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.
Gil (Niagara, Ontario) on 03/09/2009:
Hi
I would just like to say to those wanting to give up, DON'T!
I was not feeling too much better @ first, but gave it some time. The ACV has helped so much, that I haven't taken any meds in over 3 months! I was taking two Prevacids a day before for my Gerds. When you get good results, spread the good news so others can enjoy the benefits as well.
Richard (Bishops Stortford, Herts UK) on 03/08/2009:
I have just started to use ACV, and the early signs seem good (2TBS 8oz). However, it is early days yet, so I am not counting my chickens yet. I have long history of GERD, and have been diagnosed with a Granuloma, on my vocal chords. At the same time this arrived a weird itching sensation arrived too. Usually at the base of my neck, but also in my cheeks top of chest, and sometimes on my tummy. It is not like a normal itch, it feels like something is movin in my skin, and it goes red too. Could this be part of the effects of the acid? Or is this something else? Any advice gratefully received.
I have been on some type of GERD prescription for at least 10 years. I was getting desperate because I haven't been able to sleep through the night lately, even with maximum stomach meds. So I started doing some research online and found out about Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV). My Chiropractor mentioned it before, but I never tried it. Well, I've been off my Protonix/Zantac for 5 days. And it's even better than the medicine because since I've been using the ACV, when I lay down I don't feel stuff come up into my esophagus. I'm still playing with the ACV dosage and the timing, but I'm so much better already and sleeping better, WITHOUT the drugs. I take 2 teaspoons of ACV in a glass of water at mealtime 3 times a day and 1 teaspoon before bed. If I wake up in the middle of the night with any heartburn, I eat 1 or 2 apple slices and it stops it right away and keeps it from coming back up better than the drugs. It is amazing!!!!!!!!!!
I get GERD occasionally by eating too much sometimes. I take 2 tablespoons of ACV or red wine vinegar and down it, within minutes I burp and the mucous feeling goes away. The vinegar makes me hypersalivate which I think helps a lot.
I am a believer of ACV and it has really reduced my AF. I eat apples and drink 1-2 TSP of ACV in my morning and evening Apple juice. I find this combination settling to my stomach. I have had GERD for probably 27 years (I am 50). Sleeping on my right side for awhile and then waking up gasping for air with bile in my throat was not very pleasant for me or my wife! I have GREATLY reduced my tums and pepsid AC/Priloec intake. I love alcohol, chocolate, coffee and sweets of every kind. I have now addapted a life-style change for the better. The pot and 1/2 of coffee in the am has been reduced to a couple of mugs. I start to feel a little stomach upset and I grab my apple and like magic, the discomfort disappears. I have found this website a blessing! Thanks! Marty
After reading all the positive responses to apple cider vinegar curing GERD I figured why not. I have spent thousands of dollars, countless anguish, and many sleepless nights why not try vinegar.My most severe symptom was some type of anxiety attack when I lay down horizontally to go to sleep. I also had the usual symptoms of waking up choking and severe sinus congestion. Obviously not getting a good nights sleep is beggining to take it's toll. I was up late not able to sleep, and reading your site. I had some balsamic vinegar ,so I took about 4 swigs a minute or so apart and got almost immediate relief. I slept for ten hours only woke up once, and was not choking. I will brush with a little baking soda on my teeth trying not to swallow to protect my teeth from acidity. I can't prove it but it feels like the acidity from the vinegar washing on my hiatal hernia caused the stomach valve to close and my constant indigestion was gone.One night and I am quite hopeful. Thank you for your website.
I believe that I have acid reflux. I've had a horrible burning in my esophagus and severe nausea. I went to the doctor and they gave me a drug which is usually used for GERD. But, I hate taking medicines long term and the doctor didn't even tell me I needed to come back and take more of it.
So, every time I've gotten the burning sensation and nausea, I've taken ACV (and it was the aweful tasting grocery store kind), but it totally works. I've discovered that I don't even need a lot of the ACV in water for it to be effective. I used to use about a teaspoon to a tablespoon of ACV with a 8 oz cup of warm water and honey. It tastes horrible, but it works so fast! Now, I take maybe a capful of the ACV in 8oz of water and even that works fairly well. But I'd like to try the daily regimen or the tablet form to get this under control.
I was diagnosed with GERD a year ago my valve between my esophagus and stomach was gone and I had surgery to rebuild it last Jan. I started having symptoms again in Nov I was nauseous for a month straight after many expensive tests ( i moved states) they told me I have Gerd (surprise) and put me on Nexium (expensive)and Reglan, to no avail.
I found this site and wow! Thanks so much. I wanted to give you all some help I found. I drink the ACV hot in lemon tea with honey tastes like strong apple cider but it is much more palatable! I can eat all foods thanks to ACV and I am only nauseous maybe 1 out of 15 days instead of everyday. What a life saver.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all and thanks for sharing such vital info.
Have been taking ACV for two days now. I have been taking two tbsps in a 8 ounce bottle of water with honey and sipping @ it all day long. I have noticed that it is helping somewhat. I have been getting gas after drinking it and bad cramps. Also now i have pains in the pit of my stomach. Has anyone else had these reactions and should I be taking it only in the morning and @ night? Could it be also that it isn't organic ACV?? Please, any feedback would be apreciated!
Wondering if anyone has ever had chest pains from Gerds? I used to take Fosamax for a few years until it made me have acid reflux. I was diagnosed with Gerds about 5 years ago. I am on two Prevacids a day and most times they don't work. I had heard about the ACV a few years back but was afraid to try it in case it would make things worse. I don't do well with plain vinegar, so why would this be any different? I was in so much pain this week, that I picked up a bottle of the plain stuff last night @ the grocery store. I only took a half a tsp in 8 ounces of water with a little maple syrop and I am feeling a bit better.
What troubles me is the chest pains. I have never had them so bad. It was burning in both breast bone area and also in my upper chest. A bit of pain in my right arm as well. I think it is all related to the acid. Has anyone had similar problems?? Was also nauseated @ the beginning of the week when this all started being so bad. It woke me up just sortly after 1 pm. I have IBS as well as Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue, so I never know what is happening. I see some people on here use organic ACV. Is it better than other types??
I was Rx Nexium that control my symptoms for awhile but if I stopped the medication I was back in pain. I also had a hard time lying flat on my back to sleep. I also got to a point that I had to eliminate certain foods from my diet. I read the messages on this site and was impressed. I tried taking the ACV 2 table spoons in a glass of water . After 2 weeks I stopped the Nexium and I no longer need any medication, I am back eating anything I want , I breath better , I sleep flat on my back without any problems. Im a physician myself and I think the current medical analysis and cause of GERD is wrong. I think the cause is either 1. Low Stomach Acid Production " under production " 2. Yeast infection 3. Unkown Parasite
Item 1 is less likely I think its either 2 or 3 , the ACV kills the organisim over a 1-2 week time period . Just my thoughts . ACV has saved my way of life . Thank God for sites like this!
Carolyn (South Bar, Cape Breton Nova Scotia Canada) on 11/01/2008:
Thank heavens for finding this site... my birthday is on Oct. 31st and I was in dire pain from GERD just been diagnosed .. hadnt picked up my meds yet and went to WED to research Holistic REM... well mixed the ACV with water and it burned going down but after that I felt much better... it is next day and am not experiencing any burn at all... so will keep you posted Thanks
Having suffered for a while with the symptoms of GERD my doctor put me on a repeating prescription of PPI's, Omeprazole and then lansoprazole. The side effects of these plus the reducing effectiveness led me to this site. I tried 2 tbs of apple cider vinegar once a day in water but gave up too soon - after a few weeks. Well the pain and unpleasant symptoms continued and I jumped backed to the PPIs. After a few days of the side effects and the fact that they weren't treating the symptoms any longer I decided to go back to the Apple cider vinegar but decided to give it a go for a month. I used 2tbs,three times a day, occasionally adding a quarter teaspoon of bicarb. After a few weeks the symptoms went away.
I would like to point out that I gave up drinking fizzy drinks as well & so perhaps the combination worked. Frankly I don't care as I am now sleeping so much better and have even reduced the number of times I have the ACV.
I guess the moral of the story for me was that you have to be prepared to be in it for the long haul.
ACV: I have suffered Gerds for years and have been on Nexium, Prilosec and PRevicid. I eat ante acids like they are candy...I decided to try this remedy the other day and it felt a little better, but then I started getting an unbelievable burning in my stomach. I am still taking tums and I am currently trying not to take this other medicine. Doctor has me on zantac, not sure what to do. How much time is needed on this, it literally feels like my stomach is on fire. I want off of Nexium because I think it is causing my vertigo....anyone else have vertigo issues???EC: How much apple cider vinegar did you use? Was it well diluted with water? Was it an organic brand? More details needed, please!
Over the last year, I've noticed occasional burning in my throat that was similar to heartburn. I've also felt like I had something stuck in my throat. Last night when I went to bed, the pain and spasms were so severe, I actually considered going to an urgent care facility. I eventually fell asleep sitting up.
This morning, my internet research indicated that I probably have Laryngopharyngeal Reflux or "LPR" which is similar to GERD, just higher up in the throat.
Looking for a natural remedy, I found this website about ACV. 30 minutes ago, I drank 2 teaspoons of ACV mixed in a glass of water. I'm already feeling some relief! Keeping fingers crossed that this is the remedy I'm looking for! Thank you everyone for taking the time to post your thoughts! I think you just saved me a lot of "heart (burn) ache".
I have both GERD & Hiatal Hernia, and found that the Apple Cider Vinegar tablets made my condition worse (in fact my doctor told me not to take it anymore). So, what brand of apple cider vinegar do you recommend for me to take that Will help?EC: We've never been great fans of the tablets! Any organic brand will do.
It's only been about 10 days, but the APPLE CIDER VINEGAR remedy for GERD seems to be working (1 TBSP of ACV, 8 oz. of water, 1 TSP of baking soda and a little bit of honey). After endless days of a burning stomach, countless Prevacid pills and baby food jars, jello, applesauce etc., along with extreme weight loss, I'm actually approaching a normal diet now. Taking it slow as my stomach was probably about the size of a peanut and will take time adjusting to whole foods again. I just bought the ACV tablets so I'll see how they compare to the liquid. May God bless all of you as He has blessed me.
I have been on all types of acid reduction products since 1970 for acid reflux disease, gerd and a hiatal hernia. I used prylosec when you could only take it for two weeks at a time because it caused cancer in labratory rats.When my Dr.told me I could take it everyday, I asked him if the rats got better? I have been taking ACV for only five days and it seems to be helping. I have been using two tablespoons and a teaspoon of honey in eight ounces of water. I am still not sure whether or not to take baking soda with it and what that would accomplish if I do use the baking soda.
I have had GERD for almost 3 months. I did not know what it was until I researched it on the internet.I had been eating a lot of spagetti made with diced tomatoes as well as drinking tons of coffee and peppermint tea constantly. Apparently my diet brought about the GERD in the first place. Then about 2 weeks ago I caught a stomach virus from my daughter.My husband caught it too so I know for a fact that it wasn't just the GERD. Suddenly I could not digest anything at all. The reflux was unbelievable and unrelenting. I tried OTC meds like Zantac and Tums, as well as using sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to control it at it's worst. Nothing was truly working and I was living on crackers and honey for days. My throat hurt and I had the globus sensation. My throat felt so swollen and tender that I could not sing or talk with any force. I went to the doctor and he gave me samples of Aciphex. I tried that the next day but I felt horribly lightheaded and developed a bad headache.
I decided I wasn't going to go through a second day like that. I did an internet search and found this website. When I read about all of the people who were helped by drinking ACV I ran for the kitchen. All I had was Heinz brand ACV but I drank 1 tablespoon in about 8 ounces of water. I felt relief within minutes. I drank it with every meal that day. I kept the meals light and stomach friendly. That night I bought the good brand at Whole Foods(the one with the mother). The next day the globus sensation was gone. I continued that dosage with every meal for several days. After I began to feel better I cut back my dosage to about 1 teaspoon to 8 ounces of water. I usually only drink it once a day now in the morning, unless I feel like I might be starting to have reflux after a meal. Then I drink a smaller amount to counter the reflux. I am able to eat most regular foods now, although I'm being more careful about what I eat now and the amount. Keep in mind that I had a stomach virus as well as GERD so I think it took a little longer to recuperate than if I had only been dealing with GERD. Thank you all so much for your testimonials. They have made a huge difference in my life. I am eating and singing again, and feeling so much better.
I have suffered with GERD with a year. I could not eat tomato sauce, choclate, soda or fried foods (basically 90% of my diet :). I also could not lie flat in bed. The pain was constant, no matter what I ate, how I ate, when etc. I was put on the typial meds which either did nothing or made the pain worse. I was eating antacids like tic tacs. I asked the MD why I developed GERD as I have no risk factors for it and was unsatisifed with the answer of "it just happens". As a nurse, I need to know the reason why. The pain had to stop. I was not going to go through this the rest of my life. I came across your web-site and thank you and Thank God!! I used the regular ACV and it worked a little. My sister in law talked me into trying the organic ACV with the enzymes and I have used it for two weeks AND HAVE HAD NO PAIN!! I am back to eating whatever I want. I realized I felt better when I had raviloi for lunch followed by pizza for dinner and NOTHING HAPPENED! Previously, I would have been in pain for hours and eating meds and not able to lie down. I still get pain in my stomach if I'm stressed out, combined with bad food, and I rely on an OTC med that works, now one pill is all I need. But I have gone to eating meds to taking nothing!! I checked with my MD first who could neither recommend or dissuade me from using it, but he had no problems with me using it and basically said "knock yourself out". Thank you for being there for us who suffer and I wish someone would do a study on this so that others could be pain free as well.I can also sleep flat again, and on my back, with no pain. I take a tblsp in the morning in 12-16 oz water (be sure to shake the bottle) and again at night before bed. I feel great otherwise as well. It's like my stomach is happy!! Thank you thank you thank you
I have had GERD for so many years and relied heavily on the meds. After reading the patient insert on Prevacid recently, I was scared into seeking alternative treatment. Well, here I am. After trying the ACV, straight like wiskey :-), I burned worse than ever, then went about my day, and after five hours I realized that my symptoms were gone and that I had not taken my usual calcium anti-acids. I understand the new concept that it is an under-production problem and not over-production. This makes perfect sense that an acid would be the cure. I will keep you all posted on my progress. Thanks to Earthclinic for putting this very helpful information "out there".
I have been on Nexium for about 3 years. Prior to that, I had been eating Rolaids like candy and taking ranitidine OTC. I had my share of "breakthrough" acid over that period of time, and I had my doubts as to whether or not this was the correct way to treat my heartburn/GERD. It seemed as if we were just treating the symptoms not the underlying issue. Since my insurance company will no longer cover Nexium, I decided that it was time to find another route for relief.
A couple of friends who are studying to be naturopathic healers suggested I check this site. Thank heaven they did! My husband and I tried ACV with the Mother and we found almost immediate relief. We have only been using it for a few days, but I have now been off Nexium and all OTC products for heartburn/GERD, my husband has not awakened with acid problems during the night, and we are very happy with the results thus far. We will continue to use ACV and tell everyone about our wonderful results!
Thank you so much for this site! I will refer to it whenever I am in need of suggestions for other ailments.
Yesterday, I wrote concerning my first time using the Apple cider vineger. My condition was pretty severe - Gerd and/or acid into my throat and nose area, extreme pain and/or burning in the lungs. I have been dealing with this oondition for years, but it has worsened up until yesterday.
Today, I feel like I have woken up as a new man. I think my body is still trying to get used to the fact that I have no pain right now. I am totally amazed...
Yesterday morning I started out with two tablespoons of Apple Cider Vineger around 8:30AM or so. It was almost immediate that my body began to react. Withn the first few hours of taking the first dose, my stomach began to feel better.
Through out the day yesterday, I had taken a total of 4 doses at 2 tablespoons each. These doses were not accompanied by water or diluted with anything else. Just straight Apple Cider Vineger.
About halfway through the day, the burning sensation in my lungs went away.
Usually at night time, I have huge amounts acid or when going to bed. Not this time...
I am shocked. My body is literally shocked... I have never felt so relieved of these symptoms for years... This morning after waking I only felt a little acid, but this ws nothing compared to what I had been dealing with for years... I have already taken my first two tablespoons this morning and there is now no gerd...
I will keep using the Apple Cider Viniger! I want to thank all of you who have posted all of these remedies here and your results to which inspired me to make that change to using the Apple Cider Viniger!!!
I was doubter, I wasn't sure to believe the hype about using alternative meds, but after being told I have Acid reflux and trying to deal with the pain I truly believe. Last Tuesday, I got really bad heart burn induced by the stress at work, my boyfriend leaving for the summer to work and eating a heavy breakfast. I got home took a couple of tums and tried to go to bed when I had this sudden burst of wonderful acid up my throat. The pain got to point when it was hard to swallow eat and drink food! Now come on I am a chef tasting and eating food is my life and I am not able to work effectly nor sustain myself it was a complete bummer. Long story short I had this 1 ton elephant feeling on my chest and the raw pain in my thort didn't help either. I wen to urgent care. I was prescibed prevacid and instructed by the doctor that it will take time to heal the irriation in my throat and really there is nothing you can do for the pain. I immediately called my mom because my grandma also suffers from GERD as well and she gave me some helpful tips butI wanted result immediately. I first changed my diet and put my self on eating soft foods and whole grains which I am still doing Completely stopped drinking coffee :( tried honey, drinking kombucha tea which worked but got expensive. And ate soft rolaids like taffy. I fried recommended this site and this simple and inexpensive drink 2 TBSP ACV 1 TBSP desert honey and 1/4 tsp baking soda and 8 oz. of water. I can definately say that after drinking the drink it has soothed my raw throat and I an able to eat and drink things a lot bettter now and the heaviness on my chest isn't as bad but it is still there but at least I can starting eating and drinking since it hot out here ( it was a 107 today) being able to drink the fluids is important. Thank you all for your help.
I don't quite understand how Apple Cider Vineger even though a low acid, but an acid, would help anyone. I took 1Tb with 8oz of water and instantly I got heartburn and it all started coming back up. The next morning was even better, I had horrible diarrhea for hours. I have had severe gerd with tachacardia for over a year as a result of hydrocodone es and Robaxin (muscle relaxer). The recipe for ACV with Baking Soda sounds even worse, isn't that what makes the volcano eruptions in the science projects? I don't want my stomach to ingest that!
ACV cured my GERD. I've been suffering from reflux for 3 years. My symptoms include sore throat, gas backing up and excessive amounts of phlegm to the point I was having difficulty talking. Also, I would get these "vomit spasms" from my stomach whenever I eat any solid food. X-ray revealed that I had a loosened esophageal sphincter. The doctor gave me Zantac, Patriot and Nexium all with limited success. Finally I gave up and looked on the net for alternatives beside these expensive drugs. Found this site and decided to try ACV, it was 4$ for a large bottle so I really didn't have much to lose. I mix 2 tablespoon acv with water and honey and take it 2 times a day: One morning and one after dinner.
The result was immediate and amazing. All the symptoms disappeared. The spasms stopped, the sore throat is gone and I can speak clearly now. ACV is trully a miracle cure. Thank you so much for this site.
Katherine (Wellington, New Zealand) on 02/21/2008:
I found your website after being given three months supply of omeprazole. I felt I needed to research the condition in more depth. I am glad I have not had to take any. The Apple Cider Vinegar worked wonders with my very very sore throat almost immediately. The relief from the constant pain was hard to believe. I can now sing in the choir again. My throat feels wide open. It is hard to describe the sensation... I have had a lump in my throat for years. My throat' was getting more and more dry and hoarse which spoiled the enjoyment of singing in the choir. My breath is much better. My chest is still tight, the sensation of a band wrapped around it, but not as bad as it has been. I had a very bad virus three years ago with agonising cough and was prescribed strong ibuprofin for the pain from torn chest muscles. Although I did not take many I did not realise the side effects.
I have stopped coffee and red wine and will try to cut back on bread products. My bed is propped up and I think I am sleeping better. I take two cap fulls of ACV in 500ml water three to four times a day. It works for me, I understand GERD is a chronic condition and I intend to keep taking the ACV for the rest of my natural. I also mix up a concoction of manuka honey one teaspoon, big pinch slippery elm powder, pinch of powdered ginger, capfull aloe vera juice, capfull ACV, half cup apple juice and top up with water. Give it a good stir and sip during and after meals. It is delicious. I think the internet is just marvellous and your website excellent.
Hi, I've been taking ACV for two weeks now and I am feeling much better (No more sore throat, dull chest pain...). I was diagnosed with GERD about four years ago and was given Prevacid -later prilosec. I thought all was lost unit ACV. Question though, will I have to take ACV for the rest of my life or will I eventualy completely heal?
I've had serious GERD for 8 years. When the meds stopped working I consulted a specialist and bit the bullet and underwent a Lap. Nissen Fundoplication. 12 months after the op. (after a year indigestion free!) the symptoms returned and even worse...the meds (every type I tried!) gave no relief at all. Well I just discovered your incredible site and like so....SO many other testimonials on ACV, I AM ASTOUNDED HOW EFFECTIVE THIS REMEDY IS! From the first gulp I could feel it working. I've just had my 1st day waking up without a burning gullet and mucus filled throat, and even better, the constant throat clearing is gone completely :) All within 1 day of discovering this incredible, yet simple and cheap remedy. ..still astounding that professionals and doctors in the OZ & UK don't seem to know about it? You guys are fantastic - keep up the popularity and spread the word!!
I developed GERD after an ulcer which the doctor suspected was caused by excessive use of ibuprofen. Prilosec worked wonders at first, but gradually I developed size effects such as lower GI problems and burping. So I tried' ACV. At first it seemed to get worse, but gradually it got better and disappeared. I also made some dietary changes such as avoiding processed foods and adding high quality protein and omega 3 fatty acids. I weaned myself off the ACV and was off it for awhile, but a vacation where I consumed a lot of triggers brought it back. Seems like I can use ACV only when needed and just be careful when I'm not using it.
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