GF Acid Reflux Meds

[Noatak]

I have a question for those of you who take meds for acid reflux.....a friend of mine who I strongly suspect has a gluten problem is suffering from severe acid reflux. She went the gamut with a GI and they actually did an endoscopy, with a biopsy supposedly to test for Celiac. It came back negative and I do not know how many samples were taken at the time. I explained to my friend that this does not mean she doesn't have CD. They did no blood work.

The doc put her on Prilosec but she told me that every time she takes it, the heartburn gets much, much worse. I looked it up and it seems to me that Prilosec is not GF, so that might explain why the heartburn gets worse. What I would like to know is what do you take for it? I have never had acid reflux so have no knowledge of these meds. What is GF that would be Rx strength for her to switch to? She called and told the doc about the problem and, as usual, she got the big blow off. As far as they are concerned, she does not have a gluten problem so they told her to take the Prilosec. Typical.

She is ready to try a GF diet because she's getting ticked at the medical profession over this....they are not helping her. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

[nancw]

I've found that using papaya and bromelein enzymes along with daily probiotics has pretty much eliminated any reflux I might get. Not prescription anything, but the only stuff I really want to use being intolerant of many other things besides gluten. I rarely if ever get reflux since going GF, and even less since cutting out all dairy.

I hope your friend finds relief, either through going GF (damn the torpedoes!) or other dietary/lifestyle changes.
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Nance

gluten, dairy, soy, rice, yeast and 99% grain-free

[Noatak]

Thank you, Nancy. I am sure she will appreciate this advice because she is a natural kind of gal anyway. Not happy she has to have medication for her reflux so she turned to me for advice because I follow that rule too.

I think she is at the point of trying the diet but it will be hard for her as she is from Eastern Europe and they are bread and gravy people. This is why I think it may be a gluten or other food issue. As usual, the doctor just told her to take her Prilosec and shut-up. She now knows the frustration of a Celiac trying to get diagnosed. I have a feeling that if she tries the GF diet, she will be amazed at the results.

I will pass this on to her....thanks again!

[nancw]

FWIW, in retrospect bad reflux was my first symptom of gluten problems. This was a couple of years before my neuro symptoms became predominant. Would your friend be open to doing a trial elimination of gluten and possibly dairy (one at a time to better gauge results)?
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Nance

gluten, dairy, soy, rice, yeast and 99% grain-free

[Noatak]

Hard to tell although she is so miserable right now with the reflux, she may agree to try an elimination diet. I never mentioned anything about dairy to her because most people freak out when you ask them to give up their most loved foods and I didn't want to scare her. I figured I would start with gluten free and if there are still problems, the next step would be to eliminate dairy. She is a bagel lover and eats them all the time. I did actually say that she would have to give those up long enough to see if gluten was the problem. She didn't freak out about it but I could tell that inside she was probably thinking..."Oh my God! Not the bagels"! You know how it works...when people get sick enough, they are more willing to try different things besides meds. I just found it interesting that a gluten containing medication made her reflux worse...the very med that is supposed to help.

For now, I am giving her some of my books that I no longer need and she can start learning about gluten and what it does. The hardest part for me is getting people to believe what kind of damage it can do. They think I'm nuts and am over the top with the GF lifestyle but I have my health back and it's all that matters.

[aklap]

Hi Lisa,

Long time no see!! Good to hear from you again.

The ironic thing for me [sounds like Nance too] - once GF - no more reflux meds!! Reflux is what started me on the merry-go-round. I was on: Nexium, Prilosec, Nexium, Aciphex & Zantac, Zantac. They all seemed to work for a bit, then stopped working. Zantac seemed work best for me. This stuff you can get OTC now.

I'd check Zantac. They were GF the last I knew, but that was awhile a go! [thank goodness!]

You might check thru this: http://glutenfreedrugs.com/

Is she NOT in the US? In one of your posts you said something about Europe. Then it's hard to say about what's GF and not.
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Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[ostrich]

[Noatak]

Hello to you back, Al! I thought of many people who basically cut out the meds once GF and I personally believe that the majority of acid reflux is a food problem. As usual, all the medical profession want to do is medicate and not deal with food issues.

My friend is here in the US but is from Eastern Europe so the possibility of her having a gluten problem is right up there. She is a fit person overall but the reflux is starting to take over her life. She also lost 15 pounds in a matter of 2 weeks and had trouble eating anything. Interesting enough, all she could tolerate was oatmeal. The reflux got better and so did she. Then, when she went back to Bagel Land, the reflux came back. So, as far as I am concerned, she has a food issue, most likely gluten. Her doctor would not address anything after the negative biopsy.

I agree, OZ, that the diet is a big step for some. For me, it was relatively easy. I had already cut out many mainstream foods in my endeavor to figure out what was wrong with me. Then, when I got really sick and discovered CD, I only had to find a decent replacement for bread and I have managed to do so. My BIG complaint is the cost of the replacement stuff but I don't always have to eat it either. I think she is on the brink of being ready to try the diet for relief but I find the hard part is convincing people to follow the diet for life. My sister still thinks she can eat gluten lite!

I appreciate all the advice and so does my friend.....she just wants to find out what the problem is.

[aklap]

There's always EnteroLabs if she needs some "encouragement" to stay on the diet.
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[NorthernElf]

Wow - it's always "nice" to hear people have similar issues...

My journey into the gluten free world started with reflux issues as well (and others). Gluten most definitely makes it that much worse ! I use Zantac and have for months. It is gluten free. I take a couple non prescription every morning and all is well (I still drink coffee). In a perfect world I would ditch the zantac and eat even better - no milk, no coffee but I refuse. Life is busy and coffee is a big crutch for me, having given up so much else.

Noatak - your friend needs a new doctor. My doctor was also an eggbert - I am a very fit person who had a very bad virus (couldn't eat for a week) and suddenly had fatigue, joint pain, sinus pain, bloating (that was there before too actually), etc. She didn't even give me the right blood test. There is no doubt in my mind that I am celiac - I couldn't "survive" a gluten challenge ! My eventual endoscope was to look for reflux damage and she never even told the GI to look for celiacs (I found out AFTER) - I had been GF for 3 months anyway.

Get your friend to do a no gluten challenge - make it a no processed food challenge as well because of hidden gluten. Since going gluten free, life is so much better but I have dropped more weight that I need to keep - I find myself eating the same things and not taking a whole lot of joy in food anymore. Fortunately, there are more & more products and mixes out there for us Gf folk. Anyway, the challenge might be enough - sometimes it takes feeling good to know just how bad you've been feeling !!!

[Noatak]

NorthernElf....I have been slowly suggesting a no gluten challenge to her and she is appreciative of my advice and does listen BUT, like many people, she thinks this will totally interfere with her life and the thought of giving up gluten bread for life seems overwhelming. Of course, when you feel horrible, trying to get your mind in order to accept all this adds another layer of difficulty to it. I have to take a deep breath because I am the type of person who just cannot understand why anyone would eat food that debilitates them. My family ALL have the problem, to varying degree's, yet absolutely will not make even small changes to their horrible eating patterns. The good to come out of my nagging is they no longer complain of their health problems around me so at least I do not have to listen to them whining about it.

My friend will probably come around soon because she is also a fit person and even climbed part of Everest 10 years ago....very determined lady. She knows deep down she has a food problem and hates being sick in any way. I think what has been shocking to her is the treatment of the medical profession when it comes to GI problems. All they do is listen to symptoms, do a few basic tests and medicate you! She now knows what Celiacs go through to be diagnosed.

[ostrich]