[jennie]

do i have to take tummy meds for the rest of my life???

[(JD)]

good question.... suggest you google it. But even if you do, that's much better than losing your esophagus, voice... etc, right? TC

[kendray4]

If you have acid reflux disease you may need life-long medication, it depends on the severity of the illness and whether you can treat the acid reflux with lifestyle changes. Some with acid reflux do need to take meds for life, but many only need short-term or intermittently

[TerryL]

I have had acid reflux for 13 years. I was on Prilosec for 3 of those years but I did not want to be on meds for the rest of my life so I stopped. I don't know what kind of meds you are on but all meds have side effects. I found out that proton pump inhibitors (which is what Prilosec, Nexium, etc are) cause stomach polyps and yes, I now have them and there are too many to remove. My gastroenterologist says the polyps are benign and I hope he is right.

I have also since realized that the whole concept of proton pump inhibitors does not make any sense. They lessen the amount of acid produced but I feel that is doing more harm than good. My body does not have too much acid, the acid is just leaking up. My body needs the acid to digest my food so I can get the nutrients. So instead of reducing the much needed acid, I have altered my lifestyle. I learned that oily foods and proteins take longer to digest than carbohydrates so I watch what I eat especially at dinner time and I try to eat a smaller dinner also. I also heard it takes about 3-4 hours to get food out of one's stomach (of course that also depends on how much one eats) so I try to limit my food and liquid intake after 6pm. (I sleep at 11pm) If you can sleep easily with your torso elevated that probably is the safest way to go. For many years I could not tolerate sleeping elevated so I kept sleeping horizontally. But 3 years ago I found out my condition had become pre-cancerous so now I force myself to sleep with my torso elevated (I sleep on a wedge). I have tweaked it a bit though--I start the night that way but after a few hours, when hopefully my stomach has emptied more, I will go back to sleeping horizontal. So far so good. I also read that because of the way the stomach is configured, sleeping horizontally but on one's left side can be okay, so I have incorporated that into my regime. It took a lot of trial and error for me to get to this point. Of course your condition and situation might be different from mine. I hope you can find a way that will work for you. Just make sure you get monitored by your doctor. Good luck now!

[Travelinglady]

I have had this problem for about 20 years, and I am now on the strongest meds for it, without success. I am looking at possible surgery for the hiatal hernia that is causing it. I was sent to the surgeon by an ENT, who says she has done all she can for me. (I have just learned that I might also have gall bladder problems, which isn't helping the gas/reflux problem either.)

To answer your question, yes, most likely. Of course, keep in contact with your doc and stay under his/her observation.

[yellowted]

it depends on the cause, hiatus hernias for example cause acid reflux and can be treated with key hole surgery if deemed bad enough, if not then antacid meds should keep it at bay if taken regularly as prescribed.

I take 150mg ranitidine twice daily and it usually keeps it at bay unless i go mad on greasy/fatty foods, citrus stuff or fizzy drinks/wine.

i also sleep on a wedge of pillows so my shoulders are much higher than my bum.

i was advised to eat my main meal at lunch time and have nothing at all after 6 pm and that it is better to have 6 small meals than three regular ones, but i find this impossible most of the time as i don't get downstairs much before 11am.

when the reflux is really playing up i find laying on my stomach with my knees up as high as high as they will go helps calm it down for some reason.

acid reflux can cause polips throughout your digestion tract, most are benign but it is advisable to get this checked yearly as some strains can turn cancerous, though this takes qiute a while. polips are usually identified and removed at the same time using a camera and tiny tools on long bendy handles up your bum or down your throat depending on which end they are checking. usually polips are removed at around 4mm in size, though mine was 4cm and in the pre cancerous stage when i was checked last year. (on removal they tattooed the site so they can check it is ok :0 )

[Travelinglady]

Good points, Yellowted. There are things that can be done that can help with the reflux, besides just meds--such as propping up with a pillow, watching what and when you eat!