Dealing with heartburn or acid reflux - suggestions

Vanity | 3-26-2009 | Frantzie

[fredhead]

Theo,
Check my post, #120. I now avoid calcium-based antacids like the plague.

[PalmettoMason]

If I could afford to buy a new bed I would!

Same here! I took Rush's word for it, too. Mine is CRAP!

Mine is only four years old and the pump has gone out. When it went out, I did some checking online (like I should have done before buying the damned bed in the first place!), and learned that these pumps go out on a regular basis. Some folks claim to be on their third or fourth pump in a relatively short time. Others are having problems with the foundations staying together, and nearly everyone seems to have a problem with MOLD and FUNGUS growing inside of and outside the air chambers.

So, I called Select Comfort, and they tell me that I have an "old style"(obsolete) pump that cannot be replaced, but for $165 (prorated price under the guarantee) they will send me a NEW STYLE (reconditioned) pump... but the guarantee on the NEW (reconditioned) pump doesn't start over, it will continue on as if it was still the old (obsolete) pump.

I am ordering the new (reconditioned) pump today, because it is cheaper than a new (NEW!) bed. I can't help but thinking that I am throwing good money after bad... but I am boxed in. I already have too much money in this piece of crap junkass #@*&^%!@# bed.

I'm sorry that you got screwed, too. But, it helps to know that I am not alone.

I'm sure they are paying Rush well to Hoo-Doo us.

[My hearts in London - Everett]

"Often the problem people have is that they are not producing enough acid. Taking antacids is the opposite of what you need at that point."

I have also heard that. A former boss of mine said he used to take a teaspoon of vinegar for it.

[k omalley]

I can completely sympathize. I have had reflux on occasion for several years, usually related to eating late or drinking wine too late in the evening.
A few weeks ago my MD started me on a long acting med for bone-thinning and since I took it I have had esophageal spasms. We stopped the med and he told me to come back if the problem persists. Meds for bone thinning can be bad news for anyone with reflux.
I have been self medicating the spasms with Pepcid and drinking Kefir. They are better but not gone. I'll give it a few more days and then I might have to go back to the doc. Don't want cancer. :-(

[Marmolade]

In its current condition, I can’t imagine how helpful it is for your husband’s back. Ours is still fairly new and I love it. It has helped a lot with back, shoulder, leg discomfort. I like that you can change the settings, which I do periodically. Sometimes I need it softer, sometimes harder.

[Secret Agent Man]

Yes. And it is because doctors and the medical establishments are trained to not really think about curing anything, just looking at whatever the standard protocol for treating this is, and it (and every other thing) is to prescribe an expensive drug that masks the symptoms of something. You cannot ‘cure’ anything in the medical field without a ‘drug’. And also your insurance can’t be billed for a non-drug. They won’t make money and sell their drugs if they give you vinegar and it works.

Try billing insurance for a bottle of vinegar. Or vitamins. Or herbs and natural substances that help with blood sugar, like cinnamon.

[Secret Agent Man]

Get off the diet soda if you can. Nutrasweet is not good for you.

[MeanWestTexan]

1. zantac, or any of the acide reducers mentioned

2. Don’t eat for a couple hours before bed.

3. Sleep at an incline. If nothing else, put a couple of old phone books under two legs of your bed.

[ConservativeMan55]

bttt

[Elle Bee]

Papaya will work for heartburn also

Just have some next time you get that acid reflux

If you eat some every day it will level out the acid in your stomach naturally

.

[My hearts in London - Everett]

Totally agree with everything you said. I use a natural product (CranDophilus) from a health food store occasionally. It works in the same time frame as an antibiotic would and costs me $16. In the short-term, it resolves pain in only a couple hours.

[Marie]

I had this problem about five years ago. My dr told me to take Pepcid AC every day for a month then report back to him. It went away and didn't come back for a few years.

Last year I got hit again and this time the (new) doc put me on a prescription antacid for two months. I've been fine since.

From what I understand, your esophageal sphincter can be damaged and repeated reflux can damage it more, hampering the healing process. By taking antacids and cutting back on the acid leakage, you can give your sphincter an opportunity to heal and cure the problem.

If it doesn't stop after a month of antacid treatments, you need to see your doc. (If it stops after only a *week* or two with antacids, you still need to keep taking them for the full month.) There are other things that can help. Better antacids, surgery, changing sleeping positions, etc.

(Another thing that can make it worse is drinking alcohol or eating a heavy meal right before bed.)

For me, it was a temporary thing that was able to be fixed. For some, it's more serious. But if you've never had problems before, I'd recommend giving the Pepcid AC a 30 day trial run.

[Frantzie]

Thanks for the tip. I will try it.