Heart Burn

My dostor prescribed me pepcid. Tell him that the tums are not working, he will find something else to help.

Hi K.,
Try papaya tablets (from GNC or other store of this type), they worked great for me and the taste isn't bad either.
Good luck!
B.

I found that I really had to reduce the amount of acidic foods (pizza, tomato sauce, orange juice, etc.) I ate, and eat small meals throughout the day. Eating bland foods, like bread, saltine crackers, cheese, or potatoes and limiting carbonated beverages also helps. I wasn't a fan of the Tums, either, although I think they have a quick melt version now. Good luck!

Hi K.,

Try Gaviston or Maalox It works better then tums. I had heartburn extremely bad with my first pregnacy. YOu should check with your doctor first though. Usually the nurse could tell you.

Godd luck,
R.

I worked for a gastroenterologist before I had my baby and he stated that I could take a PPO wich is something for reflux. I took Protonix but there is also Prevacid or Nexium. I didn't take them everyday just when I got really bad heartburn. I was tld by 8 doctors that these were safe to take. Ask your doctor and see what he says. They were a lifesaver for me. I hope this helps. N. H.

Hi K.! I too had horrible heartburn with both my pregnancies, and I can't stand to taste anything! My OB gave me Famotadine, which is just the generic form of Pepcid, now available over the counter. You can take 10-20 mgs. They are just pills, so you don't have to worry about tasting anything. These really got me through those horrible last months, when the heartburn was just awful. You can take them before you eat, or after. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Apple juice is acidic and will probably make it worse. Milk and dairy can actually make it worse. Try not to eat at least an hour before you go to bed and prop up your bed so you sleep on an angle. Watch foods that are acidic, especially tomato products, caffine (which you are probably avoiding anyway). Raw veggies can aggravate it too.

Both of these are going to sound crazy but... a couple bites of cheddar cheese. It works, the only thing is it doesn't work for more than an hour or so. Also, the outer edge of a cucumber slice. Don't eat the seeds part just the outer edge.

I haven't had personal experience with this, but I just read in Parent magazine that ginger flavored Altoids work.

Good luck!

I had terrible heartburn when I was pregnant and just used Tums, they didn't really work for me, but I felt better being able to take something! :)

K.,

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I'm also 30 weeks (this is my first though) - Due Nov. 28th. I have also struggled some with heartburn, but found something that COMPLETELY gets rid of it for me...

My chiropractor gave me something called 'Zypan', it's made by a company called 'Standard Process'. This may sound crazy but it is some sort of an acid that helps with digestion. She told me that when your stomach reaches a certain level of acid, it will allow the food to continue on through your system. With your stomach being squished, it doesn't process like normal. The 'Zypan' will help your stomach to reach its required acidity level and move the food on through your system. Otherwise, the food will actually just sit and rot (I know it's disgusting) in your stomach.

I know it sounds crazy, but this stuff REALLY works. My Dad has even taken it for Acid Reflux and it works for that too!

You may have to contact a naturopath or a chiropractor to get it, but it would be well worth it!

My favorite remedy is ice cream. The cooling is nice and the calcium helps with heart burn.

If that does not work - you can take Zantac twice a day. My doctor told me this. And she said not to worry - it does not hurt the baby. It is commonly given to premmies and newborn babies.

I'm not saying this will truly help you but it was the only thing that helped me. Mints, white with the hole in the center or the red and white striped mints. Worked wonderful for me. I too didn't like the tums and surely not mylanta!!
Good luck

I had horrible heartburn and was put on Prevacid by my doctor for both of my pregnancies. Also a quick fix that works fantastic is baking soda and water just use a small amount of water like 2 oz and put about a 1/4 tsp baking soda mix it up and chug it and you will have relief!!!!!

K.,
I had horrable heart burn with my son, now 3 weeks old. However I am also diabetic so there aren't many things I can take. I found that TUMS sugar free orange flavor where the best things and they actually tasted pretty good. Congratulations and we wish you the best!!!

K.,

Kroger's has it's Tums-like antacid. The berry flavor is actually pretty good and a lot better tasting than tums. Also try frequent small meals and steer clear of acidic food/drinks. Congratulations (on your baby, not the heartburn)! : )

Dear K.,

After years of suffering, I've had to adjust my eating habits. I cannot eat after 7:00 pm. No milk products, acidic products, or chocolate or coffe which are probably the worst ones. Sleep sitting part way elevated. Don't do any sit ups. You need to give your system a rest or you'll end up with reflux that can destroy your esophagus, as it has mine. I'm just starting to get back to normal and I had my child 13 years ago!!! I have to take Protonix every morning, but have been able to get off the other medications. Good Luck.
K.

The Tums smooth dissolve are much better than regular tums. With my pregnancies the heart burn was unbelievable and my doctor gave me a prescription for Zantac 150 (Ranitidine), but I think you can get it over the counter. It really did help - I had to keep it with me everywhere I went. Good luck - I know how miserable that can be!

I got tired of the Tums routine during my pregnancy, and suffered from heartburn almost constantly after the 20 week mark.
I found that if I walked for at least 30 minutes a day--it didn't even have to be all at once--that my heartburn was diminished, if not completely gone.
This will sound gross, but being upright and walking helped me to burp, which seemed to relieve some of the "burning."

good luck!

try the new tums they have better flavor and if that doesn't work try drinking some hot tea

Weird as this sounds, cinnamon relieved the heartburn for me (I had really bad heartburn with both my daughters).

I come from a family with heartburn/acid reflux problems so mine hit me early on. Tums just didn't cut it and neither did Rolaids.

My OBGYN told me to use Pepcid AC. I get the regular stregnth and take one in the morning. If I'm still having problems in the evening I take one at noon.

My heartburn is pretty much nonexistant now.

Sounds weird, but try a swallow of pickle juice. It's the vinegar. It counter-acts the acid because it's an alkalide. I learned it from an older lady friend. It usually helps immediately, but doesn't last very long. Another thing I found that is lots better than Tums is Chooz. It's chewable, has calcium, too (I think) and doesn't leave junk on your teeth. Getting exercise that keeps you upright is helpful, too. I've had heartburn with both my pregnancies - usually means the baby will be born with lots of hair, by the way - and I've had reflux for years. Hope this helps you! :o)

Vanilla ice cream helps.

Gaviscon is great! No bad taste! Soda crackers and 7-up worked for me as well. Good luck!! L. H.

The only thing that really helped me was changing my diet. If you look up acid reflux/heartburn you will find lots of diet suggestions. I felt much better after I cut out any tomato based items, creamy, fatty items, etc... Good luck and God Bless!

With both my kids I had TERRIBLE heartburn from the get go. I had to take Zantac at least once a day. It is safe to take and really does help if it gets bad. TUMS would be the best thing to take since they have calcium in them too...and compelely safe. Good luck!
PS: I have a 4 year old and a 6 month old daughter and live in Ypsilanti township, near Whittiker and Textile. If you are ever looking for a playdate, feel free to email me.

I had awful heartburn with both pregnancies. the only thing that worked was a few bites of vanilla ice cream. I just kept a gallon in the freezer.

K.,

I am currently 37 weeks pregnant and have been experiencing heart burn for the past month or so. I told my doctor I was eating tums all day long to get rid of the heartburn. She prescribed me Pepcid, which i know you can get over the counter also. I take one a day first thing in the morning with my vitamin. It keeps my heartburn under control all day.

K.

They've developed some new flavors of Tums since you were pregnant last. They've also developed Tums Quick-Dissolve. It doesn't leave that chalky feeling in your mouth. It might be worth a look at Tums again. Besides, they provide lots of extra calcium for you and the baby!

Best of luck to you!