Acid reflux/heartburn

[WildAboutMyPlanet]

ARGH! Feeling really down about this today.

So I’m 37 weeks and have been throwing up since about 8 weeks. My doctor says that the regular vomiting has destroyed my oesophagus and as a result, acid is forever at the base of my throat lurking about. I can’t eat, drink or sleep properly and today I can’t cope with it. I am thirsty, hungry and so tired, but even sat or stood up there is burning in my throat.

Any tips I might not know about? I was given three types of medication but as my belly has grown in the last few weeks they’ve just stopped working. I stuff rennie down my neck like they’re bloody tictacs.

I restrict what I eat, but even foods that are meant to be fine are causing issues (according to the NHS eggs and tomatoes are great, so I had them for dinner and at 2am I had to get up to spit out a mouthful of acid 🙄).

Any tips anyone has? My diet is bland and crap, I have rennie, gaviscon and my meds. Even WATER is a nightmare for me, which I’m finding really hard as I am so insanely thirsty and I just want to down so much water but I’ll pay for it heavily if I do, so I have to limit how much I drink.

I also want to know, will it stop as soon as baby is out? Or am I stuck with this for a while?

Any tips or reassurance would be great, have already had a tiny cry and dreading having to try and sleep sitting up again.

I’ve heard from quite a few friends that the only thing that worked for them was Love Heart sweets. I’m in the ‘popping Rennie’s like mints‘ phase!

You poor thing, I really sympathise. With my first I was gagging on acid most nights and it really didn't matter what I'd ate or drank, everything made it worse. Once I got Omeprazole it calmed down for a while which doesn't seem like is working for you, but once my son was born the acid stopped like magic! As soon as I was having my tea and toast following my section I felt better and even had seconds!
I'm 30 weeks now and the meds aren't working as well for me this time, the last few nights I've been gagging on acid again and back to swigging the fake gaviscon but hopefully it will stop once the baby's born.
I really feel for you, I know how awful it is when you can't enjoy any food or drink and dread eating and sleeping. I used to want to cry it got that bad and I love food, especially spicy which definitely doesn't help! Have you tried ice lollies? They help me a bit as it's less impact than drinking but is sweet and cold. Good luck, if you're like me it will stop as soon as baby arrives.

Oh, and get none branded gaviscon if you're not getting it on prescription, it's just the same and much much cheaper!

My midwife has recommended Love Hearts to me as well as Parma Violets! And they're at least a bit of variety from Rennie/Gaviscon.

@Alwaystired99 I really needed to hear that! I have been worried because the doctor said there was damage so I panicked that it would continue, but the fact that it might just go away makes me so happy! I am dreaming of a big roast or a pizza - all the food! I’m the same as you as well, love spicy food and it’s the worst. Sorry to hear that you are having a crap time too, it’s so frustrating how much it impacts on the rest of your life.

I did read that lots of rennie long term can cause issues, so thank you @Thistle95 and @scotgal99 for recommending other options - will go and get some tomorrow!

Sorry if I'm repeating anyone but DO NOT eat tomato's with acid reflux, I have suffered badly with Hyper Acid Reflux and pregnancy is making it so much worse. Hines the best thing is to go into a completely plain diet. Nothing that involves acidic, citrus, or bold/overpowering flavours. Your oesophagus will get better but it's takes a lol of time to repair the kind of damaged caused.

I would recommend, dairy (if you can have it), pasta, plain boiled rice, chicken (no seasoning) and veg like sweet corn, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower etc. Eat little means often with small bites, and by that I mean think of a normal bite of food and at least half it. Drink plenty of water and have ice poles if the burning gets too bad.

Do not lie down for a least 3 hours after eating food as this cause the acid to hit your throat and cause the burning.

Reminds are great but I always have a bottle of Gaviscon or Rennie medicine although it's horrible and makes me feel sick it's a lot more soothing on the way down.

Best of luck to you. Feel free to ask any questions

I find drinking milk is better than water and having my pregnancy pillow higher up helps. It's shite though... I only suffer some of the days thank god

Hiya, sorry to hear you're suffering so badly. I've suffered with acid reflux for about 7 years. Sometimes it's pretty tame and other times it's horrendous. The only thing I can suggest is a small glass of milk whenever you can or a few bites of bread. I think sometimes having something to soak up the acid a little bit can help without having the stomach overly full. If you can try not to eating anything too big for a good while before bed and keep yourself propped up a bit in bed if you can. Though I know this can be difficult when sleeping on your side. Really hope it calms down for you once baby is here xx

Have you been offered any medication like omperazole? It was the only thing that touched my acid reflux, I struggled to eat or drink anything.

Don't fret too much about the damage to your oesophagus it won't be permanent but it might mean that it takes a little while to heal after the nausea and acid reflux have gone so you might be still in discomfort after it has stopped.
My parent has long term acid reflux (years) and a hiatus hernia. Their oesophagus was damaged by the acid reflux. They have 3monthly endoscopes (or at least precovid they did) to monitor its recovery and it is improving with just dietary changes - they can't tolerate the medications for more than a few weeks. It might be worth asking your doctor what they mean by "there will be damage" - how long? What can you do to help it? Etc.