stinking heartburn/acid reflux

[NewMummy5July2011]

Just to say this heartburn/acid reflux is truly awful. I have it pretty much 24/7 and despite chewing rennies, drinking gaviscon,litres of milk and eating ice cream, nothing really eases it.

I've noticed quite a few people have it via various other posts, how does everyone manage? xx

By sitting there thinking I hope its all worth it!

I do try and suck on an antacid tablet but it is never that effective.

So just have to sit through it. it really sucks!

Hi, consultant at the hospital basically told me that nothing will really work as it's softening of the muscle at the top of stomach letting acid escape. I'm 34 weeks and seem to have it non stop! He suggested raising the head of the bed which has actually helped! I often find that dairy makes it worse, but that drinking a cup of hot boiled water helps. Cold water makes it worse. Rennie, gaviscon etc seem to do very little! I am also having to avoid anything with tomatoes, spices, fat or fruit juice! I now have a very boring diet! Hope you find some relief!

Im 33 weeks and have had constant HB all the way through but it has really reached a peak now. Gaviscon liquid was the only thing that worked but now it seems to work for half an hour but it just comes back again. Have tried avoiding foods, small meals etc but nothing works! I think it is a case of reminding myself its all worth it in the end!!

moan I'm only 25 weeks and sounds like it's not going to get any better. I'm already at the stage where gaviscon seems to work for 1/2 hour or so. Chewing gum oddly seems to help a bit. I know it will all be worth it in the end, but wish I could get some relief from it!

I'm 24 weeks and finding this an utter nuisance. I have a huge stockpile of Rennies at home because I keep leaving the house without them and having to buy more. I find bread really sets me off, and spicy food. So goodbye, curry + naan Fridays :(

I was prescribed omniprozole in my previous pg as it was so bad, I would literally wake up wretching with it - I've taken it all the way through with this one - I still get indigestion but not heartburn! Its perfectly safe during pg so don't suffer xx

I have been prescribed ranitidine (zantac). I feel SO much better, I have had it since week 6 - before nothing was working, gaviscon was just making me feel more sick. You have to take it regularly to work, but I feel almost normal again now.

It sounds counterintuitive but eating fresh pineapple really helps, I was a bit about it but it did make a difference.

I have peptac its the only thing that works for me, well until I eat again, so try and leave it off till bedtime if poss but it does work )

You need to see your GP for Gaviscon ADVANCE on prescription in 500ml bottles - this puts a coating over your stomach contents to keep the gas down. Perhaps together with something like Ranitidine or Omeprazole which prevents stomach acid production in the first place.

I was on two bottles of Gavsicon Advance a week in the third trimester., plus daily doses of Ranitidine. I also slept practically sitting up on a nest of pillows.

Its grim and the reality is it is probably not going to get better any time soon until right at the end when baby drops - but once that baby is out you are going to feel so good when you have your first sleep lying down with no heartburn (still etched on my memory as a joyous occasion!)

OMEPRAZOLE - ask your GP for it! My reflux was so bad in early pg that I couldn't walk and was crawling about on my hands and knees (spent my birthday crying in pain on the sofa - fun!). It really works and is safe in pg. Just one tiny capsule in the morning and you're sorted. I sometimes still get some very mild heartburn, etc., but only like you might get when not pg and you've overdone it. Good luck!

I second omeprazole. it's licensed for use in pregnancy (as is ranitidine). I had HB from about 18 weeks and none of the OTC stuff (tablets / liquids) made an impact. See your GP for a prescription. It'll only get worse as time goes on and there is an alternative.