I've been suffering from GERD since November last year. I felt like I had a lump in my throat, I would have heartburn everyday, I'm always burping and I could taste acid regurgitating from my stomach. My gastroenterologist prescribed Zantac 150mg 2x/day but it wasn't working. She then gave me Prevacid FTD 30mg. It worked great -- UNTIL I had to stop it. The acid rebound was WORSE than the regular heartburn I had before the Prevacid. So I had to retake the Prevacid again and I was so scared to stop taking it. The problem with PPIs is that you can't really take it for a long time because our body will stop absorbing nutrients -- especially calcium. It's also like a water dam that stops our body from producing acid so when we stop taking it, the acid will also gush like an overflowing water dam.
So I then went to my Homeopathic doctor and she gave me this plan to wean me off Prevacid. She also gave me homeopathic medicine. Unfortunately, it's really hard to wean yourself from PPIs and the homeopathic medicine still was not enough. I then researched on the internet on ways to relieve my GERD. So here are the things I take and the lifestyle changes I've made to deal with GERD. I have stopped taking Prevacid. I still get heartburn, though, especially when I eat chocolates and cakes. But not as bad as before.
1. I have stopped drinking and eating these because they aggravate acid reflux for me: coffee, tea, juice (except aloe vera juice, apple juice and carrot juice), tomato sauce, anything spicy. (Chocolates are not allowed either but I still eat chocolates, though -- my bad.)
2. I have also avoided these (avoid lang, but not stop because I sometimes eat a little): rice, bread, pasta, beef. I don't know about you guys but I feel that my stomach works harder when I eat heavy carbs and beef. When your stomach works harder to digest the food, it produces more stomach acid.
3. If I feel just a bit hungry, I eat.
4. I eat often but smaller meals. Don't stuff yourself. It's stressful for the stomach.
5. I take apple cider vinegar (available at Healthy Options and imported section of grocery stores). Just mix 1-2 Tbsp with warm water and drink it 15-30 minutes before each meal. You can also add honey if you like.
6. I take 2 tsps of blackstrap molasses everyday (available at Healthy Options). It's supposed to be soothing to the throat, esophagus and stomach. There are claims on the internet that blackstrap molasses have cured their GERD. There's no explanation on how it cures and I don't know if the claims are true but for me, it's enough that it soothes. It's very thick so you can add it to water and drink it. I just like to take it straight, to coat my throat. I take this in the morning, about an hour after eating breakfast.
7. Almonds -- this is like my "natural antacid". I eat this all the time. It's very alkaline so it neutralizes stomach acid.
8. Bananas -- I eat this all the time as well. It's also a natural antacid and soothing to the stomach.
9. Aloe Vera juice -- I take this to neutralize stomach acid, too. But I don't take it often because the brand I buy has sugar. I try to avoid sugar.
10. Yogurt and Probiotics -- these are important for a healthy gastrointestinal tract.
11. I take homeopathic medicine. You'll have to see a homeopathic doctor for this, if you believe in homeopathy. I just have to warn you that the medicine and the doctor's fee are very expensive. AND, for me, the apple cider vinegar worked best for my GERD. It's just that I got used to my homeopathic medicine so I'm also scared to stop them.
**Aside from these, I'm also planning to try Calcium Citrate. I read it should be in powder form, though, and I'm still looking for the powder form. It's supposed to help strengthen the LES valve (the valve that prevents the acid from going up our esophagus). They say DGL Licorice antacids are also good for neutralizing stomach acid but I can't find any here in Manila.
I hope these help. I will update everyone when I try a new remedy.
