Really bad late heartburn - what to take?

[Sparklies]

I've managed to escape bad heartburn with every pregnancy.. until now. Then again this is the most pregnant I've ever been (DC3, now 36w6d - previous two DCs were pre-term) which may have something to do with it.

Last night I was in such intense agony I could barely breathe at times and I was crying, and it took 10 hours post meal before it faded to "just" mild discomfort. I normally put up with a lot of pain before making a sound, so this was really, really awful.

I assume it is heartburn - excruciating upper abdominal pain which gets worse after eating and/or lying down, plus the odd grumble from that area. I also have loose bowels which is a bit of a contrast to the rest of the pregnancy.

I know about foods to avoid (and last night I didn't even have any..) and to sleep sitting upright (which I did last night.. ow) and avoiding bending over etc, not that I can do that with bad SPD either!

I'm seeing my midwife tomorrow, but what safe medicine do people find gives them the best relief for this kind of late pregnancy agony?

Thanks!!

[soppypreggyloon]

pre-emptive gaviscon might be a good idea. eat tea/ whatever and then a quick swig.
definately don't skip meals though - i think you need to eat little, often and plain to keep it at bay!

dr can prescribe ranitidine but as i've only 4 days till elcs i couldnt see the point.

[Sparklies]

Thanks for the tips! I've managed to get through my Gaviscon tablets (not cheap, the dual action ones!) without much effect, but maybe the liquid is better?

I'm not that familiar with heartburn so I didn't know about taking stuff pre-emptively - thanks! And I'll try to avoid letting my tummy get too empty as I think it was because dinner was a little late yesterday that things started kicking off.

My ELCS is in 10 days time - 4 days and I might consider waiting it out but for 10.. no way!

[soppypreggyloon]

pre-emptively is my tactic. if i have some before bed i don't wake up with it but if i forget it starts before i manage to get to sleep. definitely easier to handle if you get it before you get a deep burn! :)

[JumpingForJuly]

Just to say I find the liquid Gaviscon so much better than the tablets, might be worth a try

[bemybebe]

Liquid Gaviscon is great and DO get it on prescription if you can.

[Sparklies]

Excellent! Thank you everyone - I might get DH to get a small bottle of Gaviscon on his way home from work and then hopefully I can get some on prescription tomorrow!

Looking after two toddlers all day whilst practically full term and suffering from bad SPD and only an hour's sleep at night thanks to the heartburn is just not working out right now..

[VioletV]

Gaviscon is horrid. Buy the rennie sift chews in freshmint. Much better and tastes nicer than anything else.

[bemybebe]

Violet I agree Gaviscon tastes like flavoured wood glue but it does work well. I didn't try Rennies.

[Sparklies]

I've tried the Rennies without much effect unfortunately, hence I was looking to try something a bit stronger! Rennies usually work on the heartburn I used to have, but this was something else and off the scale.

I'm quite used to vile tasting medicine so I'll survive!!

[stressedbutluvem]

ranitidine, you can buy it as Zantac or as own brand in supermarket.

[laurielou]

Another sufferer here! Gaviscon liquid by far the best.

Also a small glass of milk seems to help me.

[cowboylover]

Gaviscon Liquid is unfortunatly the best even tho it tastes yucky but I have also got Maalox on prescription from the GP as it settles sickness as well as the heartburn was making me sick.

Ohhhh the joys of being 36 weeks!

[Eglu]

Violet I agree that the remegel taste much nicer, but they don't work if the heartburn gets really bad.

I'm now getting a prescription for peptac from the mw as the remegels aren't working.

[fannybaws]

lovehearts..................yes really

[NewMummy5July2011]

I'm a sufferer too and agree with the others about the gaviscon. Get your free prescription card and your doc can perscribe big bottles of the stuff. I also get him to prescribe some basic calcium carbonate tablets and I actually find chewing gum works great - kills the heartburn in seconds. When your chewing it, your body makes more saliva and combats it. Must admit my jaw hurts though from chewing gum constantly all day!

[Sparklies]

Thanks everyone!

Right, I have the liquid Gaviscon.. let's see if that makes a difference this evening. Will try and get myself some more on prescription tomorrow as this bottle will probably only last 5 days at most and I have 10 days left! Not cheap, is it?

If the Gaviscon doesn't help I'll look into the Zantac. Might look into the chewing gum too - thank you!