Heartburn

ThePax89

This symptom is big enough that a thread for it may be in order. (And if it isn't yet, it probably will be)  

What's working? What isn't? 

Renee1105

Tums help somewhat, I'm convinced that giving up the offending food would be better but I'm not willing to do that lol.

vssbrm

Laying here trying to figure out what food made the offense yesterday, not fun.

colleenkevin

Almost no water right before and right after meals - I find if I have too much liquid in my stomach then the reflux is worse.

christac1010

I'm already on prescription Prevacid. I've always had indigestion issues and pregnancy just made it worse. I was throwing up acid in the middle of the night and eating almost 10 Tums every day (clearly over the recommendation). My doctor immediately put me on Prevacid. I've been taking it for about 5 weeks now and it's been really helpful. I still need 2-3 Tums daily (approved by the doctor) and I really try to watch what I eat (red sauce, cold water - WTF, chocolate, excess dairy). 

aishmc

I'm taking OTC prevacid right now and it helps a bit. Also doing tums after some meals. Eating smaller portions helps a bit. I've been trying to follow my GERD recommendations better ie limiting chocolate, coffee, mint, citrus fruits, dairy. I haven't noticed much with the diet change though.

MaryNog

I had heartburn for the first time in my life a few weeks ago, it took me a while to figure out what it was. I was convinced that I was having chest pains and would need to go to the ER! So ridiculous...
so far eating smaller meals has helped, and @colleenkevin's trick of reducing liquid intake during meals works really well for me too.

Emma61210

My dr told me to take Zantac 150 twice a day... it has helped so much..... worked wonders!!!! 

hjmorgan-2

I've just been downing ice water to sooth the pain. I get heart burn usually after eating,  and it doesn't seem like anything specific.... 

ThePax89

With my first pregnancy, tums always helped. With this gal, holy smokes...tums are fueling it. 

I'll call my midwife on Monday to discuss Prevacid or Zantac. Thank you all. 

I used to do the drinking pickle juice trick with my daughter. Doesn't help now either. 

shlecks

Yep, Zantac 150 for me too.  Plus 2-3 Tums and falling asleep elevated have all been saving graces for me.  My doctor said if it gets worse (which it most likely will) I can switch to Prilosec but I'm going to hold out as long as I can.  Dairy triggers it, bubbles (like soda water) trigger it, and eating too close to bedtime.  I have Bragg's apple cider vinegar as well which is supposed to help, but I haven't tried it yet.

KRB22

@ThePax89 my MW warned me that too many tums can actually make it worse, so she recommends Zantac. 

@shlecka I've had some luck with apple cider vinegar, at least for neutralizing acid reflux. I just do a shot of ACV diluted with some water and usually follow it with a little honey. 

My my husband also swears by regular old baking soda mixed in water for alleviating heartburn. 

ThePax89

Does anyone think I can just start taking Zantac prior to talking about it first with my midwife? It's really rough, and I'm not going to call the emergency line. 

shlecks

@ThePax89 Personally I think you'd be fine. I am not a medical professional but my doctor made it out to be no big deal at all. 

aishmc

@ThePax89 I would call or email (if you can) before starting it so that 1) they're aware and can add it to your medication list, and 2) verify that it doesn't contraindicate any other medications or supplements you may be taking if you are taking any

expandcontract

@aishmc I've had GERD for more than a decade.  I didn't know that dairy triggers it.  In fact, if I'm feeling symptomatic and need relief right away, a cup of milk usually calms it down. Specifically, which type of dairy causes you symptoms? Cheese? Milk? Any type of dairy? 
In general though, I take Prevacid 30mgs once daily and it's a tremendous relief.  

laufisch

A glass of cold milk usually helps me as well, but it sounds like I'm getting off easy compared to you guys. If milk doesn't work tums usually gives me several hours of relief. 

emy730

Ugh! Nothing is helping this time. I think I'm going to need a script.

Carly79

I had heart burn really bad during the first trimester and did tums here and there and learned that room temp water was much better than ice water. The ice water seemed to contribute. With DS I had bad heartburn the last half of my pregnancy. So far I've been lucky. But one thing that I did was get a amber necklace and it seemed to make a difference. No idea if it was all in my head or not but it seemed to help.

expandcontract

I agree that ice water would make it worse for me. 

aishmc

@AfKash it's usually the heavier creams.  Soft cheeses have caused issue before pregnancy.  The worst is bisque type soups or ice cream .  Any excessive amount of dairy I guess.  It doesn't really make sense to me since dairy is a base and should balance out the acid.  I thought my gastroenterologist was full of lies and just trying to ruin my dairy loving life until I actually started getting the worst reflux after eating too much dairy.  

raquel87

I take Zantac 150mg twice a day, supplement with tums when needed and monitor what I eat. That being said I woke up last night to vomitting acid due to horrible heartburn. I couldn't figure out why because I knew I took my pills before bed. When I looked at the bottle I realized I had bought the wrong dosage yesterday. I bought the 75mg! You think I would have noticed bc they are a completely different shapes then the 150mg but nope!

susykat77

I have HORRIBLE acid reflux. There are certain foods that make it worse but I get it when I eat anything. I take a one a day - pepsid or something like that and eat tums several times a day - and I still get it bad. Today at my appt with my midwife she said not to drink any liquids with meals, not to lay down (or bend over, squatting is ok) for 2 hours after meals, to not eat after 6pm (no way that'll happen and to sleep slightly elevated. I really need to add in the ACV.