I'm taking caltrate 600 plus I think it is calcium citrate. This is the one referred to in the articles. There is some concern that it would make the reflux worse but the key with calcium is to have it in the evening and straight after a heavy meal.

Only been trying a month but I was popping either nexium 20mg/40mg or famotidine on a daily/regular basis.

My doctor was OK up to a point, told me to cut out coffee and she was convinced dairy was a major cause of reflux especially cheese. I tried but I do enjoy a cup of coffee. Cheese was easier to give up.

I'm not convinced about the calcium yet but it seems to make sense and like I say give it a go. Just stick to the dose as calcium is also a problem for kidney stones in this heat.

Thanks , might buy it to try myself.

I've been and still taking omeprazole almost daily right now. Tried to switch to zantac last week but failed miserably , too much burning lol

Do you guys know any good doc for gerd in kl/PJ area?

Yeah zantac and famotidine dampen the fire but within hours it comes back. Not been to a specialist myself. Doctor has offered to do scope colon and throat but I wonder if it just a money making scam since it will cost a lot.

I have gerd and IBS and have had it for about 20years- sometimes go periods where I take nothing for months other times I take a tablet evry day.

They always want to do some test whether for bacteria pylori and then 2 weeks of strong antibiotics - this did not work even though I came out positive for pylori. Then they offer digestive bacteria and my doc wanted rm 180 for this.

Am sure like IBS it is related to lifestyle and diet to an extent . I have stressful job- not easy to change job and reduce stress.

Right now I am reducing caffeine and dairy. No cheese especially. No fizzy drinks. Seems to help.

Let me know how you go on with the calcium.



This post has been edited by yashin: Dec 26 2015, 11:27 PM

I have Gerd too since Sept last year (about 5 horrible months). Went to see a Gastro specialist and was scheduled for endoscopy and colonoscopy at the same time in late Oct. Results came back as positive for Gerd but negative for everything else thank god.

The doctor then prescribed Dexilant 60mg for about 1 month with Ganaton and then lowered down to Dexilant 30mg with Ganaton for 2months. Even with these PPIs, I still consume Gaviscon Advance twice every single day (after lunch and before bed).

I just saw my doctor last week and was given Dexilant 60mg again but this time he told me to take it only when I need it instead.

Due to me feeling like crap, loss weight and being weak, I felt I may need to find another solution. Googling these past few days lead me to the concept that I may be having low acid instead.

So johnseamus, have you tried the low acid healing methods yet?

Hi

Yes ive tried herbal supplements and home remedies for low acid before and they worked to certain extent. You can try apple cider vinegar with some water or dgl licorice or even betaine hcl supplements. These are good for low acid and healing of the stomach. I find dgl really useful for me as it could make my stomach feel like normal again (with growling and a lot less reflux)

I used to take omeprazole 20mg + gaviscon normal twice a day when my gerd is at its worst. Now with my stress gone down and my stomach going back to normal , I'm doing pantoprazole 20mg daily only. Would advice you not to take too much drugs especially PPI as they have vast side effects down the road if you take too much.

Try to understand your stomach and symptoms more and find the root cause of reflux rather than taking pills to rid the symptoms. Also ,do not stop taking PPI all of a sudden . you will experience bad rebound acid as these drugs cause it. You need to reduce the dose to let your stomach get used to higher acid over time too.

And yes , those doc advice's like eating on time, avoid spicy food sour food, sleeping with elevated pillows definitely helps a lot.

Don't waste money on prescription medicine. I used to have terrible GERD. I started consuming Apple cider vinegar. Mix it with lukewarm water and honey and drink it every morning. Now its gone.

That's nice. I tried apple cider before and couldn't continue as it kinda made my throat swelled up . did you take any PPI before trying the apple cider?

If you want to take apple cider vinegar take it with sodium bicarbonate to neutralise the acid. That way, your teeth won't spoil.

Thanks for the advice John. I think its high time I give the Betaine HCL and ACV a try since nothing else works. Even my gastro doctor tells me he's perplexed about my condition cause he said I am perfectly healthy.

Should I wean off this PPI first before starting on Betaine HCL + ACV regime?

People said you should not straight away atop it if you are on it for a long time.slowly cut down.

Slowly introduce acv + sodium bicarbonate and see. Do update us whether it works or not. You should buy the one with the "mother" (cloudy) in it. Just in mind that prolong acv can cause depletion of potassium. Just be sure to take lots of potassium food like bananas.

Yes definitely wean yourself off the PPI . it will take some time but this gerd tests all our patience. Docs said I look good too but we all know better how terrible this disease feels like.

Thanks guys.. Guess the question now is where do you guys purchase the HCL?

Got mine from iherb.com

Ok just to update, I stopped my PPIs for since Wed and drank a warm cup of ACV with a bit of honey in the evenings. Cap that off with Gaviscon at bedtime. Hoping to continue this till Monday and see how it goes.

Will consider HCL from iHerb next week. Thanks for the recommendation John!

So how are you feeling so far?

Can i ask if you could buy dexilant from a pharmacy or does it need a prescription? I usually get my ppi without any prescription from normal pharmacies

I used to have what you guys have. Difficulty in sleeping as well due to the acid backflow when I lie down. 2 supplements I would recommend :-

Colostrum powder to heal the digestive tract and stomach lining (this could take awhile depending on how damaged your tract and lining is,)

Digestive enzymes to aid your digestion ..this one really works for me

For Dexilant, the first few times was from the doctors clinic. After that, Doctor gave me a prescription so I can purchase it at any pharmacy. I bought it from Caring I think.

a) you should ease down on the PPI and reduce them...you cannot just take it off...

b) long term GERD might either cause erosion in your esophagus area...and inflammed it....

c) part of the reason is your LS lower splincter muscle is relaxed state...where it is unable to close when you are processing food.
So retraining your eating habit time is important.

d) food diet...know what you eat , how you eat them, when you eat them.

e) alkaline food...dont overdose if you are low on acid already...but you can do a simple inaccurate test using "baking soda".

Am i all talk?..No..I had GERD 10years+, ...quit a stressful job, took a short pay cut, did contract work, change my lifestyle and my eating habits...and resolve them in < 1 year.

The PPIs and etc....they don't help you recover...it just elevates your symptom.
I also did chinese medicine from Tung Shin.

The rest is your decision. All the best.

What kind of diet you took? so now you are cured and can take any food you want?

Can't recall.
I basically off anything you know are obvious....fried, processed and dairy...

Once i was getting better, and the symptoms reduced... I slowly introduce dairy back...

It is a very long, slow and difficult process.
You also have to be focus on getting better....less stress and aggravated....

It impacted alot of my work... I worked less and tried finding jobs that were less stressful.