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GERD Diet that actually works, clinical evidence, anecdotal?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 12/23/2013 4:37 PM (GMT -5)
I've battled reflux for 12 years on PPIs that whole time. I'm lean and in my 30's. I'm scheduled to have surgery in 2 weeks (NF 360). I'm at a point where I'm searching for a last resort diet or change that might make me reconsider surgery.

I've toiled with a few diets over the years, but not perfect on any of them. I've tried vegetarian (not good), low acid, and most recently Paleo or low carb which seems to work best and has some science behind it. I've also read Fast Tract Digestion which is similar to the paleo diet but with some tweaks on carbohydrate intake and type.

I have 2 questions.

1. Is there any clinically proven diet for GERD? Any studies that point to one diet vs another?

2. Is there a diet any of you have tried as a last resort before surgery that actually worked and caused you to post-pone surgery successfully, and move on with life?

Right now on a fairly low carb diet I am down to 2 Zantac and 1 Prilosec a day (from 60MG Dexilant). That controls symptoms fairly well if I time the zantac right. The last couple days I've been playing with just 2 zantac a day and am going to do that until surgery if I can to remind myself why I am going through with the surgery.

Any advice welcome!
Posted 12/23/2013 5:10 PM (GMT -5)
Hi paleopop, do you have a weak sphincter or a hiatal hernia or some other reason for your gerd.

I have a hiatal hernia which keeps sliding up and down , causing me to have periods of having chest pain or periods of having a burning esophagus and a sore throat. Therefore I choose the latter. With the chest pain comes periods of bloating after eating. I have tried many diets and settle for simple combinations of chicken, rice and porridge , fish . Being a fast food owner of Chinese takeaway and traditional English fish and chips can you imagine how insane this drives me sometimes as hardly 1 chip has passed my lips in almost 2 years. I am in negotiations with my surgeon to do the nissan fundoplication as all my problems had stemmed from this hernia in my opinion. It does settle over time but lifting, coughing, stomach bugs can anytime unsettle it.

I know then being on the drugs and then with time it settles and you think I can live with this just about and then suddenly it bounces up again.


I think at the end of the day, it's really your decision, you have to do what you feel what's right and there are no sure diets if you have a anatomical defect which needs repairing . It's just which method you choose .
Posted 12/23/2013 7:42 PM (GMT -5)
I expect that I could be a surgical candidate, but I have not returned to the gi doc since my upper endoscopy approaching 3 years ago. Some days I take a TUMS for my heartburn, but often I don't because it goes away quickly. I feel that both Fast Tract and a low fat diet are helpful. If I'm not feeling great I stick to protein and vegetables. Most days I eat protein carbs and fats at every meal. When I travel occasionally, I stick to grilled chicken salad or something similar. I don't want more meds or surgery. I'm satisfied with my life the way it is right now. The acid-reducing meds just made my digestion worse. Mayo clinic posted something recently that both carbs and fats make heartburn worse, I agree with that.

Post Edited (sunbeam48) : 12/23/2013 5:46:30 PM (GMT-7)

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