Vitamins and supplements for GERD?

[hans030390]

My girlfriend has GERD and a Hiatal hernia. She's gone through Nexium with little to no effect (it gradually stopped working). The doctor isn't really sure what else to do for her (her gallbladder is good, btw).

I've heard of a number of cases where taking magnesium (about 2-3 supplemental pills a day) really helps people with similar problems. In combination with that, they generally took extra calcium, and digestive enzymes in some cases.

I know extra magnesium can cause diarrhea, but she tends to be constipated often...so, if anything, it will help that problem too. Actually, she's been taking magnesium supplements for a few days now. She seems to have stomach problems much less now, and they're generally more mild if she does get them.

Since the magnesium seems to be pretty promising (we're still seeing how it works for her), I was wondering if anyone had any other possible ideas? She follows the "guidelines" for GERD (what not to eat, etc).

This isn't some major issue...I'm just curious to see if there's anything else worth trying.

 

[Crono]

Has Celiac disease been ruled out as a potential culprit? If it's Celiac disease and GERD, a gluten-free diet could relieve or eliminate the symptoms she's experiencing.

 

[hans030390]

Originally posted by: Crono
Has Celiac disease been ruled out as a potential culprit? If it's Celiac disease and GERD, a gluten-free diet could relieve or eliminate the symptoms she's experiencing.

I don't know if it's been ruled out or not, but she did have an endoscopy, ultrasound (gallbladder), and stomach biopsy. The doctor said she has gerd and a hiatal hernia...that's about all that was said. That, and she would have noticed it earlier on. She's had the GERD symptoms for less than a year (likely made worse or caused by the hiatal hernia), and she'd be a good bit skinner if she had problems with gluten (or so she said).

Anyway, I'm just seeing if anyone had any suggestions outside of magnesium, digestive enzymes, probiotics, etc. Personal experiences would be nice, too.

 

[Vich]

surgery. Taking in large doses of magnesium and aluminum is not always the best idea. Same with calcium carbonate.

 

[wheresmybacon]

Once I got my anxiety in check, my GERD pretty much disappeared. Sobriety was the main fix, although meds at different points certainly helped.

I currently only take Xanax when needed, although I was on SSRI?s and beta blockers for a bit.

Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, and the others did almost nothing for me.

Surgery should be the last resort. If it's the same kind of surgery I was offered, it doesn't always work anyway...