The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Reece (Brisbane, Australia) on 10/13/2006:
Re: reflux caused by Ibuprofen sorry, I don't even know how to spell it, because i have never used it. I have reflux. I have never taken ANY pills too much, let alone that one. Very very rarely have i taken medication. This is not what caused my reflux :( MY friend uses ibuprofen all the time and has no reflux. So, there has to be yet another reason :(
I had a "frozen shoulder" and the physical therapy was a bit painful. I was told by the physical therapist, and previously by a chiropractor, that Advil was beneficial to help the inflammation. The chiropractor said that 2400 mg daily was okay, and I got into the habit of taking it 3 pills at a time. One day I started having lingering abdominal cramps and heartburn. I went to a doctor and he said there was a sore on my larynx that looked to be from stomach acid. he put me on Nexium and told me to stop taking Advil. He also gave me a list of foods not to eat (tomato, chocolate etc.) My symptoms got better on this program, but my stomach still seems more sensitive than it used to be.
I now have Acid Reflux Disease. The Ibuprofen was given to me to cure Migraine headaches it caused me immense pain in my stomach. I took them on and off for about five years and since they did not help me I just stopped. Finally learned that the migraine was from an aneurysm in my brain. After the operation the headaches stopped. Many medications have such terrible side effects. They gave me Dilantan so I wouldn't have any seizures and it caused my gums to bleed severely. I only took them for about six months that was 6 years ago and my gums still bleed. We are all better off taking natural remedies. If you have to take meds make sure you take Acidophilus to give back healthy bacteria in your intestines. Good health to all. And blessings to the creator of this website.
I was taking Nexium for LPR Reflux.' Will try your cider vinegar remedy. I hate taking medication. I too, have been having sore throat so have been taking Advil. Seemed to make my condition worse (now I understand why!!!!). So bad that I would wake in the middle of the night with coughing fits that lead to my throat closing up and causing me to literally "gulp" for air. I too had tried the South Beach diet about a month before I starting having a problem with sore throats. To top it off, I have been recently drinking a lot of 100% grape juice. Hope this remedy works!
i was taking ibuprofen, extra strength ibuprofen and advil cold and sinus. which has ibuprofen in it . I now have acid reflux ad possibly an ulcer from it. I'm going to try the vinegar
You asked for information on people taking medication and its correlation to GERD. I have taken, for 20+ years Excedrin to treat headaches and migraines. There have been other meds taken over the years as well, both RX and OTC. Approximately 5 years ago I was diagnosed with GERD after an "attack" so severe that I had to seek treatment at the ER. It took me until about 2 years ago to figure out that the meds are at least in part contributing to my condition. I am scared now because after a respite from the disease for a few years, GERD is back and in full attack mode. I walk around all day every day with a feeling like I have a peanut butter sandwich STUCK in my throat. I feel stuff backing up in my throat. Faltering voice, sore throat, hoarseness, etc. etc. I am SUPER intrigued about the ACV and hopefully will be trying to purchase some either tomorrow or over the weekend. My insurance company is not allowing Nexium, which my doctor has prescribed; the insurance company will allow Previcid, but even with insurance consideration I fear that I will not be able to afford it. The only concern I have is the repeated comments I see on other web sites stating that individuals should not self treat or attempt to self treat GERD. I am at risk for Barrett's syndrome (or whatever it is called). Does anyone have a comment on the preceding paragraph concerning self treatment, or can anyone offer advice? Thank you and GOD BLESS!
I took Rite Aid Brand Migraine Relief for 2 days to treat a migraine and after the second night, I began having acid reflux. I have experienced reflux before after taking Advil a few years in the past. This med does not have ibuprofen in it, though. I though it would be safe because the pain killer ingredient is Acetaminophen.
I was prescribed NAPROXEN for a tooth infection. I had never had reflux before taking this medication. I felt like I had something stuck in my throat, I was constantly having to clear my throat and I would regularly loose my voice. I saw a specialist who stuck a camera up my nose and down my throat and he said all the back of my throat was badly burned. He prescribed medication that I will not take for fear of this getting worse. After finding your site I am off to buy some apple cider vinegar and will try that
I have used Ibuprofen for quite some time. I've used the name brands mostly Advil and some generic brands @ Costco. I have used them over periods of 2-3 months for back pain. Taking as many as 4 at a time as prescribed by my doctor. I just noticed recently that when I take ibuprofen, within 4 hours my symptoms of GERD are full blown. I couldn't explain the relation between the two until now. I have experienced an epiphany today.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
(194) 
