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Soooo Confused - acid reflux

Posted , 7 users are following.

Krist
Krist

This has been a loooong 4 months. First I was diagnosed with LPR and that took awhile for my body to feel better. I was on PPI for a short duration. Finally my symptoms of that are better (voice back, not such a sore throat)..NOW however I have heartburn!  Can someone get both Heartburn and LPR?  I have heartburn a lot during the day. It is sometimes just a lingering feeling. I am having an endoscopy Friday - hoping to get some firm results of all this. What I am totally confused about is Do you have MORE acid when you have acid reflux or TOO LITTLE acid?  I have both books "Dropping Acid" and "Fast Tract Digestion" and they are conflicting. For example in Dropping Acid they state banana are good for acid reflux and Fast Tract says stay away from it.  Anyone else?

2 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • moonbuggy
    moonbuggy Krist

    Posted

    Hi Krist

    Yes you can have both types. I was advised by an eminent reflux professor that it is not all to do with levels of stomach acidity. I agree - the more you research - the more things get conflicting. There is a lot of evidence that reflux is connected to food intolerances or irritated vagus nerve etc etc.

    I keep a food diary and see what foods irritate the reflux. What works for one may not work for someone else.

    Good luck

  • dane521
    dane521 Krist

    Posted

    Bananas can go either way -it depends on the way your body tolerates them. This has been the most confusing thing I have ever had to deal with. Also, I can never take seconds anymore. If I even eat more than my normal helping I will get horrible indigestion. And talk about confusing, I was told I have reflux, but don't feel the burn just pains in the chest.
  • abc1234
    abc1234 Krist

    Posted

    Hi Krist, I don't know why one could not have both LPR and GERD. However, maybe one is more prevelant than another. I think this whole disease is still very new to the medical world and ideas will change over time. Koufman seems to be the most knowledgable in this regard and I would personally stick with her book. From what Koufman states this is not an issue of too much acid. Although, this is what most of us think upon being diagnosed, but once we get educated on the subject this notion is quickly debunked. I personally think one's stomach can be creating too much acid. Reason I think this is for those who are big eaters. I am an athlete who consumed lots of protein and calories in one sitting. When you consume big portions your stomach produces large amounts of acid to deal with it. Over time this can train your stomach on how much acid to be produced. Even a small meal could be a potential issue until you teach it.  If you have always been a small eater than too much acid would certainly not be your issue. I also don't believe being over weight or that exercise will help this issue. I am the exact opposite of these two and I have been told that exercise exacerbated my LPR.
    • Krist
      Krist abc1234

      Posted

      Thanks for in depth reply!  Yes confusing at best.  I will go back on Kaufmans Diet tomorrow. Frankly I eat so little and very bland too, that i am surprised it has takeny body so long tp heal. However i have heard the espohogus and throat are very temder and sensitive areas and time is needed.  And this all started when I started back up eating meat. I was having heavy mesls and was away on vacation - eating really whatever i wanted. And sure enough i awoke with dry acidic mouth and sweating. And a few weeks later diagnosed with LPR. Not much fun.,,
  • Glennie68
    Glennie68 Krist

    Posted

    Hi Krist

    I wouldn't follow a diet book. You have to find out by elimination what works for you. There are some of us who will still get problems despite eating very carefully. In fact I have recently been to a dietian with a long list of things I didn't eat and she actually said she couldn't help me! I have found that I'm ok with dairy such as yogurts and small amounts of butter, cream and mild cheese but I'm not able to eat bran or oats or wholemeal bread. Bananas are great, I love this with yogurt and whole almonds for breakfast. Avocado is great too. I can't eat any red meat right now I stick to chicken and fish. Eating out however has become a nightmare with usually a single choice I can have on any menu.

  • Glennie68
    Glennie68 Krist

    Posted

    Hi

    I forgot to say I have LPR and hiatus hernia - good that you are having endoscopy as you may find this is contributing to you problems! I'm hoping to get corrective surgery eventually!

    • Krist
      Krist Glennie68

      Posted

      I was just thinking that - about the diet books i am trying to follow - too overwjelming. I agree i need to just eat fory body!  I will also keep a food log and try to eat kinda bland. I do already and frankly dont eat much cuz i am afraid it will makey heartburn worse. This is no fun!!  Do uind me asking what protocol u are on in terms of medicine. That is another story!! I have been using HCL and tne orher day did not feel good - very burning.,.  I thought i had low acid, but i have been told just the opposite!  I did go on a PPI and i had very bad dry throat from it. So i will try no medicine and maybe just more food and natural approach😁
    • Glennie68
      Glennie68 Krist

      Posted

      Hi Krist 

      I couldn't tolerate PPI's - and I am now on 300mg ranitidine twice a day. It's not ideal - but it does help cut a bit of the acid down. Gaviscon advance is quite good if you want to avoid the acid suppressors - I had to survive on that a week ago when I had to stop my meds for a manometry test and 24 hour ph test. Gaviscon only works for a short period of time though and I was finding I had to take a dose in the middle of the night! I find I am being more creative with a limited list of foods and drinks - and after the 24 ph test where I was asked to eat trigger foods (it was hell) I am quite happy to get on my bland diet for now!

  • Donatuse
    Donatuse Krist

    Posted

    HI Krist how are u doing ?? am so sorry to hear what u are going through. men that thing call acid reflux is disturbing me but what am doing right now is i spend enough time in the gym now and trust me am feeling much better than before........
    • Krist
      Krist Donatuse

      Posted

      Hi - Well I had my endoscopy done and doctors said my stomach looked good and I have mild GED....  He said he believes for me t could be hormonal.  He put me on a lower dose of PPI - 20 a day and I don't want to take this for too long. I defintely need to get to the gym more ften.  How are you feeling?
  • dane521
    dane521 Krist

    Posted

    I am curious about what your doc said about hormones being linked to acid reflux - is this possible? I think thats whats causing my indigestion and reflux but everyone dismisses it. This is the first I heard of a doc saying it could be linked to hormones.
    • Krist
      Krist dane521

      Posted

      Hi. Yes my Endrocronologist and nurse practitioner both  mentioned this. If you think about it, pregnant women often have acid reflux. It is the same concept...as we go into peri/menopause our hormones are in havoc. Doctor says in my case he believes hormones is the culprit. It started right when i turned 49 1/2 years old in which my periods were also all over the place.  Are you in peri/menopause?  In the meantime i have tested my hormones (testosterone too)... So for me hoping to get on some natural hormone therapy, so I can slide right through this changing time if life - ha, i just wish it will be that easy!  
    • CCinCal
      CCinCal Krist

      Posted

      Yes this is me too. Perimenopause is underlying all the severe symptoms I've had over last two years. Now it's severe LPR.

      Any updates from you ladies on what's helped? How are you now?

      Thnx

  • dane521
    dane521 Krist

    Posted

    Thanks, it is so frustrating because I can find no rhyme or reason to it...it comes and goes like every three to four weeks.
    • Krist
      Krist dane521

      Posted

      How old are you if you dont mind me asking?
    • dane521
      dane521 Krist

      Posted

      41...my doc said to be in true perimenopause you have to go for a yr without a period...but I looked up a perimenopase site and had like 8 out of the ten symtpoms...it was me to a tee...especially indigestion and gastro distress
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