GERD

IL_lady · Post by **IL_lady** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 7:45 pm

Does any body else have this problem and what does your Dr. suggest???

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:10 pm

A LOT of us have it... it does seem to go along with OSA, but everyone has a different fix, including weight loss, PPI's, being careful about what you eat close to bedtime, etc., but raising the head of the bed (or tilting it) up just a little (some on bricks, or wedges between mattress and boxspring) seems to be a popular one.

dllfo · Post by **dllfo** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 10:21 pm

Worst case scenario, it caused Vocal Cord Dysfunction for me. When acid is coming up, at some point my system slams my vocal cords shut and they don't want to open. I pass out. BTW, speech is the secondary function for your vocal cords.

I use Nexium and Mylanta. If you sleep on your left side the acid cannot come up -- so they say.

There is more, but it probably will never apply to you. You can go to the National Jewish Hospital Website (Denver, CO) and read up on the subject.

LyleHaze · Post by **LyleHaze** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 7:16 am

I have had severe GERD issues, and have tried diet changes, PPIs, and even surgical solutions. None were effective. (I wish I never had that surgery)
I find that if I'm wearing my PAP machine ANY TIME I FALL ASLEEP I'm fine. Even a nap or a quick 5 minute snooze. Even a few minutes asleep without the machine and I'm in trouble.
That's just my experience, anyway.

Good Luck,
Lyle

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 7:58 am

Used to have serious issues with GERD, tried everything available OTC, then my doc prescribed Nexium ("The Purple Pill"). Been taking it daily for years, no more GERD, and no more esophageal erosion (that showed up through my endoscopy). For me, it is a miracle drug.

IL_lady · Post by **IL_lady** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 8:44 pm

this site is great you get all kinds of input that can be real helpful

GeneS · Post by **GeneS** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:57 pm

I had a hiatial hernia a number of years ago. I always had heartburn and Gerd at night then. I had an operation. They sewed the tear in my diaphram so my stomach would not move up and they cut the vegas nerve. The problem completely went away and I have eaten anything I want for a long time and very rarely have heartburn or Gerd. That operation was a number of years before I began using cpap. They have other solutions now so I do not know what would be the best way to go now. If I can I usually choose the alternative to cure the problem rather than take medicine to control the symptoms.
GeneS

catbirdgirl · Post by **catbirdgirl** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 4:38 pm

i have gerd. i started on nexium, but then changed insurances, too expensive, was taking prilosec but still coughing. also head of bed is more upright.

started eating kefir and yogurt more, mostly for calcium. have noticed the reflux cough is MUCH better now.

sleeplessinaz · Post by **sleeplessinaz** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 6:47 pm

Hi ---yes, I have GERD too. I try not to eat past 6 pm --that helps. I take TAGAMET --used to be by script only but now OTC. It seems to work great!! I tried Prilosec----does nothing. Prevacid works but is by script only and can be expensive.

Hope this helps-----seems like alot of us do have GERD---ICK---

Carrie

Sideswiper · Post by **Sideswiper** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:27 am

I also have GERD. Prevacid works wonders. I get my first CPAP loaner tonight, and it will be a long while until I try to get off of the Prevacid...

gmoorhouse · Post by **gmoorhouse** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 10:36 am

IL_lady wrote:Does any body else have this problem and what does your Dr. suggest???

Not sure what answers you are looking for. I have GERD but it rarely bothers me while using the CPAP. Gerd is something serious......look up Barrett's Esphogus (check spelling). It is nothing to play with so you need to control it however you can with life style changes and food modifications.

For me no medicines and diet have worked. I can eat toast at 5pm and have that acid reflux come up at 10pm........and then I can have pizza at 8 pm and not be bothered at 10 pm.......

don't ask but I don't know...........but give it a try with eating lighter and not soon to bed time......if you need medicine Nexium is the best for most and it also can reverse Barrett's Esphogus. One thing we can and cannot control to extents is something that probably bothers my GERD the most.....it's called STRESS. Learn to cope and cope to live. Live well and live strong.

Best Wishes.

girlsaylor · Post by **girlsaylor** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:34 pm

I also suffer from GERD and a hiatal hernia. Due to constant insurance changes from job changes, I think I can speak from experience that many insurances will not cover Nexium. None of the ones I've had will. The cheapest proton pump inhibitor (PPI) is generic omeoprazole, the generic for Prilosec OTC. It is the only PPI my insurance will cover and I had to appeal to get approved for twice a day dosage. Medicine is becoming a nasty word (or should I say drugs), in insurance lingo. As drug costs skyrocket, more and more health insurers will be limiting their drug formularies in order to reign in cost. Bottom line is what drives them and out of control drug costs are making it all but impossible for insurance companies to hold the line on premium costs.

girlsaylor

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:48 pm

Just for the record - only a tiny percentage of people with GERD will develop Barrett's esophagus or other conditions.

CalicoskiesNC · Post by **CalicoskiesNC** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:14 pm

I've had it since I was pregnant with my last son, started 15yrs ago. Back then I started on Zantac rx, then Prilosec came out by rx. I still take Prilosec, it makes my GERD seem completely gone. I take one Prilosec daily, I buy it OTC now.

Drinking milk helps me alot if I forget a pill.

filbert · Post by **filbert** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:57 pm

I had problems with Acid Reflux off and on for many years and usually took antacids. A few years ago my physician suggested that I take a Pepcid twice a day. It worked great for me.

I can buy non-prescription generic Pepcid Extra Strength (20 mg) at CostCo - enough for six months costs less than twenty dollars. I cut the extra strength tablets with a pill splitter so I can take 10 mg twice a day.

Now instead of buying a bottle of antacid every week I only buy one a year.

GERD

GERD

thanks

Re: GERD

GERD and treatment

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