Welcome to the Heartburn/GERD Discussion Board

I have Barretts Esophogeus as a result of having Gerd, untreated, for many years. It is a precancerous condition that requires me to have an endoscopy every two years so they can take a biopsy. The esophogeus actually erodes from this condition. I also have a hiatal hernia which doesn't help matters. I take Prevacid which does a pretty good job - I still get a lot of the symptoms that everyone has described but it's mostly when I overindulge or eat late. My best advise - don't ignore the symptoms - it will probably only get worse.

I have GERD. Was diagnosed a few years back. I have suffered heartburn, indigestion, reflux, choking for 15 years. (heartburn since my late teens). I was given a prescription, which worked, but was very expensive. And I was told I was to take this for the remainder of my life. If I gained weight or got pregnant, it would get worse. I asked about long term side effects of the medication, and was told there were none known. That's not good enough for me. I don't want to wake up 10 years from now only to find out something serious has occurred from regular use of the drugs.

So... I've been trying to manage through diet & lifestyle. I do find that when I eat properly, slowly, and in smaller portions, my symptoms almost go away. I also have been taking a good digestive enzyme to aid in that, and although it's only been a few months, I think I'm seeing an improvement.

2 years ago, I followed the "Sonoma Diet" and found that my troubles went away while on the plan. There are no 'gimmicks' to it, it's just a sensible way of eating which helped my GERD, lowered my cholesterol, and made my tummy smaller too!

Anyway, another thing I'm finding helpful is yoga. I've been doing that for a few months as well. I have found that in the past, when I'm stressed my GERD is much worse and more prevalent. Yoga not only helps me relax but its a great workout.

Stress can manifest itself in the body, of this I'm sure. I read an article online recently regarding GERD and unresolved emotional issues. After reading the article, I realized that my digestive issues started around the time we had some family issues during my late teens. I wonder if I've been carrying this emotional baggage in my gut for all these years, and it progressed into GERD? Something to consider.... all I know is that when I read that article, the alarm bells went off....

Here's something related:
http://www.alive.com/3054a6a2.php?subject_bread_cramb=387

I have heard so much about this condition, and suspect that I have it, although i have not been formally diagnosed. I have suffered with severe heartburn since my teens, I am now in my mid 30's. I some times have bleeding in my stomach, choke in my sleep on acid, and am constantly feasting on a diet of tums or some other sort of antacid. I have not seen a GI about this, but have been referred. it is just a miserable way to live. I should be very cautious about what I choose to eat. I know for certain that if I drink anything with cirtus acid in it, I am in for a battle with heartburn. Sometimes it is so severe that I dont even like to eat, which makes it worse because of the acid build up. I understand what you mean by just drinking a glass of water as well.

I have heard so much about this condition, and suspect that I have it, although i have not been formally diagnosed. I have suffered with severe heartburn since my teens, I am now in my mid 30's. I some times have bleeding in my stomach, choke in my sleep on acid, and am constantly feasting on a diet of tums or some other sort of antacid. I have not seen a GI about this, but have been referred. it is just a miserable way to live. I should be very cautious about what I choose to eat. I know for certain that if I drink anything with cirtus acid in it, I am in for a battle with heartburn. Sometimes it is so severe that I dont even like to eat, which makes it worse because of the acid build up. I understand what you mean by just drinking a glass of water as well.