wow. that is really interesting. thanks for all of the info, folks.

Cut back on alcohol. Water made it worse, milk made it better. Was also worse right before my period.

What really helped was losing weight, and I'm not overweight by any stretch of the imagination. 117+ and I have reflux. If I can stay below 115 I don't. Those two pounds hardly show from the outside, but make all the difference in keeping reflux under control.

Anonymous wrote:Could really use some help. This reflux is killing me but I want to try aggressive lifestyle changes to avoid meds.

,

No wheat, dairy, coffee.

Oh, and OP, I went on the PPI to get the GERD under control while I lost weight and changed my diet. Once I had lost some weight and was eating well and was feeling good I started tapering off it. Going on doesn't mean you can't go off.

I lost weight (30 lbs, but I think I started to feel better after 10), started exercising, stopped eating after dinner (aside from a cup of tea), and cut out sweets. I kept in what may be a major trigger (coffee) because I could control the GERD without cutting it out. I now eat sugar again, but I do get heartburn if I eat dessert, or more than two pieces of pizza. Guess my body is telling me something.

I ended up on the PPI....basically, before I was on PPI's the reflux was bad. I went on them only after I found out that some of my "heart burn" was angina. I could deal with the heart burn, but did not want to make that mistake again.

Try aloe vera juice, coconut water, and dhl (?) Licorice. Google for amounts. All helped me.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone. This is all very helpful. Mine gets worse as the day goes on. I guess I should look more into burning mouth because that is my main symptom. My throat doesn't burn all that much. My tongue feels dry and most things I eat now irritate my mouth. I feel like my taste is reduced.

Have you been to a dr yet?

Anonymous wrote:I didn't know it was involved, but the removal of my gallbladder fixed my reflux and other GI issues.

+ 1.

I had two issues that were causing my acute acid reflux. H. Pylori infection and gallbladder. Getting my H. Pylori treated by antibiotics and removing my gallbladder changed my life. I have an iron-stomach now.

I would ask you not to take PPIs. It mucks up your GI and health in so many ways long term.

Thanks everyone. This is all very helpful. Mine gets worse as the day goes on. I guess I should look more into burning mouth because that is my main symptom. My throat doesn't burn all that much. My tongue feels dry and most things I eat now irritate my mouth. I feel like my taste is reduced.

Anonymous wrote:Could really use some help. This reflux is killing me but I want to try aggressive lifestyle changes to avoid meds.

Stop:-alcohol
-milk
-chocolate
-spicy food
Avoid:- heavy meals
-stress
-greasy foods
-dried beans
-sugary things

What time of day is it the worst? Mine is always while sleeping. Aside from dietary changes (mostly dairy and fried food) I also limit water before bed. I have a wedge pillow to use if I feel it's going to be bad because laying flat really does make things worse. I use Zantac mostly but Pepcid works well for me too. Neither are a PPI. I never found Nexium or Prilosec or any other PPI to provide much relief.

Everyone has different triggers. For example, coffee doesn't bother me, but does others. Generally, it's alcohol, fat, spice, caffeine, chocolate...

I didn't know it was involved, but the removal of my gallbladder fixed my reflux and other GI issues.