Heartburn From Hell

[Trap Queen Voxxy]

So, I have episodes like this from time to time and perhaps someone can help me out here, idkkk, stab in the dark but like I just get serious bouts of heartburn, out of nowhere that will last for hours upon hours. Like I didn't anything spicey or anything and really only consumed large amounts of diet coke and nicotine but for the past 24 hours I've had serious heartburn that just will not go away. I tried pepto and milk magnesia and stuff but it didn't help. The only thing that seems to help when it happens is milk. Any idea what this is? My diet is pretty crazy, I will admit but I rarely eat to spicey of food and it's generally healthy and I avoid acidic things so it's like wtf. I will also say I suspect it may be all the soda pop but even still, these heartburn periods just come and go and I won't even change anything up. Any other way I could get rid of it or prevent it?

[Creative Destruction]

really only consumed large amounts of diet coke and nicotine

This is likely your problem if it is heart burn. Both of those things can cause heart burn real bad. Just cut the soda out. If you really need something carbonated, switch to fizzy water with no flavoring. I'd say quit smoking, but I know that's easier said than done. Just try to limit it.

And yeah, you need to eat foods that have more base. Milk works, as does cheese. As for prevention, go to your doctor to see since they'll be able to tell you. In the mean time, go get some omeprazole (generic Prilosec) from the pharmacy. It's a proton pump inhibitor that reduces gastric acid. My doc put me on it and it helped me.

Really, the best thing you do is to control your diet. It's not just spicy things; anything acidic can set it off.

[Alan OldStudent]

Heartburn can come from a number of causes. If antacids don't help, you might have something called GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). You need to see a doctor to see if this is the case, because if you have GERD, it needs treatment. Untreated GERD can lead to something called Barrett's esophagus. You want to avoid that, as this seems to be implicated in cancer of the throat.

Another thing that can cause heartburn such as you describe is undiagnosed cardiac disease, hardening of the arteries.

Please get a doctor to look at this. This could be serious, and the sooner you get it looked at, the better.

Regards,
Alan OldStudent
The unexamined life is not worth living--Socrates

[Quail]

I'd go and see a doctor - I used to have stomach acid issues and I got some medication for it, which helped. I'd agree that drinking loads of fizzy pop is probably not going to help. If you don't like water you could try getting squash or something instead (or milk if that helps).

[brigadista]

see a dr ASAP - i had similar symptoms before emergency gall bladder removal

[Trap Queen Voxxy]

see a dr ASAP - i had similar symptoms before emergency gall bladder removal

That's why I posted a thread here about it, actually. I don't have insurance and already have sizable hospital bills for other things so I don't have the option of seeing a doctor. But damn, I didn't know or think it could potentially be serious. :( I just thought it was some stupid, inconvenient plague.

Thank you all for replies, that makes lot of sense. Also, Quail, what do you mean squash? Also, could I get a generic OTC medicine like Rednoise was saying and it do the same thing and be no different than had I sought a doctor?

[Creative Destruction]

That's why I posted a thread here about it, actually. I don't have insurance and already have sizable hospital bills for other things so I don't have the option of seeing a doctor. But damn, I didn't know or think it could potentially be serious. :( I just thought it was some stupid, inconvenient plague.

Thank you all for replies, that makes lot of sense. Also, Quail, what do you mean squash? Also, could I get a generic OTC medicine like Rednoise was saying and it do the same thing and be no different than had I sought a doctor?

It's still probably a good idea to see a doctor, because Alan OldStudent is right: it could be different things, with variances in seriousness. I wouldn't show up at an E.R. for it, but if your community has a community urgent care center or a friendly family physician, I'd go to them.

Maybe see if you have a free clinic in your town: http://www.nafcclinics.org/

[Brandon's Impotent Rage]

This sounds alot like Acid Reflux Disease, which is a condition I have. It's the type of stuff that makes you want to roll over and die.

Like everyone else has said, go and see a doctor as soon as you can.

[Quail]

Squash is like drink syrup that you dilute with water, if that makes sense. Or maybe you'd call it cordial?

[brigadista]

Vox Populi - apologies I am in the UK and therefore benefit [for now anyway] from free medical treatment - seems like Rednoise has some good advice above but i don't know - I just hope you get some help though and good luck - its horrible ..