BobBong, I had a stomach ulcer and GERD for about 2 years starting back in 2000. I was taking Voltaren which can thin the lining of the stomach. I knew it was affecting me badly but I thought I could power through it as many people's body will adjust after several days on it. Well, after two weeks of Voltaren it tore a hole in my stomach as well as caused damage around the esophageal sphincter giving me GERD too. It is absolutely miserable as every time I forgot to take my medicine, I began to breath out fire! I occasionally still get reflux every once in a while and I know what that can lead to. I know this thread is old but here are some things. First, you should be on a proton pump inhibitor such as Prilosec (available OTC or by prescription), Prevacid, Aciphex, Protonix, or Nexium. These are stronger than the other class of medicine used to stop stomach acid preduction which are called H2 blockers. Those are (in order or best to worst ) Pepcid, Axid, Zantac, Tagamet. Why I say some are better than others in this class is because Pepcid and Axid also slow down the production of stomach enzymes which in addition to the acid can eat the lining of the stomach. Overall though any of the proton pump inhibitors are better than the H2 blockers. The key is to take them every day as directed and not miss a dose. Once you have been on them for a few days, they stomach lining can began to repair but if you miss a dose then you almost leave this new buildup of stomach lining defenseless and it will be eroded. You may have weakening of the muscles around the esophageal sphincter and if there is damage to this lining (as well as the lower esophagus), the muscles will never heal. I really recommend taking Prilosec once a day every day for months. If you use antacids for immediate relief, avoid any that contain calcium. Tums and Rolaids have this incredible marketing technique. The calcium carbonate neutralizes the stomach acid but 30 minutes later the calcium causes an increase in stomach acid and you eat more Tums and it starts this cycle back up. This is why milk can make your stomach feel better than worse 30 minutes later. Yougurt is obviously a milk product but it also contains beneficial bacteria so it can sometimes help, as someone mentioned. There are also several drugs that can increase the tone of the muscles of the esophageal sphincter such as Reglan. This will help keep the esophageal sphincter closed and prevent the upward movement of stomach contents.

I saw people recommending vinegar. I have never heard that nor would I try it. If that is a old home remody or wife's tale it is a bad one. The elevating of the head of the bed by 18-24 inches though is a good one. If you are carrying extra weight around the midsection, try to lose it. This extra weight literally pulls the esophageal sphincter down and out away from your body causes a loss in muscle tone and upward movement of stomach contents. This is another reason why pregnant women will sometimes suffer from GERD. I also saw someone talk about how we didn't have this (GERD) 20 years ago. Well we did but the prevelence has gone up as obesity rates have gone up in the U.S.

Foods to avoid anything acidic like tomatoes and citrus. Caffeine is also bad for GERD. Sadly, chocolate can increase stomach acid production too as well as spicy food. Nicotine can worsen GERD while most studies show THC does not have a negative effect on GERD and ulcers. So can alcohol but if I had to choose between alcohol and nicotine, alcohol is staying.

Bobbong, let us know what you are taking in the way of meds for this. Although I don't advocate the taking of all prescription drugs on the market, I don't think the drug companies are out to get us either.