Heartburns

Hello K., I work with a few girls who have the same problem and they all swear by Papya pills they buy fron GNC store I just thought I would share their advise with you. Good luck to you

K.; Me too! This is what I bought at WalMart; equate; acid reducer. If you are a member of Sam's club, they are cheaper and the main ingredient is: Ranitidine Tablets; USP, 75 mg. One a day did the trick for me. 120 tablets was about $8.00. Hope they work for you too! J.

Try eating an apple in the morning,taking Pepcid AC,avoid sugars and spicy foods (including salsa), and drink lots of water. All of the above work for me, but I don't have it that bad. I've read that taking Ginger Root helps as well. If that doesn't work, see a doctor for a prescription. Good Luck!

Hi K.,
I haven't read all of the other responses, so I apologize if I'm repeating. You should NOT be having heartburn everyday! You really need to talk to your doctor and find the root of the problem. When you fix it, the heartburn should go away or at least drastically decrease. Nexium and Tums treat the symptoms, but not whatever is causing the problem! Please see your doctor. And if you don't get a good answer, see another doctor, and maybe even another until you find someone who will help you! Good Luck. I hope everything is okay!

I found a list that you might find useful!

Natural Home Remedies for Heartburn
When you're suffering from heartburn, food might seem like the enemy. However, you'll find many home remedies in your kitchen that can actually reduce or prevent heartburn.

Home Remedies from the Cupboard

Almonds. Chewing 6 or 8 blanched almonds during an episode of heartburn may relieve the symptoms. Chew them well, though, to avoid swallowing air and causing yourself more discomfort.

Baking soda. Take 1/2 teaspoon in 1/2 glass water. Check the antacid use information on the box before using this remedy, however.

Warning! If you're on a salt-restricted diet, do not use baking soda. It's loaded with sodium. And do not use it if you're experiencing nausea, stomachache, gas, cramps, or stomach distention from overeating.

Cream of tartar. For an acid neutralizer, mix 1/2 teaspoon with 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in a glass of water. Take 1 teaspoon of the solution as needed.

Brown rice. Plain or with a little sweetening, rice can help relieve discomfort. Rice is a complex carbohydrate and is a bland food, which is less likely to increase acidity or relax the sphincter muscle

Soda crackers. This is an old folk cure that actually works. Soda crackers (preferably unsalted) are bland, they digest easily, and they absorb stomach acid. They also contain bicarbonate of soda and cream of tartar, which neutralize the acid. Tip: You know that package of soda crackers they always give you at the restaurant, that you leave on the table? From now on, take them with you. These come in handy when you're plagued by heartburn and can't seek immediate relief.

Vinegar. Mix 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1 cup warm water. Drink at the first sign of heartburn.

Home Remedies from the Drawer

Paper and pen. Keep a food diary. This can tell you which foods or food combinations cause that heartburn.

Home Remedies from the Faucet

Water. Drink water in between meals, not with meals. If you drink fluids with meals, you increase the volume of stomach contents, which makes it easier for heartburn to happen.

Home Remedies from the Refrigerator

Apples. They cool the burn of stomach acid. Eat them fresh, with the skin still on, or cook them for desserts.

Apple honey. This is a simple remedy that will neutralize stomach acids. Peel, core, and slice several sweet apples. Simmer with a little water over low heat for three hours until the mixture is thick, brown, and sweet to the taste. Refrigerate in an airtight container and take a few spoonfuls whenever you have the need.

Buttermilk. This is an acid-reliever, but don't confuse it with regular milk, which can be an acid-maker, especially if you are bothered by lactose intolerance.

Cabbage. Like apples, this is a natural fire extinguisher for stomach burn. For the best relief, put the cabbage through a juicer, then drink it.

Fruit juices. Skip juices from citrus fruits, but try these stomach-cooling juices for heartburn relief: papaya, mango, guava, pear.

Papaya. Eat it straight to reap the benefit of its natural, indigestion-fighting enzyme papain. Or drink 1 cup papaya juice combined with 1 teaspoon sugar and 2 pinches cardamom to relieve acid.

Warning! Pregnant women should not eat papayas; they're a source of natural estrogen that can cause miscarriage.

My mother use to eat Papaya pills .. they tasted good and she chewed about 4 a day ... Best of Luck to ya!

Something that has helped me tremendously and is more natural than medications is digestive emzymes. Sometimes the problem is not being able to break down food and the enzymes really help. You can get them at any drugstore or health food/vitamin store. Hope this helps you. : )

S.

PS Just curious, how much are you spending on Tums a month in comparison to the nexium?

You should definitly talk to your dr or phamacist before taking any other meds, especially if you are taking any other meds. Sometimes other meds can cause the heartburn. I do think "natural remedies" are best, however, not regulated by the FDA as medication, only as dietary suppliments & therefore, could interact with any other meds you are taking. The makers of nexium probably have a "coupon" incentive to get you to purchase their product, and could help offset your co-pay for Nexium.

Please, just talk with your doctor (or office staff) before trying anything else, for your protection.

K.
Pharmacy technician

Papaya enzyme worked really well for me when I was prego. I got it at the health food store. I will say though, that if I all ready had the heart burn it didn't help much. You might start it when you are heartburn free. I got to the point that I would eat a few every hour just to keep it from starting. It's all natural so I don't believe you can eat to much. Good luck!

A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar will get rid of hearburn and/or indigestion. You can also try baking soda and water. Both of these work and are much cheaper. Eating a few pieces of celery with your meal will also neutralize the acid that causes the heartburn.

I have found apple cider vinegar (heinze or another good brand) works great. I use about 1-2 tsp in the AM and then at dinner time. This also help with the PH of your female parts and you are not prone to bladder or vaginal infections. There is great information on the good things that cider vinegar does for you on the web. I have heard it can help with weight loss, but I am thin so haven't tried this. Good luck with the heartburn.
G. K

This sounds awful but a shot of apple cider vinegar works really well. Take it straight down and imagine you have just had a very tangy salad! Contrary to popular belief, heartburn is really a lack of the proper acids in your system for digestion. Taking antacids only takes you in a circle as you have already experienced. Try it...it really works and is much healthier than the drugs.

Hi K.,

When I was pregnant with my daughter I had TERRIBLE heartburn. My doctor suggested putting me on prilosec, but I really did not want to take medications like that which could possibly go to my baby. I too was taking 8-10 tums per day, which is WAY too much. My doula told me about Papaya extract tablets. You can pick them up at any vitamin store. I know for a fact GNC carries them, as that is where I purchased mine.

They worked like a CHARM! Not only are they all natural, no funny ingredients, so you can literally take as many as you need, but I didn't have to take as many. On a bad day, I took 4 through the day. On a good day I only needed 2.

K.,

Taking so many tums during the day may actually be making your heart burn worse. Tums is a base and neutralizes most of the acid in your stomach, signaling your body to produce more acid to be ready to break down food. It is a vicious cycle. So the more tums you eat the more acid is produced causing your heart burn to worsen.

First - I would recommend talking to a doctor that will not only help you control your symptoms, but also discover what may be causing the heart burn in the first place.

Second - keep a food diary for a month and write down everything you are eating and drinking (not just food, but medications as well) and list your symptoms throughout the day, especially after each time you eat. Don't forget to also keep track of the quantities of the foods and drinks you are consuming, as well as the time it was ingested, when your symptoms began, and the severity of your symptoms. Sometimes a small amount of green peppers or broccoli may be ok, but a large amount is not.

You may find from your food diary that in addition to a medical problem you might also have food allergies or intolerances, or your other medications may be making your heart burn worse.

You may need to go on the BRAT diet for a few days to help your stomach recover. Bananas, rice, apple sauce and toast. Most of these foods very close to neutral and help the stomach to rest. Milk products are closer to bases so they may make your heart burn worse, similar to tums.

Drink lots of water, remember to take a moderate sized sip at least once every 15 minutes and stay away from sodas, flavored drinks, etc. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist and find out if decaffeinated herbal teas will interact with any other medications you are taking. If teas are ok, try chamomile or peppermint - both are stomach soothers - but only drink one cup and let it settle for an hour or two and track your symptoms before making herbal tea a regular part of your day. Some people are allergic or intolerant to the flowers and herbs that are in teas, just like medications.

Good luck and I hope you are feeling better soon!

-C..

K.,

Have you seen your doctor about this? Heartburn that comes daily really needs to be checked by a doctor. I don't mean to frighten you but left unchecked and untreated over time you can develope very serious complications to your health. In the meantime try Mylanta or Rolaids to help with the discomfort and watch your diet, avoid things that have accid or are carbonated, avoid caffiene. Occasional heartburn is normal, constant heartburn is a warning sign. I hope you are able to get a doctor's opinion.

Best regards,
S.

Hi K.,
Have you tried Zantac 75 if your looking for over the counter, that seemed to work for me cause the Tums weren't doing anything. Do you have any type of prescription coverage cause Prevacid is another good one that my doctor prescribes for me.

Have you had a scope down your throat yet?You might need to call your Dr,my mom needed to have her asophagas(spelling is wrong im sure) opened wider because she had aton of bad heartburn. Hope this helps and good luck. Also I think previcid may be cheaper have you tried that or prilosec?

You got a lot of good advice.... do see your doctor and tell them that you can't affort Nexium, but in the mean time... cut out the things that promote heartburn: alcoholic beverages, carbonated beverages and caffeine containing beverages. If you are taking over the counter NSAID medications for fever, headache, minor pain and such, (Aspirin, Motrin, Ibuprophen, Naproxen,etc) they can cause stomach distress. You can use tylenol instead, as it is easier on the stomach. Good luck. My doctor switched me to generic prilosec, which is a closely related medication, which is cheaper. Good luck,
L.

I don't know if anyone already told you this but try Apple Cider Vinegar. I know it sound weird, but take approx 1-2 tablespoons and dilute it in some water (I used luke warm) then 'bottoms up.' I suffered from Heartburn REALLY bad during my pregnancy and this was the only thing that worked for me. My grandmother swore by it and I'm glad I took her advice. It takes some getting used to, but it's not that bad. Try it and let me know how it works.
Nicole :)

Have you ever tried baking soda and water? When I was pregnant that was the only thing that worked for me. Just use a shot glass and put 1/4 tsp of baking soda and fill the rest with water. Make sure you mix it up and swallow it fast. It doesn't taste very good (obviously) but it really works great. Also, my dad would do a shot of white vinegar. Again.... doesn't taste the best but works for him. Give these a try. They are both much cheaper and natural. Good luck!

I had severe gastic reflx in college and law school. Ot get it under control (you don't have "heartburn, if it is this persistent) I had to take medication and follow the following dietary restrictions for about 2 months, then start introducting things back:

no caffine
no alcohol
no raw veggies
no apples
no tomoto products (both cooked and uncooked)
no chocolate
no diary

basically, steamed chicken or fish, cooked veggies, rice and pasta (w/o sauce).

It was hard...but worked.

Yes. You very likely need to have your stomach adjusted. You're living the 2+ decade problem I had. The stomach is "out of whack". Referred to as a hiatel hernia. The way to get it back in place is simple, you can do it at home, save big bucks, or find an alternative practitioner to do it for you a couple times before you learn how to yourself.

One way is to drink a large amount of water, climb a couple stairs, and jump down from that height. the weight of the water and the impact should put it back in place. If it doesn't work, contact me and I can give you the tel. # to someone who's been doing this for years, and taught me how.

Honestly it's the difference between night and day. Better than popping Tums/Rolaids/nexium or snarfing toothpaste for the mint. Basically, by the way, it's the mint that will help calm the indigestion. Ginger and mint are both very soothing to the stomach.

I rarely suffer from heartburn anymore, but when I was pregnant, chocolate milk worked WONDERS for my heartburn!

My mom's Dr recomended Zantaz after she had a bleeding ulcer quite awhile back but that is pretty exspencive so in her searching for something different she found whats called Ranitidine which has the same ingredients as zantac but is less than $5.00 a bottle and you get 95 pills. Its for Heartburn, Acid Indigestion & Sour Stomachs. I tell everybody about it b-cuz its cheep and it REALLY works. We buy it at Sam's Club (it comes as two bottles for about $9.00) but I'm not sure if you can get it anywhere else. Try it I garentee it'll help you :)

Hi K.,
You have received a lot of advice already, but I will add my 2 cents worth. Your doctor must have prescribed Nexium because they thought that you have 'excess' acid, or acid reflux. Please do not go back on these type of medications- the latest findings are that people who have been on acid suppressing meds are now developing osteoporosis. The drugs suppress acid production, which affects the absorbtion of your food and calcium. You really don't have too much acid--as many other women suggested you probably need apple cider vinegar and/or digestive enzymes to properly digest your food. My friend's husband got off of the "purple pill" and is doing great with some Shaklee Stomach Soothing Complex, enzymes and chewable calcium tablets. You don't need drugs, as the side effects of taking them are not worth it. Why take a drug that could lead to osteoporosis, when you can treat yourself naturally and cheaply.
God Bless and contact me if you would like more information.
M.

I've had very bad heartburn during pregnancy and found the following has helped: eating a few large spoonfuls of plain yogurt about 5-10 minutes before I eat a meal. Chewing Papaya Enzyme after meals (you can find it at Whole Foods) and eating raw almonds. It doesn't always get rid of it completely so I occasionally will have a tums but it definitely cuts it down and cuts down how many tums I need. I've also found certain foods, especially chocolate and anything spicy, makes my heartburn worse so I try to stay away from those, although that's very hard with chocolate!

It kind of sounds like you should see a doctor, if it's happening this much. What I have done is baking soda and water...it's is gross beyond belief, but it works wonders! A glass of milk will give you tempory relief too. You have too much acid so you need to nuetrualize it with a base. Also, pay attention to what foods you are eating :)

Hi, K.. It sounds as though you have a condition known as GERD or Gastrointestinal Esophageal Reflux Disease.You are taking an excessive amount of Tums. This is NOT normal.It can be serious because as the acid backs up it burns the more tender tissue, as opposed to your stomach, of your throat. (It can even lead to Sinusitis). Prolonged exposure can cause throat cancer. The only way to be sure is to have an Endoscope. I was diagnosed a few years ago and the only medication that works is Nexium. Prior to Nexium I took Prilosec and then Prevacid which at the time were prescriptions. Now both are over the counter. It isn't "just" heartburn. The ramifications can be very serious. Denise K.

Stop eating carbohydrates. Reduce your intake. Increase yogurt. Try frozen blueberries. More exercise.

Hi K.,

I didn't read all the responses, sorry if this is a repeat...my husband suffers like you do. I have worried and thought it just wasn't normal, but his doctor is not that concerned. He takes Prilosec (over the counter) medicine. We were buying it at Costco - where they have a generic - comes in a purple box (but not a purple pill). He recently asked the doctor for a prescription and will our insurance it is cheaper that way. He takes a pill a day. It is a 24 hour pill. Hope it gets better.

My Husband had the same problem and has stepped down from the Nexium to Prilosic OTC.You can get a 90day supply for about $24 and sometimes you can find coupons or buy the store brand we buy the Meijer Brand alot and that is working for him Good luck.

Tell your doctor that Nexium is too expensive for you, and they ought to be able to switch you to a less expensive generic or a less expensive alternative like Zantac or Pepcid. Most doctors will work with you when you tell them they've prescribed a drug you simply can't afford.

Ouch! Is it something that can be corrected with your diet? Are you under a lot of stress? I work as a Wellness Consultant and can suggest many ways to go naturally, but we'd need to know why you are having the heartburn first.

I'm available to help if you want!

S.
____@____.com

Wow there are some things here that I have never tried.

I currently take Protonix, it is like Nexium, but, it is available in generic!!

Also, there is the generic form of Zantac (prescription strength) which costs under 10 dollars at walmart (i think it was one of their 4 dollar meds, which is cheaper than over the counter products).

I like the protonix better than all the other stuff. You will need to talk to your doctor and get a prescription, I did this over the phone. If you were on Nexium than you have already been diagnosed with gerd and it really is important to keep the heartburn under control because it can cause or be a contributing factor in throat cancer(that's what I was told, don't know if I remembered right).

My husband used to take Nexium also and his dr told him that Prilosac (sp??) - which is sold over the counter now - is basically the same thing. It is definitely cheaper than Nexium, but Costco also has their own brand (not sure if it is the Kirkland name or not). That is what he is taking now and it seems to work just as well.

Good luck!

You need to go to a gasternologist. Get on Prevacid. Its a great antacid. I take it daily. I know of a good gasternologist if your interested. I also know theres one over the counter other than tums and rolaids. I think its zantac. You could try that some people I know like that one. Good luck!

I know it sounds crazy, but it has helped me many times. I am not a fan of taking meds long-term (or at all, really) so I like this approach.
Okay...
Drink 1-2 tall glasses of water...pretty quickly (within a couple of minutes).
Stand on a bottom step (or a short step stool if you don't have steps in your house...maybe 6-8" off the floor).
Jump off the bottom step and try to land "hard" on the floor. If you are physically unable to do this for some reason, please do not try this...I would hate to have you injure yourself.

The solution comes when the "flap" at the bottom of your esophagus closes, then the acid can't creep up and cause heartburn.

If this helps, great. If not, it sure won't hurt that you tried (and you'll be hydrated for a while...which is also important!)

Good luck.

(Update -- I just read some other responses and see that someone else offered this remedy as well. I hope that makes it sound a little less crazy!)

K. ~
Have you tried over-the-counter zantac or pepcid (generic is fine)? The prescription dose was double the otc...zantac 150 mg, pepcid 20 mg.
try to make sure that you don't lay down after eating.
be careful with so much tums...there are other ingredients that might not be good when taken in excess.
D.

The following supplements from The Vitamin SHoppe or health food store: DGL-Licorice, mastic gum, and digestive enzymes It is a regimen my husband followed and it helped him a lot! Vinegar is also great for temporary relief because the vitamins as expensive too but they cure heartburn!

My husband and I both have heartburn issues. Have you tried any of the generics? Omeprazole (the generic for Prilosec) decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach. Omeprazole is used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions caused by excess stomach acid. Omeprazole is also used to promote healing of erosive esophagitis (damage to your esophagus caused by stomach acid).

We have perscription insurance, but I am sure you can try the Over the Counter stuff too. Nexium is a "top dog" of acid blockers, and it is definitely expensive (that is what my hubby uses). I have had good results with the Omeprazole as well.

And my Dr. always tells me that I need to watch what I eat, less greasy and spicy foods - and to not eat less than 2 hours before going to bed.

Good Luck!

I only had heartburn when I was pregnant but chocolate milk worked for me. Worth a try.

Have you tried Pepcid or Prilosec (not sure if that is spelled right). Those are both over the counter, and I don't think they are that expensive. There may also be some generics available. I know that the doctor put my youngest on Prevacid when she was a baby for reflux. You may be able to get a prescription for that as well. Again, with the insurance it wasn't that bad. You may also want to talk to your doctor to see s/he has any suggestions.

znatac works for me.

I used vinegar which is an acid in itself but it is the number one natural home remedy reported.
includes Apple, Japanese and white formulas.
It burns going down the esophagus but once it reaches the stomach the pain and discomfort of acid reflux ends
immediately. I finally went to the doctor because I couldn't stand the constant pain any longer and I was put on prevacid for 30 days which took care of my heartburn. My doctor told me that if I still had heartburn after the 30 days it may be a more serious problem which may require further testing and possibly surgury. Hope you feel better soon!

K.,
Have you seen a doctor regarding this? It seems like if you are getting heartburn daily it could be else. It seems strange that you would have to take so many over the counter remedies...If it is heartburn maybe a Dr. could give you something to manage it better with out taking so many pills. Good Luck, I hope you find a remedy!

Hey K.,

I see you have numerous responses and did not read through them all, but I too have daily heartburn due to a hole I have in my esophagus, not due to diet. My godsend has been Pepcid AC, its over the counter also, I found that since the pills are so big, I can break them in half and half of one works just as good as the whole one, so the bottle lasts twice as long.

I hope this helps.

Try the store brand of maximum brand pepcid. Same ingredients as pepcid but way cheaper and you only need two max a day. Also, make sure your diet is not contributing to your heart burn.

Okay, I know this is late, but let me just put my 2¢ out there... I recently had a bout of this myself. I have NEVER had heartburn in my life. And I eat all kinds of spicy stuff and caffeinated things and onions, etc.. never had a problem. Then one night after pizza for dinner, actually in the middle of eating it-- WHAMMO! I thought, literally, that I was having a heart attack and was petrified. Saw the doctor.. essentially.. it was heartburn. After a few days it was still there, but the symptoms had changed slightly (poking feeling in my back, still a little shorter breathing, no burning sensation, etc). I went back and confirmed with an EKG that it was NOT my heart.
I was told to take Prilosec (or the generic omniprazole) daily for 3 months straight. Even if symptoms subsided. They did, and I discontinued after about 9 weeks (dumb me)... it started to come back two nights later.. I started back on it for about 3 more weeks (made the total about 3 months like had been told to do) and then stopped. No more problems. Taking the prilosec allowed the "one time" damage to my esophagus to heal. I also was advised to reduce stress (I had been VERY stressed lately over some school issues with my son, and general Mommy stuff - taxi service and crazy life stuff) and to avoid MINT. The stress can cause you to produce more acid, and also caused ME to tighten my neck and shoulders, producing tension headaches on top of everything else. For whatever reason, some people are more sensitive to mint. I can now eat my citrus that I love, just not right before I lay down for bed.
If you have not been to the doctor, I do recommend you do that. There could be other things going on that could make your this a long-term issue. This is just what happened to me and what I did.
I hope you get some relief!

Sounds like you may have Acid Reflux. You should talk to a doctor and have it checked out, as it can lead to a lot of other severe problems down the road if it is not treated properly. Plus they can tell you things to avoid, like tomatos and red sauces, potatoes/french fries, lunch meats/hot dogs/sausage and fried food in general. There is a list of other things, but these were my main culprits. However, I will tell you don't let it go untreated. There are other medications out there that maybe able to help control it with a prescription. Mine went undiagnosed for years because I really did not have a lot of heart burn, I ended up needing my stomach pumped because my esophagus had slowed down function-then when they did the upper g.i. they thought I had cancer. So please, please talk to your doctor.