Apple Alternative?

[scottbryan724]

i found out some interesting things that apple juice can affect absorption of some medications and im on 2 of those medications

i use an apple in each juice to sweeten it up but not too sweet to get rid of some of the vegetable taste

is there anything else i can use in its place to sweeten it up like that with a similar flavor profile

[MysticTree]

Any sweet fruit will add sweetness but only apple with provide apple taste. You could try carrot. That's very sweet. I never heard about apples affecting meds. Grapefruit is a well known interacter.

[scottbryan724]

Any sweet fruit will add sweetness but only apple with provide apple taste. You could try carrot. That's very sweet. I never heard about apples affecting meds. Grapefruit is a well known interacter.

heres a basic article on it http://suite101.com/article/orange-apple-juice-block-atenolol-tenormin-thyroid-others-a382952

[robh]

Can't the apples replace the meds?

[scottbryan724]

Can't the apples replace the meds?

right now it cant

the hopes is to at some point be off meds but right now i need it for my heart rate issues

[streetsurfer]

Maybe Asian pears or other pears?

[scottbryan724]

Maybe Asian pears or other pears?


im going to try organic pears..should i peel these and can i put them in whole if they fit in my chute?

[laughalways]

I don't peel anything I juice unless it's pineapple for example.

[streetsurfer]

I seldom peel organics, unless it is a citrus, and sometimes I even include their peels for the benefits of the oils in them. I don't think the peel of a pear will hurt the taste at all.

Grapes provide a high level of sweetness too.

This is the first I've heard of apples affecting medications. Do you know what it is in the apple that does so. Interested.

[Aleesha Sattva]

pineapple is yummy and will assist with the absorption of iron.

[Revvell]

Lemons ~ Meyer or the other.

[Aleesha Sattva]

mmmm we love meyer lemons

[ReneeH]

mmmm we love meyer lemons

Meeeee tooooo!!!!!!! :dance:

[Juicerguy]

I have found that pears work decent and also pineapple like a few people mentioned above. When I am trying to cut out fruits from my juice I will up the carrots in a juice if I also want it a bit sweeter. It depends on what vegetables they are mixed with and how much of the vegetable. In general though carrots can work really well when the right amount is added and they make an awesome tasting juice in my opinion.

[scottbryan724]

ive been sticking with pears seems to be going good...cant do things like lemon cause of my reflux issues

rather then starting a new thread i was wondering if anyone has juiced potatoes? and if i should peel them before juicing?

[scottbryan724]

thanks for the info

basically i need the stomach benefits..i can get organic sweet potatos by me dont know about regular potatos..havnt read much on sweet potatos have the same benefit to the stomach as regular do you know if they do?

[Arky]

thanks for the info

basically i need the stomach benefits..i can get organic sweet potatos by me dont know about regular potatos..havnt read much on sweet potatos have the same benefit to the stomach as regular do you know if they do?

Can you be more specific on what naturopathic effect you are seeking for the stomach?

[scottbryan724]

Can you be more specific on what naturopathic effect you are seeking for the stomach?

http://www.holisticlivingannex.com/2012/03/treat-stomach-acidity-with-potato-juice.html

http://www.examiner.com/article/holistic-potato-juicing-to-alkalize-stomach-acids-to-relieve-constipation

it seems to help neutralize acid amongst other benefits for the digestive tract..im currently weaning off ppi medicine so going through extreme reflux

[Arky]

Hmmm... OK. That's interesting.

I hadn't heard of potato juice being used for this purpose before, although of course, I know it is rich in the alkaline mineral, potassium.

I don't know the specific 'mode of action' of potato juice in this context, and wouldn't simply presume it is the alkalinity of the potassium content which is proving beneficial for excess acid.

In fact, many people with reflux have found it to be due to insufficient acid in the stomach (in which circumstances, it has been speculated that insufficient stomach acid may lead to excessive, and prolonged, churning of food within the stomach, with reflux an unfortunate side effect of this). Such patients may experience relief from consuming betain hydrochloride or ACV (which, interestingly, is acid but is also very high in potassium), or sauerkraut (sauerkraut is also healing to the digestive tract, owing to the considerable glutamine content).

Zinc supports the function of parietal cells in the stomach, which promote good acid secretion.

Were you originally prescribed PPIs due to reflux, or were they prescribed merely as an adjunct to another medication for a non-gastric symptom? (you needn't be too specific, as I realise this is an (inadervertently) personal question. For example, I work with adults with mental health issues and almost universally, they are prescribed PPIs as an adjunct to their psychiatric medications).

I'm simply asking if the PPIs were originally prescribed for gastric reasons, or as an adjunct to something unrelated, which you needn't specify.

The reason I am asking this is because I am trying to understand the bigger picture of why PPIs were introduced and therefore what the best approach might be to handling their withdrawal from your regimen. Specifically, do you absolutely know that you had excessive stomach acid leading up to introduction of the PPIs, or was this simply assumed by your doctor, owing to the reflux symptom (or is the reflux just a new symptom to your life, arising only now the PPIs have been withdrawn?)

Doctors these day dish out antibiotics, PPIs, NSAIDs, and statins like they are M&Ms. Disgraceful but true. I've witnessed it, firsthand, with many of the clients I work with, when I support them to medical appointments.

[scottbryan724]

Hmmm... OK. That's interesting.

I hadn't heard of potato juice being used for this purpose before, although of course, I know it is rich in the alkaline mineral, potassium.

I don't know the specific 'mode of action' of potato juice in this context, and wouldn't simply presume it is the alkalinity of the potassium content which is proving beneficial for excess acid.

In fact, many people with reflux have found it to be due to insufficient acid in the stomach (in which circumstances, it has been speculated that insufficient stomach acid may lead to excessive, and prolonged, churning of food within the stomach, with reflux an unfortunate side effect of this). Such patients may experience relief from consuming betain hydrochloride or ACV (which, interestingly, is acid but is also very high in potassium), or sauerkraut (sauerkraut is also healing to the digestive tract, owing to the considerable glutamine content).

Zinc supports the function of parietal cells in the stomach, which promote good acid secretion.

Were you originally prescribed PPIs due to reflux, or were they prescribed merely as an adjunct to another medication for a non-gastric symptom? (you needn't be too specific, as I realise this is an (inadervertently) personal question. For example, I work with adults with mental health issues and almost universally, they are prescribed PPIs as an adjunct to their psychiatric medications).

I'm simply asking if the PPIs were originally prescribed for gastric reasons, or as an adjunct to something unrelated, which you needn't specify.

The reason I am asking this is because I am trying to understand the bigger picture of why PPIs were introduced and therefore what the best approach might be to handling their withdrawal from your regimen.

in 2007 i had a bad reaction to a medication i lost 40lbs in 2 months and had no appetite this caused gastritis i was eventually hospitalized for dehydration and during that was prescribed the ppi to protect my gastritis from stomach acid fast fwd and im still on it..

well over the years many of my problems have gotten worse problems i didnt have before the pill such as more bloating,digestive issues,bathroom issues,and then around 2010 i started having a frequent burning pain one dr told me it was bile reflux after a endoscopy, went to another dr didnt mention much about bile but i went through bravo capsule ph testing and no high levels of acid were shown and i was diagnosed with a medium sized sliding hiatal hernia

i was also put on carafate during this time

fast fwd again to 2012 and my problems just keep getting worse the burn got worse now i feel it more like traditional reflux in my throat etc..

went to a new specialist had a real in depth talk with him and how i think the possibility of the ppi causing so many symptoms and he was on board with me weaning off so thats where i am now weaning off the pill and seeing what happens

so going into the weaning process i already have all that regular burning i experience plus now going into the rebound affect

[Arky]

I'm sorry to hear you've 'been through the mill' wth pharmaceutical side effects.


I would strongly consider including cabbage juice (and perhaps homemade sauerkraut) in your diet. I can explain why, if you require, though I expect you already know.



Interactions between the hepatobiliary system and the stomach and the bowel can get rather complex, even exponentially so, as the interactions can snowball, so I'm glad you're under the care of a specialist.

Bile reflux can occur for a number of reasons, and 'bathroom issues' can occur for a number of reasons.

It will be interesting to see if your gastrointestinal system manages to find its own balance, over time, as it re-adjusts to the absence of PPI.

I highly recommend keeping a very detailed food and symptom diary. Very detailed. If you happen to stumble across some of my other posts here on RFT, you'll see I often mention the great value of this approach. It can sometimes be more valuable than thousands of dollars of testing.

Stomach and oesophagus aside, have you experienced any inflammation symptoms in your bowel or duodenum?
Any damage to the epithelial lining of the duodenum?
Any undigested food in your stools?
Any chronic / noticably excessive flatulence?
Any gastrointestinal sensitivities to certain specific foods? (either in terms of the reflux symptom or in terms of 'bathroom issues')


I appreciate that these are very personal questions, and you needn't answer them, but I urge you to at least consider them privately. They can provide invaluable clues as to what physiological processes might be occurring.




Additionally, have you any symptoms of zinc deficiency?

Have you ever been checked for H-pylori or other upper gastrointestinal infection?



SO many questions, so many possible avenues of investigation. This one's a real snowball.

[scottbryan724]

I'm sorry to hear you've 'been through the mill' wth pharmaceutical side effects.


I would strongly consider including cabbage juice (and perhaps homemade sauerkraut) in your diet. I can explain why, if you require, though I expect you already know.



Interactions between the hepatobiliary system and the stomach and the bowel can get rather complex, even exponentially so, as the interactions can snowball, so I'm glad you're under the care of a specialist.

Bile reflux can occur for a number of reasons, and 'bathroom issues' can occur for a number of reasons.

It will be interesting to see if your gastrointestinal system manages to find its own balance, over time, as it re-adjusts to the absence of PPI.

I highly recommend keeping a very detailed food and symptom diary. Very detailed. If you happen to stumble across some of my other posts here on RFT, you'll see I often mention the great value of this approach. It can sometimes be more valuable than thousands of dollars of testing.

Stomach and oesophagus aside, have you experienced any inflammation symptoms in your bowel or duodenum?
Any damage to the epithelial lining of the duodenum?
Any undigested food in your stools?
Any chronic / noticably excessive flatulence?
Any gastrointestinal sensitivities to certain specific foods? (either in terms of the reflux symptom or in terms of 'bathroom issues')


I appreciate that these are very personal questions, and you needn't answer them, but I urge you to at least consider them privately. They can provide invaluable clues as to what physiological processes might be occurring.




Additionally, have you any symptoms of zinc deficiency?

Have you ever been checked for H-pylori or other upper gastrointestinal infection?



SO many questions, so many possible avenues of investigation. This one's a real snowball.

i havnt had a colonscopy in awhile but everything last time was normal,when it comes to upper i only have the gastritis still..this new guy was talking about a different test to check out the small bowel area

i occasionally have undigested food in my stool..not often and i think for the most part its stuff that everyone goes through with certain foods

yes flatulence is very chronic and excessive pretty much after dinner i get either very bloated or somewhat bloated and then through out the night excessive flatulence especially in the morning

ive tried to keep a food diary nothing really set off alarms..when it comes to things that increase the burning its really the standard stuff that does that anything spicy at this point stuff like that.. bathroom issues and stomach discomfort is alot of time high fiber foods thats why i chose juicing over blending to make it easier on my stomach

i wish i could eat salads every day but with my stomach i dont see that happening right now

ive had many blood tests and everything always comes back normal...and ive been check for h-pylori and other infections many times

tell me about it ive been going through this for almost 6 years and im turning 27 in a month so almost all of my twnties have come and gone because ive always feel so sick..im on my 4th stomach specialist its been very frustrating especially since i see so many people abuse there bodies and not have the problems i have and i never really did anything wrong

yes i didnt always eat that healthy but compared to others i was still much better dont drink dont do drugs dont smoke

very frustrating

[scottbryan724]

and one more thing one of the main burning pains i have is pretty much instantly after i eat or even after i juice right in the pit of my stomach just thought id throw that out there

[Arky]

Well, I'm sure you know that the immediate burning pains could be due to sensitivity of the stomach lining to increasing acid levels following ingestion of foods. It might also/alternatively be due to the bile acids being secreted and backwashing through the pyloric sphincter, into the stomach. Was any mention made of your pyloric sphincter function, or did the doctor simply say bile reflux was apparent and not elaborate on why?



I have a hypothesis regarding the immediate burning sensation you mention.

The stomach tissues protect themselves from the acids by secreting a mucus layer. However, you've been on proton pump inhibitors for quite some time. Since these inhibit acid secretion in the stomach, the stomach may very well have become accustomed to not needing to secrete much protective mucus. Now you're coming off the PPIs, it may take a while before mucus secretion ramps up again, so perhaps you're exepreicning burning tdue to your increasing stomach acid being too much for your current levels of mucus production to handle.


On the basis of this possibility, I suggest you discuss with your GI specialist the possibility of supplementing with Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL). This is soothing to the stomach and is said to promote good production of stomach mucus. Also discuss with the specialist perhaps supplementing with zinc carnosine (Metagenics 'Zinlori',which some research inidcates can be protective of stomach mucosal cells).

[scottbryan724]

(edited: dupe post removed)
Well, I'm sure you know that the immediate burning pains could be due to sensitivity of the stomach lining to increasing acid levels following ingestion of foods. It might also/alternatively be due to the bile acids being secreted and backwashing through the pyloric sphincter, into the stomach. Was any mention made of your pyloric sphincter function, or did the doctor simply say bile reflux was apparent and not elaborate on why?



I have a hypothesis regarding the immediate burning sensation you mention.

The stomach tissues protect themselves from the acids by secreting a mucus layer. However, you've been on proton pump inhibitors for quite some time. Since these inhibit acid secretion in the stomach, the stomach may very well have become accustomed to not needing to secrete much protective mucus. Now you're coming off the PPIs, it may take a while before mucus secretion ramps up again, so perhaps you're experiencing burning due to your increasing stomach acid being too much for your current levels of mucus production to handle.


On the basis of this possibility, I suggest you discuss with your GI specialist the possibility of supplementing with Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL). This is soothing to the stomach and is said to promote good production of stomach mucus. Also discuss with the specialist perhaps supplementing with zinc carnosine (Metagenics 'Zinlori',which some research inidcates can be protective of stomach mucosal cells).

i was really never told anything about my sphincter function..i was suppose to have motility test but never did because of various things that happened such as my grandfather passing away etc..so it kind of got lost in the shuffle

the burning pain in the stomach has been with me before trying to wean off

ive been taking dgl for over a year its soothing but very temporary

[scottbryan724]

I don't know what's going on with RFT forum software tonight. Keeps eating my messages, crashing the browser.... really terrible




I'm having to retype this, but I'll have to be brief.

In relation to your last-stated symptom of immeduate burning sensation when consuming food, I hypothesise that because your longterm use of PPI will obviously have led to longterm suppression of stomach acid levels, it may be that secretion of protective mucus in the stomach may likewise have decreased. Now you are coming off PPIs, it may be that stomach acid levels are returning faster than levels of protective mucus.

Therefore, I suggest you discuss with your specialist the possibility of supplementing with deglycyrrhizinated licorice and/or Zinc carnosine ('Zinlori'), since these are considered to be useful for promoting healthy levels of stomach mucus.

my posts are not going through as well..im already on dgl for over a year i will take a look at the zinc carnosine combo

[scottbryan724]

do you know of anything that will directly help my hiatal hernia?..or i should just pretty much stick to the same things

[Arky]

Sorry, that's something I know nothing about (there are many things I know nothing about :-)

[scottbryan724]

Sorry, that's something I know nothing about (there are many things I know nothing about :-)

on the topic of zilori, you think theres a difference getting the zilori product http://www.metagenics.com/products/a-z-products-list/Zinlori-75

vs getting this which is essentially the same just cheaper http://www.sourcenaturals.com/products/GP2248/

[Arky]

on the topic of zilori, you think theres a difference getting the zilori product http://www.metagenics.com/products/a-z-products-list/Zinlori-75

vs getting this which is essentially the same just cheaper http://www.sourcenaturals.com/products/GP2248/


As far as I know, the Source Naturals one should be a perfectly appropriate equivalent, but I would check if the 'L-' form is equivalent in terms of it's action in the stomach. Metagenics don't seem to specify if their's is 'L-' form or not.

That said, Source Naturals are a reputable firm, and generally stay up to date with their competitors. Therefore, I would be very surprised if their product is of an inferior molecular structure to the Metagenics product they are seeking to compete with.

FWIW, I do consider Metagenics to be very greedy with their pricing, but I can attest to their high quality as I've used several of their products over the years.

On a side note, I may be wrong on this, but I think I recall that Metagenics were perhaps the first to introduce zinc carnosine to the Western world, but not actually the originators of it (I vaguely recall it originated in Japan, but my memory is hazy don't don't hold me to that).

[scottbryan724]

is there any kind of pears that i should particular avoid due to acidity or all pears are fine?

[scottbryan724]

it seems the zinc prdouct made my burning worse i was on it for 4 days and noticed and increase in burning sensation so i took a break for now with it i will probably give it another shot at some point

a new question i see alot of conflicting stuff with cabbage and beets some say there great to juice for reflux other have the opposite and says it causes a worsening of symptoms

so not sure if i should give it a try especially being sensitive right now

im now on 10mg prilosec every other day pain has definitely increased

[scottbryan724]

right now theres not much thats soothing

dgl does help but unfortunately the help doesnt last long enough


no other dr has really mentioned specifically bile reflux except for the one

i have had ultrasounds on my gallbladder,abdomen etc..and all sorts of blood tests

[Arky]

This forum software is enough to drive anyone insane!


I'm reposting my previous reply here, since it has been deleted (I had asked for other dupes to be deleted, but it seems it is my most recent reply which was instead deleted). I only have it to hand because it happened to still be in my computers 'clipboard'. Even then, this is my second attempt at reposting it, since the first attempt got killed by the SPAM filter. Really, it's becoming a battle to post here on RFT. Even the attachments system is failing for many of us. /End rant.



it seems the zinc prdouct made my burning worse i was on it for 4 days and noticed and increase in burning sensation so i took a break for now with it i will probably give it another shot at some point


I'm sorry to hear that, although I can understand why it might be the case.

As I think I mentioned previously, one of the effects of zinc is that it supports the function of the parietal cells, and thus the production of stomach acid. Presumably, in your case, that particular effect may have outweighed any other potential benefits (e.g. support of the function of stomach mucosal cells). Does that mean it was not worth trying at all? Well, only you can answer that. It might equally have proven to be a boon to you, as it is to some people.

In my own health journey, it has been interesting (though challenging) to note that I have responded badly to some substances (even natural foods) very poorly (even to the point of severe inflammatory bowel pain), only to find, months later, that my body will now tolerate them just fine. Equally, some substances have been tolerable just fine, but I then become intolerant of them. For me, a classic examle of this is foods containing chlorine (eg beets) and foods containing tyramine (a very long list).





a new question i see alot of conflicting stuff with cabbage and beets some say there great to juice for reflux other have the opposite and says it causes a worsening of symptoms

Yes, that's just a reflection of the fact that reflux, as a symptom, has more than one potential cause, so some patients have their cause placated by these juices, whilst others, having different underlying cause(s) may find such juices unhelpful, perhaps even detrimental. Best advice on these, since they are fundamentally safe, is to go ahead and try them and see if they help or not, just as you did with the Zinlori. You'll soon know how you respond to them.

I do appreciate the difficulty in navigating health issues and associated symptoms, and how frustrating and nerve-wracking it can be at times. I have heavy metal issues and have had some unpleasant experiences with natural food substances which are not noted in the literature and thus I had to learn from my own encounters with them. And of course, everyone's physiological constitution is a little unique, which is another variable in the equation.

I really do understand the unenviable position of sometimes having to take small risks in order to test the viability of certain foods/herbs/supplements, and of even finding that one's tolerance to them may fluctuate, over time. Sometimes the result may be significant short-term discomfort, and other times one may experience a very pleasant surprise at a positive benefit from having taken the risk. Such is life...



im now on 10mg prilosec every other day pain has definitely increased

Do you find anything is soothing to your stomach? So many people find DGL to be soothing (and I know you mentioned that you have been taking this for a long time). I definitely get the sense that there are avenues not yet explored, in your particular case, that might lead to a breakthrough, but quite what those avenues may be, I don't claim to know. You have told me that a gastroenterologist reported seeing bile reflux into the stomach. This does, therefore, seem to be a viable avenue to explore further. Does your current specialist have any intention of exploring this further..?

I'm saying this because here we are chatting about natural health options such as fruit and vegetable juices, but there is a reasonable possibility that there may, perhaps, be something occuring in your biliary tract, requiring an intervention more pro-active than mere juicing / herbs etc.

[scottbryan724]

dont know why your post disappeared but i saw it my reply is above your new post

[Arky]

i have had ultrasounds on my gallbladder,abdomen etc..and all sorts of blood tests


I must be honest, I've had many ultrasounds, too, and I'm not at all impressed with it as a technology. In terms of my own health issues, ultrasound has failed me repeatedly.

no other dr has really mentioned specifically bile reflux except for the one


But it may nonetheless be key...


Given the aforementioned report of bile reflux, it really seems reasonable to further investigate pyloric sphincter function.

I wish you every success in your health journey, but it does seem that you may have a functional disorder lying outside the remit of this forum. Whether that might relate to side effects from longterm PPI usage, or something entirely different, I have no way of knowing.

As respectful as I am about the efficacy of natural healing methods, I simultaneously concede that natural healing does not cover every health condition and I suspect that, at this stage of your journey, you may be better served by pursuing the conventional medical approach, from the point of view of investigation.

I wouldn't entirely discount the possibility of some kind of infection contributing to your situation, either, but again, that would lie outside the remit of this forum.

Whatever the case, I wish you well and I hope you make some progress in your seach for answers. You are clearly taking responsbility for pursuing answers, and that is the most vital thing if progress is to be made, as doctors will not do all the work for a patient - it must be a collaborative effort between doctor and patient.

[scottbryan724]

i look at it this way..5 years of being on ppi and ive only gotten worse and i wasnt put on it for reflux issues to begin with so i might as well try to get off it..thats what my current dr said as well thats its not like its helping me

so thats my first big step im going to see what happens after giving this a shot if im still having symptoms for awhiel after being off then i will be heading right back to the dr to see what our next step is

i just need to be functional again and im far from that right now

i thank you for all your detailed replies

[scottbryan724]

ive also seen things like this when it comes to ppi possibly causing my issues

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070212185309.htm

[Arky]

ive also seen things like this when it comes to ppi possibly causing my issues

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070212185309.htm


I can't but agree with you, Scott.

I mean, neither of us knows, for certain, what the actual cause of your reflux actually is, but we both know there are side effects to perverting the function of human physiology through the longterm use of pharmaceutical isolates or synthetics, so your longterm prescribed usage of PPIs is a highly plausible possible cause.

In the same way that an infection can lead to inflammation (and associated dysfunction) of the pyloric sphyncter, it is entirely plausible that PPIs may have some manner of detrimental effect upon adjacent tissues / organs, and of course the pyloric sphincter is immediately adjacent to the stomach.

That article you linked appears, at least at face value, to rather accurately describe your own situation, doesn't it?

Please let me know how you get on, with coming off your PPIs, and your reflux symptoms etc., as time goes by, even if it's one or two years from now. I am genuinely interested to hear how you get on, and I hope you make positive progress, and, eventually, an inspiring tale to tell, of a full recovery!

[scottbryan724]

yes it does seem very much like my issue plus ive seen other study's and posts like that that's what first got it in my head a few years ago but its taken alot of time to get to this moment of finally trying to get off the medicine

i will definitely keep you updated with my progress again i appreciate your advice, comments and opinion with such detailed posts

[Supa]

I feel for you and I don't know if any of this will apply but I will share. I am a long time acid reflux sufferer that use to eat calcium anti acids like candy till I got kidney stones. That woke me up to investigate it properly so I got the scope done and learned I have a weak cardiac sphincter that lets the stomach acid back up if I sleep on my right or lean over to far after eating. I had tried prilosec and it did work ok after a week, but I found prevacid to be highly effective after a single dose which meant being able to spot treat the problem. Apparently it varies with one being more effective for some then others.

Things that have helped immensely:

Cutting out mints. I always found mints soothing and thought they helped. But my doctor explained it was just making it come back with a vengeance and once I stopped eating them I found that was true.

Cutting out fried food. Do I really need to explain this one?

Not avoiding citrus. I avoided things like oranges, lemon, and lime thinking that the citric acid made my heartburn worse. When I started juicing I found the citrus had a stabilizing effect on my stomach acid. I think the heavy green juice spiked with ginger has been healing to the reflux as well.

Not eating or drinking before bed. Less on board means less likely to have an issue when I am in bed.

A foam pillow bed wedge. It takes some getting use to sleeping on an incline and it is best done on your back, but it give your gi track linings time to heal, safe from a night time reflux event which is very important. It may look like a sex toy in your bed but it is considered a medical device and you can pay for it out of a HSA/FSA. The lower incline works best for sleeping, the higher incline for reading in bed or toy ;)

I went from a pill a day with still an occasional calcium tablet to not needing the wedge or to take anything for most of the month. I only reach for the prevacid when its the holidays or a night out with bad for me food as a preventative. I still have the structural issue to cope with but it feels like it has been getting better and I hope healing.

The important part is to keep from re injuring with a new round of reflux.