Does anyone else have acid reflux? How do you deal with it?

Question

I'm a singer, so acid reflux is especially frightening to me.
I take Zantax every night, and I don't drink orange juice or eat too much chocolate. I take Mylanta in the morning if it gets really bad.
But it's been getting progressively worse and worse (Prilosec doesn't work at all) it's even starting to affect me during the day time (not just at night).
Can I do anything else to help? What do you do?

Actually, yes, acids from your stomach CAN burn your vocal chords. I've seen pictures of the damaged chords on someone with Acid Reflux, and I've felt the affects that it has on the voice after a serious episode...
I think I do have reason to be worried.

Answer 1

I had bad reflux, and like you, it was damaging my voice. I was hoarse most of the time. I had surgery to stop the reflux. It's been five weeks, and my voice is recovering. It's not 100% yet, but I can at least sing on pitch again and the hoarseness is diminishing.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

I had sever acid reflux and then I told my doctor about it and he put me on Priloisac OTC, 2 tablets one time a day. He said to try it for a month if it didn't work he would give me something stronger. It has done wonders!!!

It is an Over the Counter drug, however, my doctor wrote a prescription so that insurance would pay.

Answer 4

Babies do get a lot of spit-up especially during the first six months..and they vary from projectile ones to very small spit-ups. I'd say they're all normal unless particularly diagnosed by the doctor as Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease. It's normal for babies to have spit ups since their digestive sphincters (valve-like structures at the openings of the esophagus and other GIT structures that prevent backflo/regurgitation of stomach contents) are not yet fully developed and are still weak. You're doc's right about saying that your baby's alright as long as he's pooping and gaining weight regularly. If that's the case, then I suggest that you try more natural methods than giving your baby meds like Zantac, as it doesnt reallly cure any Acid reflux disease, it only allevieates the symptom of "burning sensation". Also, try not to carry your baby or swing him around right after he eats, since it will just trigger the ingested fluids out of his mouth. Burping him more often also helps in making sure that whatever he ate stays in his tummy. You can also try using feeding bottles that have "air elimination features", like Playtex w/ Ventaire bottles. I've particularly tried this feeding bottle w/ my baby, and true enough, she almost have no spit ups anymore.

Answer 5

I would go see a gastroenterologist ASAP! I have had acid reflux and it was actually a bacterial infection (thermoacidophile bacteria). There are plenty of ways to treat it, depending on the cause. By the way, nothing from the stomach every touches the vocal chords, so it really won't damage them at all.

Answer 6

I was being treated for this until the last attack nearly killed me...I was rushed to the ER...it was found that my GallBladder was loaded with Gall Stones..when the surgeon entered me with his laser...he only just touched my Gall Bladder and it exploaded hundreds of Gall Stones. So...it might be more than acid Reflux.

Answer 7

Elevating the head end of the bed about 6 inches and don't eat too late will help at night. Try walking for 15 mins. after lunch will help in the daytime.

Answer 8

Give me your cd with an autograph so I can sell it on ebay if you ever become popular.

Answer 9

Nexium, expensive, but works great!

Answer 10

try gaviscon either liquid or tablets. if it effects you in the day it may be more than just GERD