papaya enzyme « Back to Group Discussions

[rozziemama]

So, in the weekly chat I just posted about the raging heartburn I've had all week/weekend. I just bought papaya enzyme tablets. I've been chewing them all morning. Anyone know if its possible to OD on papaya enzyme??? I love the way they taste and if they are going to help me digest my food, I am going to have to rely pretty heavily on them!

Seriously - it is 10:30 am and all i've eaten today is oatmeal - yes, OATMEAL - and it's given me heartburn. WTF.

Also bought some acidophilus, figure, anything that helps with digestion is worth a try, right??

[cristeen]

It may be time to start an elimination diet.  With DS I couldn't eat much in the way of grains at all, particularly wheat, or I'd have nasty reflux.  A bowl of oatmeal would have been just as bad as a piece of toast for me. 

I use digestive enzymes (which are different), and they're not chewable (capsules).  You can OD on them, in that if there isn't sufficient food in your stomach, it can damage your stomach. 

For more long-term use I'd suggest trying ginger.  I use ginger chews and/or candied ginger (not crystallized).  I find them both at Trader Joes, and it's the cheapest place by far to get either of them, although I can also get them in the bulk bins at the HFS.  Or a strong ginger ale made with real ginger - we use microbrews because they have far more ginger in them.  Reeds or Maine Root are my fave. 

Enzymes are great right after meals, but for the in between times, I'd stick with ginger. 

[rozziemama]

Yuck. Thanks Cristeen, you're probably right.  I need to figure out if it's a certain food that is making things worse or if it's just the amount i'm eating or what. But I'll buy some ginger too. Good idea.

[BubbleMa]

I feel your pain.  Water gives me heartburn.    I did the papaya enzymes with DD, but they didn't really work for me so I haven't tried them yet.  I'm just doing Tums for now, but I usually only take them at night.  I try to just deal with it during the day.  My midwife says that cayenne pepper works really well, and a lot of her patients have had lots of success with that.  I'm not sure how they take it, but I can look into it for you if you think it's something you might do. 

[rozziemama]

Wow, so curious about the cayenne thing - seems like it would be counter to what I need but I'd definitely try ANYTHING! Seriously. 

Originally Posted by BubbleMa 

I feel your pain.  Water gives me heartburn.    I did the papaya enzymes with DD, but they didn't really work for me so I haven't tried them yet.  I'm just doing Tums for now, but I usually only take them at night.  I try to just deal with it during the day.  My midwife says that cayenne pepper works really well, and a lot of her patients have had lots of success with that.  I'm not sure how they take it, but I can look into it for you if you think it's something you might do.

[rozziemama]

Just thought I'd update the group - not sure if it's because of the papaya enzymes for three days, but the acid reflux and burning seems to have subsided (knock on wood)... I still feel a little weird digestively, lots of burping but much less horrible acid burning which was killing me this weekend.

[BubbleMa]

Good!  I'm having trouble remembering my Yahoo! password to get into the group and get you the instructions for the cayenne remedy.  I'll post it as soon as I can find it though. :)

[rozziemama]

Thanks!