I didn't want to put this in the health bit because I am not an alcoholic (I mean no disrespect to alcoholics). I also did not want to hear the off the shelf 'alcohol is not good' type argument's.

I am a 35 year old Brit who might have to quit alcohol because of health problems. Basically I have a faulty gut valve which means that my gut juices are trying to digest my whole body and alcohol has a tendency to leave that valve open. It really is an incredibly painful experience.

I like drinking, I like the taste of a good beer, I love sharing a beer with friends, I like getting drunk and I am a good drunk. Even when I am a bad drunk I like the various adventures that I get involved in.

All that might have to go though

Ouch.........

As we get older (not that 35 is old) we have to give up things we enjoy that we know are bad for us - or at least are not good for us. Don't sweat it, just get on with life as best you can and try to be happy!

All the best man, look after yourself.

Bugger and dam_n!

I suspect you'll get used to abstinance, so look on the bright side; You will be healthier and richer.

Look on the bright side, think of the money you'll save...

you'll be suprised..

You may Iament it for quite a whiIe, but try to have fun with your mates without it. What about Iow aIcohoI? WouId that stiII not be good for you? You can get the zero/Iow aIcohoI beers, which may heIp you feeI Iike you are not drinking too differentIy when out. Iosen up and go with the fIow, you can stiII do crazy things when out with the Iads sober! When i stopped drinking, i thought i wouIdnt be abIe to dance anymore, as I Iove to dance and booze gave me dutch courage. I can, and i do, and it feeIs great to not wake up in the mornings with a hangover. Most peopIe wouIdnt even know i dont drink, unIess they notice im on soft drinks onIy. I aIso get to see peopIe sIowIy deteriorate..which is pretty funny reaIIy!

My sister drinks the no alcohol beer, and has for years. Says there are some pretty good ones out there, I think Erdinger makes a no alcohol beer...

My sister drinks the no alcohol beer, and has for years. Says there are some pretty good ones out there, I think Erdinger makes a no alcohol beer...

do they sell this in Thailand?

I know several people with the same problem. The faulty valve results in quite painful reflux into the esophagus.

There are medicines that control it for some, or surgery can be an option to repair the valve.

Play around with your diet and you may discover which foods tend to exacerbate the problem

It doesn't necessarily mean you have to give up alcohol for life. I was drinking with a mate the other day who has fixed his disorder with prescription medicine.

The most common problem with the esophagus is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It happens when a band of muscle at the end of your esophagus does not close properly. This allows stomach contents to leak back, or reflux into, into the esophagus and irritate it. Over time, GERD can cause damage to the esophagus. Other problems include heartburn and cancer.

Treatment depends on the problem. Some get better with over-the-counter medicines or changes in diet. Others may need prescription medicines or surgery.

I know several people with the same problem. The faulty valve results in quite painful reflux into the esophagus.

There are medicines that control it for some, or surgery can be an option to repair the valve.

Play around with your diet and you may discover which foods tend to exacerbate the problem

It doesn't necessarily mean you have to give up alcohol for life. I was drinking with a mate the other day who has fixed his disorder with prescription medicine.

The most common problem with the esophagus is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It happens when a band of muscle at the end of your esophagus does not close properly. This allows stomach contents to leak back, or reflux into, into the esophagus and irritate it. Over time, GERD can cause damage to the esophagus. Other problems include heartburn and cancer.

Treatment depends on the problem. Some get better with over-the-counter medicines or changes in diet. Others may need prescription medicines or surgery.

Heartening advice, I'm sure. Look into it Moonrakers.

Thanks folks.

Ironically, all this started happening after I quit smoking. I was fine before that.

The most common problem with the esophagus is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It happens when a band of muscle at the end of your esophagus does not close properly. This allows stomach contents to leak back, or reflux into, into the esophagus and irritate it. Over time, GERD can cause damage to the esophagus. Other problems include heartburn and cancer.

Treatment depends on the problem. Some get better with over-the-counter medicines or changes in diet. Others may need prescription medicines or surgery.

I used to suffer terribly from GERD... and yes, it is easily controlled.

Normal treatment for it is an initial daily dose before breakfast of a 20mg tablet of Pariet for 2-4 weeks, followed by on-demand dosage should symptoms reappear.

Ask your local pharmacist about it.

A 14 tab box of 20 mg Pariet will cost around 900 baht (less if you have a pharmacy membership or discount card).

At least you have found the trigger for your reflux... beer. In my case it is beef... not all red meat, just beef.

Thank fark I can still drink my beer.

Look on the bright side, think of the money you'll save...

you'll be suprised..

Many moons ago I stopped drinking & like you he who likes to rake the moon, I use to enjoy the occassional beer with my mates. Anyway, I stopped drinking & low and behold I havent missed it one little bit.

Several years ago, I was in the desert in Western Australia & it was stinking hot, upon arriving at our evenings resting place, I trotted over to the local watering hole, walked in, looked around and ordered a beer. I had about one or two mouthfulls, sat the beer down and went and ordered a soft drink. Thats all there is to it.

The only thing I have found that has changed in all the years I havent been drinking is that my tolerence level towards p1ssed idiots has lowered somewhat.....for me now, when the bs starts flowing really fast, im out of there

I had bad reflux from a weak sphincter muscle allowing bad reflux.

For a long time, Gaviscon was my remedy to alleviate the acids and plug the weak muscle stopping reflux.

Told my new doctor about it.

He gave me a months supply of (forgotten the name) some drug.

It was great, after a month or so, no more reflux, the sphincter muscle was back in 100% working order.

I had suffered from an ulcerated hiatus hernia for years, living on anti-acids..

Now I try to graze, rather than eat BIG meals, eat snacks on demand.

No more reflux for years now, getting older has made no difference.

Great having the odd big feed, buffet and enjoying me beer all the time.

Don't give up, get advice, find another doctor,

No meds for me now other than a daily evening dose of Omeprazole (Prilosec) is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions caused by excess stomach acid.

Losec is best, but the above is 3 bucks for 3 months, subsidised.

Get ya life back on track matey, well worth the effort.

I can't say I can relate to the 2nd and 3rd scenarios.....enough said.

I always thought a root beer was the one you gave the girlfriend just before you both left for her place.

Look on the bright side, think of the money you'll save...

you'll be suprised..

Many moons ago I stopped drinking & like you he who likes to rake the moon, I use to enjoy the occassional beer with my mates. Anyway, I stopped drinking & low and behold I havent missed it one little bit.

Several years ago, I was in the desert in Western Australia & it was stinking hot, upon arriving at our evenings resting place, I trotted over to the local watering hole, walked in, looked around and ordered a beer. I had about one or two mouthfulls, sat the beer down and went and ordered a soft drink. Thats all there is to it.

The only thing I have found that has changed in all the years I havent been drinking is that my tolerence level towards p1ssed idiots has lowered somewhat.....for me now, when the bs starts flowing really fast, im out of there

I quit drinking about a year and a half ago on my last flight to the states. I had a couple of glasses of wine and champagne. When I exited the plane, I felt like sh*t and swore I'd never drink again. Occasionally I miss certain drinks that I really enjoyed, but then recall how I use to feel when I'd wake up in the mornings hung over. That makes the desire for alcohol quickly fade. Regarding missing the social aspects of it, I just drink water while most everyone else gets polluted. As people lose control, I remember when I use to be the same. Soon the desire to be joining them goes out the window.

A little bit off topic, but, a month ago I experienced food poisoning. I could not drink anything - including my daily consumption of 2 mugs of coffee. Soon the caffeine-withdrawal headaches started and I decided to see how long they would last so I abstained from my second favorite beverage. Ten days of headaches, then. almost like magic, they ceased. I realized how much of a hold coffee had on me and I stopped that too. Now the smell of coffee is not nearly as alluring as it once was and it's only been a month. I understand that there are health benefits to not consuming caffeine, but I have not actually 'felt' any differently.

If i had to give up drinking alcohol or coffee - i would go for the booze.

I am not a very happy bunny before at least one strong coffee in the morning. Mumble grumble schrrumble.

But luckily, so far, can take the two.

Even at this time of the morning... Coffee with a wee shot of something - 5 am.

Off to bed soon.

I had a friend some years ago that suffered from this problem...he still managed to drink himself to death, he switched from beer to vodka...

he was a brilliant engineer that designed controllers for hard disk drives but his girlfriend died from cancer and it drove him insane...

you must find an alternative solution...

I had a friend some years ago that suffered from this problem...he still managed to drink himself to death, he switched from beer to vodka...

he was a brilliant engineer that designed controllers for hard disk drives but his girlfriend died from cancer and it drove him insane...

you must find an alternative solution...

But where's the Bushmills?

They advertise Whiskey at the top, then don't mention it any further.

So I'll stick to my Korean toothpaste, flavoured with bamboo salt. (really)

quitting alcohol or smoking seems to be quite difficult for a lot of people. i find it rather easy and do it every day... when i go to bed.

Never have smoked, so not concerned about that, except for the terrible smell that hangs around the habitual smokers.

One guy I work with needed a tooth transplant earlier this year. He had already said that he wanted to give up smoking and the dentist told him he had to give up if the implant was to 'take' properly.

He managed to give up for three days, then was back puffing away. His excuse - cigarettes were so cheap in Vietnam that he couldn't give up.

Now that is a very confirmed addict.

quitting alcohol or smoking seems to be quite difficult for a lot of people. i find it rather easy and do it every day... when i go to bed.

I think it was Orson Welles that said, "Giving up smoking is easy....I've done it a thousand times already."

I must say I agree with Naam and Orson.

I've been dry for 18 months now, gave up for health and weight issues.

Don't miss it, drink soda if I go out. Developing a bit of a Diet Coke problem, cut back to 4 a day.

I've had to cut out caffeine before- surprising hard when you're heavily addicted. Headaches and sweats for 2 weeks for me- although to be fair I was drinking something like 10 cans of diet coke a day!

I was doing fine, then I came to Asia and the tea-drinking got me hooked again- but still manage to keep things down to 4-5 caffeinated drinks a day. Someday I'll have to try again, no doubt....

My son had GERD ( still does in a mild form )

ZANTAC tablets seemed to help a great deal. Keep trying and don't give up.

My son had GERD ( still does in a mild form )

ZANTAC tablets seemed to help a great deal. Keep trying and don't give up.

Zantac is helpful, but not the best,

Did you read my earlier post on the subject?

Don't give up, get advice, find another doctor,

No meds for me now other than a daily evening dose of Omeprazole (Prilosec) is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions caused by excess stomach acid.

Get ya life back on track matey, well worth the effort.

I eat anything, drink espresso, drink beer and spirits as dersired.

Never any GERD, the above has seemingly fixed all my acid and reflux problems.

Go buy LOSEC, you/ he will not regret it.

He managed to give up for three days, then was back puffing away. His excuse - cigarettes were so cheap in Vietnam that he couldn't give up.

Now that is a very confirmed addict.

Don't bring him to District 2, HCMC then. The Bia Hoi here is cheaper than bottled water.

Well Moonraker it's tough but a lot better than the alternative.

He managed to give up for three days, then was back puffing away. His excuse - cigarettes were so cheap in Vietnam that he couldn't give up.

Now that is a very confirmed addict.

Don't bring him to District 2, HCMC then. The Bia Hoi here is cheaper than bottled water.

Well Moonraker it's tough but a lot better than the alternative.

He's back in Oz now - well, Queensland, which is close enough.