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Share your tips for dealing with heartburn with Gaviscon

292 replies

AbbiCMumsnet · 15/10/2019 09:53

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Whether you suffered as a student, during pregnancy, or in your general day-to-day life, dealing with heartburn can really get you down. Finding new ways and different remedies to cope with heartburn can be really important in helping you deal with it - and it’s also great to know that you’re not alone. With this in mind, we want to hear your tips for dealing with heartburn.

Here’s what Gaviscon have to say:
“Around 80% of all pregnant women suffer from heartburn by the third trimester, therefore finding ways to deal with it is important during pregnancy. Gaviscon Advance range is indicated for use during pregnancy, in addition it isn’t absorbed into your bloodstream to work. Gaviscon advance works by forming a protective barrier on top of the stomach contents which helps prevent the acid rising into your food pipe.
Medicines can affect the unborn baby. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine in pregnancy.
Gaviscon Advance Tablets and Oral Suspensions. For heartburn and indigestion. Always read the label. RB-M-00995”

Do you have any top tips for dealing with heartburn? What’s the most helpful piece of advice you’ve had to help you deal with it? Did you get it at a particular stage of your life? Maybe you’ve had to cut something out that really helped you deal with heartburn?

Share your experiences and the ways you deal with heartburn on the thread below and 1 MNer will be in with a chance to win a £300 voucher (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

Share your tips for dealing with heartburn with Gaviscon
OP posts:
MrsFrTedCrilly · 16/10/2019 22:38

I had horrendous heartburn when pregnant the only advice I can give is have a bottle of Gaviscon upstairs downstairs and in the car. It was a godsend I found the liquid worked almost immediately for me.

MustardScreams · 16/10/2019 23:50

I had horrendous heartburn from 30-39 weeks. I used to wake up vomiting from the acid Confused Dd was born with a lot of hair!

My tips are keeping apples in the fridge and eating them when it was bad. No idea how that worked, but it did. Frozen milk ice cubes.

Nothing spicy, fatty, acidic. My diet was very boring for 9 weeks.

The gaviscon tablets worked better for me than the liquid.

Go to the dr if it is awful for something stronger, don’t suffer in silence!

torthecatlady · 17/10/2019 00:00

I have gallstones and have also suffered with acid reflux and ulcers for years. Other than omeprazole, I found that changing my diet helped dramatically (cutting out fizzy drinks and spicy food in particular). Also eating regularly throughout the day but only small amounts. Also not eating too close to bed time.

Sarahlouise933 · 17/10/2019 08:02

My midwife said my chest pain was heartburn but I don't believe it is. I've had heart burn before this pregnancy so I know what it feels like. I'm 16 weeks pregnant and been having stabbing like chest pains which feel deep in my chest for the past 2 weeks. It occurs every few hours but when it happens it's so painful. It makes me stop what I'm doing and let out a little ouch noise haha. My midwife said it's nothing to worry about, but is it? Should I waste my doctors time by making an appointment?

donttellmetwice · 17/10/2019 08:30

I had awful heartburn throughout pregnancy and went through many, many bottles of peppermint Gaviscon liquid. I had one bottle on my bedside table and one in the kitchen just to be safe! If ever I found myself in the awful position of not having any in the house, a glass of milk would temporarily lessen the heartburn whilst I popped to the shops for more Gaviscon!

Fatshedra · 17/10/2019 08:52

Avoid chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, heavy greasy meals, acidic fruits and tomatoes. Bending over. Take gaviscon but unflavoured. At night.

kateandme · 17/10/2019 10:11

SometimesSometimes massaging slowly in small circles just under your diaphragm helps.
lie on your left side at night. try to get a pillow or two that means your head is slightly raised so that it doesn't encourage any acid to come back up when you're lying down. If you're flat this will happen more so.
Milk can help.
Try not to panic taking more air in when you panic breathe can make symptoms worse.
Eating something like cereal, toast, or some rich tea biscuits etc can help it's very plain itTy bitty food.
If you suffer with IBS as well can be Common try to get on top of both.
Avoid acidic foods and spicy foods on bad days.
And try not to rush around bending or anything that makes you slightly upside-down as you're eating. I.e. no eating that breakfast bar as your loading the dishwasher!
A mug of water can help. tea is better than coffee.
Have someone rub your back almost like theyre burping a baby.
Sometimes even just a little slice of cheese can help or a spoon of yoghurt. Gaviscon tablets and liquid are magic.
if you need anything stronger there is medication so see your doctor.
It can be really upsetting and distressing. And people don't understand how much it will weigh on you and the crapness it can put on your day when you suffer with it so try not to think you are alone in this. It's really hard but I always find ruminating and sitting with despair does not help as hard as it is try and keep going or distract yourself.

Angelinthenightx · 17/10/2019 14:56

I got it early on in this pregnancy even without eating anything it would come on.i had to stop using the gaviscon due to the sugar content as i developed gestational diabetes. Nothing really helps me i just put up with it now.im eating very healthy with having the gestational diabetes & still get it so for some women in pregnancy it happens no matter how healthy you eat.

MerlinsBeard87 · 17/10/2019 19:10

Lots of gaviscon for me in my 3rd trimester now. Also not eating before bed, lots of water and an extra pillow

keeperofthetrolls · 17/10/2019 19:20

As daft as this sounds I find chewing gum helps.

If I'm in the car and don't have any antacids nearby I get a chewing gum and it helps settle it long enough for me to get to where I'm going. I don't know if its the mint, the chewing action or the extra saliva I'm creating that works but something does

ChiaraRimini · 17/10/2019 19:28

Gaviscon

Do I win?

TotheletterofthelawTHELETTER · 17/10/2019 19:48

I had horrendous heartburn when I was pregnant and I had Gaviscon on prescription, keeping a bottle close by at all times. I started off at work pouring it out into a medicine spoon but by the end of my pregnancy I was just drinking it from the bottle at my desk!

I’ve had episodes since - but not as severe - and keep a pack in my bag incase. I’ve found avoiding spicy food and too much caffeine helps.

MotherofTerriers · 17/10/2019 21:29

When I was pregnant I kept small cartons of long life milk, and gaviscon, in my bedside cabinet. When I got heartburn I’d sit up, try the milk and if that didn’t fix it, gaviscon. Lots of pillows so a more upright sleeping position too.

Asuwere · 17/10/2019 22:48

Only ever suffered heartburn during pregnancy, I found sleeping with an extra pillow helped and, as with most things, eating healthily and drinking plenty water.

0lapislazuli · 17/10/2019 22:51

I get heartburn when pregnant. Am suffering with it now! I have adapted my diet, so it’s a bit more bland. I also make sure I take any medication that can cause heartburn with food (e.g. iron supplements). I always take gavisvon or mucogel before bedtime, sleep with an extra pillow and have the mattress tilted, so that I am more upright. I avoid drinking water during the night, because somehow that makes it worse.

PenelopePeachStone · 18/10/2019 06:48

Gaviscon always takes the edge off but bicarbonate of soda always works for me... tastes horrid but brings up a burp and almost instant relief :) I like the little chewy gaviscon tablets as well - they can hide in your hand bag and work really well x

gkeal3 · 18/10/2019 13:14

Swig it from the bottle! 😂

PickledChicory · 18/10/2019 17:45

Glass of milk can take the edge off. Dont go to bed on a full stomach , wait at least 2hrs before going to bed. For me over eating, eating late at night and fatty/rich foods are all a trigger for me so I try and avoid....this all goes out the window on christmas day when I have a trusty bottle of gaviscon close to handWink

del2929 · 18/10/2019 18:54

cold milk

jaylou30 · 18/10/2019 19:28

Suffered quite badly with heartburn with all three of my daughters. I found if I took gavisgon after each meal and before bed I stayed on top of the acid instead of trying to squash it back down when it happened. Also love heart sweets helped throughout the day to keep the worst at bay.

Fleur24 · 18/10/2019 20:35

Sleeping upright is a brilliant help and also not eating late at night. Peppermint tea too!

Innertwist · 18/10/2019 21:18

I have a hiatus hernia. I know it pretty well and avoid things that make it angry but I'm still surprised on occasion. The only sure cure is a good swig of aniseed Gaviscon straight from the bottle. I don't care how much it costs. Peace can be purchased over the counter.

pingu222 · 18/10/2019 21:44

Chew your food properly and avoid drinking too much water. If you are eating fruits, eat the on their own or at the beginning of your meal. :) Eating smaller portions but eating more often helps too.

Valkarie · 18/10/2019 22:24

I had it terribly with my first pregnancy. Not eating too much in one go and sleeping propped up on pillows helped the best. I was digging gaviscon from the bottle like it was going out of fashion. It did help stop the burn temporarily.

For my second pregnancy I stocked up straight away with liquid, tablets and sachets and barely had any issues.

mapleleafshiba · 18/10/2019 22:45

Avoid alcohol and don't eat too much is the thing that works for me

With milk and gaviscon to relieve it. And sitting up