GERD

In case you have no clue what this means, it stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. . Anyways, I have it. I have had it since I was about 18 I believe. I diagnosed myself after having EXTREME chest pain, not being able to lay done flat, ever, and having a hard time breathing. This went on for a while and finally it got bad enough that my parents were really concerned and sent me to a heart specialist. I had an echocardiogram done and a couple other procedures where they monitored my heart. Through this I learned that my heart, liver and other vital organs were A-Okay. That is good news but then what the heck is causing this horrible pain and discomfort????

I was reading a newspaper article one day about Acid Reflux and thought, that sounds like me! I called my normal family doctor and went in. He told me I was basically right but that I had GERD. From what I understand the difference is with acid reflux, it is just an occasional thing where GERD is more than twice a week, in my case, daily. So I was put on Protonix. It helped right away and I was so happy! Since then, I have been on I think, 3 different medications. One would get too expensive, my insurance wouldn't cover it anymore or I would be on it too long and it wouldn't work for my body any longer. Most recently, I have been on Prilosec. I have heard that it is not good to stay on it for a long period of time so I called my Dr. and asked what else we could do. The solution? Go back on one I used to take and take it until it starts to not work as well and then go back to Prilosec for several months and then keep switching back and forth. Sound like a pain? I thought so.

So I decided to take matters into my own hands. I started doing some research online for natural remedies. I don't really want to have to be on meds forever. I learned a few things to try. Drink Apple Cider Vinegar 4 times daily, take Papaya Enzymes, drink pickle juice, chew sugar free gum after eating and several more. I went to my local GNC store and bought some special apple cider vinegar and also papaya enzymes. I took a swig of the vinegar shortly after I got it and wanted to cry! ha ha. It was horrible. It made my eyes water and burned the whole way down, The papya enzymes are chewable pills that I am supposed to take like 3, 3 times daily. I HATE chewable pills but am willing to give it a try.

You are probably wondering why I am writing this massive post to tell you about my issues, but there is a purpose. I started these new options and so far today I have not had to take any of my meds. This is huge because normally if I missed a dose I was miserable within a short amount of time. So I am optomistic that it will work.

Now for the purpose, I am hoping that someone that reads this will either have the same problem as me or knows someone that has/does. I am open to any and all suggestions that anyone has to help me. I try to stay away from foods I know will make it worse, like fried foods, pop, chocolate, tomatos and tomato based foods, spicy foods, etc. I have heard that doing some of these natural remedies things can actually almost totally eliminate GERDS. This would be wonderful since the only other option I have heard of is surgery. So any help, info or anything would be greatly appreciated! Or if you are in the same boat I am wondering what to do next, leave a comment and maybe we can help each other. I did just find this website on my friend's blog (thanks Kiesha!) and you can actually choose different health issues you are concerned about and it will give you recipes to help! It is http://recipes.runnersworld.com/

I have a couple other health issues that I am trying to take care of naturally and without prescriptions but I think focusing on one at a time for now will be best. Thanks for reading yet another one of my long, boring and pictureless posts! :)