READER FEEDBACK

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/23/2006: Susan from Hortonville, NY writes: "I think I have to agree with Rosemary. The acid reflux started right about the time that I started taking Motrin for arthritis from an automobile accident in the late 1980's. About a year or two later, the acid reflux was so bad, I constantly suffered from laryngitis. I went to the doctor for the laryngitis about 10 years later when my vocal chords were so infected and sore I was forced to seek help and it was then I found out that I had acid reflux and it was causing the laryngitis."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/18/2006: Denise from Bushkill, PA writes: "I am not one to take medicine, but the only consistent medication I have ever taken is Excedrin for headaches. Usually, I would take it about once/twice a week. There were times that I have taken it about 2-3 days (one each day) due to headaches. I am baffled where the acid reflux came from. I had had what I believe to be heartburn before, but never took anything for it. The heartburn was not often. I usual drank milk and it would go away. However, once I became pregnant again in my late 30's, the heartburn became worse. I would take a little baking soda for relief. Once my child was born, I thought the heartburn would go away. It did not, and it got worse. It started to bother my right ear. Once diagnosed with acid reflux about 3 years ago, I have been placed on Nexium. As I stated before, I am not one to take medication. Now, I am looking for alternatives to Nexium. I too noticed an increase in amount of people suffering from the same problem."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/18/2006: Mary from Ontario, Canada writes: "Imagine...at 3.20 this morning I was awakened by burning acid reflux. Got an email from my sister in Vancouver on Apple Cider Vinegar ( I did not tell her about my reflux this morning!) On Sept 5 I had gum surgery and was prescribed Ibuprofen. 600mg every 4 hrs for the first day and 400mg every 4-5 hrs for the next 3 days. I rarely take pain killers and did not follow the periodontist's instructions but I did take the ibuprofen. when my gum was sore. I feel this has been the cause of my GERD and will get some ACV tablets. I'll keep you site now as a 'favourite'. Thanks"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/18/2006: Arthur from Rego Park, NY writes: "In High School about 8 years ago, at age 18 I was on the basketball team. I had a bad rotator disc in my back and took Ibuprofen for the pain for years. About 4 years after i stopped taking it I was diagnosed with GERD at age 22."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/17/2006: Precious from Pontiac, MI writes: "I was just wondering if Vioxx caused my acid reflux? I was on it for a long time, almost 1 year"

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/16/2006: Lynnie from Darien, IL writes: "i'm just reading your site and honest to god, never b4 made the connection between my heavy ibuprofen use, for years and years, with my heartburn! i've been taking generic store brand ibuprofen for headaches and body aches, and have had heartburn for years, but this last year it's gotten really awful. last night my Dr. friend told me that she drinks 2 tsp acv in water, 3 times a day and her heartburn is gone. even as a physician. she says she tries to stick with natural cures whenever she can. so i just drank my first acv, and i really hope it works. prilosec is expensive!"

[NAY]  09/14/2006: Nancy from Agoura Hills, CA writes: "I have never taken much ibuprofen, but I have been a rather regular user of Excedrin in the past (aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine). I don't take it anymore. My GERD started after I had been on a lo-carb diet for about 5 months. I had never had trouble before. I think the high fat/high protein diet wasn't the best thing for GERD. I went off the diet immediately, but the GERD never left (it's been two years now). Just for your information. I am not overweight and I exercise daily."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/14/2006: Megan from INPLS, IN writes: "IBUPROFEN DESTROYED MY STOMACH AND CAUSED GASTRO BLEEDING.' DO TYLENOL OR SOMETHING ELSE. STAY CLEAR OF THIS."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  09/14/2006: Carol from Salina, Kansas writes: "I was diagnosed with acid reflux about 7 years ago. Mine came about from living in an abusive marriage. Rather than give into the fighting, etc., I internalized everything, which in turn caused me to have migraines. I was taking several different medications, including ibuprofen. I was so sick, I, too thought I had heart disease. After several trips to the emergency room, and having every test imaginable, I received my diagnosis, and my doctors advise to get out of my marriage before I did develop heart disease. I took that advise, and after a miserable divorce, I am single now, but the reflux is here to stay. I am a vegetarian, try to eat fairly healthy meals, no caffeine,coffee, or soda, alcohol, or smoking. I drink a lot of distilled water, and exercise in the morning before I eat anything. I recently tried protonix, which worked for about a month, and I am sick again. The only thing that seems to help some, is plain applesauce, made without sugar or absorbic acid. I am going to try the ACV to see if that will make a difference. Another thing that really rips up my stomach, is calcium tablets. I will let you know how it goes. Thank you."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  08/28/2006: Vanessa from Atlanta, GA writes: "I just read your website on the information on GERD and the reader who makes claims about Ibuprofen. I would like to support her claim about Ibuprofen being the culprit to this problem with GERD or Acid Reflux. I started using ibuprofen about three years ago for uterine fibroids to reduce the pain of this condition. The three different hospitals I visited during emergency room visits for pain due this condition, prescribed each time an ibuprofen or recommended Motrin or advil. I used them to alleviate the pain but then started having problems with GERD. I have the medical bills to prove my claim along with the medical records to show these findings. Please be advised about this drug and warn others about these effects."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  08/19/2006: Maia from Seattle writes: "Taking Prednisone for about a week (10 mg/day) for back pain (dr says inflammation), when I woke up with acid reflux at 2 am. I'm quitting the medication. Thanks."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  08/17/2006: Annie from Beaumont, TX writes: "I am only 23 years old, but have had acid reflux since high school. I've been through a breast reduction once, and before and after the surgery my back has killed me. My doctor told me I should take ibuprofen to relieve it. So for years up until now that's what I've done. I never put two and two together realizing it was sooo bad because of the pain meds. Now that I look at it, it makes perfect sense. I started on the ACV and in two weeks noticed the pain was gone from acid reflux. Not only that but my family who has a history of diabetes was been using it and also noticed a difference. My weight is down, and I can actually go places without getting an attack. It's really amazing. The pickle Juice also works for me. Whenever i'm at work or something and I just forget the ACV, I'll keep the juice in a cup in my fridge. Thanks so much"

[NAY]  08/16/2006: Diane from St. Louis, MO writes: "What has caused acid reflux to be so wide spread? It's the soda. Everyone I've talked to that has had major problems with acid reflux was a heavy soda drinker, including me. Once the stomach has been eaten up by the acid in the soda over many years, it takes forever to heal and be well again."

[NAY]  08/14/2006: Drew from Irving, TX writes: "Using Nexium is the only thing that has worked so far, although the low carb diet helped some. While I was in Italy for a semester I noticed some decrease of acid reflux thanks to a better diet, even if I still had to avoid the pasta. I ate a lot of oranges while there, and that seemed to help some. Mostly though, I am replying to the idea of the painkiller ibuprofen being a leading cause. To this, at least in my experience, I firmly say nay! I'm 20 years old, and even during sports I rarely use any sort of painkiller, opting rather to deal with it or alleviate the hurt with hot or cold, etc. I will go months at a time without touching any painkiller and yet I have severe GERD with related asthma symptoms. Maybe for some of you this has caused it, but the few times I have taken painkillers, I really didn't notice much of a difference."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  08/14/2006: Linda from Pennsylvania writes: "over a period of years Excedrin has always helped with my headaches. I developed acid reflux in '96 and since been taking aciphex. 1 a day unless severe pain, then two pills. i want to heal and get off the pills totally. I want to try the apple cider regimen but don't know how much to take or how to take it. Can you advise? Thank you."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  08/13/2006: D from LA writes: "Started taking Aleve (3 pills on the weekends) to help easy by lower back pain... one year after I started having acid reflux."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  08/10/2006: Debbie from Clemmons, NC writes: "I do not remember having acid reflux until I started taking Advil. I only take 1-2 a day in the early evening."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  08/07/2006: Tara from Catonsville, MD writes: "I just wanted to let you know that I too was taking Ibuprofen for several years for migraines. I tried all the over the counter meds for migraines and some prescriptions. Nothing worked better than the ibuprofen. I had to function, had to work, so I took the chance with the stomach issues. Now I am very sorry for it. Ever since 2003 I have had to deal with the problems of GERD and acid reflux. I blamed it on my 1st pregnancy, but I'm sure it was caused by using 1000 to 1200 mg dose of Ibuprofen almost 3 and 4 times a week, sometimes more. I am now pregnant again and really don't want to take Zantac twice a day and eat tums for the next 7 months. I'm gonna try the ACV remedy and see how well it works. I post back in a week or two."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  08/03/2006: Tracia from Kentucky writes: "Before I started getting really bad acid reflux I was taking a lot of aspirin. I used to take at least one every day because I have severe headaches / migraines and I would almost always have one. Then later on I started to notice that the more aspirin I took, the worse it made my stomach hurt. First it was stomach cramps, then the reflux began. No change in diet or anything... just horrible acid reflux to the point that I was throwing up stomach acid on a daily basis. I don't even know what to do now."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  08/01/2006: Barbara from Los Angeles, CA writes: "I took Advil- 4 a day for nearly three years for severe arthritis in knees. It is a great pain killer but caused severe stomach pains and now acid reflux and difficulty swallowing. Maybe an ulcer and a hernia. Being tested now.' As much as I can't stand the pain in my knees, I will never take Advil again. Also, Prevacid, and Nexum should be taken off the market."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  07/31/2006: Catalina from Mexico writes: "I have suffered from insomnia my entire adult life. With menopause, this problem became worse. I found that taking ibuprofen at bedtime helped me get to sleep, most likely because of its muscle-relaxing properties. I would take one or two tablets, without food. Now I find myself with acid reflux. I didn't realize the connection between ibuprofen and acid reflux until I read your web site. I know now not to take ibuprofen, but I now have esophagitis, which keeps me awake. I am on a strict diet in hopes of healing my esophagus. Apple cider vinegar gives me some relief, but not complete relief. I am taking Losec. I am intrigued by the low carbohydrate diet idea, but as a vegetarian, it is difficult to cut out carbs, especially after cutting out so many other foods that aggravate GERD."

[NAY]  07/30/2006: Bennie from Austin, TX writes: "I don't agree that the painkillers are what cause GERD. I was diagnosed with it about four years ago and was prescribed Nexium. I did not take the medication and by chance cut back my intake of breads and baked goods. GERD's symptoms went away almost instantly! Now I'm on ibuprofen daily for arthritic hip-GERD has NOT returned. Actually, I laid off the refined carbs, like sandwich bread, rice, cornbread, yeast rolls, commercial bake and serve breads...' I stopped getting the burn in my chest and throat from regurgitating my food intake."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  07/17/2006: Joe from Castro Valley, CA writes: "I read your site with interest - especially the article on acid reflux and ibuprofen. I recently had a bad bout of it never really had it before. The doc gave me an over the counter which ran out last Friday. Everything was good Saturday but Sunday morning I took ibuprofen for my back and guess what. The acid reflux came back. I then realized that when I complained to my doc I have been taking Ibuprofen regularly because of mouth surgery. So I think there is a connection between acid reflux and ibuprofen - does not bode well."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  06/30/2006: Michelle from Houma, LA writes: "I've been using tylenol for leg cramps almost daily, and ever since then i've had horrible acid reflux."