Question for those who suffered with GERD from the CD

[DebS]

For those of you who had/have GERD as one of your CD symptoms, what do you use to keep it under control? I've only been eating GF since last Friday and have found that 90% of my GERD symptoms are being controlled by the diet alone. Today though, I think as a result of eating a few Hershey kisses and some GF peanut butter kiss cookies, I've had a little bit of the heartburn return. I've taken acid reducing meds for so many years and I want to be done with them as I know they have wreaked havoc with my gut and I know it will take time for things to return to normal, so I'm just wondering what others have used that might have had the same issues. I DO NOT want to have to resort to taking the acid reducing meds if at all possible. Thanks!
Deb

[aklap]

Hi Deb,

GERD was the 1st thing that started me on this journey. I first started removing foods the would cause GERD...caffine, tomato products, spicy products, chocolate, and few other I can't remember any more.

Long story short...things got progressively worse till I figured out gluten was the true cause. I was a total of 4 or 5 different reflux meds, for a while it was 2 at once.

After being GF I was able to ween myself off of the reflux meds completely. Currently the only time I have to take them is if I really over do the chocolate, some spicy stuff. Dark chocolate is the worst for me.

Anti inflammatory meds also get my stomach in a fizz. Right now I'm on a round of RX'ed Naproxen for a heel injury. I do take some Zantac to keep any discomfort down.

Keep at your GF diet, things should settle down so you can slow remove all meds. Don't be in a rush to get rid of them. I was... Just let things work themselves out. Don't stop them completely or you'll end up with Rebound reflux. Just keep an eye on those GERD causing foods for now.

Keep up the good work!!
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Al

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

[DebS]

Thanks Al for the encouragement. I'll be the first to admit that patience has never been one of my virtues . I did find some info about papaya enzymes being good for the digestive system so I went to the health food store and bought some. They seemed to help a bit with the heartburn. I'll try to lay off chocolate for now but daggone, I'm already feeling deprived and it doesn't help to have to eliminate another one of my favorite things . I know things will get better with time and I am absolutely thrilled to have finally found an answer to my 20 year struggle with GERD and all of the other gastro problems I've had. I'm still somewhat in shock about the whole thing as well but I will try to be patient and just let things work themselves out. Take care!
Deb

[NorthernElf]

I'm one who still deals with reflux despite going GF. I know why - part of it is because I won't let go of my coffee ! Part of it is that I still occasionally get glutened. Still another part is that the sphincter on top of my stomach isn't quite formed right (had a barium swallow xray).

Triggers for reflux differ from person to person. For me, alcohol and chocolate and tomato sauce are big offenders. I seem to do ok with coffee *most* of the time.

I take one zantac 150 every morning & I'm ok. I get up early, take my zantac, get dressed, have a cup of coffee, and go workout (run, lift, whatever). Yeah, no food and I have the coffee but I justify it because I get my exercise ! I'll take one in the pm only if I'm drinking alcohol (usu. wine), and that's pretty rare.

GF definitely helps - I've tried Nexium, prilosec, etc. with no results. Zantac 250 works in part because I went GF.

[WestWalker]

I would concur with our Canadian friend, Northern Elf. I still have GERD after going GF but it is better and I have been GF only part of this year. Nexium (guaranteed GF) didn't work for me much. Prilosec (not guaranteed GF) worked great but I don't take it anymore. But always check with the manufacturer on GF status.

I don't eat chocolate much nor drink alcohol much either - just now and then. Anything carbonated is out for me which is hard when you get tired of water on the road.

I heard recently that changing your attitude about foods helps. Think of Gluten foods as "poison" they said. And think about all the things you can eat and how healthy it will make you. I missed pizza the most. I had already stopped eating breads / pasta's etc without knowing why since I wasn't dx yet.

DebS this is a great place to be so I would just encourage you to keep up the good fight at getting healthier each day eating right. Wishing you peace and happiness this season and that Santa brings great tasting GF foods to you to replace those you love.

[Ange7894]

Hi Deb,

I also had GERD many years before becoming dx with CD, and I was totally relieved to hear that my acid reflux was actually a symptom of CD and could go away. When I had my biopsy done, my doc told me that I had some minor inflamation and redness on my esophogas and stomach lining so I should continue taking the acid reflux meds. I've been using Prilosec for years and it definitely does the trick. Before I was dx, if I accidentally forgot to take my pill one day, I'd get heartburn within an hour of eating (anything), and I'd have it for the next two days, even if I took the pill the next day. Now, there have been a few times I've forgotten it, and either I haven't gotten the heartburn, or it took a long time to hit me and wasn't as severe. Just last week, I forgot to take it 3 days in a row! I was shocked at myself because that's so unlike me, but I barely got any burning sensation, and it didn't last too long. I still take the meds though just to be on the safe side for now. I too would like to be off them, but I'm too scared right now to go off, so I'll continue for a while. It'll get better though, trust me! Good luck to you
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~~Thanks!

[jayhawkmom]

I take Prevacid. It helps beyond belief. But, it's an RX medication. OTC stuff does nothing for me. =(

[duchessisa]

My daughter was prescribed prilosec but we have found Zantac 75 is better and cheaper. She's been using it since she was 6, at least 4 times a week, no side effects. ~Duchess

[gfrach]

[Long2Play]

I have struggled with GERD too, however it turns out that GERD can be caused by too little stomach acid instead of too much. There is a condition called Hypochlorhydria or Low Stomach Acid. Do a Google search on both terms. I recently was diagnosed with this via an easy test by a clinic here in Washington called Tahoma Clinic.

I did the PPI drugs route several times in the recent past. I would feel ok while on them but as soon as I stopped my problems came back. Since starting a natural treatment for LOW stomach acid after taking the PH test, I feel way better, with no drugs. The natural doctors believe that low stomach acidity may be a trigger in autoimmune issues and like CD it can make it difficult to absorb proper nutrients. I am currently taking a serious set of vitamin supplements and have dramatically improved my Neurological issues and my gut is feeling better all the time.

The reason why Low Acid causes GERD is that food stays undigested in the stomach for a long time. It turns out that stomach acid in the correct amounts is what tells your LES when to close. If it does not close and food with some acid stays in the stomach, then some of it can get into your Esophagus and cause GERD problems. This is treated by ADDING acid to your system while eating a meal. Blocking acid is making the problem WORSE.

GI docs love the acid blockers, but they are not the right treatment for everyone. Getting Diagnosed with CD and going Gluten Free has been just part of the solution for me.

I don't know if this will help you, but so far it is really helping me. Happy New Years!
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"When you come to a fork in the road, take it." - YOGI BERRA