holy freakin heartburn

[rareimer]

i've never had it that bad in my other pregnancies, and even then, not until the end of the third trimester.  this time, it started weeks ago, and has recently gotten much much worse.  i usually end up waking up at 4am in pain from the acid.  papaya enzyme didn't touch it.  i was trying Gaviscon, which sort of helped, but even that doesn't help with the night time attacks.  anyone found anything that works?

[hck73]

Nothing natural :(  I've resorted to zantac.

[cparkly]

I have also had trouble sleeping due to the burn and have been using papaya enzymes with no relief. I took 3 regular strength tums last night for the first time and was amazed at how quickly it helped. I am going to look into other more natural approaches.

[bignerpie]

I had a prescription for Prevacid during my first pregnancy, and with this one I've been taking the OTC version. Unfortunately for me, nothing else works. I have GERD, and most of the time I can get by with just the papaya tablets, but definitely not while pregnant :(

[SuzyQ-ME]

I also have horrific heartburn. It sets in at the same time each day, regardless of what I do or eat. I had been taking the papaya enzyme - I feel like that helped when things were minor. I also take Tums, but I'd rate their effectiveness as pretty much the same as the papaya - they help more immediately but have no lasting effect.

Recently I started taking a tbsp of Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar and did get some relief - although I cannot take the stuff if it's currently burning or it just makes the fire hotter!

I spoke to the MW about all this, and she suggested the Bragg's might work if the issue is just an increase in stomach acid - as opposed to pressure from the baby (the cause of 3rd trimester HB).

Anyway, this was all working better until over the weekend things just got unbearable and I began to suspect I was also having reflux. The MW had recommended Pepcid AC 10mg. I resisted taking it for a long time, mostly because I've never taken it before and was scared to do so for the first time while pregnant. Anyway, Sunday night I just couldn't take it anymore so I took one. It certainly helped the burn but my stomach still felt weird. A couple of weeks ago my stepmother tried to force me to take Gaviscon - despite the fact that I kept saying I would not take anything I hadn't run past my MW.

What are all of your thoughts on Tums? My MW pretty much considers them almost natural, as they are just calcium. So I've been taking them without too much concern. Like I said, I don't find they work much better than papaya anyway.

[rareimer]

i picked up some Zantac today, on the recommendation from my pharmacist.  i hate to resort to anything unnatural, but everything else i've tried hasn't worked, and it's so painful :(  i hope it helps. 

i'd rather take Tums, because they are basically just calcium, but they didn't touch it, neither did the papaya enzyme or the Gaviscon.  i hadn't heard of the Bragg's, that could be worth a try to see if it makes any difference. 

yet another example of every pregnancy being SO different--i've never had it like this!

[hck73]

Originally Posted by SuzyQ-ME 

What are all of your thoughts on Tums? My MW pretty much considers them almost natural, as they are just calcium. So I've been taking them without too much concern. Like I said, I don't find they work much better than papaya anyway.

I get this every pregnancy, unfortunately.  It's my understanding that Tums should be your first line of defense.  For me, they do nothing.  I just read recently, though, that if you end up taking zantac, don't take tums, too, because they basically cancel each other out.  Hope the tums work for you.  Supposedly Zantac is fine to take but I still feel bad about it.  But if I don't, the acid will end up making me vomit :/

[kathrineg]

I take omeprazole. I've had horrible heartburn since forever so I was taking it pre-pregnancy, too. I missed a few days and was completely miserable.

Hope you feel better!

[SuzyQ-ME]

Are Zantac and Pepcid the same active ingredient? 

[rareimer]

Originally Posted by SuzyQ-ME 

Are Zantac and Pepcid the same active ingredient? 

Apparently, Pepcid is famotidine, and Zantac is ranitidine. 

[apple o' my eye]

I think I am having heartburn? I've felt so nauseous the last few days and urped a few times after taking my vitamins. The morning sickness pretty much went away after 1st trimester and I was never pukey from it. Here I am up at 2am cuz the nausea is so bad. Tums isn't helping, or slippery elm or ginger. I am worried about taking the Pepcid though, read about heart issues in newborns with protein pump inhibitors :-(

Any other suggestions?

[SuzyQ-ME]

Originally Posted by apple o' my eye 

I think I am having heartburn? I've felt so nauseous the last few days and urped a few times after taking my vitamins. The morning sickness pretty much went away after 1st trimester and I was never pukey from it. Here I am up at 2am cuz the nausea is so bad. Tums isn't helping, or slippery elm or ginger. I am worried about taking the Pepcid though, read about heart issues in newborns with protein pump inhibitors :-(

Any other suggestions?

I don't know if others would disagree, but for me heartburn and nausea are not at all related.   Heartburn is literally a burning sensation in the top of your stomach and sometimes extending up into your esophagus.  It's painful, and eating/drinking certain things (soda, spicy food) while it's happening seem to make it "flare."  But it doesn't feel like I'm going to toss my cookies.

My MW said Pepcid AC 10mg was the "safe" thing to take when the Tums stopped working, but definitely check with your own OB/MW to see what they recommend.  I am still doing my best to grin and bear it, but I can sleep without it bothering me.   If it is keeping you up at night, that's more serious. 

[kathrineg]

I've had nausea from reflux. I say that I've had "heartburn" but I rarely get that burning sensation. Just an overly full feeling, nausea, and the occasional "oh hey food, nice to see you again".

I also cough and get sore throats (and sinus headaches!) as a result of my reflux...who knew.

In terms of non-medication solutions: if you can find a cheap foam wedge, they're really good for sleeping. They have them at pharmacies sometimes. You can also prop up the head of your bed. I almost never lie flat on my back.

I try to stay sitting up for a long time after I eat. I also avoid eating food and drinking liquids at the same time. I try to always be sipping water, because drinking a big glass of water (or two) at once tends to make me really queasy.

I had to scrap prenatal vitamins altogether first trimester, and just took folic acid. Now I'm taking them, but they don't have iron in them. I take iron supplements separately, and I take them ever other day or so instead of every day (for my sanity).

In terms of diet, figure out what works for you. I actually don't have a problem with spicy food, as long as I don't eat it and then immediately lie down. Yogurt, on the other hand, kills my stomach. Orange juice is horrible too. There are good lists online for food to eat and food to avoid. It looks overwhelming, so I cut out the things I wasn't too fond of first and tried to limit other trouble foods to the mid-afternoon, when my stomach is at its best.

Good luck!

[apple o' my eye]

Originally Posted by kathrineg 

I've had nausea from reflux. I say that I've had "heartburn" but I rarely get that burning sensation. Just an overly full feeling, nausea, and the occasional "oh hey food, nice to see you again".

I also cough and get sore throats (and sinus headaches!) as a result of my reflux...who knew.

In terms of non-medication solutions: if you can find a cheap foam wedge, they're really good for sleeping. They have them at pharmacies sometimes. You can also prop up the head of your bed. I almost never lie flat on my back.

I try to stay sitting up for a long time after I eat. I also avoid eating food and drinking liquids at the same time. I try to always be sipping water, because drinking a big glass of water (or two) at once tends to make me really queasy.

I had to scrap prenatal vitamins altogether first trimester, and just took folic acid. Now I'm taking them, but they don't have iron in them. I take iron supplements separately, and I take them ever other day or so instead of every day (for my sanity).

In terms of diet, figure out what works for you. I actually don't have a problem with spicy food, as long as I don't eat it and then immediately lie down. Yogurt, on the other hand, kills my stomach. Orange juice is horrible too. There are good lists online for food to eat and food to avoid. It looks overwhelming, so I cut out the things I wasn't too fond of first and tried to limit other trouble foods to the mid-afternoon, when my stomach is at its best.

Good luck!

Great info!

I broke down and took pepcid for my sanity and ability to function. The not bending over or reclining after eating or drinking helps a lot. Does it ever get better or am I in my 5th month and looking forward to 4 more months of this??

I will be looking for a foam wedge!!
 

[kathrineg]

They have the wedges at independent/neighborhood pharmacies here in NYC, but outside of NY I would probably look at a surgical supply store or a store with mobility devices.

This is my first pregnancy but I guess it just gets worse as everything gets shoved out of the way! But, when I'm treating myself well and taking care of it it doesn't wake me up at night or anything. Just a minor nuisance. Hope you feel better!

[MtlMommy29]

I also have horrendous heartburn with reflux especially at night that it wakes me up.  I went to the pharmacist who had me buy Gaviscon which is the second line of defense after Tums.  So tonight will be my first night trying it.  I hope it works cause I need some sleep. 

If I can unblock my nose that is.......ha ha......

This is my second pregnancy it is way worst than the first.

[Pepperdove]

I always get awful heartbutn when I am pregnant, and with this pregnancy it started last night :/ 

Tums take the edge off, and they are always by my side, but sipping milk or snacking on yogurt always help me too. The papaya never really did anything.

I have determined I can't exactly eat dinner anymore, more of an evening snack, and garlicky foods set it off (waaah! I don't know how to cook without garlic!)

Weird things make it worse - Gatorade? Vitamin Water? But it is beautiful how fast it goes away as soon as the baby is born. Just magical. XD

[Mommel]

I have this problem too and it's awful... I've been taking papaya enzymes every now and then, but when they don't work I take a teaspoonful of apple cider vinegar... sounds crazy, I know... but supposedly, it triggers your esophageal muscles to tighten, decreasing heartburn over all... and then I can sleep. I found info about it here: http://www.nilheartburn.com/vinegar_for_heartburn.html HOWEVER, this site recommends a diluted amount and there is LOTS on the web that cautions people against this home remedy as excess acid can cause all sorts of gastrointestinal distress. I don't do it very often, but when I do it works like a charm.

I have refused to take Tums or Gaviscon so far because of the reported tendency for those to calcify the placenta prematurely... ALTHOUGH, I could find absolutely no scientific evidence of this anywhere on the web, and it seems to be purely anecdotal. My midwife told me to avoid Tums if I can though, so I'm sticking with my methods... I'll check back later if it gets bad enough for me to change my mind. :)

[mountainmama707]

Traditional Medicinals Heartburn Relief tea is working wonders this pregnancy for me. I drink a cup around dinnertime and one before bed. It is working better than Tums, which I ate constantly with the last 2 pregnancies.

[babynicholstobe]

I eat spicy, spicy food, even horseradish by the spoonful at times, and no heartburn. But drink some water on an empty-ish stomach-heartburn city. A bagel-holy heartburn! Chips and salsa with fresh jalepenos-nope. A banana-worst pain I've ever felt. My little girl must love that spice.

In other news, I wonder how true that old wives tale of lots of heartburn=lots of hair is. This is my first child, so I have nothing to base it on, just what others say.