BS: Acid reflux

Subject: BS: Acid reflux
From: kendall
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 07:35 AM

Ok, not a very glamorous subject, but I'd appreciate your thoughts on it.
My new speech pathologist is convinced that my voice problem is due to acid reflux. I showed her a photo of my larynx, and that did it. She went from "It could be" to "That is the problem." That whole area is red and swollen.
So, I'm on PRILOSEC. Anyone had this problem?

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Jeri
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 07:45 AM

Lots of people have this problem! I take Prilosec as well. My main symptom was heartburn, and regular antacids quit working. Now, I really know it when I forget to take the stuff. (On an EMPTY stomach.)

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Sooz
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 07:48 AM

Lots of discussion on this thread

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 08:06 AM

I take Losec, or Omeprazole, have done for years I have an hiatus hernia, and acid reflux is a known effect of this problem. I now have virtually no problems at all, and only get them if I abuse my stomach, by putting things in it that provoke it. At times like that I use Gaviscon as a palliative.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 08:24 AM

I've had some time on Omeprazole too, it worked for me, but it's horses for courses Kendall.

I was told to eat little and often, rather than a big meal with lots of time between... I discovered it was a positive boon to be a nibbler. Sitting up straight and stretching out the stomach muscles helped me too.

Take care dear, and watch out for lemons.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Jeri
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 08:39 AM

Prilosec = omeprazole

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Bobert
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 08:47 AM

I've been on Acifex, Capt'n, fir going on 4 years now and haven't have one single incident of heartburn (acid reflex) in that time... I used to get it lots... You'll do fine with this an' if it has been the reflux that has backed up in yer then yer gonna notice a difference in no time...

...which, of course can only mean one thing.... Yer gonna need a good divorce attorney 'cause the little lady ain't gonna put up with you as Kendall the Chatter Box... No, sir...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 09:15 AM

Yep, Omeprazole for me too. Been taking it since I took ill with Pancreatitis over a year ago. Had the reflux for years, often waking up choking and unable to breathe during the night, when I'd inhaled stomach acid. Burnt windpipe and larynx, foul taste and s-c-a-r-e-e-e-e!

Only taking one Omeprazole every two days now, instead of two per day previously. If I get heartburn, I take a dose of Peptac (a.k.a. Gaviscon) - does the trick.

Seems to be quite a common complaint Kendall - You Are Not Alone! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Rapparee
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 09:25 AM

I take one Omeprazole each morning. Having the generic prescribed is lots cheaper than buying Prilosec over the counter!

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: MaineDog
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 09:42 AM

Kendall, be careful with this one. A friend of mine had to have his entire esophagus removed and reconstructed due to a problem known as Barret's (?) esophagus. It was a dangerous pre-cancerous condition. He is all right now, but for a year or so he was compromised. One of the early symtoms was acid reflux. Please check this out.

MD

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 09:54 AM

Omaprazole earlier, now Pantaprazole - Both of the PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor) group. One a day keeps my 10 year+ GERD in check (Hiatus Hernia din't help it but it is not the SOLE cause of GERD)

The only other thing that seriously helps is diet - Said before, little and often, but also think about the order in whch things are digested. Fruit, for instance, is easy to digest so make sure you have that first rather than as a desert. Like wise green and leafy veg. Carbs take a bit more digesting so root veg, bread, pasta etc can be eaten after them. Meat and other proteins last of all. Good days diet - if you can keep it up which I can't :-( (hence the tablets) Cider vinegar MAY have helped but I am not sure.

Early morning - Water, fruit.
Mid morning - Cereal or cereal bar
Lunch - Green Salad (eat this FIRST), any carbs you like to see you through.
More fruit or dairy desert an hour later.
Mid afternoon - Biscuits, cake or whatever with your cup of tea:-)
Early evening meal - Standard meat and veg. Eat the veg first.
An hour or so later fruit or dairy based desert.
Mid evening - Toast, cake, whatever you usually have for 'supper'. NOTHING after about 8pm.

Else? Spiced Rum and PPI's :-)

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 09:57 AM

Oh - and forgot to add - Water, water and more water...

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Amos
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 10:12 AM

But not without rum. Makes the whole experience easier to handle.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Louie Roy
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 10:19 AM

Kendall,Acid reflux is a serious condition and shouldn't be taken lightly.I take 1 Omeprazole in the morning and 1 in the evening and have for 4 or 5 years.I suggest that you contact a gastrioligist and have a endostiscope and possible you may have to have your esophagus stretched and you definitely will need this done if at times you have difficulty swallowing.I've been there and I urge you to consider an edostiscope.Louie

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Jeri
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 10:48 AM

Alcohol is NOT good for GERD. It can lead to it. So can non-steroidal anti-inflamatories such as aspirin and ibuprophen.

There's a sphincter at the top of your stomach called the cardial sphincter. It's closed most of the time and it's what makes it possible for you to stand on your head and not have your lunch run out. If it gets irritated, paralyzed or excessively relaxed, or otherwise damaged, stuff can leak out, and the acidity can damage it even more.

Trust your doctor, and ask about tests but don't try to tell them what they should be doing. An upper GI test can show most things. An endoscope, biopsy and other diagnostic procedures may be needed based on what less invasive tests and your symptoms indicate.

It can be serious if it's un-controlled. If medication controls it, it's not serious. If the guy who did your surgery didn't notice anything previously, it's possible it's not a long-standing condition. Lots of things can contribute to GERD, one of which is pushing with your stomach muscles like when forcing sound to come out, as with singing or shouting.

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: beardedbruce
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 11:26 AM

Ranatadine, here. Had it for the last 20+ years.

The best solution I have found was to raise the head of the bed, so I was sleeping on an uphill slope. Put a brick under each side of the headboard, or the feet at the head of the frame.

Caffeine can aggrevate it, as well. Also, try not to eat within 3 hours of going to bed.

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 11:35 AM

Out of interest the opening to the stomach, through which the acid escapes, is over to the left and points right. If you are suffering from a bit of reflux in bed lying on your left hand side so the opening is uppermost can sometimes have dramatic effects.

D.

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 11:39 AM

A big yes on the raised bed head thing Bruce mentioned. Also Dave's sleeping position point is cogent. I now sleep with 3 pillows too, 1 rolled under my neck, and the other 2 supporting my head. It all helps keep you pointing uphill.
Giok
G.

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Gern
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 11:41 AM

I'm going through the same thing for the same reasons. throat soreness, loss of range, and too-easy strain led to doctor's office. He said I had "silent reflux:" reflux without any associated heartburn. Occurs in 15% of reflux patients. Good to have no heartburn; bad to not know something's eating away at your innerds. Upper GI showed little damage to esophagus, but video stroboscopy showed nodes and acid scarring on vocal chords. Resultant chronic sinusitis will require surgery next week. I now am on a draconian anti-reflux diet, need repeated sessions with speech therapists to correct gutteral speaking voice to a "softer and more forward phonation, and must alter my singing delivery if I hope to sing anymore. Reflux is being treated with Prilosec (doctor offered it as a cost-effective alternative to Nexium), a nasty diet with no beer, tomato-based foods, soda, coffee or chocolate (the Guantanamo diet) and elevating the head of the bed. As my non-throat symptoms are "silent," I will have a hard time getting off this diet. It sucks, but must be taken seriously, especially for someone who takes his music seriously.

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 12:22 PM

Lots of sound advice above - I second the stuff about diet (order of) and eating fruit/veg before carbs/protein. Late-evening eating's a killer, and tea/coffee late evening do me no good either. And I wholeheartedly agree with regard to sleeping position - uphill sleeping's best (but not uphill gardening! LOL!)

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: kendall
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 12:47 PM

One of the problems I have to deal with is, I can't sleep if I'm hungry. That's left over from childhood.

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 01:29 PM

Maybe a malted milk drink or some such may help there, Kendall? I don't really know the effect of these on reflux though because I don't particularly like them! On the subject of drinks, wine and spirits are not good in my case but funnily enough I find that beer does not do me any harm reflux wise - Maybe it is the 95% water that helps!

Dave.

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: kendall
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 02:31 PM

So, try American beer. That's 99% water.

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 04:34 PM

THus spake a man who's sampled good English Ale!!
In my case, I'm teetotal (since the pancreatitis) so booze is not a problem (except that I can't have it - mmmmmmwwwaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!)

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 04:37 PM

I had the endoscopy and biopsy which thank God proved negative for Barret's Esophagitis. My Doctor did not want to take any chances. For the past 5 years I am on Prevacid (30mg.) once every morning plus Famatodine (Pepcid AC) 20mg once in the morning and another one again in the evening. I am also on a zero fat and grease diet with no alcohol or spices. I have not had red meat in the past 5 years, only chicken and turkey which I cook myself. All the skin and every ounce of fat is removed before cooking. I will have to stick to this diet and rx regimen for the rest of my life.
                                                   SOL

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: InOBU
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 04:55 PM

Hi
been very sick from it... you can hear in my recordings of two years ago, how it affected my voice... not a good thing at all. It is now more or less in check, but, I eat my big meal of the day before 2 PM, most of the time, and sleep sitting up, which completly sucks, but it beats the terrible things to which gurd and acid reflux can lead... I also would get the bigest toncil-liths ( toncil stones) anyone would see, they'd choke me for weeks... behaiving around the food has helped that as well, and my voice is coming back. I was even having trouble speaking at times.
Don't play around with it!!! I did want to avoid taking the meds... life style, radical life style changes where more what I was comfy with...
all the best
lorcan

PS I dream of someday being able to lie down to sleep again.

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: kendall
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 05:09 PM

Man, that's gotta suck. You have my deepest sympathy.

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 06:28 PM

Personal observations on individual cases are worth very little, but I had significant problems with reflux for several years, and none of the advice from physicians or drugs they prescribed had much effect. (This was well before most of the currently used drugs were available.)

Then one weekend I ran out of beer, and the problem disappeared. (for a while)

I eventually found that in my case, any carbonated beverage, even non-alcoholic ones, would trigger the pain, particularly for even moderate consumption just prior to reclining.

Once I made the connection, it was quite simple to figure out why I was drinking so much beer (or US approximation thereto) and once I got my new bride (a little less simple) I've had very little problem.

Of course there are lots of reasons, and you'll have to find your own. I can't recommend my approach as the only one that might work.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Louie Roy
Date: 08 Mar 07 - 10:46 PM

Going back to kendall's last comment about american beer.Years ago they asked Mae West to name the american beer and she told them a good name was LOVE IN A CANOE

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 01:32 AM

"I dream of someday being able to lie down to sleep again."

So, they reckon, did Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man adn look what happened to him!

Stress doesn't help either, Kendall, so keep a diary of symptoms for a week or so... is it worse when you're in the cellar and away from human contact? : )

Or is it God's way of telling you to plant more nuns?

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: fumblefingers
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 01:43 AM

Acid reflux was a big problem before I started taking a Prilosec every morning. After giving up whisky due to a heart bypass operation, I don't need the Prilosec any more.

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 02:00 AM

Developed Barrets Asophagus after Acute pancreatitis 'way back in 1969. deliberately altered plumbing involving the bile duct resulted in constant over-acidity, and the problem with Barrets. A continuous and ongoing regime of nexium and now pariet [with one or two "gullet-stretches"] has brought great and lasting relief. To Barrets sufferers---the effects [scarring] can be practically eliminated by the control of acid. I am in midseventies now, and practically symptom-free.

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: The Vulgar Boatman
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 03:52 AM

Kendall, don't bugger around with this one - it killed my old fellah. All the above looks sensible, and omeprazole keeps mine under control, but a test for helicobacter pyelori (and no, I don't guarantee the spelling..)would also be a good idea. If it's present, you could be looking at a somewhat involved set of antibiotic treatments, but it's better than half a day out with the undertakers. Keep well.

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 04:26 AM

Helicobacter-pylori

G

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 04:44 AM

any carbonated beverage

You include BEER with this? Must be American;-)

Dave

(Just kidding guys - I have had some brilliant beers from American micro breweries!)

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: kendall
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 06:48 AM

I drink very little alcohol, one cup of coffee per day and on occasion a cup of tea. I seldom have a real flare up, but when it happens it's brutal.It gets into my larynx and makes it hard to breathe.
My speech pathologist says I am probably having minor events without knowing it, and after seeing the photo of my larynx she is convinced that's the problem.

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Becca72
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 12:38 PM

I have had GERD for years now, too. I gave up caffeine a few months ago and that settled it right down. Another thing to consider is not having dairy products in the evening, especially if your symptoms are worse at night. Dairy is hard to digest and I find it will cause problems if you go to bed shortly after eating it.

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 04:34 PM

Happy coincidence that this topic came up today--a day after I was up half the night.

It happens infrequently and I have found that it usually comes when I have had many tomato products at dinner----soup, pasta, etc;   A while back I say my ENT doctor and he prescribed Nexium---helped in 24 hours. Expensive medication!!!

I have found though---at least for me, who gets this only at the times mentioned I keep Pepcid AC (Strong Strength) on hand---take it a few hours before dinner and it works like a charm. And a lot less expensive ---though not that cheap either.

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: kendall
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 04:43 PM

Tried Nexium, nearly tore my stomach apart. Haven't had a flare up since I went on the Prilosec.

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 11 Mar 07 - 04:02 AM

Glad to hear that sweetie... now do as Nurse says and take your medicine like a good boy... : )

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: artbrooks
Date: 11 Mar 07 - 11:40 AM

Sounds like a very common problem among Mudcatters (could that be because we (mostly) all talk a lot? I'm on another med from the same group, Pentonix (Pantoprazol), and it helps a lot. Kendall, I assume that you are seeing a physician for this as well? Most (all?) places, speech pathologists can't prescribe medications.

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: kendall
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 08:07 AM

This one recommended an acid reducer, and my regular doctor recommended Prilosec, a non prescription med. I seems to be working well.

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Bert
Date: 12 Mar 07 - 07:38 PM

Just saw a thing on PBS which said that 35 grams of fiber per day will help.

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: GUEST,uk kid
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 03:04 AM

does anyone have this on a daily occurance?

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 03:30 AM

I have had. Gaviscon helped a lot, prescribed Maalox? was next to useless and fruit flavoured Tums were better than the mint flavoured chalk variety.

A change in my diet helped - more fruit and veggies, fruit teas instead of coffee or carbonated drinks. Alcohol intake is minimal, drink spirits rarely and only have wine when eating. I drink lots of water. I ate little and often, 4-5 small meals or picking at healthy snacks instead of 2 big meals and a bar of chocolate. I learned not to drink milk. Although it soothes the acid pain, you burp cheese for the rest of the day.

Of course, the major heart surgery helped as well, as it meant I could get more excercise after it, without falling to the ground wheezing and turning blue. Movement and posture was definately a factor, as was stress. A series of stress relieving excercises helped with the overall problem and now, although I'm not experiencing it every day, when it does happen, I can usually fix it easily enough.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Acid reflux
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 13 Mar 07 - 03:40 AM

I get acid reflux on a daily basis but this is maninly down to pregnancy and the baby practicing his kicking skills with my stomach. The doctor has given me gaviscon and that seems to be helping. Also I eat little and often and try to sleep with my head raised. I don't really drink caffine at the moment and that has helped too. I used to get alot of acid reflux when I had been drinking alcohol. Like Liz said, its horses for course and you just need to find the medication that suits you, but I do agree it's not a nice a nice thing to have.