Help, I think I'm dying of heartburn
I have GERD. Bad. I have had it under control lately(as in bearable pain). I am on 2 40 mg protonix(PPI) per day. But tonight, It is completely out of control. I took my medicine. I took a zantac150 about an hour ago. I am out of milk(which usually helps). I do not know what to do. Right now, I am in complete and utter unbearable pain. Unimagineable pain. I can imagine only chemo being more painful than this. I am burping every 3 seconds; very painful burps. Does anybody know anything household that may help this pain? I wish I had some milk, but I have no car to go get some.
I'm afraid that if this doesn't stop soon, it may lead to esophageal cancer...
Help, I think I'm dying of heartburn
Of course you're worried. That's miserable. Are you standing or sitting upright? And has your doctor told you milk is beneficial? Because mine said it's not at all helpful. You could try some chewable Maalox or something calcium-carbonate-like to help absorb some of the acid till your Zantac kicks in.
When I was younger and had terrible GERD, one of the things that helped before the proton pump inhibitor medicine kicked in, besides sitting upright or standing, was to suck on pieces of ice. Also, I trust you're taking your Protonix daily as a preventative and not just when the symptoms have already begun. And are you watching what you eat (meats, fried foods, greasy stuff, late-at-night eating)? And did you know smoking--yes, cannabis, too--can be an esophageal irritant?
Hope you feel better soon, babe. I know that's agonizing.
Help, I think I'm dying of heartburn
Quote:
Originally Posted by birdgirl73
Of course you're worried. That's miserable. Are you standing or sitting upright? And has your doctor told you milk is beneficial? Because mine said it's not at all helpful. You could try some chewable Maalox or something calcium-carbonate-like to help absorb some of the acid till your Zantac kicks in.
Birdgirl, did you know that antacids that contain calcium are the least effective antacids? Calcium stimulates acid production by the stomach so calcium carbonate will neutralize stomach acid initially but will cause your stomach to produce more acid 30-60 minutes later? Preparations containing aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide are much more effective! Now everyone is going to say "stay away from aluminum!" This is why milk will provide initial relief too because it is slightly basic but then the calcium starts things back up so overall it isn't very effective.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrdevious
Sugar is the exact antithesis of acid, and should neutralize it rather efectively. I haven't tried it for heartburn myself, but it does chemically neutralize acids extremely well. So try stirring some into a glass of water and drinking that
Actually, the antithesis of acid is something basic. Sugar water might provide some relief ( I've never tried it) but not because it is neutralizing acid. Sugar water should be close to neutral on the pH scale. Did you ever mix vinegar and baking soda to make those foam volcanos in school? That is because they are neutralizing each other and forming salts while giving off gas. Vinegar is the acid, baking soda is the base.
Gotwake does your doctor have you on reglan(metoclopromide)?
Help, I think I'm dying of heartburn
I haven't heard of reglan.
My doctor didn't tell me that milk was good or bad, but it helps neutralize it and coat the esophaegus. I havent smoked in about two weeks, but it was actually much better when I was toking regularly. I don't know what it was, it may just have been the stress releif; because my doctor said stress will make it much much worse.
Since I posted, I found ice cream, and had a little bit(anything creamy helps me). And the zantac started to kick in, so i feel better for the most part. that did suck ass for a while though.
thanks for the advice guys. ill have to try the sugar or ice sometime.
Help, I think I'm dying of heartburn
If you are burping every 3 minutes you might want to take something with simethicone in it to relieve the gas/pressure which might help with the GERD.
There is a ring of muscles around the base of the esophagus and the top of the stomach. Reglan will help increase muscle tone there and help keep things from coming back up. If you are having to take 2 Protonix and Zantac, it might be something your doctor should prescribe you since yoiu are still having trouble.
Help, I think I'm dying of heartburn
u tried dry white bread? works for me,ease up on the milk,i know it tastes nice n cold and all that,but the acid in your gut turns the milk sour.
Help, I think I'm dying of heartburn
milk is fine. it's close to neutral than the pH of your stomach so it can calm things down. i didn't know it upregulated acid production of your stomach for later. either way it's not a good way to treat reflux long term because your esophagus is still exposed to acid chronically--this can turn into something ugly like cancer or barrett's later.
smoking cigarettes, coffee, and a lot of over the counter medications can make reflux worse.
reglan can definitely help. only problem is that its main side effect is lowered mentation--you get a little slower/sleepier on it.
if your reflux is really that bad and doesn't go away for a long time, you can have a surgery called a nissen fundoplication. it's very invasive and doesn't always work. it's usually a last resort for people who are going to develop esophageal cancer if they don't control their reflux.
there is little to no research on the effects of marijuana on reflux. some have suggested that it be used as a treatment for reflux because of cannabinoid receptors in the gi tract. this is still theoretical though.
Help, I think I'm dying of heartburn
pickles
DILL pickles
and lots of then like 3 - 6 average size pickles
or 1 or 2 of the huge ones thats some stores sell single if you can get them is even better.
i have tried all kinds of things the nexium pills work pretty good but nothing works like dill pickles, i dont know why it works i think its its the dill, or the vinegar idk i only know it works
Help, I think I'm dying of heartburn
haha! i just imagined you at a booth in a carnival trying to sell dill pickles. not sure why it fit, but it completely did.
Help, I think I'm dying of heartburn
Quote:
Originally Posted by GotWake88
I have GERD. Bad. I have had it under control lately(as in bearable pain). I am on 2 40 mg protonix(PPI) per day. But tonight, It is completely out of control. I took my medicine. I took a zantac150 about an hour ago. I am out of milk(which usually helps). I do not know what to do. Right now, I am in complete and utter unbearable pain. Unimagineable pain. I can imagine only chemo being more painful than this. I am burping every 3 seconds; very painful burps. Does anybody know anything household that may help this pain? I wish I had some milk, but I have no car to go get some.
I'm afraid that if this doesn't stop soon, it may lead to esophageal cancer...
i wake in the middle of th enight EVERYNIGHT with such bad 'heart burn' i want to puke.... only rabid swallowing seems to keep it under control.. if i stop swallowing.. i start getting worse...
milk don't help anymore
shit like malox don't help
water dont' help
no matter what i drink matter of fact maeks it start up worse... or hit worse..
it really sucks to be kept up all night cuz you constantly feel like you swallowed freshely cooked, flaming hot food... and nothing helps.... i don't know what to do anymore
but i did try some Pepcid AC pills (not the tums wannabes or chewables) from my grandma's cabinet in desperation... takes about an hour or two to kick in... but it deos help.... not so helpful in getting rid of symptoms.... but ti's supposed to be one of those double medicines..... where you can either take it when you get the symptoms and it's supposed to disappear (which doesn't happen) or you can take it before to prvent (which does work)..
you just gotta nail all the foods/drinks that causes it, then you're home free unless you wanna/can afford keep seeing a dcotor... i can't afford ot keep goign to a doctor so pepcid ac for me.... only thing that works.
Help, I think I'm dying of heartburn
Quote:
Originally Posted by fatsackville
pickles
DILL pickles
and lots of then like 3 - 6 average size pickles
or 1 or 2 of the huge ones thats some stores sell single if you can get them is even better.
i have tried all kinds of things the nexium pills work pretty good but nothing works like dill pickles, i dont know why it works i think its its the dill, or the vinegar idk i only know it works
.................................................. ................. pickles or anything acid is one of the WORST damn things for em to eat/drink when i've been hit...
if it works for you, then more power to you, but that's one of the absolute 'must avoid' aspects for me... it just complicates it and makes it worse.... when i get the symptoms... they come in waves over my throat, about every 10 seconds.... i feel the gburning in my stomach, and rapidlly works it's way to my thoat...
now if i 'm to drink any acid, whatsoever... it'll come in waves of every 3 seconds...
Help, I think I'm dying of heartburn
Quote:
Originally Posted by FakeBoobsRule
Birdgirl, did you know that antacids that contain calcium are the least effective antacids? Calcium stimulates acid production by the stomach so calcium carbonate will neutralize stomach acid initially but will cause your stomach to produce more acid 30-60 minutes later? Preparations containing aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide are much more effective! Now everyone is going to say "stay away from aluminum!" This is why milk will provide initial relief too because it is slightly basic but then the calcium starts things back up so overall it isn't very effective.
On another interesting note, antacids themselves actually deplete calcium. Which is why I find it so misleading when the antacid commercials say "and we've added calcium, something your body needs anyway". Nonsense! You're just trying to replace some of what your product is already destroying; don't try to act like you're actually giving us something! (lest you should incurre the wrath of the Wizard ;) )
Quote:
Actually, the antithesis of acid is something basic. Sugar water might provide some relief ( I've never tried it) but not because it is neutralizing acid. Sugar water should be close to neutral on the pH scale. Did you ever mix vinegar and baking soda to make those foam volcanos in school? That is because they are neutralizing each other and forming salts while giving off gas. Vinegar is the acid, baking soda is the base.
I believe the antithesis of an acid is a base (or "basid" as I've heard, but I'm not sure if this is right). Nevertheless, I'm pretty sure sugar does neutralize an acid. I originally learned this from a restaraunt manager who told us that sugar is the most effective thing to neutralize a spicy food that's burning your tongue (which I later tested and confirmed). As I learned later in biology, spiciness is causes by a high-acidity, and so I put two and two together.
You mention the experiment of putting Baking Soda and Vinegar together, 2 PH opposites, to create a volcano. We probably wouldn't want a volcanic eruption in our stomach though! Thus why I suspect sugar is the closest neurtralizing agent on the PH scale without a foamy reaction.
I could be wrong on this though, my PH-scale knowledge is very rusty at this point. Please correct me if I'm wrong on anything.
Help, I think I'm dying of heartburn
Quote:
Originally Posted by slipknotpsycho
.................................................. ................. pickles or anything acid is one of the WORST damn things for em to eat/drink when i've been hit....
yeah i know other acid thinkgs like OJ or pizza sauce tear me up but pickles alway work.
i think maybe some acids can nuralize other bad acids ??
Help, I think I'm dying of heartburn
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gandalf_The_Grey
On another interesting note, antacids themselves actually deplete calcium.
I am pretty sure antacids are not calcium depleting. Antacids (not to be confused with PPI's or H2 blockers such as Zantac or Pepcid) never are absorbed systemically. It has been several years since I had organic chemistry but I don't think changes in pH level of the stomach affects calcium absorption either. Stomach acid is HCl so you aren't destroying calcium either.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gandalf_The_Grey
I believe the antithesis of an acid is a base (or "basid" as I've heard, but I'm not sure if this is right). Nevertheless, I'm pretty sure sugar does neutralize an acid. I originally learned this from a restaraunt manager who told us that sugar is the most effective thing to neutralize a spicy food that's burning your tongue (which I later tested and confirmed). As I learned later in biology, spiciness is causes by a high-acidity, and so I put two and two together.
You mention the experiment of putting Baking Soda and Vinegar together, 2 PH opposites, to create a volcano. We probably wouldn't want a volcanic eruption in our stomach though! Thus why I suspect sugar is the closest neurtralizing agent on the PH scale without a foamy reaction.
I could be wrong on this though, my PH-scale knowledge is very rusty at this point. Please correct me if I'm wrong on anything.
Well as Mr. Devious you called sugar water the anithesis of an acid but now as Gandalf the Grey you are backing off that statements (for those who don't know they are the same poster but with a name change). Acids provide H+ ions while bases provide -OH ions. Using an oversimplified explanation you take something with a positive charge and it combines with something with a negative charge and that is how you get something that is neutral. So take hydrochloric acid ,HCl from the stomach and one of the bases used in many antacids magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH)2 you get the reaction:
Mg(oh)2 + 2 HCl = MgCl2 + 2 H2O.
You have ended up with water and a salt magnesium chloride. Sugar doesn't really provide H+ ion or a -OH ion(yes I know the chemical formula of sucrose is C12H22O11) and solutions of sugar are almost neutral themselves. If sugar water is providing relief it isn't through turning H+ ions into salt and water.
Yes baking soda when used as an antacid will make a lot of gas and this is to be expected, it isn't called baking soda for no good reason (used in baking to give off gas to make dough rise, etc). That is a side effect and because of this it isn't used often as an antacid for stomach problems but sometimes that might be all that is available and if the choices are having my stomach on fire or burping I would take burping and I am sure many others would too. The degree of gases released depends on the acids and bases that are reacting. For instance MgOH2 isn't as bad as baking soda when used to neutralize HCl. Also, sometimes they add simethicone to help with the gas.
Have you ever heard of capsaicin or the Scoville scale? Capsaicin is what makes peppers hot (it is capsaicin content that determines how hot a pepper is not so much what your biology teacher told you about acid) and the Scoville scale measures it. Yes sugar water was involved in determining Scoville scale but there is a difference between neutralizing the burn on your taste buds (this is not a chemical burn by the way) and neutralizing stomach acid. I have heard that about sugar water and spicy foods but actually many will say milk is better. Whatever but like I said there is a world of difference between taming the burn on your tongue from a chili pepper and taming the acid in your stomach. I suggest you let restaurant managers manage restaurants and get your healthcare info from those in the health care field.
Help, I think I'm dying of heartburn
Quote:
Originally Posted by FakeBoobsRule
Birdgirl, did you know that antacids that contain calcium are the least effective antacids? Calcium stimulates acid production by the stomach so calcium carbonate will neutralize stomach acid initially but will cause your stomach to produce more acid 30-60 minutes later? Preparations containing aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide are much more effective! Now everyone is going to say "stay away from aluminum!" This is why milk will provide initial relief too because it is slightly basic but then the calcium starts things back up so overall it isn't very effective.
This is good to know--and it would have changed things back in my own GERD days had I known that. I've had the organic chemistry and, of course, my first-year physiology, but I certainly didn't translate it there with the antacid recommendation, did I? Glad you told me, though, because that can make a tremendous difference to people I know, and maybe it was the calcium-driven acid production reasoning behind my own internist advising against milk. I took lots of Reglan back in those days. One of the few good things about having a post-peritonitis re-fashioned digestive system is the fact that GERD no longer gives me any trouble.
Thanks--and keep up the good work, FBR!