Points to Remember:
Sometimes more than just taking medication is needed to help control acid reflux symptoms. Lifestyle modifications are needed too. In fact, one of the first steps doctors usually recommend for patients who suffer from chronic heartburn is lifestyle modifications. This includes what foods we eat and don't eat. While foods aren't always a trigger for heartburn, the majority of patients do state eating certain foods is sure to cause heartburn. If you are not sure which foods trigger your heartburn, you can try keeping a record of what you eat, and any symptoms that may occur afterwards, for a week or two. If you've eaten several foods during a meal and don't know which one triggered your heartburn, you can re-introduce each food one at a time into your diet to determine which one is causing the heartburn. To help with meal planning, you can check out the list of most often safe foods for heartburn sufferers, and foods to avoid. You may also want to check out some heartburn-free menu suggestions. You can also follow these meal planning quick tips and tips for calming nighttime heartburn.
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I’ve had sporadic heartburn since I was 15, and I’m 24 now. I’ve seen countless doctors and been on countless drugs for it. It only happens once a month for me, so they won’t investigate further, but for that one night a month, I don’t sleep, and it affects many areas of my life.
So, if you haven’t already, try the things that are recommended, such as:
-lift the bedposts near your head
-DON’T EAT for 4-5 hours before you sleep or lay down (for a long time)
-Stay away from foods that trigger the heartburn (different for everyone, but I would suggest staying away from spicy, citrus-y and really fatty foods)
I got so upset with my doctors, that they eventually just started giving me Vicodin to take care of the 1 night per month that it happens, since NOTHING else would help.
Good luck with it, and try another drug if Ranitidine isn’t working for you (perhaps the little purple pill?)
i totally understand you need to see a gasto doctor have them run test on you cause like me i have had acid reflux for 8 yrs and im having major stomach problems now too the point i cant hardly eat anything and getting sick when i do eat so too make along story short get checked out before it gets out of control like me im 36 and feel like im dieing inside
Hi Drew,
I have acid reflux and was prescribed Ranitidine 150mg, along with Prevacid and Raglan. As far as I’m concerned that medicine [Ranitidine] did nothing for me either. It only controls heartburn [well it supposed to control heartburn]
Have you tried Prilosec? This is what I take to treat my acid reflux. It’s an OTC drug that you can take only one time a day, before eating.
This medicine works like a charm for me. There are no side effects that I experience and it’s a lot better than taking a total of three different meds to treat one disorder.
Try drinking a tsp of cider vinegar every day in a little water. It does help. You can also buy the organic cider vinegar at any health food store.
I absolutely agree with Susan, Apple cider vinegar mixed with a spoonful of honey to taste works miracles with me.