Two Years with GERD... Recovery Journey and Lifestyle Changes
I'm in my early 30s and have been suffering from GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) for two years. It started with a burning sensation in my chest, then later I developed a sore throat and even a chronic cough. I had an endoscopy at the hospital and took a PPI (proton pump inhibitor) for 8 weeks, but it kept recurring whenever I stopped the medication.
After analyzing the causes, I found three major factors for me:
- Eating late-night snacks after 11 PM
- Drinking water 30 minutes before bed
- Stress-induced hyperventilation
To break my late-night snacking habit, I decided to stay on an empty stomach after 7 PM. The first two weeks were the hardest; I'd swallow hard and endure it about 2-3 times a week. And rather than just raising my pillow, I started using a wedge pillow that lifts the entire upper body by about 15 degrees, and I can definitely feel the difference.
Now I live without medication and with no major symptoms. Occasionally, if I drink coffee, I get heartburn, and only then do I take medication. If anyone is suffering from the same symptoms, I really want to say: fixing lifestyle habits comes before taking medicine.
10 answers
Agreed, habits are better than medicine.
Oh, I didn't know about this - an inclined pillow, whoa
I've also had reflux for over 2 years, and cutting out late-night snacks is the hardest part. I really relate to feeling fine during the day but waking up at night with that burning throat sensation. How did you manage the 15-degree upper body incline?
Well... I tried that too, and in the end I'm still taking medication. It varies a lot from person to person, so I'm not sure you can make a blanket statement. Still, improving habits does help.
I switched from coffee to barley tea, and it definitely got better. It feels like it neutralizes stomach acid.
Got a source? Raising your upper body by 15 degrees could hurt your back.
For office workers, fasting at 7 PM is really tough lol. But still, it's worth trying.
I also went through the cycle of just taking meds and relapsing, but it eventually improved once I dieted and quit drinking. I agree with the author. However, definitely get tested for H. pylori.
OK OK, thanks for the good info.
I have a slightly different opinion. Lifestyle habits are important, but stopping PPI after just 8 weeks seems like a doctor's prescribing error. You may need a longer maintenance period, and stopping on your own makes relapse more likely. The author might have gotten lucky with their habits, but reflux has many different causes, so treatment should be tailored to your own condition.