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Funkybutt
LIF Adult
Member since 4/15 3049 total posts
Name:
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GERD or acid reflux
I’ve never had GERD, acid reflux, or heartburn - except when I was pregnant. However, for the past 2 months, I’ve been having pain and uncomfortable feelings on the left side of my chest. I went to the dr and he doesn’t think it’s a heart attack or stroke and hypothesized it was GERD or acid reflux. Since then, I feel the hint of acid in my throat almost every night and still occasionally have chest pains - even though I take meds.
I’m slowly weening myself off caffeine (Boo hoo!!) and I’m going to work on losing weight, but has anyone found anything else that works for them besides meds? I don’t really like to cook so most of what I make is easy stuff - which isn’t always healthy, so I’m going to try to change my diet.
To add another extra fun into my life, I was also dizzy once last week and I’m wondering if I now have high blood pressure (I actually have a history of low blood pressure but it’s been slowly rising the past 9 months). I’m hoping changing my diet, eliminating caffeine, and exercising more will help so I don’t end up on those medications.
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Posted 8/12/20 8:42 PM  |
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BFNY516
LIF Adult
Member since 7/20 1189 total posts
Name:
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GERD or acid reflux
If you drink coffee, I would limit it to one cup a day and just in the morning. I think iced coffee is less acidic. Avoiding red sauce, chocolate, and fried food helps. Losing even 10-15 lbs can greatly reduce symptoms. Surprisingly, avoiding dairy can also help.
Are you stressed? That can also contribute to acid reflux & you being dizzy.
I try to avoid eating 3 hours before bed and I take a chewable Pepcid AC. I also sleep with my head elevated. It helps.
Hope you start to feel better soon.
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| Posted 8/12/20 9:07 PM |
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Funkybutt
LIF Adult
Member since 4/15 3049 total posts
Name:
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GERD or acid reflux
I don’t drink coffee but I usually drink sweet tea with meals. That’s the only caffeine I drink. I stopped drinking sodas in May bc I found that I was snacking (and drinking soda) too much since I was home all the time.
I’m definitely feeling stressed out so I’m going to try to deal with that - and drink more water. Thanks for the suggestions!
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| Posted 8/12/20 10:09 PM |
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pumpkinmom
LIF Adult
Member since 5/12 2911 total posts
Name:
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Re: GERD or acid reflux
I didn't get pains like you describe, but I do get reflux from certain foods. It's mostly refined grains that causes mine. I try to eat only stone ground or sprouted bread. Maybe if you keep a food journal, you'll find a connection.
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| Posted 8/12/20 10:55 PM |
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PhyllisNJoe
My Box Is Broken
Member since 6/11 9145 total posts
Name:
Phyllis
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Re: GERD or acid reflux
Here’s what helps me when mine gets out of control (I also get what you are feeling. Sometimes with the acid in my mouth and sometimes without)
For one week I eat a bland diet. Toast, broth based soups, plain chicken sandwiches, turkey, etc. Also drink only water and zero caffeine. No bubbles either (that can Aggravate GERD) I take over the counter Pepcid 20mg pill every day. Sleep elevated on a few pillows.
Then I slowly add stuff back into my diet. I’ll start with a half caff coffee in the morning , add 1 seltzer in at dinner time. I’ll put condiments on my sandwiches and so on.
I notice that my GERD is worse right before I ovulate and when AF is due. It gets worse from dairy at those times of the month for me as well. So I avoid all dairy at O and When AF is approaching.
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| Posted 8/13/20 1:14 PM |
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Funkybutt
LIF Adult
Member since 4/15 3049 total posts
Name:
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Re: GERD or acid reflux
Posted by PhyllisNJoe
I notice that my GERD is worse right before I ovulate and when AF is due. It gets worse from dairy at those times of the month for me as well. So I avoid all dairy at O and When AF is approaching.
Interesting! I should start keeping a journal and tracking at the same time as AF. I wonder if it's the same for me. I started having heart issues recently and I assume that it's having to do with perimenopause (dr said it's nothing to be worried about) - so I wonder if the GERD is at the same time.
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| Posted 8/13/20 2:31 PM |
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PhyllisNJoe
My Box Is Broken
Member since 6/11 9145 total posts
Name:
Phyllis
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Re: GERD or acid reflux
Posted by Funkybutt
Posted by PhyllisNJoe
I notice that my GERD is worse right before I ovulate and when AF is due. It gets worse from dairy at those times of the month for me as well. So I avoid all dairy at O and When AF is approaching.
Interesting! I should start keeping a journal and tracking at the same time as AF. I wonder if it's the same for me. I started having heart issues recently and I assume that it's having to do with perimenopause (dr said it's nothing to be worried about) - so I wonder if the GERD is at the same time.
For me it is. My cycle has been a disaster medically for me.
I’m still get it every month like clockwork. But now before O I get:
Heart palpitations
Headache
GERD - worse with dairy
Constipation (As soon as I O , I go lol)
Bad Ovulation cramps
Overall Ill felling. As if I’m coming down with something
Before AF:
Similar ...
Heart palpitations
Night sweats
Headache that won’t stop til AF Starts and then again the day it ends
GERD - worse with dairy
Debilitating cramps
Overall Ill felling. As if I’m coming down with something but as soon as AF starts, I have energy and feel totally fine - other than the cramps
Drs all agree it must be peri menopause because that’s the only Thing that makes sense and goes right along my timeline in my symptoms diary.
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| Posted 8/13/20 9:49 PM |
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Funkybutt
LIF Adult
Member since 4/15 3049 total posts
Name:
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GERD or acid reflux
Hmmm - I've been feeling some of that, too. I felt really awful about a month ago and as soon as I got AF the next day, I felt way better. But it's not every month that I have issues.
At this point, I can't wait to be done with AF so I don't have all these weird new issues.
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| Posted 8/14/20 12:09 PM |
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PhyllisNJoe
My Box Is Broken
Member since 6/11 9145 total posts
Name:
Phyllis
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Re: GERD or acid reflux
Posted by Funkybutt
Hmmm - I've been feeling some of that, too. I felt really awful about a month ago and as soon as I got AF the next day, I felt way better. But it's not every month that I have issues.
At this point, I can't wait to be done with AF so I don't have all these weird new issues.
Jeez me too. I need this never ending torture to end! Lol
Honestly, I’m sick 2 weeks out of each month with this crap. I’m so over it
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| Posted 8/14/20 1:41 PM |
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Funkybutt
LIF Adult
Member since 4/15 3049 total posts
Name:
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GERD or acid reflux
I wish I had known perimenopause could be so bad. I stupidly thought it was just going to mess with my cycle and give me hot flashes. I had no idea it would cause heart palpitations, GERD, headaches, etc.
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| Posted 8/14/20 2:42 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: GERD or acid reflux
My husband got rid of his acid reflex completely by losing weight and also starting on Apple Cider Vinegar.
He used to wake up choking on acid if he didn't sleep on a wedge. He was on Prilosec for years and it was still bad.
He isn't sure if it's the 100 pound weight loss or the ACV or both.
It sounds counter intuitive to take vinegar for GERD but apparently if your stomach doesn't have enough acid it can actually cause this.
I'll find the reasoning behind it and post to show you.
Here's one article about it.
ACV
Message edited 8/14/2020 3:30:39 PM.
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| Posted 8/14/20 3:26 PM |
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Funkybutt
LIF Adult
Member since 4/15 3049 total posts
Name:
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Re: GERD or acid reflux
Posted by NervousNell
My husband got rid of his acid reflex completely by losing weight and also starting on Apple Cider Vinegar.
He used to wake up choking on acid if he didn't sleep on a wedge. He was on Prilosec for years and it was still bad.
He isn't sure if it's the 100 pound weight loss or the ACV or both.
It sounds counter intuitive to take vinegar for GERD but apparently if your stomach doesn't have enough acid it can actually cause this.
I'll find the reasoning behind it and post to show you.
Here's one article about it.
ACV
I'll definitely try this! And yeah, I really need to lose 30 pounds. I'm hoping that (plus adding exercise) will get rid of most of the weird, random issues I've been having.
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| Posted 8/14/20 4:41 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: GERD or acid reflux
Posted by Funkybutt
Posted by NervousNell
My husband got rid of his acid reflex completely by losing weight and also starting on Apple Cider Vinegar.
He used to wake up choking on acid if he didn't sleep on a wedge. He was on Prilosec for years and it was still bad.
He isn't sure if it's the 100 pound weight loss or the ACV or both.
It sounds counter intuitive to take vinegar for GERD but apparently if your stomach doesn't have enough acid it can actually cause this.
I'll find the reasoning behind it and post to show you.
Here's one article about it.
ACV
I'll definitely try this! And yeah, I really need to lose 30 pounds. I'm hoping that (plus adding exercise) will get rid of most of the weird, random issues I've been having.
It tastes DISGUSTiNG but he mixes it in water with some other crap he drinks before working out- LOL- and uses a straw to bypass his tongue so he claims not to taste it.
I tried it once and thought it was awful either way.
They do sell Gummies though. GOLI Apple Cider Vinegar gummies are delicious and contain the "mother" that they say is important.
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| Posted 8/14/20 5:01 PM |
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lilacwine
only love...
Member since 5/05 2034 total posts
Name:
<3
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Re: GERD or acid reflux
Posted by PhyllisNJoe
Posted by Funkybutt
Posted by PhyllisNJoe
I notice that my GERD is worse right before I ovulate and when AF is due. It gets worse from dairy at those times of the month for me as well. So I avoid all dairy at O and When AF is approaching.
Interesting! I should start keeping a journal and tracking at the same time as AF. I wonder if it's the same for me. I started having heart issues recently and I assume that it's having to do with perimenopause (dr said it's nothing to be worried about) - so I wonder if the GERD is at the same time.
For me it is. My cycle has been a disaster medically for me.
I’m still get it every month like clockwork. But now before O I get:
Heart palpitations
Headache
GERD - worse with dairy
Constipation (As soon as I O , I go lol)
Bad Ovulation cramps
Overall Ill felling. As if I’m coming down with something
Before AF:
Similar ...
Heart palpitations
Night sweats
Headache that won’t stop til AF Starts and then again the day it ends
GERD - worse with dairy
Debilitating cramps
Overall Ill felling. As if I’m coming down with something but as soon as AF starts, I have energy and feel totally fine - other than the cramps
Drs all agree it must be peri menopause because that’s the only Thing that makes sense and goes right along my timeline in my symptoms diary.
Wow. I'm currently on Day 11 of AF  and I've been having awful acid reflux. And bloating to the point that I've had to change clothes. It never occurred to me that the acid reflux could be related.
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| Posted 8/14/20 7:26 PM |
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Funkybutt
LIF Adult
Member since 4/15 3049 total posts
Name:
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GERD or acid reflux
So - I’m sitting in the ER bc my heart was acting really weird yesterday. I went to Urgent Care around 6pm and they found a mass in my chest and elevated levels of something that sometimes is an indicator of blood clots. They ran tests at the ER but I’ve been waiting for 5 hours with still no results. I was definitely feeling GERD but the chest stuff, I guess, was different.
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| Posted 8/19/20 4:04 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: GERD or acid reflux
Posted by Funkybutt
So - I’m sitting in the ER bc my heart was acting really weird yesterday. I went to Urgent Care around 6pm and they found a mass in my chest and elevated levels of something that sometimes is an indicator of blood clots. They ran tests at the ER but I’ve been waiting for 5 hours with still no results. I was definitely feeling GERD but the chest stuff, I guess, was different.
oh no! I hope they find out what it is soon and that it's something easy to fix.
Feel better!
Keep us posted!
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| Posted 8/19/20 8:32 AM |
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Funkybutt
LIF Adult
Member since 4/15 3049 total posts
Name:
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Re: GERD or acid reflux
Posted by NervousNell
oh no! I hope they find out what it is soon and that it's something easy to fix.
Feel better!
Keep us posted!
Thanks!
So - all test results were good. No heart trauma (no heart issues), not blood clots, no risk for stroke, etc. I'm going to get a biopsy of the mass in my chest.
Hard to know if the mass is what's causing it though. I've known about it since 2005. They said it didn't look like anything dangerous so I had CT scans every 6 months to make sure it wasn't changing. I moved to my current city in 2008 and had a CT scan. They also wanted to follow it every 6 months, but I got pregnant and breastfed for a year. After the 2 years, I just forgot about it bc it never caused issues (no pain and no breathing issues). With my current hormonal changes, it could have changed, but they can't seem to compare the size to the previous 2008 CT scan to know if it's different.
Weirdly I was having a lot of trouble with it yesterday (couldn't sleep on my left side yesterday morning b/c of the discomfort and sharp pains), but I took a sleeping pill last night and have had no issues at all over night and today.
I'm hoping that the biopsy won't show cancer but that it's just a random thing happening b/c of hormonal changes. They said that one of the blood tests showed that there weren't indicators of cancer, but I don't think they were testing for that specifically.
Body's are weird!
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| Posted 8/20/20 9:15 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: GERD or acid reflux
Manuka honey is a great thing for GERD. It's expensive but works. Most reflux and GERD is from an irritated stomach lining, and the honey cures it. Put it on toast and eat on an empty stomach before breakfast. Works like a charm. I had huge stomach lining issues (had an endoscopy). Was given PPI's (which are SO Bad for you), and they made me feel weird. So I researched and took Manuka Honey and Mastic Gum Extract (I now think I had H.Pylori...many people have this, and water can be a source of it!). I went to my follow up GI appointment and said I felt so much better and told him what I had been doing. Of course he poo poo'd on it since it's not $$$$$ medicine. But, I swear by it. Every time I feel like I might be having an issue again (Ibuprofen is usually the culprit for me, or a lot of tea), I start up with the honey and it's gone.
Buy a high MGO count. Like 250 or above.
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| Posted 8/20/20 1:41 PM |
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