Twice, about six week apart, I've been awakened from sleep at night by a sensation of a lump in my throat (under the adams' apple and down a few inches below that into my upper chest). It feels as though I've swallowed a golf ball, or several ice cubes and they're stuck. I have a strong need to belch, but am unable to do so to relieve the discomfort. I don't have actual chest pain, just more of an aching and full sensation. But it's very uncomfortable when you need to belch to relieve pressure, and you can't. Scary too.

I've tried drinking a little warm water, eating a cracker or a little bread, but neither dislodges or takes away the sensation. Have also tried Tums. No luck. Even tried Maalox (mint flavor) but the cool, minty sensation made it feel worse.

I went to the ER the first time this happened (6 weeks ago). All they did was check my heart (electrocardiogram...which was fine), give me something to drink which numbed my mouth and throat, and sent me home. My doctor recommended that I have an ear-nose-and throat doctor check my throat. I did that. He said my thyroid was fine, throat looked okay, I had no signs of acid reflux, and the only thing I had was inflammation and a lot of phlegm. Gave me a phlegm thinner (Mucinex) but that's supposed to be taken to thin mucus when you have a cough. I have no cough.

I had the same kind of episode last Friday night. I guess I'll have to call the doctor again. But in the meantime, I'm wondering whether anyone else has had this kind of thing. It's not that I keep belching. It's that I have a strong need to, but can't. I am able to pass gas (out the back door), though. I can't really pin it down as far as eating certain foods are concerned. It's got me a little worried. I know it can't be anxiety or stress, since I take clonazepam (mild tranquilizer) at bedtime every night for anxiety. So what the heck is this? Maybe a spasm, or a form of indigiestion, or GERD? Can anyone here relate to what I experienced? Thanks.

Dear Madge,

This was one of my frequent symptoms during the past two years. My daily companion in misery.

Did the whole scope routine, my doctor had prescribed Protonix, which helped some, but the episodes continued. He had a surgeon do the scopes and the surgeon told me I was fine, no indication of acid reflux or gerd... now my dingy doctor continued to say I had GERD. Oh then the gall bladder, read eating pinto or similar beans till the discomfort goes away would help with gall bladder, but tests showed it wasn't the gall bladder.

It would wake me at night. I read some where here on power surge that is common. Later on it would happen at any time of the day and really was the pits when it would happen at work.

Doctor thought it might be skeletal, so xrays were scheduled nothing ... so given muscle relaxers. Not much relief. Then came the times when I had difficulty swallowing... that was a joy.

After coming to power-surge I found out there are many here who experience gastro problems. So mine must have been related to this.

I did find Rolaids helped me much more than tums, malanta or generic anti acid tablets, which I had began to purchase as I was eating them by the handfulls. Two rolaids usually would help me to belch! so lady like I r. Tried tea concoctions, herbal baths, yadda yadda yadda.

I did begin weekly massage therapy, as I decided the money I spent on the dr visits was better served by getting a massage, at least that helped to work out the tense knots in my muscles. Now I usually go bi-weekly or once a month depending on how much mad money I have!

I started to do some basic tai chi exercises and breathing which focuses on relaxing your abdomen. That has helped tremendously. If I feel a tightness now I focus on breathing deeply through the abdomen, and some simple waist turning...

Hope this helps some.

Thanks for answering. At least I know I'm not alone. So you never really found out why you'd wake up with the pressure and throat discomfort either? And you weren't able to belch? Sure is uncomfortable. I can't get any relief for an hour or so, then it gradually eases up. And the next day I'm really tired. My internal medicine doctor isn't really sure about this. Since my upper trachea is okay, he'll probably want me to have the scope thing down my throat. I'm scared to have it done, since I had one about a dozen years ago, and they told me my gag reflex was so strong that I fought them like a tiger even though I'd been given an anesthetic.

Doctor called while I was shopping today, so I hope he'll call back. Since it feels like I need to belch and can't, it sounds more like a gastro problem (as you also suggested), rather than something in the windpipe or thyroid.

After all the time you spent having tests, and trying to get relief, it sure sounds as though I'll be stuck with the same thing. It's so uncomfortable I can't get any relief by sitting up or anything. How did you stand it, especially during the day? So far, I've only had it twice. Thanks for tip on Rolaids. Wonder whether the kind of foods one eats affects this. Do you think you're doing better with this now? (Is there possibly light at the end of the tunnel here?) Again, thanks so much for replying.

Madge

Hi All-

Did any doctor check for a Hyatal Hernia? I probably didn't spell this correctly. My mom had the same symptoms and found out it was due to a Hyatal hernia.

Sandy

You were very close with the spelling Sandy! MUCH better than the first time I spelled it! LMBO! It's hiatal hernia. I was diagnosed with mine in 2001. It really can be a nuisance. And CAN be very painful.
Madge, when your doc told you that there was 'inflammation', did he say that you may have LPR? That's how mine was diagnosed - the ole tube up the nose down the throat and bingo. That was it-the inflammation of the larynx. They put me on protonix, but I had to stop taking it because it gave me HORRIBLE headaches and made me super dizzy (two of the possible side effects). I have to be careful what I eat, easy on the coffee and I eat maalox when the acid gets yucky. When you think about it, what did our grandmother's do with their acid reflux? They didn't take all of these new fangled prescriptions did they? And THEY lived good long lives! lol! I wish I had my grandmother here to give me advice

Ksxroads, you mentioned twisting from the waist at the end of your reply. Could you elaborate on that a little for me?

Sandy, I've never been diagnosed with hiatial hernia. But I thought that caused acid reflux, and I've never had any burning in my chest or throat. I only have this odd feeling that something's stuck there and I can't dislodge it by belching (or by anything else for that matter). It aches some, like if you'd swallowed a gumball whole...something like that. But no real burning pain. It does feel rather cold down there though, so "cool mint"-flavored Maalox actually made it feel worse. Sitting up didn't help either. And I was so tired that I wanted desperately to sleep. I tried to relax as much as I could. Finally (about an hour later) my heart stopped pounding (I was scared), and I was able to sleep. But the sensation didn't go away completely until sometime the next day.

Kleeo, no LPR wasn't mentioned (although I'm not sure what that is). The doctor said I had no sign of acid reflux anywhere in my throat. Just phlegm or mucus (postnasal drip) and an inflamed nose and throat. He prescribed Mucinex to thin the phlegm. But my pharmacist said to be careful using the Mucinex since it can be sedating for some people (and he knew I always took clonazepam ad bedtime, which also has a sedating effect since it's like valium). So, I've been afraid to use the Mucinex.

This morning I left a message telling the throat doc that, but haven't heard back from him yet. Maybe there's something else that might work the same way without being sedating. Don't know.

It's getting so I'm not sure what to eat for dinner. Maybe my food choices have something to do with this? I've always had a cup of decaf after supper, plus a small piece of dark chocolate. I look forward to that as my after-dinner dessert at night. I've done it for years with no problem, so maybe I'm being foolish. I just know I don't want this to happen again soon. Especially since we're going to be traveling on the weekend (staying at motels). I'm almost afraid to go to bed at night for fear I'll wake up with this. Guess I'm freaking out here and not being very rational.

Thanks to all of you who are taking the time to help me think this through.
Madge

Hi Madge, sorry on the LPR. I just assume everyone knows what it is because I do, but then again I had no clue either until I was told about it! This is what it is:

The patterns, mechanisms, manifestations, and treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) differ, and the gastroenterology model of reflux disease does not apply to LPR. LPR patients have head and neck symptoms, but heartburn is uncommon. Consequently, LPR is often called silent reflux. LPR patients have predominantly upright (daytime) reflux and normal esophageal motility; most do not have esophagitis, which is the diagnostic sine qua non of GERD. Moreover, the laryngopharyngeal epithelium is far more susceptible to reflux-related tissue injury than is the esophageal epithelium. Because of these differences, treatment algorithms for LPR and GERD vary.

Thanx Kleeo on the laryngopharyngeal reflux... that is interesting. Evidently this is not detected with the upper gi scope... Madge I did a search on alta vista and the cornell site listed excess mucas as one of the symptoms.

Tests and doctors... it is sometimes overwhelming this "practicing medicine".

I became frustrated because my problem was not corrected with medication, I kept food diaries and there was no trigger food I could identify, the surgeon who did my scopes told me I did not have any signs of tissue damage or GERD and really didn't need to take the protonix. My doctor suggested doing the same tests again... I began looking for some alternatives - I decided to listen to the specialist instead of my doctor... I stopped the protonix as it did not seem to *cure* the problem.

Read that any kind of meditation could be helpful with GERD symptoms. While it might not be GERD it certainly was similar and I'd try anything. Like GERD and LPR they both recommend losing weight, improving posture as part of recommended treatment. I subscribe to satellite tv and there are daily yoga and tai chi programs. Okay I confess I don't get up at 5am so I recorded the tai chi for later. Do an altavista or google search for tai chi exercises... you don't have to subscribe to all of the info, just take what you can use ...

It has reduced my episodes tremendously. I still occasionally have some discomfort but it is not daily, nor weekly. Hang in there.

Thanks, Kleeo and Ks, for all the great information. I'll mention it to the doctor next time I go in for an appointment. I called my throat doc this morning and he said to take 1/2 dose Mucinex each morning (to thin all the postnasal drip). Ordinarily he'd have me take it again at bedtime, but since I take clonazepam then (which can also make a person tired), I'll be less likely to be tired the next day than if I took both at bedtime. I'm also to stay on the Allegra I take for allergies, and use Nasonex spray for three weeks, to reduce inflammation in my nose and throat. (I had used Naxonex nasal spray sometimes before but didn't think I was supposed to use it every day.) Then, he wants to see me in three weeks and check my throat area again. If there's no change or I have another nighttime episode, he'll send me to someone to check my esophagus (That would not be pleasant.)

So, I'm hoping the medications will help, but will be surprised if they do. I've gone to a lot of doctors for various things, as many of you have, and I know that medical problems aren't always diagnosed or solved easily.

Ks, I like the idea of meditation and am also on a diet to lose weight (to get cholesterol and blood pressure under control, if possible). I'll do some googling to see what I can come up with.

Kleeo, it's good to correspond with you again. (My name at Power Surge used to be Carrie, then changed to Madge when the format of the discussion board was changed several years ago. Since I'm post-meno, I stopped checking in at power-surge for almost a year and miss the interesting ideas being discussed. Guess I'll have to check in more often. I'm especially pleased that Dr. Shipko is answering the "Ask the Expert/Anxiety/Panic)" questions here at Power Surge. He's given a lot of good advice over the years.

Madge )

I too have been diagnosed with a hernia and also witrh acid reflux..no matter what my dr. tried me on after a few weeks it was like i became immune to it and the feelings came back. I went and herbal store and talked to them. Now I take a pill called Pancreatin. I take it everytime i eat,especially at supper time..and girls i've even went back to etaing hotwings(one of my favs) I do have to watch not eating late at night or I still have troubles when I lay down.but this pill has helped me alot. It's put out by Natures Own....still can't handle KFC tho..that chicken is dipped in grease..lol

This is a very interesting discussion.

I found this discussion by simply putting in "I feel like I've got something stuck in my throat" in Goggle.

For the last 3 weeks or a month I have had this feeling like something is stuck in my esophagus. It's like the feeling you get when you've swallowed a big pill and it gets stuck - except it's further down the tube. The sensation is coming from the area right in the middle of my chest - about six inches down from my adam's apple, just slightly above my sternum.

At first, I thought it was from eating dinner while leaning back in my lazy boy chair. Then, I thought that my habit of eating very fast is finally catching up with me. This is not exactly painful but is just uncomfortable and worrisome.

One person stated that this could be from stress. I don't think I'm particularly stressed out at this time in my life. If anything, I now have much better coping mechanisms for stress than at any other time. Don't get me wrong - there is stress in my life - primarily from work issues.

I am trying some Maalox right now and going to see what happens.
Any comments or questions are welcome

jimf,

This sensation could very well be GERD (reflux). I had the very same thing almost 3 years ago. I thought that I had gotten a vitamin pill stuck in my esophogus. It continually got worse. Turns out that I have a hiatal hernia and the acid comes up into my esophogus and into my throat. I do not get the typical heartburn feeling. After trying several prescription meds, I found that Nexium works the best for me. If the malox doesn't work for you, you should go see a Dr. Errosion of the esophogus can led to pre-cancerous cells.

An update: It's been awhile, and I kept getting the lump in the throat feeling at times, so I saw my doctor. I had a CT scan of my neck to rule out anything serious there, and then an upper endoscopy. That showed some irritation/inflammation in my esophagus, so I guess I do have acid reflux, but nothing really serious at this point. I was put on Protonix for three weeks, then changed to generic Prilosec (the prescription one, not the OTC one) because it's less expensive for me. I'm now in week 5 of taking the Prilosec, and the feeling of a throat lump is gone. I do still get a lot of fullness in my throat, kind of an acidy mucus, when I eat something that disagrees with me. I can only take 1 Prilosec a day, although my doctor wanted me to take two a day for the first month. I just couldn't do it, because my irritable bowel problem came back with a vengeance from the first day I started the Protonix and continued on the Prilosec. I've also noticed that I feel mildly nauseated much of the time on the Prilosec. That's not easy to deal with either, nor is the churning, growling stomach and gas. So, I hope I don't have to be on this stuff too much longer. I'm wondering what else I could take when I taper off of the Prilosec... maybe Gaviscon, or Mylanta, or possibly Pepcid? Any advice, ladies? I sure could use it.

I haven't had any chocolate, coffee or tea, tomatoes, spicy or fatty foods for weeks now and I'm really tired of the "bland" foods I've been eating. I've lost about 12 pounds just because the food isn't all that appealing when you eat it over and over. And the nausea doesn't help. Good thing I had my stomach scoped, or I'd think I had a problem there. Any suggestions?

Madge )


,

This sensation could very well be GERD (reflux). I had the very same thing almost 3 years ago. I thought that I had gotten a vitamin pill stuck in my esophogus. It continually got worse. Turns out that I have a hiatal hernia and the acid comes up into my esophogus and into my throat. I do not get the typical heartburn feeling. After trying several prescription meds, I found that Nexium works the best for me. If the malox doesn't work for you, you should go see a Dr. Errosion of the esophogus can led to pre-cancerous cells.
[/quote]

Madge

I had gastritis at the top of my stomach last year, which is similar to what you describe - just a couple of inches lower! I had a bad reaction to the omeprozole they put me on so I had to use ranitidine. The problem got worse 7 worse & would not get better. I was told I could use gaviscon with either of these if necessary.

Well I had to have a breath test for h-pylori bacteria (which is responsible for most ulcers) and to do it I had to come off the ranitidine for a while too. I was very nervous about doing this as I was in so much pain but to my surprise I found I was able to survice on just Gaviscon alone until 24 hours before the test and then found I was no worse when I stopped this too. now I just take ocassional Gaviscon if i feel at all acidic.

What I would say is maybe try Gaviscon cautiously & see if it is enough for you. It has a coating effect so it may suit you well.

Hi, Gastric symptoms are my latest nightmare. I wake with pressure in the throat and a racing heart. I have the sensation of a pill stuck in my stomach constantly, unless I eat - then feel as tough I,ve downed gallons of water (really bloated)
I suspect that I,ll need an endoscopy and feel really scared.

Madge - Did you fight like a tiger again? I hope the second scope was better for you.

K...sounds like it might be acid reflux. Don't worry about the endoscopy. I went to see the doctor a week before he did it, and told him I was a little scared and mentioned what had happened to me the last time I had one. He said he'd had the same experience, and he couldn't swallow the scope either. They had to put him to sleep first. He said that nowadays they put you to sleep first, and not to worry. He even said he'd hide the scope so I wouldn't have to see it. I asked what they'd do if I fought like a tiger again. He said not to worry. If I seemed restless or upset, they'd just give me a little more of the medication and it would relax me.

He was true to his word. He had the scope covered with a towel so I couldn't see it, and I was sound asleep before I ever swallowed the scope. I never knew I'd swallowed it. Woke up feeling fine. The only problem I had was a little nausea because they brought me oatmeal and a turkey sandwich. I felt really hungry and ate too much and too fast. Then I felt sick for awhile. (Stupid thing for me to do.) But by dinner time, I was fine and ate a normal meal. I wasn't tired or anything. I won;'t be afraid to have it done again if I ever need to.

I do think it might help to talk to the doctor about your concerns ahead of time. Could even just talk to him on the phone about it. Sure helped me. I was a lot less scared after that.

I still have pressure in the throat, the stuck pill feeling, bloating and sometimes acidy phlegm in my throat at times. Typical acid reflux. I've been on Prilosec for 5 weeks, but am not sure it's working all that well. It does help some, but I think maybe it should be working better by now.

I wonder whether your racing heart could be from anxiety about this. Being worried or stressed can do that. But I think you're going to be okay. I was quite worried too, but all went well. The doctor did say he found some signs of reflux and just put me on some medication to heal it. Let me know how things go for you, okay?

oh my so many with stomach problems.

I too have been suffering from this acid reflux for about 10 months now. I had the scope two times, CT scans, upper GI, blood work, the whole series of test. It is gred and lpr. I have a lump feeling in my throat for many months. It finally left. Still have an awful taste in my mouth and some burning in my stomach.

I strongly feel that menopause, anxity and all the homone fluctuations fuels all this. Nexium has been helping a bit. Have to watch what I eat.

Little by little it is getting better. Yes you can get dizziness, pulps and many other symptoms from Gred. Just hang in there. Stay on your diets, do exercise, do some relaxation exercises and hopefully that will all help. I know it is all easier said that done. I have days where I just want to pull the covers over my head and cry and I have days that I become hopefull that all this will go away. After 10 months, it is a little better. So I am thankful for that. Just hope that it continues on this path.

TLily

TLily,

How long have you been on Nexium for your acid reflux? I was on on Protonix for 3 weeks before my endoscopy. Then the doctor who did the scope found some inflammation in my lower esophagus and put me on Prilosec. I've been on that for 5 weeks, but my irritable bowel problems came back when I was on Protonix and Prilosec. My worst problem now is my churning stomach. It will start acting up within an hour of eating, and will sometimes feel like hunger and at other times like nausea/queasiness. I have it a lot. (Also quite a bit of gas and bloating. (Even an odd, yellow-colored stool ..sorry... which I guess is a side effect of these medications for some people.)

While the lump feeling and chest pain are gone, I still have a lot of mucus in my lower throat every day and feel a need to constantly clear my throat. Sometimes the mucus is acidy (feels like burning or tastes somewhat salty), sometimes not. I too am watching what I eat, but am quite tired of my bland, boring diet.

I had thought that after about 8 weeks total on these meds, I'd be able to eat somewhat more normally, but that doesn't seem to be the case yet. It really helps to talk to you and others with this problem.

Madge

[

Thank you Madge. I have not had a moment free from what Icedancer described as a "dry pill on an empty stomach" feeling for months. I have lost a lot of weight too, but have just stopped taking progesterone after five years of taking a high dose (to prevent the return of endo hyperplasia) I have
just turned fifty and hope that I never have another period.
I have had CFS since my mid twenties with lots of severe/burning nerve pain and muscle twitching, but never stomach trouble...so this perhaps is menopause. I am of course sure it is cancer

Hi Madge

I really know how you feel. It is not fun and very frustrating. I to have IBS so I know just how your feeling. I tried every acid reflux pill out there and nexium seems to work the best for me. I have been on it for 3 months now. Everything that you have post Iwas feeling for a very long time. I still have problems but I think it is slowly getting better.

I began listening to stress reduction tapes and I have been good doing the breathing exercise. I am a therapist so I thought I better listen to all the stress reduction groups that I do. Anyway, it is not all stress but I think it really plays a part in it all. I don't know if you are stressed but try to listen to tapes and see if it helps. I have been to too many doctors that couldn't give me any answers. the doctors only said that what they found in my scope should not warrant what I was feeling. So I had to take some action because I felt out of control.

Sorry that I got long winded. Hang in there with the meds and slowly it should get better. They say that after eight weeks things should get better, but believe me it takes much longer but it will happen. It does help to talk to others that know just how you feel. It really is horrible that we have to change many things in our lives that we enjoy because of acid reflux and that damn IBS.

Tlily

I just wanted to chime in on the chronic problems with the throat. I have been to my Dr about 20 times complaining with throat problems, mine is very dry, hoarse and it sometimes makes talking difficult, I sometimes have difficulty swallowing. HE took a cat scan, which came back normal. No scope yet, he doesn't think it is necessary, ( I think he thinks I am crazy) Anyway, he told me last time that he is comfortable telling me that my throat issues are all hormonal becuase he sees women my age (49) all day long with the exact same symptoms and no obvious cause. I have never smoked or drank and am at low risk for throat cancer according to him. So ladies I do believe that we are in the same boat here and I hope someday to have a day or two where I feel normal again.

Hi all, add me to the peculiar throat symptoms brigade. I've been getting sore throats, voice fluctuations, lump in the throat and sensation of fullness in the throat for over 18 months. I occasionaly get acid reflux and I burp a lot! The soreness is actually a lot better these days but the other symptoms come and go, getting noticeably worse before ovulation.

I was on prescription acid reflux medication for a while, which in retrospect did make a difference, and these days I tend to use Gaviscon. I continue to drink wine, eat onions, garlic, tomatoes etc so I'm not really helping myself much. But we all need to have some pleasures in life, surely!! I have also heard that throat and digestive problems are a fairly common hormonal symptom. This too shall pass.........hopefully! Take care all, Jess xx

Jessie, do you use Gaviscon daily, and do you use it more than once a day? I have some Gaviscon tablets but only used them once. Gaviscon is quite thick and sticky when I chew it, and for some reason I felt a little nauseated for half an hour or so after taking it. Not sure if it was the texture of it or what it was. It did help my reflux, though, so I could go to bed and sleep.

I'm asking you this because my mom used to take Gaviscon for acid reflux years ago, before they had Prilosec, Nexium, Pepcid, etc. It seemed to work for her. I'm wondering whether you need to take it daily or just when you feel reflux symptoms.

I've been on Protonix for 3 weeks and Prilosec for 5 more weeks. the chest pain and lumpy sensation in my throat are gone, but I still get mucus in my throat, and often it's a bit acidy. (I don't eat many trigger foods, but sometimes I put a very little bit of decaf in hot water when I need something hot to drink, and I occasionally eat a tiny bit of chocolate, or eat stir fries that contain a little tomato puree and onion powder. Canned tuna in water also gives me the acid thing in the throat. Strange.)

I get mild nausea or else an empty-stomach feeling every little while. during the day. Plus gas and other irritable bowel symptoms. Uncomfortable. I don't want to stay on Prilosec long term. Thanks for any Gaviscon feedback you can give me.

Madge - can you get the Gaviscon liquid in the US? I also don't like the tablets - they are really sickly since they changed the recipe last year, but I find the Gaviscon "cool" version of the liquid has a much more pleasant flavour.

Hi Madge, ditto Squiggle's reply. I too live in the UK and have never used the Gaviscon tablets. I always use the Gaviscon Cool liquid, which I thought tasted vile at first, like liquid chalk, but I actually quite like it now. I use it on average probably once a day. It doesn't completely eradicate my symptoms but does offer some relief. It's worth a try! Best of luck, Jess xx

Yes, I think I've seen the liquid Gaviscon. I bought the tablets thinking I could carry them in my purse and use them when we were away from home.

I'll try to get some of the liquid. I hope the Cool liquid doesn't have mint in it. Do you happen to know? Mint relaxes the opening at the top of the stomach and makes acid reflux worse. (I tried Mint flavored Maalox once, and my heartburn didn't feel any better. Mydoctor said it's best not to use mint-flavored products if you have acid reflux. Hope the Gaviscon just feels cool but has no mint.

Thanks for the advice,
Madge

Madge

There are 3 types of Gaviscon liquid available over here:

Original (Aniseed)
Mint
& Cool

I find they all relieve the acid considerably (far better than any antacid tablet does) Bear in mind they are designed for reflux problems so they should all be Ok, but you could use the aniseed version if you're worried. As far as I understand it Gaviscon coats everything so that it protects your stomach/oesophagus lining rather than just being a straightforward antacid!

You need to take it after every meal and before bed irrespective of whether you are suffering at that moment or not. It gives your body a chance to heal properly.

Thanks, Squiggle. I appreciate the information. At least I know I'll have an alternative.

Hi Madge and Everyone!

For quite awhile now, I've been coming across warnings that drs and Big Pharma are over-prescribing antacids (for the profit); and Americans are taking OTC antacids which are worsening--not improving their acid reflux. I believe I have laryngopharyngeal reflux, but my ENT dr and endoscopy showed no problems. Anyway, despite frequent hoarseness, sometimes waking up coughing, scratchy throat, I have been hesitant to take antacids because I don't have heartburn or any of the usual symptoms of acid reflux.

Several reputable medical sources I've come across have warned that antacids overuse is worsening problems with the stomach because they treat the symptoms and not the underlying problem. The real problem (they say) is the loss of digestive stomach acid in those over 50! This digestive acid is called "Betaine HCL." Yesterday, I spent a few hours reading S.Somers new book "Ageless." Again, Drs interviewed in her book stated that the IBS, bloat, intestinal discomfort women in peri/meno experience is almost alwasy related to the drop in digestive stomach acid, especially after 50. They recommend that a Betaine HCL supplement be taken before meals as a way to treat the problem with great results.

I've decided to start taking Betaine HCL to see if it helps. I found some information that explains everything much better than I can. Here is the link to the info: http://www.modernherbalist.com/betaine.html (I hope this is not a violation of our PS rules. If so, I apologize.)

One important bit of info is that Betaine HCL supplementation will "retrain" the stomach to begin producing its own digestive acids again! You don't have to take it forever! I hope you find this info helpful!

Be well, everyone!
T'Pow