I am wanting to know the same. I am a little freaked out. I have talked with my Doctor and she prescribed Protonixs and Zantac but I really think I may go in and get checked to be safe. I am having the same sensations that you are.

Yes I had to have a bunch of heart tests but it turned out it was all heartburn or acid reflux. I am also a major exerciser but I have friends who also run marathons etc and have had heart attacks. So be careful.

Try a zantac or a PPI and see if it goes away. Zantac usually works in about a half hour. PPIs can take longer. If you still have the symptoms I would go to the doctor.

Good Luck

Hi I hope your doing better tonight! I have the same burning and it can get really bad! I also have white coat syndrome and know how bad that can be too. I would go to the doctor if it's not gone by now just to be sure! I know how hard that can be!

Take care and again hope your doing better tonight.

Vicki.

I finally gave in and went to urgent care clinic. The doc checked me out thoroughly and it definitely wasn't my heart. He told me to get Zegerid OTC which is twice as effective as Zantac, Prilosec, Prevacid, etc. but now available OTC. He also prescribed a liquid potion called Carafate?? Also, Vicodin for stomach cramps. But guess what happened? I was good for 24 hours, then the following evening I woke up in the middle of the night with the worst bloating and gas that was NOT relieved by having a bowel movement. I couldn't believe it! I did indulge in late night snacking (my downfall) so I think I thought because I was taking the meds, I could eat anything now....wrong!

Anyway, the doc said it's probably severe acid reflux and probably a flareup of my diverticulitis. Just wanted everyone to know it wasn't a heart attack!

Hi Ltb3105,

Glad to hear everything came back normal. I know how scary all that stuff can be. I feel for you. I love having a snack at night, used to I should say. I really have to be careful now. No eating after 6 or 7 for me. This rule is very important. I cheat now and then but as a rule I don't eat late in the evening anymore.

I've learned a lot from Lesleygym. It helped me a lot. I found it best to go bland with my foods. Patience is key here as well. Just learning what bothers you and changing your diet will help.

I hope you feel better and I am wishing well,

Vicki.

Gonna be a trial and error kind of thing. Foods that never bothered me upset me now. So guess it's a process of elimination. My sis in law had the same thing and she went on a very bland diet for a couple of weeks. She slowly added some foods back one by one to see if they upset her stomach.

I hate this.

Ltb3105..

I am glad to hear it is not your heart and I am not surprised. Acid reflux is considered the great mimicer!

Sorry you have felt so lousy! Acid reflux can make you feel that way for sure! I know how bad it can be. I hope you feel better really soon. Black pepper is the number one thing I have to stay away from!

Vick,, thanks for the comment.. you know I am so gald to have helped you! Thank you for your support as well.. I will email you later today!

Vicki is right. It is all about diet and it is a learning curve and takes time. It can get way better and you can eliminate heartburn and burning tummy for long periods of time. You just have to get really good at the diet part and stop eating about 5-6 hours before bed time. Eliminating reflux while sleeping is another major issue.

Start a food diary and figure out what bothers you and then stay away from those foods. Then it will get way better. You can heal the esophagus for sure.

Good Luck,

Lesley

Mine started with a sore throat that wouldn't go away. Finally, after a month, I was placed on PPIs. I've lost track of what I've taken, but am currently on Dexilant. Some days are better than others. I agree with what everyone here is saying.

You really have to watch what you eat and pretty much eat a bland, low-fat diet, which does make it almost impossible to go out to eat. I've been doing a lot more cooking with herbs since I have to avoid pepper, garlic and onion. Parsley is supposed to be good for reflux, and I've used it quite a bit when preparing chicken, fish and pasta dishes.

But what works for one person can cause another person to have a flair-up, so unfortunately, it really it a lot of trial and error.

Another thing to be aware of is your stress. Stress can add to reflux. For me, this can be a catch-22, I'm stressed over the reflux, and as a result, I have a flair-up. I'm working on incorporating deep breathing into my day to see if this helps.

Hope you're doing better!

Hi all, can anyone advise me on what veggies to eat besides baked potatoes? I heard that salads, broccoli and cauliflower are not the best choices for reflux. How about legumes? I had lentil soup the other day and it seemed to be ok. Also, they say fiber is good especially if you have diverticulitis, which I have, although a friend of mine has similar issues and if she touched anything that is high fiber, she'd have to run straight to the bathroom!

Thanks all, and I hope everyone is starting to feel better, have a wonderful weekend!

Hi Ltb3105

I think your right about those veggies you mentioned. It just might be me, but every time I eat broccoli or cauliflower raw it seems to give me heartburn. I seem to do better with them cooked, but I generally don't eat too many of them anyway.

I have diverticulosis , not diverticulitis but I swear I think some foods effect that also. I think you need to be careful and just watch how everything effects you when eating them.

I hope you are having a no acid reflux day.

Good luck and wishing you the best.

Vicki.

Thanx, Vick! Also, since my flare up seems to have calmed down, should I take an acid reflux med every day now to ward off any future flare ups?

Hi Ltb3105

I so don't want to give you the wrong advice. I can't really speak to the PPI's. I can't tolerate them myself. I think if you can tolerate them and take them when needed, you would probably do well to take them. I am new to all of this and just learning. I think one of the most important things is your diet.

You really have to watch what you eat, and at what time you eat. No eating late, it really can make you miserable. That acid will just travel up and before you know it your in a flair up.

I read on most of the labels on the PPI packaging that your are not supposed to take longer than 14 days. I have also heard that about the prescribed ones. I would ask your doctor, whether its calling them or asking them on your next office visit.


I am glad to hear that you feel better! and are not in a flair up!

God Bless!

Vicki.

Thank you Vicki!!! Also, would it be safe to take an OTC acid reflux med every day to ward off future flare ups? I'm taking Zantac right now but last night I ate a medley of mixed fruit, cantaloupe, grapes, pineapple and strawberries and ended up in the bathroom! My stomach wasn't upset, nor did I have heartburn, but everything came out of me, if you know what I mean.

This process of elimination (no pun intended!) really blows!!!

Hi Ltb4105

I am not completely sure about taking Zantec for everyday use. I know someone that just said it was one of the milder ones but you still have to be cautious.

I think you could try it for a few weeks but I think it might be wise to ask your doctor just the same. I think I've heard not to take for longer than 14 day but Zantec might be different.

I hope you don't have another bathroom episode again. I know that was not fun! Maybe that was too much fruit for you all at once?

I hope you're feeling better tonight!

God Bless!

Vicki.

I agree with VIcki, as always!

Be careful with the Zantac and PPI's. I try not to take either very often. In the short term the research shows they are OK but long term they have concerns.

Take the Zantac to get out of the end of your flare up and then see how you do with diet but talk about the meds with the doctor and research them. Diet is the best way to manage this issue, if you can. It takes time to figure it all out. Some times the meds can give you the problem you had or it is the type of fruit you had. Strawberries are bad for acid etc..

Sorry you went through that! I hope you feel better.. just be careful with the diet part.

Lesley