This is what I am already doing:-
I have my bedhead elevated on wooden blocks: I sleep sitting propped up: I try not to have anything to eat or drink after my dinner, (although that doesn't really make a heck of a lot of difference really) Prescribed medication for it is LOSEC - 1 in the morning 1 before bed, (prescribed after an endoscopy two years ago which didn't show up anything anyway). One of the things that does concern me now is that I have recently (Dec)started on Fosamax, and wondering about possible oesophegus stuff. Not due to see my spec. until April though, so thought some of you wonderful wise people might have some new ideas or tips for me.
I read on the internet somewhere that sleeping on your left side is better, something to do with anatomy etc. Well, sometimes!
I have also seen bed wedge advised and advertised on the net. Does anyone have any experience of those??
On the positive side, the last couple of weeks I have been able to clean my house, CLEAN MY DISGUSTING OVEN, AND get into my gardening. My hands and arms gave me a really bad day after cleaning the oven, but it was really worth it.
I hope your springtime and warmer days come soon for you.
Thanks
Jeanne, have you tried adjusting when you take your medication, and when you last eat before going to bed. Maybe you can make some changes and take your meds differently and that will help. Also I have heard that carbonated drinks shortly before going to bed can cause heartburn for some people.
If you play around with things and still have heartburn, I would speak to your doctor about it, especially with the new medication in the mix. He might be able to suggest something else, or add Prilosec or another medication that will help you out.
Kiwilass,
I used to have heartburn and believe that it was from the prednisone and the tylonol 3 that I was taking. I believe that I should have been taking both with food or at least milk which I do now. You should consider vinegar.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heartburn
Excellant information about heartburn and even about vinegar which really works. Vinegar should be organic unpasturized.
P.S. Of course you are sure to stand up or fully sit up for at least 30 minutes after taking phosomax, right? Rheumy said that esophogus is only damaged by the drug if after taking you do not completely sit up or stand up for thirty minutes after taking. If not the drug will disolve close to the esophagus and do damage.
I too have terrible heartburn and errosive esophagas. recently, the following have helped.
Drink more water. cut the coffee down to NONE.. (I can't do that but have gone from 10-12 cups a day to 2 or 3..) Cut virtually all fats, no chips, no fried foods, NO carbonated drinks...add tree nuts, and more veggies.
The only heartburn I have had in the past 6 weeks, since starting this new regimin was the night of super bowl, when I was a moron and ate chips, dipp, drank coffee, and had fried wings.. boy did I pay.
Hi Jeanne - my tried & true remedy is 1/2 - 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda in warm water - works almost instantly. However this is an old remedy and I have been told it shouldnt be taken with those with high blood pressure - dont know if this is true with such a small amount - check with your dr. It is effective &I may just give the vinegar a try too.
Thanks for the input.
You really need to go on a gastric pump inhibitor like nexium, protonix,
Once again, thanks everyone for all that. Lorster, I take LOSEC in the morning and evening, that is a proton pump inhibitor (also known as Gastrolox, Moprol & Prisolec, so that's covered, but thank your for your concern.
Actually, I have just discovered something else, that I thought I might pass on as well, in case it's helpful for someone else. Three nights ago, after being so uncomfortable and not being able to get to sleep with the heartburn - again - happening for months now, I decided to try my wheat bag - which I guess is something like your rice sock, heated in the microwave, which I use on my ankles, wrists and shoulders when needed.
Ok, so I heated that in the microwave went back to bed and laid it on my chest (in between my boobs - if I had any
CinDee
[QUOTE=Kiwilass]Once again, thanks everyone for all that. Lorster, I
take LOSEC in the morning and evening, that is a proton pump inhibitor
(also known as Gastrolox, Moprol & Prisolec, so that's covered, but thank
your for your concern.
Actually, I have just discovered something else, that I thought I might
pass on as well, in case it's helpful for someone else. Three nights ago,
after being so uncomfortable and not being able to get to sleep with the
heartburn - again - happening for months now, I decided to try my wheat
bag - which I guess is something like your rice sock, heated in the
microwave, which I use on my ankles, wrists and shoulders when needed.
Ok, so I heated that in the microwave went back to bed and laid it on
my chest (in between my boobs - if I had any ). Also wrapped it
round my wrists for them at the same time, sat back, and WOW! I
couldn't believe it. I was aware of it being very warm (it's midsummer
here)on my skin, but couldn't feel the heartburn. I can't remember laying
there for very long, but woke up and it was morning, I was still laying
propped up on my pillows, clutching this wheatbag. Haven't had such a
sleep for a long time. So three nights good sleep in a row so far, and I'm
not putting off going to bed. I feel so much better in general from having
good sleeps as well. Fingers crossed that it keeps working, and idea
might help someone else.