At the end of my rope with this reflux...

No help, but sympathy - I'm 17 weeks and have had it with heartburn from the beginning and will save this thread in case I am in your boat later on!

I had reflux bad w/ DDs (not this time, have a feeling it is a DS) I spent a chunk of the pregnancy on the couch at night with a jug of water beside me. Sleeping sitting up was the only thing that helped me.

Can you get Maalox where you are? It's over the counter and comes in liquid or pill form. I used the liquid form and I couldnt have had a happy pregnancy without it. I had such awful acid reflux and this saved me every time.

SAME EXACT boat as you. I was actually in bawling tears yesterday bc I was so miserable...I was about to take myself to the hospital to let them induce me. BUT...I went to my MW and told her I couldn't take it anymore and she gave me Nexium. I had tried EVERYTHING under the sun, NOTHING working. I HATE taking meds, but enough was enough. If you are stressed/hurting then the babe is doing the same thing....not good. BTW, I'm 38 weeks today. I just couldn't eat anymore. I tried the blandest foods before taking the pill and it still was horrible. I have taken two pills so far and it has worked wonders. So far...hopefully it'll last until my son is born.

Maybe you'll have to bite the bullit and do what I did...especially if you are to the point of not being able to eat. You have to do whatever you have to do to keep that baby safe and comfy.

GOOD LUCK!

I feel your pain. I only get this problem when I am pregnant, and no change in diet helps in the least. For the immediate problem of acid in the esophagus and throat, I dissolve about a teaspoon of baking soda in a little bit of water and chug it. Tastes terrible, and the relief doesn't last long, but it does neutralize the acid on contact and takes the burn away. Sometimes this is the only thing that allows me to sleep at night. Hope your feel better soon.

I second the Maalox, but if that's not enough you might have erosions in your esophagus (sp?) that need more serious treatment. (my situation) In FL, CNMs can prescribe medicine, but I don't know how it is in OH...different, I'm guessing. If you don't mind spending the money, try Prilosec OTC. It's the same as the prescription stuff and the only thing that works for me. Take it three days in a row about 1/2 hour - 1 hour before you eat dinner each night.

I don't like the idea of taking any medication during pregnancy, but if you've gotta, then you gotta do it. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!

I'm taking papaya enzyme supplements which work 90% of the time.

When they don't I take zantac (yes, cat. B)

Yeah, famotidine (Pepcid) and ranitidine are the same class of drug... I guess I could try ranitidine and see if it works any better. I just don't know if any H2 blocker is going to cut it anymore, given how completely ineffective the famotidine is now.

I'm taking ranitidine 150mg twice a day. It mostly keeps the acid down. I can tell when I'm due to take the next dose, though. I do have pre-existing GERD, but I've never had it so bad as when I'm pg in the 3rd trimester. I'm also 34 weeks, and there is so much pressure, it's ineveitable to have some reflux. Keeping the acid at bay is what's really important, though.