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Remedies

Posted , 8 users are following.

mo04226
mo04226

Have spent some time trying various ways to resolve my acid problems.  following the medications route i decided to go down the eating path. Its taken a while but generally seem to now be seeing results. Started with  Jamie Kaufman Book, Dropping acid which is a good book to get you started  but I found the american recipes a bit limited. So following a lot of research on low acid foods and recipes have managed to find simple foods that work for me.  Lots of veggies lean meats and chicken and fish .Another thing i found out was how to test my foods and bottled water which was 7.2 ph,  Tap water was 7 ph bought some ph sticks to test my saliva  and water which helps me keep on track, I add a very small pinch of bi carb to glass of water and the ph went up to 8 ph which use from time to to find that if i eat someting that restarts the acid reflux in my throat I take one ranitidine at night and it settles me but not on a regular basis as when on it twice a day i had a skin reaction with a very itchy skin . I kept my Ranitidine as back up and now only take it if I have a flare up I did not milk before but now I drink goats milk and find it acceptable I can now have the occasional small glass of wine with my dinner which i have missed for some time.Even a little choc biscuit on occassions . I drink coconut water for a change instead, a little expensive but  I have saved on the bottles of wine, And if i do a stir fry I use  a little coconut oil season with  herbs instead of garlic and onions which I used to use a lot. Its taken a while but it works for me , No food after 7 pm and a night cap of cammomile tea, hope this is helpful for anyone else trying to manage this frustrating disorder  be positive and don't give up . The harders part is being strong about  finding a new lifestyle diet. My friends now know I can only go out for lunch or an early supper so socalising is limited and its sometimes difficult finding a menu to eat that suits but I find here that a small starter and and light pud works. When i go out for supper I always take my own large bottle of water and do the driving  and one ranitidine before bed.Overall I do feel better so there is light at the of the tunnel folks so hope Xmas is not to bleak for everyone .Good luck on your own journey. 

 

1 like, 37 replies

37 Replies

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  • abc1234
    abc1234 mo04226

    Posted

    Yup this is what I have been posting back to people. Unless you are experiencing something abnormal causing your AR. A strict diet and behavioral changes is the best way to heal your esophagues. In my opinion there should be a primer for those new to the forum to read. This would prevent many of the same posts. Also, those looking for a some kind of magic pill.
    • Worrychick
      Worrychick abc1234

      Posted

      The problem I have is that due to my food intollerances I am already on a very restricted wheat, dairy, Fructans free diet. What specific foods cause acid that I have already stated I am eating in previous post? I don't eat tomatoes or citrus fruits, only berries and bananas and grapes x yes the phelymy feeling really is the main issue and it's making me very anxious which is making things worse I suspect! The pills will block acid to avoid further damage but I do not intend being on them long term x
    • susan79492
      susan79492 Worrychick

      Posted

      Your diet looks pretty alkaline already except for the white wine (red is better) and the grapes.  Melons, bananas and raspberries are good. Try gargling at night with baking soda and water to destroy pepsin in your throat area.  If you are overweight you need to lose weight and keep your portions small.  Large portions and any sort of carbonated beverages are a big no no as they put pressure on the sphincters.  In additon carbonated beverages, including sparkling water, are very acidic.  
    • mo04226
      mo04226 abc1234

      Posted

      Agree with your comments  re primer. I have found this forum very helpful in pointing me in the right direction but like you say many people are floating around here with the same info.  the pages get confusing and move around so fast a page for user  starting info remedies, suggestions and basic info would be very helpful, e.g. Books, food lists etc,.
    • Worrychick
      Worrychick susan79492

      Posted

      Thanks Susan. I am 9 12 and 5ft 6. Could do with exercing more regularly as I always used to run but my knees gave In on me! How much bicarbonate to water? I am currently gargling twice a day with salt water x x
    • susan79492
      susan79492 Worrychick

      Posted

      I don't think gargling with salt water will help as table salt doesn't not increase the pH of water.  I have to admit, I've been too lazy too look up how much bicarb to use.  A little goes a long way though.  I just put a half teaspoon into a half cup of tap water.  I think it is overkill but if you don't have issues with salt or high blood pressure it shouldn't hurt.  If you can find alkaline water, that doesn't increase sodium intake like bicarb (sodium bicarbonate) does.  I don't have any salt issues so I opt for overkill with bicarb. smile
    • Worrychick
      Worrychick susan79492

      Posted

      No my blood pressure is normal. Ok wil try the bicarbonate and drink more water, our tap wAter is filtered but not sure of ph. I have actually been eating more grapes so can ditch them but I don't like red  wine and avoid all fizzy as affects my intestinal issues (nausea, spasms, tummy ache before fodmap) so spirits with mixers no hood either and so miss baileys! I can't avoid wine at Chrismas though as no wine or nice food would be miserable! Talking is really helping, thank you xx
    • Worrychick
      Worrychick

      Posted

      Just had a Lloyd Grossman Thai curry and it's got worse so will be avoiding this for a while x it's the only thing I have that does have a bit of onion in the sauce ( I don't add any) x dr said increasing the tablets to see if it is acid reflux and if it doesn't improve it could be nasal drip x 
    • Worrychick
      Worrychick susan79492

      Posted

      Ah! So what treats nasal drip? All the same things or a saline nose spray? 
    • rex_44766
      rex_44766 abc1234

      Posted

      A primer of all the tips over the years would be absolutely fantastic. The problem with most forums is when people solve their problems they then forget to post as its no longer in their immediate focus. As a newby one hasnt a clue what has been suggested many times before unless you spend hours trolling through hundreds of posts.
    • rex_44766
      rex_44766 Worrychick

      Posted

      Saline spray and zinc supplement helped my wife and I. A very safe route I reckon?
    • susan79492
      susan79492 Worrychick

      Posted

      Controlling the reflux controls the nasal drip.  Sometimes if the mucus is really bad you can use saline spary to thin the mucus so you can spit ti out.  Yuck.  (I make my own alkaline saline.)

      The biology: The reflux contains pepsin that gets on the tissues, the tissues create mucus beause they are inflamed.  Get rid of the reflux and/or the pepsin and the mucus goes away or is greatly diminished. The problem is if the pepsin gets in the airways, swallowing water doesn't touch that so you still need to control the reflux.

  • sarah13796
    sarah13796 mo04226

    Posted

    Thank you, I too am exploring the alkaline diet, I must admit it is difficult at times

    because I am a real foodie ! I love so many different foods, but am hoping with time

    sticking to the alkaline diet that I will be able to have the occasional treat without

    to many side effects.

    • susan79492
      susan79492 sarah13796

      Posted

      Keep in mind foods that are often mentioned on the alkaline diet websites are in themselves acidic but have alkaline properties in the gut.  You want to make sure the food itself is alkaline.  The reason is simple:  you don't want acidic foods to pass over any pepsin in your throat area as the acidic food activates the pepsin to do its damage and make all the mucus.  Acidic bad boys:  vinegar, citrus, carbonated beverages, pineapple, mackintosh apples (gala and some others OK), basically anything that seems tart is acidic.  If you like a lemon flavor you can use the peel as the peel gives flavor but not the acid.
    • mo04226
      mo04226 sarah13796

      Posted

      The problem is there is no one diet for everyone its a case of experimenting with foods that suit you and also how good you are at cooking and sourcing recipes . I love cooking and baking  and like you love my food so have found it a new challenge trying out new foods and making them tasty . I also have time to do this since I recently retired,  but i know not everyone can do this. lots of differing view on the web regarding alkaline diets and some do advocate some acidic foods  so then yu leabe these out . E.G, using fennel instead of onions works for me  and lemon zest not the juice for flavours. so many options need exploring . I have printed off the lists from kaufmans book to aid me when soucing idea's . Will look at Energise for life for more info thanks Sarah

       

    • susan79492
      susan79492 mo04226

      Posted

      I agree with you about individual foods regarding the foods that trigger reflux:  the "trigger foods" such as red sauces, onions, garlic, curry, etc.  Those are different for everyone.  I can eat garlic and onions but not curry.  The foods where it is the same for everyone are the acidic foods.  It is just the biology of the acidic food passing over the pepsin on the throat that came from the reflux that causes the mucus. throat clearing and coughing.
    • mo04226
      mo04226 susan79492

      Posted

      A web site  I use that helps with diet tips called reflux MD give it a go lots of interesting menu tips let me know what you think
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