Acid reflux GERD
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Join Date: May 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 3,867
I used to buy an £8 ($US 10) bottle of Gaviscon antacid nearly every day so I could get some sleep. I’d “only” drink 4 cans of beer in the evening, but that was enough to set off some evil stomach aches and acid reflux all night. I had to use extra pillows to sleep a bit more upright.
What a ridiculous situation to be in. I can laugh reading the above now, but those of symptoms in a “normal” person would be worrying. What sort of person spends £8 a day on Gaviscon to relieve the symptoms of drinking alcohol?
But, of course, if I didn’t drink at all, the acid reflux wouldn’t happen. I initially cut down on drinking and took up exercise. The acid reflux would occur when running, which was fairly worrying as it caused chest pain. Once I quit 100%, that problem went away too.
What a ridiculous situation to be in. I can laugh reading the above now, but those of symptoms in a “normal” person would be worrying. What sort of person spends £8 a day on Gaviscon to relieve the symptoms of drinking alcohol?
But, of course, if I didn’t drink at all, the acid reflux wouldn’t happen. I initially cut down on drinking and took up exercise. The acid reflux would occur when running, which was fairly worrying as it caused chest pain. Once I quit 100%, that problem went away too.
I never had issues with GERD / acid reflux, but I imagine if alcohol is the main cause then it will improve or completely go away once sober.
Examples, my anxiety, panic attacks are gone. Redness and puffy face is gone, normal bowel movements, excellent sleep, pin & needle feeling in my toes have gone away, blood pressure lowered, peace of mind and sharp concentration.
If neurogenesis in the brain happens at 48 hours and then two fold neuro-burst at 7 days when sober and continues months sometime years (one reason people feel different in early sobriety the brain does rebuild and enlarges by fluid the brain is rebuilt and slightly different), alcohol induced GERD will go away.
Examples, my anxiety, panic attacks are gone. Redness and puffy face is gone, normal bowel movements, excellent sleep, pin & needle feeling in my toes have gone away, blood pressure lowered, peace of mind and sharp concentration.
If neurogenesis in the brain happens at 48 hours and then two fold neuro-burst at 7 days when sober and continues months sometime years (one reason people feel different in early sobriety the brain does rebuild and enlarges by fluid the brain is rebuilt and slightly different), alcohol induced GERD will go away.
Mine didn't that I could tell. It actually got worse, but I was predisposed to acid reflux all my life. What alleviated it was a daily dose of Prilosec, and even then it eventually got worse. Finally, I had a specialist tell me to double my dose, and that really knocked it out. Doubling the dose is not unheard of. I've talked to others whose doctors told them to double down on the Prilosec.
Unfortunately, even though it is now controlled, years of acid reflux have left me with a permanent pre cancerous condition called Barrett's esophagus. So far, no cancer has shown up, but every couple of years they send a camera down my throat, which is expensive, invasive, and something I whine about when it's time to do it again.
No doubt drinking did nothing to help all of this. It probably made something that I would have to deal with anyway even worse.
Unfortunately, even though it is now controlled, years of acid reflux have left me with a permanent pre cancerous condition called Barrett's esophagus. So far, no cancer has shown up, but every couple of years they send a camera down my throat, which is expensive, invasive, and something I whine about when it's time to do it again.
No doubt drinking did nothing to help all of this. It probably made something that I would have to deal with anyway even worse.
Mine didn't that I could tell. It actually got worse, but I was predisposed to acid reflux all my life. What alleviated it was a daily dose of Prilosec, and even then it eventually got worse. Finally, I had a specialist tell me to double my dose, and that really knocked it out. Doubling the dose is not unheard of. I've talked to others whose doctors told them to double down on the Prilosec.
Unfortunately, even though it is now controlled, years of acid reflux have left me with a permanent pre cancerous condition called Barrett's esophagus. So far, no cancer has shown up, but every couple of years they send a camera down my throat, which is expensive, invasive, and something I whine about when it's time to do it again.
No doubt drinking did nothing to help all of this. It probably made something that I would have to deal with anyway even worse.
Unfortunately, even though it is now controlled, years of acid reflux have left me with a permanent pre cancerous condition called Barrett's esophagus. So far, no cancer has shown up, but every couple of years they send a camera down my throat, which is expensive, invasive, and something I whine about when it's time to do it again.
No doubt drinking did nothing to help all of this. It probably made something that I would have to deal with anyway even worse.
I wa ms reading though and old log I would write in when trying to drink and am linking a lot of the symptoms I was having with acid reflux. I don't have much of an issue with it bow outside of the occasional indigestion.
I relapsed unfortunately but when I stopped drinking for 10 months my acid reflux completely stopped pretty much immediately.
I found that a medication called Nexium was the only thing that worked when I had bad acid reflux.
I found that a medication called Nexium was the only thing that worked when I had bad acid reflux.
I developed GERD about four months ago. I haven't drank in almost eleven years.
I have it bad, too. Really bad.
I went to the doctor, finally, and as the above poster states, was put on 40mg of Nexium which is prescription strength.
It has cleared up, but if it comes back after another month, it's the scope for me.
Mine has nothing to do with alcohol. Never had it while drinking. It still sucks.
I have it bad, too. Really bad.
I went to the doctor, finally, and as the above poster states, was put on 40mg of Nexium which is prescription strength.
It has cleared up, but if it comes back after another month, it's the scope for me.
Mine has nothing to do with alcohol. Never had it while drinking. It still sucks.
Another problem I developed from acid reflux was an inability to swallow. One day, I couldn't even swallow my own saliva. The small town clinic told be to go to the emergency room at the hospital 90 miles away. They scoped me and then expanded my esophagus by stretching it like they would an angioplasty.
YES! I had named my stomach (and parts) Igor. Igor acted up throughout my drinking years and suddenly left by the end of my first year. He rarely shows today, but I can over-do things, still (sugar, salt, caffeine).
Best wishes on your sober journey!
Best wishes on your sober journey!
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