Acid reflux - alcohol

[lana29]

At 25 I developed reflux issues suddenly from being able to drink without any issues to now that I can touch two drinks then have throat, stomach issues and even womens issues! I rarely drink these days as it’s the sensible option but I miss being able to enjoy a drink, tonight as it’s new years I’d like to drink alcohol but what would be the safest? Baileys, vodka or gin? I’m open to ideas too! Baileys has less alcohol percentage so I wonder if that would help, I am fine with milk stuff normally thank you

I have acid reflux (GERD) too and unfortunately all alcohol makes it worse. It doesn't matter what type... Alcohol causes the muscle between your stomach and oesophagus to loosen and relax, so the acid can travel up into your oesophagus and this lasts for several hours after consumption.

Having said that, I find wine significantly worse than spirits, because wine is acidic in itself so you get a double whammy of a relaxed muscle plus something acidic travelling up the oesophagus. So avoid wine.

Try and drink away from bedtime. Don't go to bed with alcohol still in your stomach.

Sorry you suffer from this and Happy New Year.

I have this too and have definitely found Baileys doesn’t cause me too many issues, so that sounds like a good way to go. As pp said, I too find that spirits are better than wine, though I think the difficulty is finding mixers that suit you. Amazingly, I’ve found a cocktail that our local pub does, a bramble gin spritz consisting of bramble gin, Prosecco and lemonade is something I can tolerate without too many repercussions. However, when I tried to replicate it at home I suffered badly. Not sure if it’s a specific lemonade. All very much trial and error unfortunately, but I hope you find something that suits you and have a great evening. Happy New Year!

@Whatapickle21

I have this too and have definitely found Baileys doesn’t cause me too many issues, so that sounds like a good way to go. As pp said, I too find that spirits are better than wine, though I think the difficulty is finding mixers that suit you. Amazingly, I’ve found a cocktail that our local pub does, a bramble gin spritz consisting of bramble gin, Prosecco and lemonade is something I can tolerate without too many repercussions. However, when I tried to replicate it at home I suffered badly. Not sure if it’s a specific lemonade. All very much trial and error unfortunately, but I hope you find something that suits you and have a great evening. Happy New Year!

@Whatapickle21 That drink sounds so good and sounds like my kind of luck, bet it could be something like the lemonade it sounds daft but I’ve noticed I can’t drink Sprite but fine with 7up! The body is weird sometimes! I think I’ll try the baileys - have you tried any of the new flavours or just the traditional? I’d love to try new ones but known my luck! Happy New year to you too

@Chocaholic9

I have acid reflux (GERD) too and unfortunately all alcohol makes it worse. It doesn't matter what type... Alcohol causes the muscle between your stomach and oesophagus to loosen and relax, so the acid can travel up into your oesophagus and this lasts for several hours after consumption.

Having said that, I find wine significantly worse than spirits, because wine is acidic in itself so you get a double whammy of a relaxed muscle plus something acidic travelling up the oesophagus. So avoid wine.

Try and drink away from bedtime. Don't go to bed with alcohol still in your stomach.

Sorry you suffer from this and Happy New Year.

@Chocaholic9 You know the feeling too? It’s a right nightmare! Do you take anything for it? I’m under a gastroenterologist at the minute and I do wonder what they can do for me! I’ll definitely avoid drink near bedtime - I wonder how many hours they advise between. Hope you have a lovely New Year xx

Baileys far from contains less alcohol - it's 17%, stronger than the strongest wine and its drunk neat. Gin etc is around 37% but if you use a standard measure with mixer your drink is about 5%. I suppose baileys might be soothing though. Depends what's actually causing the reflux.

@liveforsummer Oh damn. Thanks for this heads up. There was me thinking it was better, I wonder if i’d be save with gin and lemonade or is there any soft drinks that go with gin? Xx

I think it's the acid that makes it worse so avoid juices and probably tonic too. Lemonade maybe slightly better. Alternatively get your rennies at the ready! 😆

My son had severe reflux from alcohol, on medication and sent for an upper GI with biopsy. Result, allergy to alcohol. He was 18.
He can’t drink any alcohol without pain.

@fallfallfall

My son had severe reflux from alcohol, on medication and sent for an upper GI with biopsy. Result, allergy to alcohol. He was 18. He can’t drink any alcohol without pain.

Omg so it is possible to develop allergy!

Pop to your local pharmacy and get some omeprazole or e-ome!prazole otc now. Take two immediately in anticipation for your big night.

I have tried omeprazole but I would recommend using it with caution. Don't take it for more than 2 weeks at a time. It can stop you absorbing nutrients and it alters the amount of bad bacteria in your gut.

www.goodrx.com/omeprazole/five-things-you-may-not-know-about-omeprazole

I've had reflux for 30 + years. The only thing that has worked for me is following the recommendations in a book called Dropping Acid. Unfortunately part of the plan involves cutting out alcohol long term.

@FoggySpecs

Pop to your local pharmacy and get some omeprazole or e-ome!prazole otc now. Take two immediately in anticipation for your big night.

It takes 5 days for omeprazole to begin working.