Last night was the second night in a row (or was it the third?) that I have awakened along about 0300 choking on stomach acid. The first time, I thought it was from sleeping without a pillow, which I was doing becuase my neck was sore. So, last couple of nights, I have used a big wedge pillow. Hasn't helped.
Note to self: take that last ibuprofen long before bedtime, 'kay?
Prilosec has long been my ally in this otherwise unwinnable battle.
ReplyDeleteHas your doc ever checked for a hiatal hernia, Roberta?
ReplyDeleteBefore you try any medications first try taking ibuprofen much earlier in the evening. Also, cut way back on your dairy products. I used to have acid reflux at least 3 or 4 nights per week for years until I cut out 90% of my dairy intake. I was getting radiation therapy for cancer and the radiation oncology doctor said to cut out the dairy products to help control the diarrhea that came with the radiation. He said most adults eventually become lactose intolerant as they age. Cutting out the milk, ice cream etc. has cut back the acid reflux to about once a month now.
ReplyDeleteIt sucks. Elevate the head of your bed a little. Don't eat anything after 6pm. Avoid peppermint, chocolate, tomatoes, alcohol and caffeine.
ReplyDelete15 mg generic Prevacid or Prilosec every morning.
Yes, it drains the fun right of out of eating. :(
:)
Good luck!
Does make eating, especially late less enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteAll the earlier guides I cannot improve upon.
Amen to Prilosec.
ReplyDelete(Plus, I eat NOTHING after 7PM if I can help it.)
ReplyDeleteOmeprazole, and have something in your stomach!
ReplyDeletegfa
Don't eat for the last hour and a half before bedtime--that's about the time your stomach needs to process everything and send it further down the intestinal tract. Cut out alcohol and chocolate in the evening (I suspect the latter will be far more of a burden than the former for you), and use Tylenol instead of ibuprofen--it's easier on the stomach--if Tylenol works to lessen pain/inflammation for you--some people (like me) it doesn't, but works only as a fever reducer.
ReplyDeleteIf that doesn't work, try the Prevacid/Prilosec routine, and consult an MD to make sure it isn't something more than mere reflux.
Kishnevi
Gak. Been there, done that, don't recommend it as a leisure time activity. Much sympathy.
ReplyDeleteDamn, girl!
ReplyDeleteWell, if your pharyngoesophageal sphincter isn't quite what is should be, it relaxes and stomach acid sloshes up and flows out. Elevate the bed at least 8" at the head. Inhaling that shit into your lungs ruins your evening. This can happen even when the stomach isn't full and with a reasonable omeprazole regimen. I can testify.
ReplyDeleteBeen there, done that;-)
ReplyDeleteIt happens to me after I really give my shoulders a workout (like shoveling snow). While sleeping the muscles between my shoulder blades and abdomen tighten, my abdomen pushes on my stomach and forces acid up into my esophagus.
Before bed I drink some liquid antacid (Gaviscon) that coats the esophagus and upper stomach so the acid is neutralized as it's expelled.
Drinking liquid antacid after being woken up helps, too.
No idea what you've tried, so if this is redundant, you can file it in the bit bucket:
ReplyDeleteI had frequent bouts waking up w/mouthfuls of stomach acid for years (other symptoms too, but kinda gross). Checked for hiatal hernias, took prescribed meds, etc.
Turns out I have sleep apnea. Constantly waking up/choking in my sleep led to acid reflux issues. CPAP/BIPAP may be your friend.
I will note this has happened every night after I shoveled snow the preceding day. I did not shovel snow today Perhaps I'll sleep better..
ReplyDeleteI recommend avoiding carbs.
ReplyDeleteI can say what worked for me. I avoid mint of every variety, peppermint in particular relaxes the esophageal sphincter muscle and aggravates GERD.
ReplyDeleteI found that when the reflux was particularly bad a tablespoon of champagne vinegar really knocked it down. I am informed that I do not have excess acid but inadequate acid and so the stomach is straining and working overtime. My brother does this, too.
For a month the only fat/oil I consumed was extra virgin olive oil, which a naturopath told me was necessary to calm the stomach, which it seemed to do.
Ymmv, but I highly recommend avoiding mints.