Reflux Disease - There's Hope

I mentioned quite a while ago that I had a very difficult bout with Reflux disease, where parts of the digestive system back up and send acid into the esophogus, etc. My docotor told me that I should under no uncertain terms go an any motion attractions.

I changed doctors and to make a long story short, a prescription drug called Aciphex was called in and boy has it made a difference.

I am able to eat just about anything I want, though I need to drop some weight, and after a suceessful opening day at six flags great adventure on good Friday, I am as we say, back under the lap bar and the reflux is gone. Here is what he told me to do...

1) Take the pill first thing in the morning. It is tiny and it eliminates most of the acid in the stomach. Then don't eat for 30 minutes.

2) Try to stay away from caffeine and chocolate and fatty foods. (Good advice for anyone actually)

3) Under no circomstances am I to eat or drink after 8 PM.

Trust me people, If you like rides and you suffer from Reflux, see an internist and ask about it.

It saved my hobby.

Aciphex is a great reflux aid. It can't be taken forever, though. My suggestion is to loose weight, and stop eating crappy foods. I didn't have any issues myself, until I gained some "extra" weight, and ate crappier than ever. The reason Americans are massive acid reflux captives is simply that we are fat bastards, and we deserve it.

I had issues with acid reflux myself a few years ago (missed a PPP because of it, in fact), but I'm not exactly heavy. My diet CAN suck, though ;)

A few days of Prevacid did the trick for me. Never came back, thank goodness.

Me too.

I now take a pill called "protonix" and I havent had any problems since. It was so bad before I started to take the pills that even a soda would give me acid reflux.

I'm glad mine has never been *that* bad.

Reflux only seems to cause me problems when I go to bed, and I have found that late-night meals and excess weight are the two main contributing factors (the cause in my case is, unfortunately, congenital). It seems that CoasterBuzz, a bowl of microwave popcorn, and a large Coke are a dangerous combination. :(

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

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crazy horse said:
Me too.

I now take a pill called "protonix" and I havent had any problems since. It was so bad before I started to take the pills that even a soda would give me acid reflux.

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I took protonix for 30 days a year ago, to this day, I've had one (1) upset stomach. and NO acid reeflux issues ever again!

I've lost 45 lbs, and I'm sure that helped also.

I have had my share of problems too. I went to the doctor about it maybe two years ago, and he basically told me to change my diet, get rid of the caffeine, stay away from drinking and smoking (no problem there), and interestingly stay away from mint and tomatoes, which ev edentally really contribute to it. I have done all of that and have had little problems since.

Point is, you can also help yourself without the use of drugs, which is always good. Now I really have to start losing some weight though :P

*** Edited 3/27/2005 3:50:30 PM UTC by Cyclonic***

Sam,

I wish that I could say the same thing. If I dont take one of these pills everyday, than I really pay for it.

I had some trouble with it too. My doc wrote me a script, but said that I should instead lose weight, and cut back on the booze, caffeine, and greasy foods.

I took the prescription for a while, but eventually followed his advice instead. I felt a lot better because of it.

I have had what they CALL acid reflux only a couple times, and that sucked miserably. Mostly what I have is "lifelong upset stomach" from a superabundance of acid, but it usually doesn't go up towards my esophagus, so I'm pretty lucky on that count....maybe it's just all of the *irritating* people I have to deal with...j/k, LOL...:)

I've taken all of the above, along with some earlier scrips I don't even remember, and some other *remedies* (I was an apothecary in a former life, LOL)....and alot of it was due to my stupid HMO changing its "formulary" every year or so.

Aciphex, works great, CAN give you "lower intestinal gas"....how's THAT for polite? ;)

Prevacid, didn't seem to *preva-anything*, maybe I didn't give it a fair shot, but after about a month of No relief that was enough for me...

Protonix is what I'm currently taking, and while I'd prefer to be on the Aciphex (consequences be damned, LOL, that stuff WORKS), after about two weeks the relief was *there*....

For the record, I am a poor patient, not "really reliable" about my meds, a late-night eating machine ;), and an avowed caffeine addict. Spicy foods, which I love DEARLY, have shown not to make much of a difference at all in my case, something which I am *immensely* thankful for...:)

In my case, Prevacid was the ONLY thing that would for me. It's so darn expensive though. My pharmacist recommended Prilosec, which is over-the-counter now. It works the same way as Prevacid, having the pump inhibitor. It has been a life-saver for me. I only have to take one every few days but if I miss a dose, it comes right back. I am not overweight in the least but i do love my spicy foods. :)

Here's a formula for relief from the occasional bout:

NaHCO3(aq)

For my limited condition, a small glass of that before bed helps a lot. That particular compound is readily available in an orange box with an arm on it. No script required.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

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Brian Noble said:
I had some trouble with it too. My doc wrote me a script, but said that I should instead lose weight, and cut back on the booze, caffeine, and greasy foods.

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Your doc is a wise man (or woman) for suggesting you actually treat the cause rather than the symptoms. :)

Something that's not considered enough these days.

*** Edited 3/28/2005 4:54:10 AM UTC by Lord Gonchar***