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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

newly diagnosed with gerd, I'm in food hell

74 replies

supermariossister · 14/05/2015 13:59

only diagnosed yesterday have been ill for a couple of weeks with constant nausea, throat issues, rising of acid anyway yesterday was prescribed medication and advised to look at diet and for two weeks try to avoid all of the things that generally tend to make it worse as my throat heals (it is sore at the minute due to the reflux). after that to reintroduce and find what triggers me the most. which sounds a good idea in theory but I don't know what to eat so I'm ending up eating nothing because I'm worried it will make me feel ill then I feel worse as have no energy at all. anyone else suffer with the same who could give me any tips.

OP posts:
Original poster
supermariossister · 14/05/2015 14:00

this was meant to be in chat Sad sorry

OP posts:
TheHoundsBitch · 14/05/2015 14:03

:( It's crap isn't it? What have they prescribed you? I'm on Omeprazole, it started working after a couple of days and it's fantastic. I would try stopping dairy or wheat first as they are quite common intolerances also refined sugars can be really bad for reflux. But it's important to just exclude one thing at a time so you know what is causing it!

Original poster
supermariossister · 14/05/2015 14:06

yep the same 20mg tablets along with gaviscon which I've never had before and is truly vile haha. dp is driving me mad badgering me about what we could eat, know he's only trying to plan but I have no idea what's going to make it worse

OP posts:
DaysAreWhereWeLive · 14/05/2015 14:08

Hmm. I've had heartburn etc for ever, and I find that chocolate is the worst. If I eat it, I feel it instantly rising back up. And fizzy juice. And very cold water!

Try to sleep on 3 pillows so you're at an angle. And I take Omeprazole right before bed - or at least a Rennie to try to calm everything down.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 14/05/2015 14:09

The obvious causes are things like citrus fruit, coffee, tea, tomatoes and spicy food. In my case it was milk (not dairy as a whole) or if I drink too much tea.

It is unlikely to be caused by meat, unsmoked fish, rice, potatoes, carrots, peas etc. So you can still eat and bear in mind that if your stomach is empty then it is just full of acid.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 14/05/2015 14:10

YY to fizzy drinks as well. I generally avoid them.

TheHoundsBitch · 14/05/2015 14:10

It may not be any one thing causing it though unfortunately, I certainly have things that make it worse (processed sugary stuff like cereal bars are really bad, for example) but it is pretty constant without the medication whatever I eat.

Original poster
supermariossister · 14/05/2015 14:12

avoiding fizzy drinks completely. feeling sick makes me panic so think that's putting me off. tomatoes is interesting didn't know that. it feels like I have to really force everything I eat down my throat or it just sticks at the top of my throat

OP posts:
RubberDuck · 14/05/2015 14:16

I feel for you - I'm about 3 months in and it's horrid. Currently waiting for endoscopy with gastritis and reflux.

One thing that has really helped (other than the PPI) is to be religious about drinking 8 glasses of water a day. I also found Rennie Deflatine (instead of Gaviscon) worked better for me because it tastes better and deals with horrible bloating after meals (which was also causing me a lot of pain).

I've also discovered (despite being negative for coeliacs) that I do seem to be quite sensitive to wheat so I've cut that back. Other triggers seem to be alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, peppermint, citrus and maybe lactose (not 100% sure on the latter). Spicy food hasn't really seemed to affect me, thankfully.

I hope you recover quickly.

Original poster
supermariossister · 14/05/2015 14:17

ah I hope it does sort you out that's a long time. I have started a food diary so I can note things that trigger.

OP posts:
ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 14/05/2015 14:31

One thing to be aware of is that PPI and antiacids can make you less efficient at absorbing iron because your stomach is less acidic. You might want to take a good multivit with iron.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 14/05/2015 14:32

antacids

Original poster
supermariossister · 14/05/2015 14:36

That's a good idea thank you , feel worn out to be honest which is strange.

OP posts:
MrsTrentReznor · 14/05/2015 14:37

I get awful reflux sometimes and find that smaller meals with a small snack in between works well for me.
My biggest trigger is large meals.
I'm another one that's fine with spicy meals, but fizzy drinks and onions are not great!

Sallystyle · 14/05/2015 16:09

I am right here with you.

I also have health anxiety so petrified I have cancer or something.

GP gave me some meds three weeks ago which made me worse. I go back tomorrow to see my gp. I had a good day yesterday then I ate one hairbo and it made it come back. I hope he gives me something which sorts it out so I don't have camera down my throat. A HA suffers worse nightmare :(

I have felt like shit for 5 weeks now. I think on the whole it is getting better as I am now having times where I am fine so it is not constant like it was. Omerazople made me worse but I am having more luck with Zantac OTC. I sometimes feel better after eating so wonder if my acid is actually low.

I am scared of the damage I am doing inside and terrified I have a tumour or something.

I hope you get relief soon OP.

Miiaaoow · 14/05/2015 16:17

I've suffered for 3 years despite being on PPI's. The biggest triggers for me are garlic, onion, dairy, mint and many fruits!

I've found a low fodmap diet helpful. Please look into that.

PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 14/05/2015 16:30

www.refluxcookbook.com/

I found this book really good.

The only thing I struggled with is smoking and alcohol.

Chewing gum ( non peppermint) helps as well.

Try eating smaller meals more often.

Avoid citrus, caffeine and soda.

TheSnowFairy · 14/05/2015 16:46

Mine was set off by wine.

Didn't have a single drink for weeks, couldn't face not being able to sleep!

RB68 · 14/05/2015 16:59

Chicken and rice is good bland food and then simple veg just steamed like carrot, peas, beans I would avoid cauli, Broc and cabbage as they tend to give me wind but you might be ok - just add things in slowly and in small amounts.

Original poster
supermariossister · 14/05/2015 17:11

these are good ideas, I like rice and most veg so good there, I miss fizzy drinks a lot and my cups of tea are making me heave Sad. I'll have a look into that diet thanks, willing to try all to have some relief I'm sick of feeling like crap and choking in my sleep. u2 I hope they can help you you sound so worried, pm if you ever feel like a chat I'm always here Grin. it's a horrible feeling isn't it especially the throat restriction. I'm glad I don't drink alcohol here but miss Fanta and Pepsi very much!

OP posts:
Original poster
supermariossister · 14/05/2015 18:29

thanks for the book advice have just got some to read through.

OP posts:
whattodooo · 14/05/2015 18:42

Sorry to derail the thread slightly, but U2TheEdge - your post has really stood out for me as my brother suffers with severe health anxiety which has been triggered by his acid reflux problem. He believes he has throat cancer.

He's having tests, (camera down throat showed nothing suspicious) but they are quite spread out time wise and in between he's not eating, not sleeping and suffering panic attacks.

If you don't mind me asking, how do you manage your anxiety? He's in a really terrible place so am looking for any advice possible to help him and my poor SIL who's being so worn down by it all.

Sallystyle · 14/05/2015 19:47

I take meds and have had CBT.

I was getting better then the reflux happened then I got worse. I think the worrying may have made the reflux worse in return. Fell free to PM me whattodo if you want to chat. I won't be able to answer until tomorrow afternoon though.

Did they mention testing you super?

My gp thought mind may have came on due to being on long term antibiotics for acne but I came off them a few weeks ago now.

Original poster
supermariossister · 14/05/2015 19:56

I think it does cause you to worry because you never know what is going to kick it off and that makes me especially nervous. no mention of testing I am to go back after these tablets run out if it's still causing me problems

OP posts:
pod78 · 14/05/2015 19:59

God it is awful isn't it. Sorry for your pain Flowers

Mine is triggered by stress and also tap WATER?!?! Must be the horrid chemicals or something. If I drink milk I'm OK. Can't often have tea or coffee now - even decaff but a few days a week isn't too bad, definitely before 4pm.

I find Bisodol by far the best antacid - it contains calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate and is much more effective for me than Rennie etc. I also suited Ranitidine better due to side effects (but have had to stop that now as my breasts vebcame incredibly opainful) but it is worth trying them all - long term side effects notwithstanding.

Food and lifestyle management is the way to go long term. Whenever I can I eat my largest meal at breakfast or lunch, or by 5pm at the very latest if it has to be later, as I also have slow motility so food hangs around for ages. Top tip is not to have soup in the evening, or anything with a tomato sauce... stupidly I sometimes forget and regret it all night.

Seems like every one has some individual triggers as well as the usual suspects - I hope you can find what is causing you the most grief