Heartburn / Medication

With everything going on nowadays this is somewhat a little off-topic! But hey, I'm starting to enjoy this ATS carry on so I thought I would ask you guys.

Who here suffers from Heartburn? Mild/Severe/Chronic

Do you take any medication for it? If so, what?

I'm fascinated because I myself have an issue with heartburn and have been prescribed Omeprazole. Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor and used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastric and duodenal ulceration, and gastritis. I have been taking it on and off for around a year now and it does the trick. However I periodically choose to stop taking the drug in the hope that my heartburn has subsided only to find that it is still there, and it is still fiery mad!

I really don't want to be taking medication for the rest of my days but if I were to, would it have an adverse affect on my health? What's your experience(s)?

angryhulk
With everything going on nowadays this is somewhat a little off-topic! But hey, I'm starting to enjoy this ATS carry on so I thought I would ask you guys.

Who here suffers from Heartburn? Mild/Severe/Chronic

Do you take any medication for it? If so, what?

I'm fascinated because I myself have an issue with heartburn and have been prescribed Omeprazole. Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor and used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastric and duodenal ulceration, and gastritis. I have been taking it on and off for around a year now and it does the trick. However I periodically choose to stop taking the drug in the hope that my heartburn has subsided only to find that it is still there, and it is still fiery mad!

I really don't want to be taking medication for the rest of my days but if I were to, would it have an adverse affect on my health? What's your experience(s)?

edit on 13/12/13 by angryhulk because: (no reason given)

I take Pepcid or Pepcid Complete. Both are super effective for me. Omeprazole is mildly effective for me, and has not "stat" usage (meaning you can't fix heartburn right this moment with it...it takes a few days to build up and be effective....like Nexium).

Prevention is important, too. For me donuts are the worst. If i eat a donut, i first have to take something to prepare for it.

In general a lot of heartburn is caused by either h. pylori, or by eating a combination of carbs and fats together. H. pylori is an infection that causes ulcers. But the carbs and fats together...that is chemistry.

reply to post by angryhulk


I used to get heart burn after nights out drinking.
Baking soda and water solved it instantly everytime.

Tucket
reply to post by angryhulk

 

I used to get heart burn after nights out drinking.
Baking soda and water solved it instantly everytime.

This can be dangerous, however.

reply to post by bigfatfurrytexan


Can't prolonged exposure to heartburn branch out into other issues as well? I worry sometimes that maybe the meds are simply masking the issue rather than helping.

Nothing worse than necking gaviscon out the bottle either, daily.

reply to post by angryhulk


Of course I take medicine.
Costs about 2 bucks a box.
Baking soda, big pharma just wants your cash, they don't care about the side effects.

(Edit)
I forgot to add that recently I have been using chia seeds and it seems to work pretty good. It has been awhile since I have had any symptoms, that may be an indicator.

reply to post by angryhulk

I have severe/chronic heartburn. I have tried Nexium, and it worked very well, but my insurance stopped covering it in favor of the cheaper Omeprazole which works just as well. Just like you, if I stop I am instantly made aware of the fact that I missed a dose. After a year my doc sent me to a gastroenterologist and he did an endoscopic evaluation of my stomach to make sure I didnt have an ulcer or something worse (nothing found). And like another poster said, different foods will set it off. Doughnuts and coffee for me. Also like another poster said, Baking Soda and water get instant results, and an increadible burp to go with it. OTC Pepcid complete is a brilliant idea because these medicines take a while to get into your system, so it includes an ant-acid for immediate relief while the medicine takes its time to work. I wish you well my friend.

bigfatfurrytexan

Tucket
reply to post by angryhulk

 

I used to get heart burn after nights out drinking.
Baking soda and water solved it instantly everytime.

This can be dangerous, however.

How so?
2nd line
3rd line

bigfatfurrytexan

Tucket
reply to post by angryhulk

 

I used to get heart burn after nights out drinking.
Baking soda and water solved it instantly everytime.

This can be dangerous, however.

Far less than medication with dozen of side effects, which are also hard on the digestive system and which are also designed to never fix the problem since their main motivation is money.

While on the other hand, Baking Soda has been used in conjunction with other ingredients to fight off cancer.

Now, which sounds more dangerous?

angryhulk
reply to post by bigfatfurrytexan

 

Can't prolonged exposure to heartburn branch out into other issues as well? I worry sometimes that maybe the meds are simply masking the issue rather than helping.

Nothing worse than necking gaviscon out the bottle either, daily.

my grandad died from a cancer caused by lifelong heartburn

Personally, I also take baking soda when I get a heartburn. My dad liked to drink a liter of aloes vera, pure extract. It would sooth his stomach, and if he took it for a whole month, he would be many, many, many months before any problems would reappear.
And he was used to eating junk...

What is nice with aloes is that you can easily grow it, cut the big juicy leaves and freeze them until needed.

Personally, I also take baking soda when I get a heartburn. My dad liked to drink a liter of aloes vera, pure extract. It would sooth his stomach, and if he took it for a whole month, he would be many, many, many months before any problems would reappear.
And he was used to eating junk...

What is nice with aloes is that you can easily grow it, cut the big juicy leaves and freeze them until needed.

My idea is so cool the system double posted it! Yeah! lol

theMediator

bigfatfurrytexan

Tucket
reply to post by angryhulk

 

I used to get heart burn after nights out drinking.
Baking soda and water solved it instantly everytime.

This can be dangerous, however.

Far less than medication with dozen of side effects, which are also hard on the digestive system and which are also designed to never fix the problem since their main motivation is money.

While on the other hand, Baking Soda has been used in conjunction with other ingredients to fight off cancer.

Now, which sounds more dangerous?

There are no blanket statements. Especially when dealing with chemical plants like biological beings.

However, with someone who has CHF or high blood pressure, taking a little arm and hammer to treat frequent heartburn can kill them. There are a slew of health issues that should be considered.

reply to post by bigfatfurrytexan


Can you explain how baking soda and high blood pressure can kill you? Sincerely interested in hearing that.

NowanKenubi
reply to post by bigfatfurrytexan

 

Can you explain how baking soda and high blood pressure can kill you? Sincerely interested in hearing that.

Really people? This many questions over something that can be so easily searched out?

Contraindications To Baking Soda

reply to post by bigfatfurrytexan


I'm sorry! I thought we were on some kind of discussion forum. I didn't know we could not ask information from people who say they know something.

Then again, why come and mention anything? Really?

double post again... lol

I used to suffer from severe heartburn that ultimately caused a very serious esophagitis (sp?) After spending hundreds of dollars on meds I went to a natural Dr who insisted I was allergic to wheat. He took me off wheat for 3 weeks and had me drink ginger tea on an empty stomach. By the time 2 weeks passed my esophagitis was nearly cured and by week 3 I had no more heartburn. I then reintroduced wheat and sure enough, it came back. So now I am very healthy and don't even remember what heartburn feels like. This also took care of my brainfog and visual migraines. Hope this helps! (Took out corn too!)

Spader
reply to post by angryhulk

 

I have severe/chronic heartburn. I have tried Nexium, and it worked very well, but my insurance stopped covering it in favor of the cheaper Omeprazole which works just as well. Just like you, if I stop I am instantly made aware of the fact that I missed a dose. After a year my doc sent me to a gastroenterologist and he did an endoscopic evaluation of my stomach to make sure I didnt have an ulcer or something worse (nothing found). And like another poster said, different foods will set it off. Doughnuts and coffee for me. Also like another poster said, Baking Soda and water get instant results, and an increadible burp to go with it. OTC Pepcid complete is a brilliant idea because these medicines take a while to get into your system, so it includes an ant-acid for immediate relief while the medicine takes its time to work. I wish you well my friend.

That's great you got the camera down there as well and they found nothing (of any concern), because you never know what's going on really. I was considering asking my GP to refer me to a specialist for the same procedure.

I didn't actually suffer from heartburn up until maybe 3 years ago following surgery. My stomach was constantly being pumped of its acid and I feel this may have weakened the heartburn valve (i.e. the lower esophagael sphincter).

Good stuff.

reply to post by bigfatfurrytexan


In moderation I don't believe baking soda would harm anyone, or even in some extreme cases.
Excessive baking soda will make you puke, purging your system of the acid as well as the base.
I know as I have done this before intentionally, and boy do you feel right as rain after you get all of the poison out of you.
I'd imagine for the small few who baking soda would kill, already had ticket in hand, bags packed and one foot out the door.
Seriously though, bicarbonate of sodium is an old world remedy, I learned it from my Grandpa who learned it from one of his ancestors.