a good antacid? - Page 2

[hairpin]

Well, heartburn is still here. Nothing seemed to help much. I'd get it with milk, fizzy water, after eating and not after eating.

I did try papaya tablets. They work for the most part. But I am really really surprised at how raw carrots have really helped me. Give them a try. I eat a big one and it seems to soak up all the acid, better than with any tablet. Plus I get vitamins, fiber, and water in at only about 40 calories max.

Thanks for the tips.

[eilonwy]

Where in the world are you finding papaya enzyme tablets so cheap?!?!

The things that prevent my heartburn are eating tiny meals and sleeping sitting up.

[AdinaL]

Papaya enzymes are like $6 for 100 tablets here. So not too cheap.

[nighten]

Originally Posted by eilonwy

Where in the world are you finding papaya enzyme tablets so cheap?!?!

The things that prevent my heartburn are eating tiny meals and sleeping sitting up.

Mine were only a couple bucks at the healthfood store? The brand is Country Life. There's a lot in the bottle and I want to say it was like $4 or 5? It's been a while.

I tried the raw carrot thing too and it works but only very briefly for me -- but still, that's better than taking a Maalox quick dissolve.

But for me, honestly, the only thing that works for longer than a few minutes is Zantac 75. At least, that is, once I have the heartburn it's the only thing that gets rid of it completely -- I do lots to prevent getting the heartburn to begin with, but when it hits, it's usually bad. While it's been very helpful for lots of folks, for me the papaya has been no better nor worse than the Maalox in terms of battling the heartburn more than a few minutes, but I recognize that it's better *for* me so that's why I still take it.

[Wittyone]

Originally Posted by eilonwy

Where in the world are you finding papaya enzyme tablets so cheap?!?!

The things that prevent my heartburn are eating tiny meals and sleeping sitting up.

Do you have Trader Joe's where you are? $2.50 for a bottle of 100 tablets (papaya + pineapple enzyme - tastes good, works well)

[eilonwy]

Nope, no Trader Joe's, just two small, expensive health food stores.

[nighten]

Rynna try these?

http://www.ihealthtree.com/papaya-en...an-health.html
http://www.iherb.com/papaya.html
http://www.nowfoods.com/?action=itemdetail&item_id=3544

And it was hard to tell but looks like GNC has some affordable ones too if you have a GNC store there? (I never shop there so no clue but they have some on their website).

HTH!

ETA: Some stores will mail stuff out of state to people. That being the case, I'd try contacting a Trader Joe's and see how much it'd cost for them to ship you some. http://www.traderjoes.com/locations/index.asp

[mirandahope]

Originally Posted by burke-a-bee

Raw carrots are great for heartburn.

My prediction seems correct: that as I neared or entered the 3rd trimester, my heartburn would worsen...

I tried (after tums and soda water and eating regularly, etc didn't work for very long today) part of a carrot as I was making dinner and...
presto chango!! heartburn diminished immediately!! WOW!

I only like the one kind of carrot that is at a store 15 minutes' walk from here, so I'll go tomorrow and get more!!

Must try that again, like maybe tonight if I wake up again like last night with heartburn a few times!

Thanks for the suggestion! I wonder why it works? Anyone have an explanation?

[nighten]

It's the malic and tartaric acids in carrots that neutralizes stomach acid. For what it's worth, apples also have malic and tartaric acids -- but apple juice doesn't seem to help my heartburn...haven't tried eating a raw apple for it yet.

Anyone?

[eilonwy]

Originally Posted by nighten

It's the malic and tartaric acids in carrots that neutralizes stomach acid. For what it's worth, apples also have malic and tartaric acids -- but apple juice doesn't seem to help my heartburn...haven't tried eating a raw apple for it yet.

Anyone?

Um, how could acids make heartburn better? An acid can't neutralize another acid...

[mirandahope]

Originally Posted by eilonwy

Um, how could acids make heartburn better? An acid can't neutralize another acid...

The chemistry from highschool agrees with you; my body is enjoying carrots! I wonder what is going on chemically?

thanks Rynna, for reminding me about elevating my head when I sleep (you'd mentioned sleeping sitting up...which sounds so uncomfortable, but I suspect I may be doing that before April!) I got DH to raise the head of the bed with two books last night, then I slept with a big throw pillow and my regular pillow, and didn't wake up from heartburn. (though I did wake up from other things...)

[hairpin]

I don't see how juice could work as well as the raw fruit or vegetable. Liquids are typically bad for me when I have acid reflux as both milk and water make it worse.

I think most of why carrots work for me has to do with the combination of fiber and that it's an astringent. It seems like the carrot probably just soaks up all the acid and helps to move things through your system better. See links below for carrot and astringent pages. I found out carrots are also good for producing milk (at least that's what it says).

http://www.healthy.net/scr/mmedica.asp?MTId=8&Id=89
http://www.healthy.net/scr/Article.asp?Id=1580

[amyjeans]

try a tablespoon of cider vinegar- straight. It's tough to get through the initial WHAM of the vinegar but kills the acid in a heartbeat!
It works because it's a base- not an acid. I take one tbsp every night to help me sleep. Plus being preggy- it tastes just wonderful.
I also try to eat a salad every day with just olive oil and balsamic vinegar(lots) and that helps the heartburn as well as getting things *going* in the morning.

HTH!

[eilonwy]

Originally Posted by amyjeans

try a tablespoon of cider vinegar- straight. It's tough to get through the initial WHAM of the vinegar but kills the acid in a heartbeat!
It works because it's a base- not an acid. I take one tbsp every night to help me sleep. Plus being preggy- it tastes just wonderful.
I also try to eat a salad every day with just olive oil and balsamic vinegar(lots) and that helps the heartburn as well as getting things *going* in the morning.

HTH!

and now I'm really confused....

[JenniferC]

Wow, I payed $16 for a big bottle of papaya enzyme tablets, but they work like the dickens! I don't even need to take them everday, and only do 1/2 tab at a time as needed.

[amyjeans]

well, my bad-
vinegar is a digestive stimulant and found it to be a weak acetic acid. It still works though.
sorry if I confused you. Doesn't make sense though an acid knocking out an acid.

[mirandahope]

Originally Posted by amyjeans

try a tablespoon of cider vinegar- straight. It's tough to get through the initial WHAM of the vinegar but kills the acid in a heartbeat!
It works because it's a base- not an acid. I take one tbsp every night to help me sleep. Plus being preggy- it tastes just wonderful.
I also try to eat a salad every day with just olive oil and balsamic vinegar(lots) and that helps the heartburn as well as getting things *going* in the morning.

HTH!

I have to say I disagree about apple cider vinegar being a base. When I mix it with baking soda, the combination fizzes. Baking soda is a base and bases by definition react with acids by fizzing.

I do, however, believe you that it works for you. I am personally turned off by the smell, but glad it is an option.

[mirandahope]

i forgot to mention something else that has helped my heartburn/nausea: weak chamomile tea. My MW said I can have as much as I want a day; someone else said not too much. I keep it to about 2-3 bags max, and I reuse the bags throughout the day/evening.
My favourite brand is Twinings, somehow other brands now that I am pregnant taste wrong.