor for diagnosis, but it is 3:30am in the morning and I am investigating the severe discomfort I am going thru on the internet. I have taken Ibuprofen occasionally in the past for minor aches and pains, but recently I suffered an injury to my foot for which I have been taking Ibuprofen regularly for nearly two weeks. Up to this point in my life I have never had an issue with heartburn or any other digestive issues. The last two nights I have been going thru extreme acidic discomfort. Since there have been no other changes in my diet or lifestyle I can only come to the conclusion that the Ibuprofen has played a role in my recent bout with acid reflux.
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Posted by Paula (Manassas, VA) on 05/02/2007
i have had a/r now for over two years and i have been taking nexium and this has not completely eliminated the problem. i do take ibuprofen as needed for headaches and with the job i have that is quite regularly (2x wk), thanks for the information on this drug interaction.
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Posted by Tracy (Lafayette, Colorado) on 05/04/2007
Hi. I became a skate skiing junkie last winter and was taking quite a bit of ibuprofen for aches and pains as I was getting in shape. One night I woke up with the most horrible burning pain in my chest. Because my mom has Acid Reflux I knew what it was. I thought it was just my age (41) and that I had inherited it. But, after finding your site, I realized it must have been from the Ibuprofen. I began taking two tablespoons of
ACV with 1/4 teaspoon of Baking Soda and a little bit of water to dilute it enough to make it palatable, 3 x a day. It worked GREAT! I've been on the regime for a about a month and a half, taking a couple days off once a week. I haven't had any of the really bad chest pain in three weeks but I can tell that I'm not totally healed yet because, often my upper chest feels "full" like there is pressure in my upper lungs, especially toward the end of the two-day break from the ACV. In the last couple of weeks I also quit alcohol of any kind and about a month ago I started chewing my food really, really well. I'm thrilled that the regime is working so well and that I haven't had that horrific burning, pain in so long. Thanks!
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Posted by Jill (St. Paul, MN) on 06/23/2007
I, too, have always been able to eat about anything without even heartburn! So what was I doing getting reflux all time and keeping me up during the night? The connection to ibuprofen makes sense for me. I started taking it for tense muscles after stressful work days; as well as anxiety about the stressful job so I could sleep. It worked for that wonderfully; but have had reflux problems since then. The ACV already has helped my syptoms. I have recently changed jobs, as well as started to excercise to relieve the daily stresses which should make it easier to eliminate the ibuprofen use. (and its side effects).
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Posted by Craig (Gaithersburg, Maryland) on 06/26/2007
I have only ever taken Ibuprofen (Advil or generic). I may take it once per week. I am 32. Last year around December, I had a horrible bout of pain in my chest on the right side (first time ever). It radiated to my shoulder and my throat became parched. I immediately drove myself to the ER where they did multiple tests, EKG's and X-Rays and found nothing. It was determined that I had acid reflux.
I took Aciphex for 3 months and it seemed to work but I also modified my diet somewhat. I no longer take Aciphex as I don't want to have to depend on it. I still get minor episodes but not like that day. Maybe it is the ibuprofen, not sure but I will try the ACV for sure and switch to a different pain medication
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Posted by karin (meredith, new hampshire) on 07/02/2007
You asked if anyone else regularly took pain relievers and I have been a very regular Tylenol PM user (1-2 tabs, 3-4x/week for 4 years for sleeplessness. My doctor recommended I cut out cafeine which, duh, helped with the sleeplessness and so havent taken any Tylenol pm for a few weeks now. I am going to try the yogurt and other other remedies I've read about here. This has been expensive!
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Posted by John (Hatfield, Massachusetts) on 07/19/2007
I ruptured my right deltiod in August of 2005. I took 2x200mg tablets of ibuprofen daily for 12 weeks. I got esophagitis along with LPR.
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Posted by Ha (Chandler, Az) on 07/23/2007
re: ibuprufen and gerd -- In my case the connection is 100%. Never had heartburn. after 14 days with Naproxene 500 mG x2 Had 1st attack. ER misdiagnosed as suffering from Chest Pain Pleuritic and gave me 2400 mG as Ibuprufen dayly!! Now the gerd does not go away even with 20 mG x2 a day!!!
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Posted by Sean (Westminster, MD) on 08/08/2007
I have had acid reflux for about 6 years now, though I was only diagnosed about 2 years ago (the first time I actually went for help). You asked on your site about painkillers; i used to take ibuprophin a lot for dental pain and things. I now only take it when I REALLY need it (1-2 times a month) and my reflux has not improved, even with adding ACV and Baking Soda. I'm also on Prevacid 2x a day, if that matters.
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Posted by jodi (kingston, ok) on 08/24/2007
I had a toothache that started about 4 weeks ago and I have been taking ibuprophen everyday for it.' I started having acid reflux within a week. I have been fighting it everyday not knowing why. Now that I have found your site about this, I feel better and I am going to try and cut that out to see if it makes the difference.
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Posted by Sara (Calgary, Canada) on 08/30/2007
I have been taking 3 Advils, 3 times a day to relieve Sciatic nerve pain. I Started treatment on Sunday and on Monday I had my 1st stomach acid symptom in the middle of my cheast. On Tuesday, the pain was unbarable. I looked up my symptons and it was possibly acid reflux. I have chewed 4 Rolaids which eased the pain. It is now Wednesday and i'm afraid to eat.. I've been drinking water all morning and searching for some answers online when I discovered Earthclinic.com. I'm going to try the Yogurt remedy as Rosemary's reasoning makes sense to me.
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Posted by Christine (Riverview, Florida) on 09/19/2007
I had mono about 11 years ago, and to reduce the pain/swelling in my throat, my doctor said it would be okay to take up to 4 ibuprofen (800mg) every 4-6 hours. This went on for a good month or two. Ever since I have been ailed with acid reflux and gastritis. This has baffled my gastro doctor since my endoscopy results came back normal with just a little redness. To help with the symptoms, my doctor has had me taking Nexium for about 5 years now (after trying everything else)and I have basically become dependent on it. Currently, I have no insurance, so I cannot afford Nexium. I have been taking Zantac 150 which is over-the-counter atleast 2-3 times per day, with no relief from the pain of this disease. I have recently heard about the vinegar "diet" and wanted to research it on my own. I am willing to try anything at this point to "cure" myself for good.
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Posted by lawana (grayson, ga) on 09/20/2007
I was reading the comment from Rosemary regarding the use of ibuprofen and its side effect of acid reflux. I am a 27 year old woman and I have been taking ibuprofen since I was about 15 for period cramps. I believe that you are right in that ibuprofen has something to do with my acid reflux. When I first started taking it I was younger and my body was a lot more youthful. But as I have gotten older the attack that ibuprofen has had on my body over the years has started to weaken its defenses. I am going to stop taking it but does anyone have any suggestions as what I can take for painful period cramps that won't irritate my acid reflux or cause another sympton to come up?
