How I cured my acid reflux, naturally.

There are different types of hiatus hernias, some are sliding some are not.  But, I hope that the carbonated water treatment will inflate the stomach and push the diaphram back up into place.  And, hopefully after some time of this treatment it may reattach and stay in place.

Hi Andrew:  Sorry to hear about the problems you've had.  Most of us on this forum have more that one issue that is making us miserable.  I had at least 5 problems at my worst.  One of my major problems was intestinal obstructions.  I had to discover this myself, when I read all my past doctors notes.  Sometimes you have to lead them in the right direction.  Do lots of research of your symptoms.  Try one thing at a time.  One of my doctors finally told me I had an umbilical hernia.  Then I found ou that the small intestine can get trapped in the hernia pocket causing an obstruction.

Violent vomitting can cause a hernia.  Also, food poisoning can mean that you were infected by H pylori. 

Keep asking for more tests to find the cause of each issue.  PPi drigs only mask the issue and then cause more problems later.

There is a blood test for H pylori, and also a breath test.

You should also get a blood test for nutrient deficiencies and glucose tolerance, diabetes.

For all the tests you mentioned, I would recommend you do them, otherwise you may end up like me with a permanent mark on your medical records (patient is uncooperative).

I have to stick to a morning regimine to prevent my intestinal obstructions. 

1. 16 oz of water with a capful of miralax first thing

2. Probiotic yogurt smoothy, helps improve Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)

3 small breakfast like eggs and toast, chicken and veggies.

Hang in there and keep me posted.  John

 

Yes, I found that study results.  They put healthy people on PPi drugs and the abruptly stopped the medication and most of the participants then experienced GERD symptoms.  They said the stomach responds to PPi drugs by producing more proton pumps, thus acid revenge.

it took me 5 attempts over about 8 months to wean myself off the ppi drugs.

I still get occational stomach burning but deal with it using olive oil or mild antacids, Marshmallow tea.  And lots of water.

PPi drugs are also linked to dementia, heart; liver; kidney damage.  Bone loss, fractures.  General nutritional defiencies.

I recommend that a person make it a priority to wean off of them as soon as possible.

Hi John thank you so much for responding.

I believe I am one of those people in the study I had congestion in my throat and post nasal drip and went to my ent as I have a history of bad sinus issues 3 sinus surgeries, intravenous antibiotics for 3 months and 5 years of allergy shots

Well when I think a sinus infection is coming on I go see the ent and he gives me antibiotics

Well last November this happened and he gave a steroid shot and then prescribed augmentin which after 7 days no relief of systems and so I called and they switched antibiotics to doxycycline after 5 days no better so I called and told them maybe this is reflux so they prescribed 40 mg of omeprazole well after 2 weeks I started getting burning in my back sinus and throat previously I had no burning Almost like a vapor burn and it has not stopped that's my worst symptom Ithey added zantac 300 mg in hopes it will help and no better

In the interim I have had a restech ph test done me having a Ryan score of 10.45 and normal is <9.41, and a nose swab showing 89% of an interim bacteria known to reside in the gut and a barium swallow that showed a sliding intermittent hiatal hernia and mild esophageal dysmotility

As the months go by the burning gets worst I tried even to see a chiro who specializes in hiatal hernias and I think he made the situation worst

I am on almost 60 mg if pepsid ac a day now as when I can't stand it I take it and it hampers the burn a bit plus the U.K. Version of Gaviscon advance I even tried the seltzer water yesterday and it burned I would love any advise?

One gastro wanted me to do ph impedence and the other gastro I saw for second opinion wants me to do endoscopy first so not sure what to do

Wow, to me this sounds like a complete failure of the medical system.  Whatever happened to "do no harm"?  First of all, I have always wondered why they give oral antibiotics for a nasal condition.  It seems like a nasal spray or drops would suffice. 

It is interesting that my digestive issues all seemed to start with allergy symptoms and treatment.

First I would suggest that new nasal irrigation system they show on TV.  I can't name it here. You should use it 4 or 5 times a day if possible using the highest saline concentration you can handle.  Salt is a natural antibiotic with no side effects.. 

Oral antibiotics are a sure way to get digestive problems.  It kills out all gut bacteria and of course that bad bacteria grows back the fastest.  Then comes bloating and gas which can cause GERD symptoms while a person sleeps.  The carbonated water burns because you now have stomach and esophagus acid damage.

I would try these:

1.  Reduce carbs right away to reduce gas buildup.

2.  Eat lots of probiotic yogurt 4 or 5 times a day, and first thing in the morning.

3.  Raise the head of your bed at least 8 inches.  And never recline in a recliner chair, I'm not sure why but that angle seems to make things worse.

4.  Take 1 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil 3 or 4 times a day and also right before bed.  It coats and protects naturally.

5.  Try to wean off PPi drugs and use regular antacids instead.

Keep me updated, John.

Hi John

Thank you so much for the advise!

All my symptoms are in my sinuses not in my stomach which is wiierd as I feel mostly vapor burn

That's why I can't figure out why carbonated water would cause the burning in the sinus

Anyway I am off ppis but I am on h2 blocker Pepcid does that have acid rebound too? If so, how do I wean myself properly?

Thank you

Shelly

Hi Shelly:

You should hold off on any more carbonated beverages until your sinuses heal.

All PPi drugs work similar in blocking proton pumps, they just use different methods.  If you have been on these drugs less than 3 weeks you may be able to stop cold turkey.  As no additional proton pumps were likely produced in that short time.  If longer, then you can wean off by opening the capsules and taking the tiny pills with water and food, just cut down the amount each week until you are only taking 25% of a capsule then you should be okay to stop.  If it is a pill, don't break it, they are time release.  Just take every other day for 1st week, then every 3rd day and so on for 30 days.  Any burning after that should be treated with the olive oil or standard antacid.

Thanks John I have the time release pill version not capsule and I will start the process of weaning off as I have been on them now for 3 months

This has been a real challenge thank you for all your advise it has helped tremendously

I'm happy to help.  Keep me posted as to your progress.  John

Hi Ramya:  Thanks for giving my carbonated water treatment a try.  Keep it up.  A strong esophageal sphincter can only help.  I have been using extra virgin olive oil as a protective coating.  I take a teaspoon first thing in the morning and one more right before bed.  If you swish it around your mouth the protection will last longer. 

Try chewing cinnamin gum when you exercize, if possible.  It will help keep the acid down.

You need to eat some probiotic yogurt 4 times a day to keep the bloating down.

Keep me updated.  John

Hi Rsmya

I tried the seltzer treatment too and I burped almost 30 minutes later with just a little suppression I wonder how to figure out if I have low acid?

Thanks

Shelly

In the beginning I thought that maybe I had low stomach acid.  So I thought I would take a digestive aid with Hydrochloric acid.  But I found out really quick that it just caused more burning.  You can find these in most grocery or health food stores. 

Thanks John

I also wrote you s lengthy explanation of what's going on too please read and let me know your thoughts

Thanks

Shelly

Hi John.

Thanks for your advice. Started with olive oil and will try to eat chewing gum while exercising.

I feel bloated and stomach don't feel right while I get acid reflux. Do you think there might be another cause than just reflux? Do you know how can I test if I have low stomach acid?

Thanks

Ramya

Hi Ramya:  There is a test for low acid but I think it involves inserting a probe down to the stomach.

Or you can buy hydrochloric acid tabs and carefully take one with food and see what happens.  But be careful, an acid tablet that gets stuck in the esophagus could cause a severe burn.