Over 70, T2D, and now, reoccuring Acid Reflux

(Denise) #1

… and to top it all off, I’m withdrawing (slow taper and hold method) from clonazepam.

Waking up again, during the night, with Acid Reflux and hadn’t had it since starting keto about 6-7 years ago. I am of the same mind about it meaning there isn’t “enough” stomach acid, but open to other opinions. I’m looking at the quick fixes again, but my goto before was not laying down for 3-4 hours to sleep at night. And a 6 inch wedge pillow, but it didn’t work this time.

So now I just don’t know, but I do know I can’t use the same things I did before since I was diagnosed with T2 Diabetes, which led me to Keto in the first place, thank goodness for that. But I’m super low on carbs, under 10 pretty much. I did read this a.m. about too many fats causing AR in some cases. I do eat a lot, higher or equal to my protein.

Feedback welcome, especially if your my age or older at 73 now. I appreciate younger folks chiming in of course, as I can learn something from everyone who is willing to share their experience with these things, Denise :+1::heart:

(Cathy) #2

A prescription for a proton pump inhibitor might be the easiest and most effective solution.

(Denise) #3

I’m thinking about that one, as well as the H-2 Blockers. Also, I think this definitely has more to do with the wd sxs from Clonazepam. My nervous system is pretty raw right now, anxiety, most symptoms are getting better, but a few spikes/ramping up from different triggers in life :wink:

Thank you for your reply Cathy :+1::heart:

#4

PPI’s are OTC, and except for a small fraction of people, that makes the problem way worse.

#5

Benzo withdrawal can absolutely cause GI issues, you’ve just got to decide which part is effecting you, not enough stomach acid, which Betaine HCL will fix, or too much, which although rare typically, can actually happen from the benzo withdrawal as it suppresses it and causes a rebound. But there’s really no way to know which you’re dealing with other than playing with it.

I’d go for adding some in and dropping fat before I’d try a PPI, but that’s me.

If you’re eating as much fat as protein, which if your protein is sufficient that probably means a lot of fat, then I’d lean towards not enough acid since it takes a lot more horsepower to digest fats than it does proteins and carbs.

(Denise) #6

I remember not taking them back when I had this earlier, before Keto, because I did read about it and I didn’t like the sound of “how they work”, Denise PS thanks for the reminder @lfod14

(Denise) #7

I’m going with this way too because I am eating around 100 protein, over that as I’m 109 lbs, figured I’d try and do at least the 1 gram protein for each lb of weight. I even added in extra fat using avocados, and love my Sockeye. It’s rich, but I can stand it 2 dinners in a row.

I’m not jumping into buying anything yet, as this hasn’t happened but may once a week, and just started doing it in the last month or so. I agree with the testing things out, I’m like my own guinea pig, Denise :nerd_face:
PS I’m ridiculously low on my dose now, just 0.080 mg of original 1 mg Clonazepam. I’m scared to go too fast though, as I had a doctor tell me to do .25 mg a month. After 3 months it all hit me at once, had a TIA they called it, whole left side of body went numb for 3 days. Still numbness in left arm.

(Central Florida Bob ) #8

I was taking Prilosec OTC (or an equivalent) every day for something like 15 years, when my allergist (of all people) said that he had seen people who were diagnosed asthmatics but some other tests showed that it was actually an acid reflux issue. Long story shortened, getting tested fully took a couple of months before I was then referred to a general surgeon, and eventually had a LINX device put in. It’s bracelet-like thing made of titanium covered magnets that they put around the esophagus at the top of your stomach.

https://www.jnjmedtech.com/en-US/products/surgery/reflux-management/linx-reflux-management-system/

I had never heard of this thing, but the doctors did a good job of getting the ideas across and I had the surgery. That was in January of '23 and after my recovery, I’ve never had that reflux issue again. I think the most antacids I’ve taken is like two Tums tablets in a night - and that’s one night every couple of months.