What do you do during acid reflux attack?

I still suffer from acid reflux almost 3 years past my surgery for EC.  I take 2 Protonix a day but still have occasional problems.  Anyone have any tips as to what they do during an acid relfux attack to lessen the burning?

Thanks,

Donna

On Oct 06, 2010 10:11 PM drn56 wrote:

I still suffer from acid reflux almost 3 years past my surgery for EC.  I take 2 Protonix a day but still have occasional problems.  Anyone have any tips as to what they do during an acid relfux attack to lessen the burning?

Thanks,

Donna

Donna ,

Acid reflux disturbing me too. I am not taking any medication . I will either chew one to two thin slice of fresh ginger , or , I will make a glass of warm ginger water ( I will blend some fresh ginger with just a small amount of water , then, keep it in the fridge ) when I feel uncomfortable.

When it is disturbing too frequent, I will take a glass every morning when I wake up and half a glass after each meal ( when I feel it is coming )

Anyway, I am Lung cancer and I been taking ginger very regular everyday . So, if you want to give it a try , you may start with half a slice of fresh ginger or small cup of ginger water. It is advisable to try it in small portion and see whether your stomach can take it or not .

Next thing is to take smaller portion for each meal , it is better to have more meal with small portion , sometime, it may help to reduce acid reflux. Also , try to find out type of food that give you more problem . For me , if I take too much of carbohydrate , i.e. biscuit , bread , noddle , lotus paste pastry or any pastry. Then, when too much of meat also will cause acid reflux for me, I think it link back to our digestion system problem.

Wish my sharing can assist you.

All the best

SK

I get this sometimes if I slide off my pillows during the night.  Prevacid ODT gives me almost instant relief.  It's a prescription. 
Bill

hi donna - my culprit always is when i eat too much or too late. i can avoid acid reflux if i can be disciplined about my eating. when it happens ( as in last 2 nights ) i sit up for about 1 - 2 hours. sometimes when i am sleeply i sleep sitting up. it usually goes away after 1 - 2 hours when the food goes down.

i take 2 prilosec each morning.

andy

Hi Donna i am 2 yrs out and I am supposed to take 2 protonics /day but even when I did I still had the reflux so I stopped.  When I do get the reflux which comes and goes I have been taking acetaminophen with codeine liquid. Its the only med that works at stopping the burning and then helps me get back to sleep. Its a life saver for me.

I am 2.5 years post esophagectomy.  I recently found a great deal on an adjustable bed and got one.  Since that time, my reflux episodes have decreased by about 95%.  I have also found that I now wake up in the morning without the burning and mucous in my throat that I had been experienceing.   I highly recommend investing in one of these if you are able to. 

In the past, I used Maalox chewables and liquid in addition to my taking aciphex.  Sometimes when it was real bad, I would eat some Cheerios after the maalox and that seemed to cut down on the burning.  I would also move to the recliner and wait for it to go away and then sleep in an upright position. 

After spending most of the past year sleeping in a recliner at night, the oncologist wrote a prescription for a hospital bed, which was provided by Medicare. It's allowable because of the need to sleep upright. I'm sure other insurance carrier's will cover this if Medicare will.

Many still swear by the peeled apple slices shortly before bed. It's worked for most of the people I know who tried it (but not all). It's worth a try.

Drugs for motility may help...most common is probably Reglan...we use domperidone instead. Same action without crossing blood brain barrier which alleviates many of the worst side effects of Reglan would cause.

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Acid reflux during sleep is hard to cope with. For me it happens rarely but if it happens in bed at night it feels like an asphyxia. I suppose you all know this from your own experience.

To decrease this occurrence I put 2 car jacks under the slatted frame head side of my bed which gives me a slightly constant slope of 15-20 degree. Secondary I screwed 3 l-profiles on the end of the slatted frame to avoid slip off the mattress.

This construction with a constant slope works much better than the ordinary (1/3) adjustable slatted frames because I can sleep on the sides and it is better for the spine.

Jürgen

I also have my bed on Jacks. It's very important to cut off eating 2 to 4 hrs before lying down. Elevate bed. Don't sleep on multiple pillows. If you cause your stomach to bend,at too much of an angle, it will apply pressure and cause reflux. You all may also think I'm crazy but limit caffeine and mostly carbs. You will see improvement I promise. My Gi gives me viscous lidocaine to keep at home to swallow to stop the burn. You have to be very careful because this totally numbs everything. Can cause aspiration because you have no control if you lay down until wears off. January 2012 will be 3 years for me. I've been searching long term outcomes and side effects after this esophagectomy. I didn't suffer from cancer but a disease called achalasia. God bless all and remember when the symptoms start, give a look to the big guy upstairs and tell urself..This To Shall Pass.....

Kristina

I only get reflux occasionally and mildly. Now and again during the day I will get a mouthful back shortly after eating which usually happens with fruit. Other times I can eat the fruit without any problems at all. No pattern that I can see.

In bed it tends to happen in the early morning. I know it goes contrary to everything that is advised, but I find it worse if I have not eaten for a long time before bed. It seems that my tummy cannot go too long without food. I find it best to eat a very small amount about an hour before going to bed. My current favourite is a half round of lettuce sandwich made with home made bread.

I also find the reflux happens more often if I am lying on my left side. Rarely happens if I am on my back. I also have my bed elevated.

I am taking Gaviscon Advance liquid before bed but no serious medication.

Sue