Dietary Workarounds

Do you have any suggestions on how to work around some of the "problem" food?  Is it nothing more than not laying down after you eat them?  Following up with an alkaline food?

I've had stomach trouble for 12 years now and I've learned a few tricks. I love most of the problem foods but found that eating smaller amounts helps. Any time I overeat or get "full" I can expect heartburn/reflux. I even get reflux from drinking too much water at once. Staying upright until the stomach empties out is helpful. I've had to modify my activities. Sit-ups and bouncy activity like jogging make it worse. I walk a lot and use the elliptical machine instead. I squat to tie my shoes instead of bending over. If you have to get to bed soon after eating, try propping up with 2 or 3 pillows under your upper back and shoulders. I have worse reflux when I lay on my left side. I try to sleep on my back or right side when I first go to bed until my stomach is empty. I have very slow stomach emptying (gastroparesis) which causes my reflux. My stomach also makes too much acid so I take Prilosec every morning to keep it under control. Acid reflux is a serious problem, it effects quality of life and activity, it can also lead to ulcers in the stomach or esophagus. Losing weight will help, it decreases the upward pressure on the stomach. Best of luck controlling you symptoms so you can enjoy all the foods and activities you want.

I have GERD, and follow most of the tips you just listed.  However, i took Prilosec for many years, and I do not know if you are aware of this - but it depletes calcium from your bones, so if you are taking it you should eat lots of foods high in calcium, or take calcium supplements.  So if you are still at an age where your bones are absorbing calcium, i would swich to Pepcid, which I take (there is normal or maximum strength) as well as maylax followed by some water whenever you get an episode (this actually helps quite a bit!)  Either way, if you are on Prilosec make sure you're getting lots of calcium.  Hope you read this and it could help!

Yes, acid reflux is very serious & does indeed affect quality of life & activity.  Eating a little more often but smaller amounts, no bouncy or up & down activity but walking, trying to avoid bending over, raising the head of the bed, not lying down for about 3 hours after eating, not eating any spicy or fatty foods ... I do all of this, & even with my Nexium, I still have problems.  I am not overweight either, if anything I need to put on a few pounds, but it is most difficult when you can't eat just anything.  I have an appointment with a specialist next month ... I am really uptight about it.

OMG. I realized, after doing some reading that one of my issues was eating waaay to fast. It is harder for your stomach to digest large bites. So I chew way better (and better stuff. I changed my diet too). I used to have heartburn about 5 times a week at night some weeks (I am only 23). Now that I am avoiding some of that richer stuff (spicy foods, tomato sauces, etc really bothered me) and taking my time eating, I have not had any problems in over a week!

charcoal tablets from the health food shop have been a real help.

any stomach problem should be investigated I only discovered my excess acid problem and ulcer by chance, I was getting severe abdominal right handside pain.

I avoided saturated fats and onions. The medication from the doctor made me more poorly because I had an adverse reaction to the acid limiters.

I used Tums forever until I got tired of them, I've also tried every presciption there is (I've been suffering since Jan 2006) Last month I went to my doctor to get a new presciption written and she put me on one that just came out Kapidex, it's perscription only and it's expensive, but I can eat anything I want now with no symptoms, unless I eat too much of something.

I have GERD. Medication has been my best work around. When I was on Prevacid I could eat whatever-whenever. I also could take lactose pills (I'm also lactose-intolerant), and dramamine for motion sickness. Neither of which I can take now, while I am on Prilosec (bc insurance ran out and I can't afford 200$ a month of Prevacid, but it comes out as a generic in Novemeber!)  If I try to take those pills, or eat anything I am not supposed to, I either throw up or wish I would just to end the pain....

One would think this would help loose weight, but nay. I still find delicious things to keep the weight on.

I've managed to keep it under control by eating relatively bland foods (i.e. not Indian lol) and eliminating nearly all not-naturally-occurring saturated fats. Lots of rice and veggies with herb sauce. I also joined a CSA to introduce me to more veggies, brilliant idea really. I get loads of fresh veggies that take me out of my comfort zone and force me to find creative and healthful alternatives to the fall back of spaghetti or mac n' cheese lol.