24-hr heart burn

[Odonata]

OMG someone help me.  I can't take it.  Over the past week I've had intense abdominal pains around where my esophagus meets my stomach and now it burns there all the time.  Yesterday afternoon it became heartburn all the way up until my jaw started to ache.  It's still here and I can't sleep or even sit on the couch (I can't round my back at all).  Bending down to pick up something is almost impossible.  Has anyone had 24/7 heartburn before?  Nothing works to make it go away and the pain is too intense to just ignore.  This lets up at some point, right?

[hokiegirl82]

What have you taken to help with the heartburn? Just tums, have you tried Zantac? I haven't had 24 hour heartburn but I've had pretty horrible heartburn at different times during the day and night. Zantac 75 in the morning, Zantac 150 before dinner, tums when I need it, milk with dinner, cutting out all coffee and soda, sleeping propped up, have all helped. If you've tried everything you can think off I would call your doctor, they might be able to prescribe something stronger than OTC stuff.

[Odonata]

Zantac doesn't help at all. Actually, I was even told to avoid it to prevent reducing the acid in my stomach because it increases my inability to break down carbohydrates, which leads to more bloat and more reflux. My stomach distention is pretty severe right now due to gas and I think it's really causing more acid to reflux. I've had issues with a really loose esophageal sphincter and stomach distention sometimes happened when I ate the wrong things (usually carbs)but I can usually reduce symptoms with diet. This pregnancy has really f-ed up my whole digestive track since food breaks down slowly now and gas bloat is "normal". Good thing I have an appointment tomorrow because I have no idea what to do. It really didn't cross my mind that my digestive issues would be such a problem in pregnancy. I assumed more frequent heartburn but not like this.

My dad is making spaghetti and meatballs tonight for a family dinner. No way am I eating that. I think I might need to cut out milk, too since that always adds to my gas, which is a shame because I'm craving it.

uggg, I'm miserable and just want to complaaaiiinnnn What does my ticker say? 159 days to go?

[hokiegirl82]

I'm sorry you're having so much trouble I hope your doctor can help you. This is the place to vent.

[Odonata]

Thanks - I feel bad because I'm like "give me advice" but I know it won't work b/c of my GI issues. I was hoping there would be some point in the pregnancy where I would just be "pregnant" and can enjoy it but as soon as one issue is resolved another one pops up.

[magdala]

I have been dealing with heartburn from hell for my whole pregnancy (now 32 weeks). Started with tums, switched to zantac 75 then zantac 150. I just finished a 14 day cycle of Prilosec and it is gone. The OB recommended all of these. I am medication averse so I asked for the lowest possible medication first...next time, I am going straight to the Prilosec. Check with your OB and, if recommended, get the Prilosec.

[Odonata]

May 11, 2014 10:16:04 GMT -5 magdala said:

I have been dealing with heartburn from hell for my whole pregnancy (now 32 weeks). Started with tums, switched to zantac 75 then zantac 150. I just finished a 14 day cycle of Prilosec and it is gone. The OB recommended all of these. I am medication averse so I asked for the lowest possible medication first...next time, I am going straight to the Prilosec. Check with your OB and, if recommended, get the Prilosec.

Thanks.  I'm SHOCKED at how much medication I've been taking for various things - steroids for poison ivy outbreak, gas X, allergy pills, now heart burn medication....

I'm totally going to ask about a possible 9- month induced coma.  Wake me when it's here.  lol

[mrspost08]

The only 2 things that help me are sparkling water & apple cider vinegar. I take 2 tablespoons of ACV with dinner each night. I was really suffering from heartburn & acid reflux. I have tajen ACV daily for a week which had avoided all issues.

[Odonata]

May 11, 2014 23:54:37 GMT -5 fadedscars said:

I had the same problem. It was actually a gallbladder attack. Please get it checked. My dr didn't catch it til I delivered my second daughter. I had what you are describing.

Did you have an excessive amount of gas trapped in your upper abdomen?  It's like I swallowed a balloon that starts right under my boobs and  ends at my navel.