Click on Home for more heartburn information.
Other message boards can be viewed at: Message Boards
Post new questions on the New Message Board
[ Home | Contents | Search | Next | Previous | Up ] This is a Read Only archive.
From: CK
Date: 11/28/01
Time: 11:01 PM
I have been off PPI's (Prevacid 1st,Acifex last) now for 7 months. I have had two Upper GI's and a manometry test over the course of 2 years. I have experienced chronic acid reflux for approximately 3 years. In the last six months I have had a remarkable improvement in my acid reflux symptoms. I tried almost everything: DGL, Ginger Tea, different diets, and ofcourse PPIs. When the PPIs started not working (about 1.5 years after I started taking them) I decided there had to be another way.
I have read two books that have helped me: Sherry A. Rogers, M.D. book "No More Heartburn" and Harvery Diamond "Fit For Life - A New Beginning". Both of these books are good reading to get an idea of food and lifestyle changes I followed to get off PPIs and virtually eliminate my acid reflux symptoms.
Sherry Rogers "No More Heartburn" recommends a diet that virtually eliminates all yeast containing foods from your diet. You will not starve if you follow her recommendations. There is scientific evidence that many people have too much yeast in their bodies, specifically their GI tracts (esophagus, small & large intestines). This is a result of the yeast laden foods we eat and the antibiotics we take. The antibiotics kill the good flora that keeps the yeast in check.
Harvey Diamond's book "Fit For Life" recommends mono-dieting and excercise to help the body heal itself. Think about it: you have inflammation and irritation in your esophagus/gi tract. What is the best way to heal it? Your body will heal itself if allowed to.
There is no pill or silver bullet approach to healing your acid reflux. It will take you a series of life-style changes and discipline, but you can do it. Your long-term health will improve significantly and you will be a new person. Spend less than $30.00 this holiday season and read these books, then make a plan to do something other than just taking PPIs and worrying about surgery.
Take care and never give up hope.
- CK