OTC recs for GERD/acid reflux?

northbeach3 · November 2018

hi board, figured I could better crowdsource answers posting broadly than within my 1st tri board.

I thought I’d escaped acid reflux symptoms as I near end of 1st trimester, but developed gnarly GERD last night around dinner. My kind is like a lump in the lower throat/difficulty swallowing withOUT heartburn. Anyone with good OTC recs that focus on this type of GERD?

I’ve only had one flare up like this one time before in my lifetime and I remember it lasted for a long time but don’t remember trying to tackle it with OTC. It’s made it so uncomfortable I can’t sleep. I’m trying to catch some shut eye sitting up on my couch.

mayflower513 · November 2018

Did you try Zantac?

tosh24 · November 2018

Zantac is safe in pregnancy. I got a prescription from my doc to get the stronger stuff but you can try just buying it off the shelf. It is the only thing that works for me - I've tried a few other OTC/prescription meds but they're not as effective.

northbeach3 · November 2018

so far all i had was tums. i sent my dad on a morning run to walgreens to get a few options, some fast acting (pepcid) and some delayed, but likely more effective (prilosec). this on top of getting a sore throat/likely cold. (sigh)

def taking the day off today since i feel like crap! i guess the bright side is that i don't feel nauseous. (knock on wood)

mayflower513 · November 2018

I don't think you can take pepcid and I'm not sure on the prilosec. I'd try zantac to start since I know that one is safe and is pretty effective.

northbeach3 · November 2018

thanks for the recs! I went with Pepcid over Zantac since it was listed as okay on my RE's discharge papers, but open to swapping if pepcid is ineffective.

plan is to start with pepcid and pray it offers quick relief. i'm just worried b/c i remember this "stuck in my throat" feeling lasting for a long time when I was much younger and had a flare up. wanted to have something more long-term and ready to go if not... so I also researched the proton pump inhibitors like prilosec or nexium. read online that all PPIs except prilosec are category B (safe), so had my dad swap for nexium. hope it won't come to this!

DecemberDoll27 · November 2018

@northbeach3 I've been struggling with this my entire pregnancy. What I've found is combination of zantac 150 twice a day and Tums when needed works for me.
Some foods need to be avoided and also I do not eat after 7pm otherwise I won't sleep at all. I also control how much water I drink overnight. And of course some nights I sleep reclined on a couch rather than laying down.
You need to figure out which foods trigger it for you and which ones make it better. I found that mashed potatoes and chocolate milk make my life tolerable.
Heartburn and GERD sucks big time! That's my only major pain point this entire pregnancy! I only have a couple of weeks left to deal with this though.
Good luck!

tosh24 · November 2018

Just be wary of going too hard on the Tums. They increase the risk of kidney stones in pregnancy because women are overloading on calcium (between popping all the Tums and taking prenatals). If you need something long-acting, definitely look into getting a prescription from your doctor. The Zantac I was prescribed was 1 tablet a day (I think...can't remember 100%) on a 3 month regimen. Worked like a charm and I was able to stop it well before the 3 months were up.

mbradfo2 · November 2018

My OB said to avoid pepcid and to take it easy on the tums. Zantac is okay although you have to take it regularly for awhile for it to work properly. I avoided zantac although since my OB felt it would be better if I could manage with home remedies.

I had -HORRIBLE- heartburn throughout my pregnancy, although it eased up 2nd tri only to come raging back in the third trimester. It got to the point where it didn't matter what I ate or didn't eat. I drank alot of milk which is supposed to help and it did provide some relief. I mostly had to stick to bland foods that didn't make it worse, keeping my head slightly elevated when sleeping and occasionally taking a tums if it got really unbearable. Pizza was a major trigger for me so I had to avoid it, along with most spicy foods, but I was able to eat my pho with some sriracha and lime without issue, so go figure. Ate alot of pho, matzo ball soup, chicken noodle soup, etc.

northbeach3 · November 2018

welp, no real relief from pepcid... may have to try zantac tomorrow! $:\$

mayflower513 · November 2018

There’s also a home remedy where you crush fennel and put it in hot water and drink it. I haven’t personally tried it, my reflux had been a lot less severe this time around. Let me know if you do and if it works!

autumnlvs · November 2018

@northbeach3 Pepcid does not work immediately - it reduces acid in the stomach so usually given twice a day and it usually takes a few days to kick in (it’s the preferred medicine in hospitals). Zantac and Pepcid work exactly the same way and both are safe in pregnancy. Maalox will help with immediate relief and being upright for at least 30 min after eating or drinking anything will also help or as @mbradfo2 mentioned, sleeping with the head of the bed slightly raised will also help. Not sure why an OB would tell you to use Zantac over Pepcid as they are both the same class of medication.

northbeach3 · November 2018

thanks @autumnlvs. i was hoping for quick relief but alas, will keep to the 2x a day regimen, hoping it comes soon. went to urgent care today to make sure i didn't have strep (negative) but doc on call wouldn't give me prescription strength meds for acid reflux.... so will keep popping the pepcid.

@mayflower513 i'm open to trying fennel... do you know if it's fresh fennel or crushing dried seeds?

mbradfo2 · November 2018

I think you might be able to buy a fennel tea in the store, but always be careful with otc homeopathic remedies and such when pregnant, esp. since the FDA doesn't heavily regulate the herbal teas/etc. You can use dried fennel seeds for tea -- you can also chew on them directly if you prefer that. If you want the tea, just soak them in the hot water for a few minutes using one of those little tea infusers.

mayflower513 · November 2018

What @mbradfo2 said!

northbeach3 · November 2018

Got some seeds! Haven’t tried it yet. Have been chugging chobani Greek yogurt drinks hoping that’ll calm the old stomach. Think I feel some improvement though still lingering effects. May start with fennel tea tmw morning.

OTC recs for GERD/acid reflux?

Re: OTC recs for GERD/acid reflux?

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