Hi everyone,
Okay. So. I have bursitis that I was taking a lot of Aleve for... and I developed an ulcer/hyperacidic stomach from it. For that, my doctor put me on Prilosec. I took the Prilosec for about a week and then when I stopped taking it I developed GERD (self diagnosis; I understand it's a common rebound effect of the Prilosec?). During this time I was also taking Tramadol as needed for the bursitis, and I was also prescribed Celebrex, which made me bleed (bloody stools), "perhaps from an ulcer" according to my doctor.

I am not visibly bleeding anymore but I am in PAIN.

Symptoms: stomach pain and cramps, burping, shortness of breath, yawning, flatulence, sore throat, coughing. Your classic case of GERD - I assume.

My questions are as follows:
1. Can Marijuana use cause/exacerbate GERD?
2. Does anybody know of home remedies for GERD that are both safe for ulcers AND safe for GERD as I probably have both?
3. Is eating MJ better than smoking MJ for this condition?

Anybody with personal experience, please advise! I don't want to tell my doctor about my use due to the laws in my state.

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I don't believe plant material is good for GERD as it raises acidity in your stomach in an attempt to digest it. Also, MJ does make you eat a lot more so you may want to pay more attention to what you eat so you do not raise the acidity in your stomach. The only thing you can do is manage and prevent the symptoms. Incline your bed so you don't have stomach acid creeping up your esophagus while you're asleep and take some antacids for bad cases of GERD. You want to prevent symptoms for as long as you can because medications such as antacids are known to damage the esophagus over long term. I believe marijuana has no use in this case and it may make symptoms worse if you do develop the munchies. Also, ask your doctor for prescription acid blockers that does prevent GERD altogether.

Are your burps tasting like sewer gas or rotten eggs? If so, you might want to look at what you are eating.

I have a big problem with a chemical called sodium benzoate or benzoate of soda. For me, if I get a big enough dose, it can cause the symptoms you describe along with "chill and fever" feelings. My body says it is poison- even though most other folks can eat it with no problems.

My doctor thought it HAD to be my gall bladder and wanted to set me up with an operation. I had an active 18 month old child and no way I could take time off from being mom for an operation!

I was reading a Prevention magazine, and there in the letters was a gal describing exactly the same symptoms that I had! She had had the gall bladder operation and her symptoms persisted. So she figured that it had to be an allergic reaction. When she eliminated the benzoate, her symptoms cleared up!

So I did the same, and MY symptoms cleared up, too! This also cleaned up my diet a bit, eliminating a lot of junk foods. Needless to say, I became an avid label reader and my digestive system now works just fine- as long as I avoid sodium benzoate.

It is found in salad dressings, BBQ sauce, some sodas, and can be in wine without it being on the label. It is a preservative and I have found it even in some frozen foods. Potassium benzoate can also upset my stomach, but to a much lesser degree.

Removing this chemical from your diet might be worth a try.

Granny

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This has to be one of the top ten things I think I have read on this site. Standing alone, it reminds me of an opening line for some infomercial. Maybe that Vince guy with the slap chop.

Seriously though, this is going to make me raid my fridge and pantry on a recon mission. Wish me luck.

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LOL at both of you. Awesome!

In response to Granny's questions (BTW: I love it when you answer my posts because you always have interesting stuff to say that I have never heard before), I do think my problem may be nutritional, now that you mention it. I changed a lot of my habits when I started a new job (including eating more processed foods) and I think I may have been too hasty to blame my medications. Excellent advice.

Thanks to everybody that answered my post. I invite more feedback if anybody has any.

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I also found this in Granny's list:

Endocannabinoids and the gastrointestinal tract: what are the key questions?
Category: PHYSICAL: DIGESTIVE STSTEM: BOWEL DISORDERS

Bottom line- Cannabinoid (CB1) receptor activation acts neuronally, reducing GI motility, diarrhoea, pain, transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESRs) and emesis, and promoting eating."

- Read more
British Journal of Pharmacology

Does that part I highlighted in red mean that in this study the CB1 activation reduces GERD? And does anybody have a study discussing whether that activation differs from an endocannibinoid versus THC in terms of TLESR prevention?

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I've had GERD every since I went to West Point. (Go figure) Aside from a daily pill of Prilosec, Acifex, or whatever the heck the white-coated drug dealers were pushing that month, I found changing my diet was the best way to combat it. Drinking milk helps, since it's a base. Water helps too, since it dilutes your stomach acid. I did smoke a couple times while my acid reflux was acting up, and it really didn't do anything except for help me not to care about having acid burping up my throat. Something huge that has helped me with the GERD is not drinking any soda at all. Just doing that has made it fairly tolerable.

Personally, I can't say that MJ has much of an effect on the actual GERD symptoms, one way of the other. I have much experience with serious gastro problems and GERD. I actually have the next step after GERD, which is Barrett's esophogus, pre-cancerous lesions.

My gall bladder was removed many moons ago, which helped somewhat. However, the ONLY thing that has actually healed the Barrett's condition and totally eliminated my GERD symptoms is Nexium. Neither Prilosec even when it was an Rx, nor any other Rx, nor any of the OTCs did anything much to help.

Nexium's biggest problem - it is hella expensive. Even insurance doesn't cover the major cost of this Rx.

So, even though I hate to recommend anything having to do with prescription drugs (bastards) or insurance (bigger bastards), that's my story. My advice is, if you can afford it, find a good gastroenterologist.

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cb
If you don't run, you rust. - Tom Petty
“From each according to his ability, to each according to his need”, a scheme to enslave the able to the unable. - Ayn Rand

i dont have gerd but i do have a gastro prob and i just watch what i eat thats best, with my antacid, thanks granny about the benzoate thing, i was wonderin y bbq sauce fucks me up so bad.

but the bud especially purple erkle just kills that nausea and vomiting feel i get with the burps and helps me forget about it, but that one dude is right cause if i get a wicked case of munchies im screwed

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On "transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations" and on the very first page was your answer in the blurb below the title!

www.medscape.com/medline/abstract/9203932

"Transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations (TLOSRs) has been found to be the main mechanism of gastro-oesophageal reflux." They used the English spelling of "esophageal" but that's GERD! So yes, it helps.


Granny

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Granny's Grandpa- Rev. J. C. Schwabenland

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I can't see the article... but I'll take your word for it, and I won't worry about toking up while not feeling well especially since others confirm from personal experience that smoking doesn't seem to make GERD worse.

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I heard of this remedy from a friend, and I thought he was full of it until I tried it. For years I took Prilosec, Acifex, Nexium, etc. for GERD. I have it mostly under control from diet, but every now and then, I'll have an attack. Just take a teaspoon or two if you're feeling brave of straight vinegar. Works like a charm! It tastes awful for a few seconds, but it takes the burning in your throat away immediately.

If you think about it, it all makes sense. When you get heartburn of acid gurgling up your throat, it's because the acid has nowhere to go. Whatever you ate is too difficult to digest, or you just don't have enough acid, so it comes up your throat. By increasing the acidity of your stomach, you're able to digest that food and send it on its way.