Painkillers & Acid Reflux Symptoms: Unhealthy Relations

I've had acid reflux most of my life but as I got older the symptoms have gotten worse. Waking me up at night, bile will literally be choking me in my sleep. I couldn't figure out why all of a sudden I was having these problems again when they seemed to have died down. But, after reading your article I realized that I had taken 2 Tylonal EZ Tab right before bed and have increased the amount I take over the past 2 weeks. All the while my reflux symptoms have increased and I was clueless. Hopefully this will help.

My acid reflux started in spades after taking Naproxin and also prednisone. Right now Allegra is kicking it up. I HATE meds. (most of em anyway .... I'd stick with my thyroid and heart meds ... but the others .... no thank you)

I took 600 mg of ibuprofen (Motrin) almost every day for about 5 months because I was doing physical labor and came home every night in pain. I developed acid reflux after about 3 months but didn't know what it was until I went to the doctor 2 months after that. The doctor also discovered that I had an ulcer. I attribute the ulcer and the acid reflux to the ibuprofen. I am now on Nexium and hate taking prescription medication so a few days ago I started taking a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar before bedtime and I have no problems with the reflux through the night! Thank you for the information you've posted on this website. I was desperately trying to find a remedy and I think I've found it!

Four years go I was diagnosed with acid reflux. Prior to this I had been prescribed different medications including anti-inflamatories. A year and a half ago I started to develop food intolerances and now my diet is limited to fish and certain vegetables. I haven't been able to have tea or coffee for a year and a half. I had been taking a PPI but I stopped taking it thinking it was causing me to be intolerant to certain foods. The ACV has helped with the gastric reflux but I haven't noticed a difference with the intolerances. Please help if you know of anything that might work.

Thank you, Rosemary! I was recently diagnosed with mild arthritis in my hip. The doctor suggested that I take 800mg of Advil twice a day. That was as of 6/1/06. Last week I started to notice that my acid reflux was acting up. For the first time in years, last night was the most uncomfortable because the reflux was out of control. I will try the apple cider vinegar to see if it helps.

I broke my shoulder playing softball and was given endocet 10/325 and naproxen 500mg. A week later I realized that I had a major problem. Something was causing me to feel like I was choking. Being in great shape all my life and never having an allergy, It was very disturbing. After lots of research I found that the pills and stress from the injury had really messed my stomach up bad. After all kinds of doctors and meds... I listened to my 87 year old neighbor. 2 days of apple cider vinegar and no more problems.

baby aspirin for plantar faciitis of foot exacerbated my potential gerd situation and the 2 tsp 2 or 3 times a day apple cider vinegar settled the gut; I also have taken more real diversionary rest and relaxation as I was in a stressful situation and was also drinking coffee and tea during the day; got away and took a break, taking my stress too seriously.

I've been using tylenol for leg cramps almost daily, and ever since then i've had horrible acid reflux.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I do not remember having acid reflux until I started taking Advil. I only take 1-2 a day in the early evening.

Started taking Aleve (3 pills on the weekends) to help easy by lower back pain... one year after I started having acid reflux.