Treating Acid Reflux with Magnesium?

[Dario]

I'm a diabetic since probably about 2 decades and among all the medication I take I have been given one omeprazole 20 mg per day for as long as I can remember. At my last check-up on JAN 26 my doctor took me off omeprazole.
Not a good idea. A few days later I developed acid reflux which has persisted to this day. I relieve it a bit by taking half a tsp of baking soda diluted in some cold 7-up once a day.
Then I came across (video link removed by Moderation) of a doctor that prescribes her patients Magnesium. When I further researched I found that one specific type of magnesium to take is magnesium glycinate. Google it, there are many videos about it. I looked on Lazada and found (name removed by Moderation) product which I ordered. It arrived yesterday, so last night I took my first capsule. Apparently there are some fake capsules on the market and I do hope the product I bought is not one of them, since the website mentioned on the container is offline. I'll let you know in about one month if my condition has improved or not.

Who knows that this post might help others as apparently many people suffer from acid reflux.
 

[anyone]

7 minutes ago, Dario said:

...acid reflux.

 

Peppermint gels

[flyingtlger]

Have you ever tried Fennel seeds? 

I used to get heart burn after eating India food but I noticed a little tray at the cash register with little seeds.

The owner told me to get a small spoonful and chew it.

Sure enough, it relieved the heartburn.

 

https://pharmeasy.in/blog/10-incredible-health-benefits-of-fennel-seeds-saunf/

 

[Denim]

OP, why did your doctor take you off the omeprazole ?

 

I also take this and find it very effective. However, I try to get by on taking one tablet every other day rather than daily. Mostly works out OK. If I get any reflux,  rather than increasing the dosage I just chew on 2 Antacil tablets which bridge the gap if and when necessary. 

[steven100]

gaviscon will stop heart burn in an instant.  you can buy the singular dose packs at 7-11 around 12 baht.

[Dario]

9 minutes ago, Denim said:

OP, why did your doctor take you off the omeprazole ?

 

I also take this and find it very effective. However, I try to get by on taking one tablet every other day rather than daily. Mostly works out OK. If I get any reflux,  rather than increasing the dosage I just chew on 2 Antacil tablets which bridge the gap if and when necessary. 

 

Good question. I don't know. She also took me off Aspirin 81 mg which I was given as long as Omeprazole. My next doctor's appointment (in a government hospital} is still far away on May 3, but mostly I always get another doctor. I hate those visits as I usually stay there from 06:00 to about 11:30/12;00! My meagre pension does not allow me to go to a private hospital.

[Mike Lister]

14 minutes ago, Dario said:

 

Good question. I don't know. She also took me off Aspirin 81 mg which I was given as long as Omeprazole. My next doctor's appointment (in a government hospital} is still far away on May 3, but mostly I always get another doctor. I hate those visits as I usually stay there from 06:00 to about 11:30/12;00! My meagre pension does not allow me to go to a private hospital.

I would be most concerned at being told to stop taking Aspirin 81mg which presumably was for cardiovascular disease? Perhaps @Sheryl will comment.

[Dario]

19 minutes ago, steven100 said:

gaviscon will stop heart burn in an instant.  you can buy the singular dose packs at 7-11 around 12 baht.

 

Interesting! Never heard of this. Under what form do you buy this and how much does it cost? In Malaysia they have a liquid form in 300 ml bottles.

You might be my savior ,,, who knows. But anyway, I will still continue to take Magnesium every day.

 

 

Edited February 26 by Dario

[steven100]

3 minutes ago, Dario said:

 

Interesting! Never heard of this. Under what form do you buy this and how much does it cost? In Malaysia they have a liquid form in 300 ml bottles.

You might be my savior ,,, who knows. But anyway, I will still continue to take Magnesium every day.

 

 

yes,  it's the liquid type,  that picture shows the 300ml bottle and the singular satchel I mentioned.

Try it and see how you go,  it works for sure   !!      maybe try a singular first then if your good with it get a 300ml.

take a spoonful each morning after breakfast ....   heartburn gone   !

[Dario]

4 minutes ago, steven100 said:

yes,  it's the liquid type,  that picture shows the 300ml bottle and the singular satchel I mentioned.

Try it and see how you go,  it works for sure   !!      maybe try a singular first then if your good with it get a 300ml.

take a spoonful each morning after breakfast ....   heartburn gone   !

 

Thanks for elaborating. Quite expensive this stuff. Do you need to take this every day?

[JackGats]

I've found Gaviscon to be more efficient than PPIs. Dunno if it's ok for diabetics since it tastes sweet. Besides, it is mighty expensive. It is based on alginate building a raft on top of stomach content to prevent it from soaring.

[Mike Lister]

OP, was the Aspirin prescribed by a doctor, if so for what reason? 

[scubascuba3]

13 minutes ago, Dario said:

 

Thanks for elaborating. Quite expensive this stuff. Do you need to take this every day?

Try Antacil first, 12 baht a strip, effective and much cheaper than gaviscom. I buy from Fascino

[quake]

This stuff will give instant relief.

with just a small nip, about 70 baht a bottle any pharmacy.

 

 

[Dario]

10 minutes ago, Mike Lister said:

OP, was the Aspirin prescribed by a doctor, if so for what reason? 

 

Cardiovascular problems. I have a heart history. And probably to prevent strokes.

[steven100]

15 minutes ago, Dario said:

 

Thanks for elaborating. Quite expensive this stuff. Do you need to take this every day?

 

Just take 1/2 teaspoon each morning, or every second morning to keep the cost down,

or just take a little when you feel heartburn coming on ....    I'm just saying each morning to ensure your good all day as you might be away from home when the heart burn come on ....  

Like anything you buy,  you have to pay if you want it fixed,  and it does work.

[Mike Lister]

Just now, Dario said:

 

Cardiovascular problems. I have a heart history. And probably to prevent strokes.

You will need Sheryl to confirm this but stopping aspirin as a treatment for cardiovascular disease is not without risk, despite Aspirin being a known cause of stomach related issues. If done under the guidance of a cardiologist, it's OK but if merely based on an instruction by a government doctor, I would be very nervous. I recently had to stop taking aspirin 81mg for an operation and doing so was a significant cause for concern, even though a cardiologist was involved.

[Foxx]

1 hour ago, Dario said:

Then I came across (link removed) of a doctor that prescribes her patients Magnesium.

 

Don't get medical advice from YouTube quacks.  From Wikipedia:
 

Quote

Barbara O'Neill is an Australian alternative health care personality, known for promoting dangerous and unsupported health practices and ideas. She previously presented these treatments at alternative medicine organisations, wellness retreats, and Seventh-day Adventist Churches despite not having any recognised qualifications and failing nursing training.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_O'Neill

 

[Foxx]

1 hour ago, Dario said:

When I further researched I found that one specific type of magnesium to take is magnesium glycinate

 

When dealing with acid reflux, one can use certain magnesium compounds to neutralise the stomach acid - compounds such as magnesium carbonate and magnesium oxide.   Magnesium glycinate is not one of these compounds.  It can be medically helpful where someone is magnesium deficient, but it won't do anything for acid reflux.

 

The alternative approach is to reduce the amount of acid produced by the body.  That is what the Omeprazole was doing for you.

Edited February 26 by Foxx

[Mike Lister]

I have removed the video links posted by the OP, please do not repost.

[grumpyoldman]

Large tablespoon apple cider vinegar with "the mother" in a bigger than 8oz glass of water, religiously, every morning. I do about 16oz water but that cured it for me. Haven't had 1 bout of indigestion since, been doing on 4-5 years now.

 

Little rough at first, one friend said he got gag response when he tried, but after you get used to it, it's like apple juice.

[Red Phoenix]

52 minutes ago, Dario said:

 

Thanks for elaborating. Quite expensive this stuff. Do you need to take this every day?

Occasionally - once every 3 days on average - I have heartburn (acid reflux).  

I don't like the taste of Gaviscon, and Rennie chew-tablets are relatively expensive. 

But I tried BELCID liquid, which you can buy at any pharmacy/Lotus for approx 50,- THB a bottle. 

A small sip (tastes OK) and works instantly. 

Note that although BELCID works perfectly for me, I prefer pure natural remedies and so will try to get hold of the 'fennel seeds' as mentioned in the post by @flyingtlger

[Dario]

After reading all the answers for which I am very grateful, I think I'll go for the Omeprazole as I see this as the culprit . I think I can get it at the pharmacy. My wife will check it out today. >>> Yes, available under the name Miracid.

Edited February 26 by Dario

[Mike Lister]

7 minutes ago, Dario said:

After reading all the answers for which I am very grateful, I think I'll go for the Omeprazole as I see this as the culprit . I think I can get it at the pharmacy. My wife will check it out today.

Be certain to read Sheryl's response.

[VocalNeal]

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

Try Antacil first, 12 baht a strip, effective and much cheaper than gaviscom. I buy from Fascino

 

Most village shops have this. Ant-a-cin.

[Dario]

13 minutes ago, Mike Lister said:

Be certain to read Sheryl's response.

 

I will read, but her response hasn't arrived yet. But anyway, taking Omeprazole again, can do no harm, but it might take my heartburn away.

[mstevens]

When Omeprazole first came on the market it came with warnings NOT to use it long-term. I seem to recall the recommended time of use was 6 - 12 weeks, maximum.

 

Omeprazole reduces stomach acid. The problem with that is that stomach acid is an important part of your digestive process and a lack of stomach acid affects digestion. This can mean undigested food which can result in bacterial overgrowth, malabsorption and other GI issues which can cause a cascade of increasingly serious symptoms.

 

I know acid reflux is not nice, but perhaps it might be worth hunting for a doctor who can identify the root cause of the acid reflux and treat that - and not just treat the symptoms which is what Omeprazole does.

 

[Dario]

4 minutes ago, mstevens said:

When Omeprazole first came on the market it came with warnings NOT to use it long-term. I seem to recall the recommended time of use was 6 - 12 weeks, maximum.

 

Omeprazole reduces stomach acid. The problem with that is that stomach acid is an important part of your digestive process and a lack of stomach acid affects digestion. This can mean undigested food which can result in bacterial overgrowth, malabsorption and other GI issues which can cause a cascade of increasingly serious symptoms.

 

I know acid reflux is not nice, but perhaps it might be worth hunting for a doctor who can identify the root cause of the acid reflux and treat that - and not just treat the symptoms which is what Omeprazole does.

 

 

Thank you, very informative!

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, Mike Lister said:

You will need Sheryl to confirm this but stopping aspirin as a treatment for cardiovascular disease is not without risk, despite Aspirin being a known cause of stomach related issues. If done under the guidance of a cardiologist, it's OK but if merely based on an instruction by a government doctor, I would be very nervous. I recently had to stop taking aspirin 81mg for an operation and doing so was a significant cause for concern, even though a cardiologist was involved.

 

It is impossible to comment without knowing the reason for both prescribing and then stopping the aspirin and also whether an anticoagulant of some type was prescribed when the aspirin was stopped.

 

@Dario can you be more specific as to your cardiac history?  And are you under the care of a cardiologist? What other medications are you on?

 

It is standard to give omeprazole when someone is on aspirin.  This is not done to prevent reflux but rather to prevent irritation of the stomach lining (gastritis) and ulcers.

 

When going off drugs of this type, there is often a rebound increase in acidity; it can be very difficult to stop these medications and one sometimes needs to do it gradually, for example (if already on one tablet a day) taking every other day first for a while.

 

If you have reflux then naturally you will feel it more once off omeprazole. It is important to understand that omeprazole does not in any way  stop reflux. It only makes it less painful by lowering the acidity of the stomach contents.

 

Measures that will help reduce or stop reflux include:

 

- avoid or minimize caffeine (coffee, chocolate, tea etc.

- don't smoke/stop smoking

- lose weight if at all overweight

-avoid eating too much at one time; several small meals are better than fewer large ones

- do not eat for 2 hours before lying down

- elevate the head of the bed. This can be done by special pillows or by bricks/concrete blocks under the bed.

-avoid any particular foods that seem to trigger this. This is highly individual.

- consider whether you take any medications that may be causing this or worsening it

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dario]

48 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

It is impossible to comment without knowing the reason for both prescribing and then stopping the aspirin and also whether an anticoagulant of some type was prescribed when the aspirin was stopped.

 

@Dario can you be more specific as to your cardiac history?  And are you under the care of a cardiologist? What other medications are you on?

 

It is standard to give omeprazole when someone is on aspirin.  This is not done to prevent reflux but rather to prevent irritation of the stomach lining (gastritis) and ulcers.

 

When going off drugs of this type, there is often a rebound increase in acidity; it can be very difficult to stop these medications and one sometimes needs to do it gradually, for example (if already on one tablet a day) taking every other day first for a while.

 

If you have reflux then naturally you will feel it more once off omeprazole. It is important to understand that omeprazole does not in any way  stop reflux. It only makes it less painful by lowering the acidity of the stomach contents.

 

Measures that will help reduce or stop reflux include:

 

- avoid or minimize caffeine (coffee, chocolate, tea etc.

- don't smoke/stop smoking

- lose weight if at all overweight

-avoid eating too much at one time; several small meals are better than fewer large ones

- do not eat for 2 hours before lying down

- elevate the head of the bed. This can be done by special pillows or by bricks/concrete blocks under the bed.

-avoid any particular foods that seem to trigger this. This is highly individual.

- consider whether you take any medications that may be causing this or worsening it

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for giving your time to this situation. Sheryl, I just turned 78, so about my history: i can't remember any dates. I had my first angina pectoris back in Europe, that's about 40 years ago. Then I had twice a heart attack, once in Bangkok, can't remember the year, possibly about 30 years ago and another one in Pattaya, I was then treated at Pattaya Memorial, I remember that.

What I believe what I have is a heart valve problem. The valve doesn't close completely and let blood pass. I completely forgot the correct wording, it escaped me. If I suddenly remember, I will let you know. I often get chest pain, if necessary I take a Celebrex capsule or two.

I'm not under the care of a cardiologist. No need now.

For the medication I'm on, its' for my diabetes. I attach two pictures. One showing the meds prescribed before I was taken off omeprazole and a 81 mg.

Edited February 26 by Dario