Acid Reflux

Hi, I'm 21 years old, 5ft4 and 115lbs (I want to get back down to 105 because I've put it all on in the past year).

I've had acid reflux since I was about 12, I've had tests and things done and I'm now on daily medication to keep the symptoms at bay. I'll have a normal meal but then, 30 minutes later, I get hungry again. In fact I feel hungry almost all the time... and I think it may have something to do with the acid reflux. The pain I get feels like a strong urge to eat whether or not I need it (it doesn't QUITE feel like standard hunger), and it's almost always things like bread or pasta that I feel like eating.

Does anybody else get that? I feel it's kind of ruining my morale when I'm on a diet because it isn't as though I'm starving myself. Advice on how to soothe the pain would be helpful!

105 is clinically underweight. the acid in your stomach hasnt enough (FOOD) to work on, hence the reflux. be happy at your weight, why are you trying to damage your health and body further?

Ah yes the BMI thing... it's totally inaccurate for my body. I have been 105lbs ever since I was 15 without any effort to lower my intake. I've always eaten what I've wanted and felt satiated. The past year while I've been studying I've been eating a lot of chocolate and junk food which has led to me putting on 10 pounds. I don't really agree that looking at some chart proves whether or not you're healthy. If you saw me you'd probably think I weighed 130 or something because I am kind of slight and I don't have much muscle to me.

Also this acid reflux thing has been a non stop problem since I've had it, it just makes avoiding snacking more difficult for me. If I listened to my stomach and ate when I it told me I'm hungry I'd be very overweight by now :P

firstly, go back to your doctor or pharmacy for a different reflux medicine. Maalox is one good example. 2ndly, lol you dont look like 135. and my point is, a good few teens are technically underweight, but Bodies Change.

youre filling out, not getting fat! i'm just concerned as you say your craving carbs, always hungry, and are panicky about being already on the low end of a healthy weight. btw, i also am 5ft 2 and so i can easily look heavier- in my head - than my weight of 105ish. but when i was underweight, i look back and see i LOOKED underweight. maybe you should talk to your doctor about your issues too.

Ultimately, you shouldnt force your body to be a weight its not naturally happy at. I think you look really slim and great, we cant always stay the same weight and have the leaness we had at 15! i think the problem will resolve if you just accept that you have no weight problem and shouldnt be restricting.

Three things that I have learned about my acid reflux.
1) avoid white flour
2) avoid white sugar
3) sometimes it is aggravated by not having enough acid in my stomach, then I swallow a teaspoon of vinegar.  I usually burp it up and the pain goes away in minutes.

I haven't had to take any medicine in about six years by following these three rules.

Original Post by ktjo:

105 is clinically underweight. the acid in your stomach hasnt enough (FOOD) to work on, hence the reflux. be happy at your weight, why are you trying to damage your health and body further?

^ this. you're ridiculous for not listening to your body.

There's a big difference between a 15 year old body that has yet to be fully developed and a 21 year old body. Most adults don't weigh what they did at 15 and for a reason.

Ktjo's reasoning for your problem is probably correct.

Acid reflux is related to eating habits, but may not be because she is under weight.

Yes her goal weight is to low, I am not disputing that.  But even babies get acid reflux.  My oldest daughter had acid reflux as a baby and still has a bout of it every now and then.

About.com on GERD

yeah and i had reflux chronically from an infant to age 12 and was on medication every night for those 12 years.

She can always go to a gastroenterologist, but considering shes restricting to try to get back to her mid-pubescent and too-low weight, i know what my guess is for the cause of it. 21 year olds just dont have the same body as they did when they were 15. they just dont. how someone cant see that is unfathomable to me. 

I was born with acid reflux and it is not fun. I have never had it make me feel hungry all the time though. I just make sure that I do not eat anything that aggravates it and most part I do ok. I am on medication  Previcid for mine. Maybe the medication you are on is making you feel like your hungry.