Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Heart-burn/acid reflux related to AS?

Hey,

the enemies are lying down too soon, alot of fat ( banannas are fatty as well as starchey ), spicey food, coffee, booze sorts of takes the fun out of life.

Go see the Dr tell him he'll probably give you somac, nexium etc one of the PPI's. you take it easy on the bad foods for a while then you can go back on your favourite foods later.

Some meds make this worse for me nsaids and the methetrexate....

Dave

just a little input here... haven't read any other posts....It may be from meds, but I've found that if you drink a good 6-8 oz of water 15 minutes before you eat, you'll cut back on acid reflux & heartburn. If you're dehydrated in any way, your body will respond with reflux. What happens is there's this little pocket just after your stomach (duodenum) that needs liquid to help digest food. If there's not enough liquid, it will pull from your stomach, which gives the acid burn. One dr that did a study on the importance of water was able to heal all stomach ulcers & reflux & indigestion & the likes with his patients drinking enough water. Americans in general do NOT drink the amt of water we need. We're suppose to drink 1/2 our weight in oz of water or more to be completely hydrated. Also, your first hunger pains are actually hunger for water. Thirsty sensations mean your body is already in severe dehydration. We usually overeat because our bodies are crying for water!!! When babies are breastfed, the first milk is 'water' to satiate their thirst, then comes the hindmilk to feed them.. Pretty cool, eh?!

I'd personally try that before going to more drugs. Usually acid reflux if because there's not enough acid, but the meds will completely neutralize the acid, which will damage your digestion process.....know what I mean??

Thank you, Trudi, my first impulse is to always avoid pharmaceuticals, except as a last resort. I will try drinking more water, especially before eating. Thanks.

I have had those problems for nearly 20 years with heart burn and acid reflux. When it first started the doctors assumed it was from the medications I was on, but it continued even when I went without meds for a few years. It seems to get worse during flares when the AS is active and there are a few drugs that increase it. I love a good banana sandwich from time to time but they don't like me.

I have found the reflux is not as bad if I avoid eating anything after 6:30 to 7:00pm. Some foods like onions and a few spices I won't eat after 5:00pm and I don't end up waking up all night feeling like there is a fire brewing.

Brent

I had what is now called GERD since my early 20's....am 44 now....a couple years ago I got diagnosed with Barrett's Esophagus....then this year, they didn't find Barrett's cells in my esophagus...it is a pre cancerous condition that develops after GERD, which used to be acid refux....all those Alka-Selzers and Tums, Rolaids...wow. You must get an upper GI endoscopy, it's painless, an outpatient procedure....they look down your throat, and see what damage has been done to your esophagus due to acid refux....

Do it, the flares from AS, or siffening of spine and bones can definitely play a role in your stomach spitting back acid....I think so, from my experience...you can't relax in certain positions when stiff or in flare, and if you eat spicy foods, drink too much coffee or booze, especially before going to bed...whoa...look out...the acid creeps up, sometimes violently....lie on your left side and prop up your head and shoulders with a stiff pillow...

Hang in there, be proactive, don't wait 20 years to find out Tums didn't help the underlying condition. Now there are meds that will help you, both perscription and over the counter....
Peace
Linc