Hi Jason - I'm so sorry that you're having such a hard time. I have some thoughts to share with you. I too suffered from horrible reflux/heartburn/indigestion. Two things seemed to really help me: A DGL supplement (that's licorice root) 20 minutes before eating breakfast and dinner, and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice 15-30 minutes before each meal. Licorice root tea and ginger tea or chews also work really well to relieve the upper GI symptoms you describe. Stay away from antacids including rolaids, tums, and acid blockers such as Pepcid or Prilosec. These are actually counter productive - even if they help, they tend to cause a rebound of acid later on, so you actually feel worse.
Can I ask why you are not eating gluten, eggs, soy, and dairy? I ask because I spent about 4 months on an extremely restricted diet trying to control my IBS and upper GI symptoms with no relief. I recently went back to eating more normally and I feel about the same, but certainly no worse. My point is, perhaps it isn't necessary to be on such a restricted diet, especially if you are still having so many symptoms and because you are so thin. I have to watch my weight too - I've dropped about 7 pounds in the last month. I find it hard to eat because I am queasy and sick feeling so much of the time.
The last thing I want to share is something I've learned about IBS and other GI symptoms that have no apparent physical cause. I read this book called "The Divided Mind" by Dr. John Sarno, which discusses a controversial theory that many chronic health problems including chronic back pain and IBS actually have an emotional origin in the mind. Now I realize you said your mental health seems good, but the fact that your physical symptoms are so bad tells me there is something troubling going on in your unconscious mind. Even if you feel skeptical, I highly recommend reading the book with an open mind. See if you see yourself in the pages. As I read it, I kept thinking that Dr. Sarno was describing me and all of sudden my body's constant need for uncomfortable physical symptoms became very clear to me.
I hope this helps. I know what's it like to feel hopeless - I still wonder if I will ever feel better. But all we can do is keep learning and trying things.
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Re: Debilitating Reflux and Discomfor
