Serious reflux help...

lkobriant

The acid reflux started about 3-4 weeks ago at night.  I started taking Zantac 75 and it took care of it...for about a week.  Then I upped to 150, which helped, again for about a week.  Now I'm taking 150 twice a day and Tums to spot treat but it still seems to be a problem, and it's now starting to bother me during the day.  I sleep (or attempt to do so) sitting up, which means I'm not sleeping well at all and stop eating/drinking anything but water after 7 pm, which means I wake up starving at like 2 am!  My OB appointment isn't until Friday but last time I brought it up the only advice she gave me was everything I've already done.  Anyone found anything else that helps?  I'm getting desperate!

rockermom1017

I have been having serious reflux issues as well. I wake up almost gagging on bile in my mouth. The on told me Tums as often as needed, mylanta twice a day and Previcid. I still have a lot of heartburn but the reflux is better!

Soleil3

Earth mama angel babies Heartburn tea helps me, but mine isn't so bad that I need Zantac.

kellmw05

I had the same problem! I started taking Pepcid once a day and that has helped. It was almost like I built up an immunity to Zantac

MammaBear81

Prilosec every night, right before bed has been my savior, along with Maalox advanced extra strength when it "flares up" every now and then.  I'd have to take at least 4 tums to even touch my heartburn, and still that just made it bearable.  My problem is occasionally I'll feel better and forget the prilosec for a day... HUGE mistake!  I don't like to take meds often, but there is nothing I can do about this.  GL I hope you find something that helps.

P.S- with the prilosec I can eat/drink normally, I have to eat before bed or my blood sugar drops too low at night and I get sick, so hopefully that will help your starving at 2am.

treehugginbride

aw isn't it the worst! Mine is usually at night, but the bigger baby gets the more it has started happening in the daytime too. I usually try to go with natural remedies and as counter intuitive as it may *seem* my best fix is unfiltered apple cider vinegar (the cloudy kind- has "the mother" protein in it). Its the right ph to balance your stomach acids and though it makes it worse for literally 3 seconds, it always fixes it for me. I usually put a little  in a shot glass (1/4-1/2 full) and down it, followed by a glass of water. Hope this helps!

https://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/acid_reflux.html

shelbell1028

I tried Zantac and like you, it worked for a week. My OB had me try Pepcid next.  That worked for about a week as well.  I finally got a RX for Protonix and I haven't had an issue since! 

amybeth1016

Prilosec did the trick for me. Before bed. Tums to treat it when it flares up. My favorite Tums are the fruit smoothie ones. They are awesome! And I despise the regular ones.

lkobriant

Thanks all! I have tried multiple zantacs 75 throughout the day and its not working. I just got back from getting some Prilosec. We'll give that a go and see if it helps.

smilejenn

If you are taking over the counter meds several times a day and still having serious issues (I'd classify only being able to sleep sitting up as serious!), then you'll probably need to move onto daily medication that provide more coverage. If Prilosec doesn't work, there are prescription PPIs that are safe to take while pregnant like Protonix. If your OB is out of ideas, don't hesitate to get an opinion from a GI. To them, reflux issues are like treating the common cold - their bread and butter!

boymamaco

Gaviscon worked for me while the others you mentioned did not. Best of luck. It's not fun at all!

WheeLinTheSky3

skip the water after 7 and drink milk. I drank a bottled water near bed the other night and had such bad heartburn I wanted to cry. I agree with PPs though, sounds like its time for a prescription.

edenrivers

This sounds awful. It started happening to me too, 75 worked great for a few weeks, and then ... well, you know! I've totally cut out carbonated beverages, and I do take Tums on top of the Zantac.

Also, pickles work for me for a quick fix.

Texasmomma13

Prilosec works for me. It does take a few days to kick in though.

carrotcake06

You have to wait about an hour from taking a Zantac and taking a Tums. If you take Tums right after a Zantac, you'll mess w the effectiveness of the Zantac.

It's brutal, I'm sorry. I'd also not eat or drink late, sleep sitting up, etc. try not to snack but eat a full meal which will help to weigh acid down. Also try not to drink liquids on an empty stomach either.

Good news is that it goes away within days of giving birth.

Acojen

I haven't ever posted on this board but I lurk a lot and thought I would share my experience. I was having this issue really bad as well to the point of waking up with bile coming out my nose which was awful. Nothing OTC was helping me and my doctor finally prescribed Nexium. That stuff has been magic in a bottle for me. I can eat and drink completely normally and have felt so much better overall. Good luck on finding something that works I know how miserable it can be. 

jenniferw91

I'm stacking Pepcid once every 24 hours and then 4 tums as needed. And that doesn't even work sometimes. But dr said that's pretty much all I can do.

mdlorenz

Best of luck with the Prilosec. Reflux is just awful... 

I find that when I get *hungry* I tend to reflux more too, so perhaps contrary to some other advice, consider eating a small amount of something that isn't a classic trigger [ie. avoid tomatoes, citrus, mint, chocolate, and garlic]. It sounds like you've been through a lot trying to squash these symptoms ... hang in there!