Terrible acid reflux - anyone else?!

Adoc86

Hi guys,

I'm currently 25 weeks pregnant with my first little one and for about the past 2.5 months have had the absolute worst acid reflux/GERD to the point that it's causing me to cough incessantly and I'm absolutely miserable. I literally hack all day long and cannot stop. Sometimes I have the normal acid burning sensation, but the majority of the time it's just coughing. I don't eat a lot of fried foods or sweets that typically trigger acid reflux and I've never had it prior to pregnancy. It just seems like everything triggers it. Anyone else experience this?! I know reflux is a common pregnancy symptom, but I've never known any pregnant women that coughed nonstop like this. It's to the point that it's making me incontinent bc I'm coughing so much and so hard.

Because of another health condition I have I can't take any proton pump inhibitors (which pretty much all reflux meds fall into this category). I've been trying to eat foods that naturally neutralize stomach acid (green vegetables, apples, almonds) and it does help, but I can't ONLY eat those things. If anyone else has struggled with this and found some type of solution aside from PPI medications id love to hear it! My doctors have no real recommendations at this point  

ashleyorm

I have terrible heartburn and I eat a pickle when it is really bad.  Something about the vinegar reacts with the acid and takes it away.  Not sure if it will work for you but worth a try. I know how frustrating it can be when nothing works.

ShadeofGreen816

There are two main classes of oral antacids: PPIs and H2 blockers. PPIs are you "zole"s (pantoptazole, omeprazole, etc) and then then H2s are "dine"s - famotidine, ranitidine, etc. so if you can, I would recommend getting some Zantac (ranitidine) OTC to try. You'd want to talk to your doctor. But I've been on 150mg BID which was approved by my doc. Good luck - I won't lie, I'm 38 weeks and it's not gotten better! 

Also want to watch natural remedies and Tums. Baking soda is common but not proven safe in pregnancy and there is such a thing as too many Tums! Otherwise, sleeping somewhat upright/inclined with several pillows should help some

Sugargirl1019

Zantac was recommended to me, as well as Tums.

OliveOyl2014

My midwife suggested papaya extract pills and they work great! 

sweetcrash

I have it too, really bad (almost 18 weeks). Ranitidine/Zantac helps quite a bit, but eating smaller meals and avoiding certain foods is kind of helping. Good luck!

irishfrisky

My OB told me tums aren't actually that safe. She started me on protonix (pantaprazole) which is helping, along with smaller meals.