My wife has struggled with Gastroesophageal reflux disease for years now. I imagine that this is fairly common with anyone who has to take the amount of medication that she does.
She’s tried all kinds of medications for reflux over the years. The last one that was prescribed for her was Zegrid, but that is no longer covered by insurance because it is available over the counter. I still don’t understand that logic. We pay a bit more for it now since it’s not covered, but it still seems to do a good job.
Things that seem to help in addition to the medication are:
- Avoiding carbonated beverages
- Reducing caffeine
- Avoiding late night snacks
My wife has a terrible time following any of these tips. Thank goodness for medication.
I know you said she has tried several different kinds of medicines for this, so I don’t know if she’s already tried this, but Aciphex worked wonders for me. I had the kind of GERD that felt like my chest was exploding any second.
I did try Aciphex
but I think I have it under control fro the time being at least. I can’t remember the name of the med but I take it twice a day. Zegrid maybe? I also cut out soda, seems to help. And that’s exactly what it feel like for me when it’s bad.
I have had lupus for almost 20 years but haven’t had a serious flare until last year. When I began to take my regimen of “skittles” as a friend calls it, I added quite a few supplements. I had HORRENDOUS chest pain due to reflux, and my reflux was so bad that it was what landed me in the hospital with pneumonia-like symptoms- wheezing and such a horrible cough and phlegm I felt as if I was dying. Although I can say it saved my life because it drew attention to a flare that no one noticed including myself that was silently, stealthily attacking my kidneys. It left me with 30 % kidney function when all was said and done. With the regimen I was prescribed my reflux got worse. Taking my medication EXACTLY as instructed (empty stomach, with a meal, wait hours before or after) helped and so did acidophilus. Just plain old acidophilus from the pharmacy in capsules. I take one each and every time I have to take medication, about ten minutes before or after. I rarely get a recurrence unless I overindulge eating a meal. There are times when I run out or resist taking my medicine on time and I live to regret it, but when this happens I take my acidophilus with an ICE COLD glass of water and continue sipping on the water to soothe the burn.
I have acid reflux too and so far the only thing that helps in the middle of the night is almonds. Weird, but it works for me.