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I posted a question a few days ago about stomach issues, but didn't check if I mentioned that I was on Prilosec for GERD, as well as an inhaler for something called enosiphilic (sp?) esophogitis, inflammation of...

I was initially skeptical of this plan, as it reeked of Atkins, and seeing how my friend ate on Atkins, it didn't seem healthy at all, even though he did lose weight on it. (Weight loss is not my main concern, health is. As well, getting off Prilosec, anxiety and sleep meds, and my allergies too). I need to drop about 30, and my eliminating sugar, and amping my workouts, at least exercising more, it will come off.

Also, I got to read the Paleo book by Robb, his name slips my mind, but also checking some online sources. This woman related that she too had GERD, and would frequently get stomach issues, as the ones I mentioned: vomiting, diarrhea, egg burps, bloating, and that she eventually figured out that because the Prilosec reduces or eliminates most of the stomach acid, it set her up for these bouts, as the stomach acids couldn't kill the invaders as easily.

That got me thinking, as well as the allergies I take Zyrtec for, which the allergist can find no cause, and my GERD, anxiety, lack of good sleep without meds, etc.

What an eye opening this Paleo stuff is, although I believe that I'll watch my meat intake a bit, and focus more on fruits (yeah, I know they're forbidden, but I'll eat in moderation), and tons of veggies.

I'm going cold turkey on no grains, sugar, fast food, and dairy (pizza is gonna be a tough one). But I'm sick of feeling sick, and certainly sick of my stomach issues, as they've only gotten more frequent since I've been on Prilosec.

Meal 1: scrambled egg whites, cilantro, pico de gallo, and some cut up pineapple. Not perfect Paleo, but fruit is going to be one of my exceptions on occasion.

This is one of those times that I feel I'm actually finding answers, or at least they're right around the corner, to all the previously mentioned issues. I ask my docs, and they're stumped. I've always told friend of mine that their knowledge of nutrition is minimal, and probably sponsored in some way by the food industry.

Anywho, any comments, suggestions, etc, would be appreciated. I have a basic framework of what I'm looking to do, and the simpler I keep it, the better.

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5 Answers

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You need to improve digestion by getting some probiotics like Jarrow and some digestive enzymes such as now foods super enzymes. Taking these along with paleo-removing allergenic foods. gluten/sugar, You should get better fast.

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What do you think about the Healthy Trinity probiotics? I've been taking those, as they came highly recommended? – Hoog Aug 25 2011 at 17:08
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I also am a GERD sufferer. I took Prilosec for a while, but went off about a year ago. Then early this year I began to have intense chest pain. After an upper endoscopy, I was diagnosed with chronic esophagitis. At this time I was almost strictly Paleo (I still ate grains, excluding wheat). I decided to try out Prevacid. This worked wonders. Then a few months ago I went strict Paleo.

I really wanted to get off the Prevacid, so I tried last month. Let me tell you the Gerd was unbearable for the first few days. I think because my body was trying to regain its normal balance of stomach acid. Many times I want to give in and just take a Prevacid. But slowly over the course of that week, it began to dissipate.

It's now been one month and I no longer get heartburn or burps with food coming up. I've lessened my fruit intake and this has also helped.

So when/if you decide to drop the Prilosec, hang in there...it will get better!

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That's what I want to hear. I know my diet, before today, was bad. Lots of pop, fast food, grains of all sorts. All this is starting to make sense. I'm so sick of feeling lousy. Foggy brain, forgetfulness, along with the other physical issues. – Hoog Aug 25 2011 at 17:12
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Also try to chew more slowly and eat in a peaceful setting. Eat fat from eggs and other meat sources just add digestive enzymes which will help you break them down.

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Is there a recommended amount of eggs per week? My concern is too my cholesterol, my dad had a heart attack in his 40s (I'm 42), but he also smoked. I don't think I could eat a pork chop or some of the other things suggested in the books. I like a simple breakfast. Maybe just green smoothies, or is that bad for the blood sugars? – Hoog Aug 25 2011 at 17:14
I like coconut milk with greens powder added. One can coconut milk, packet of greens, some blueberries, maybe some unsweetened cocoa powder. – Beck Aug 25 2011 at 21:47
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I had TERRIBLE GERD/acid reflux/gastritis/whatever they felt like calling it for a while. Was on Protonix (pantoprozole) for awhile which helped symptoms to some extent, but before long I was back to my milk chugging, sporadic eating, Tums crunching ways. Not a fun way to live and I couldn't quite pinpoint my exact triggers...not to mention, my GI never asked about diet/exercise/alcohol/smoking etc.

Went cold turkey after discovering paleo information and have never looked back. During my first month, I was extremely strict - found that dairy and nightshades were particular triggers. I used Apple Cider Vinegar which helped amazingly well (mixed a small amount in water and drank before meals)...big fan of Now Foods Super Enzymes...etc. Not a big believer in GERD anymore. I now realize that I was on a drug that clearly states that I should only be on it for 30 days, but that is prescribed as a "lifestyle drug" that I was TOLD I would have to be on for the rest of my life! Reducing stomach acidity now scares the crap out of me (at least not literally now that I've converted to paleo).

It's in your control. Good luck!

Very relevant post (I answered there too)... http://paleohacks.com/questions/36990/heart-burn-medication

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I'm glad to read that I'm not the only one who suffers this stuff, and know there's a food answer, and doesn't just want to put purple pills the rest of my life. Thanks – Hoog Aug 25 2011 at 22:46
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Some of your ideas of paleo eating are still highly colored by conventional nutritional "wisdom" about little to no meat, cholesterol, etc. For example, that sample meal you listed:

scrambled egg whites, cilantro, pico de gallo, and some cut up pineapple

Where is the fat? Why aren't you eating the egg yolks? Why can't you handle the idea of eating a pork chop?

PLEASE do some more reading around this site, go back and re-read Robb Wolf's book, go to www.archevore.com and check out the "start here" pages, go look at www.marksdailyapple.com for a more moderate, higher veg version of this way of eating. If you really would prefer some type of smoothie in the mornings, check out www.freetheanimal.com for his recent post on the "fat bomb" or see some of the recipes at www.primaltoad.com .

As to the GERD issue, there is lots of info floating around here recently that you should be able to find. The inhaler for your eosinophilic esophagitis (which is not really a breathing problem) is purely a symptom reliever and once you fix the digestive issues, that problem should ease up. Just as an n=1 example for you, my allergies (I used to LIVE on Sudafed) were almost completely cleared very shortly after I went gluten-free.

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Its not so much that I can't fathom eating a pork chop for breakfast, its just not my thing. As far as no egg yolks, I know the prevailing Paleo wisdom is that cholesterol doesn't matter, but coming from a household where my dad had a grabber in his middle 40s, consumption of excessive cholesterol still seems unusual to me. I have no problem eating egg whiles, with an occasional yolk. Maybe I'll just add guac to my morning meal, as I could eat that almost every day. – Hoog Aug 25 2011 at 23:29
Again, the idea of eating some 500 mg (just throwing a number out there based on some of the daily food lists I've seen) of cholesterol a day seems wrong, and I'm still trying to wrap my head around this way of thinking. Also, I do understand its not a breathing problem, but the device which distributes the med is still an inhaler. I never made it out as a breathing problem. – Hoog Aug 25 2011 at 23:30
Greg, The cholesterol stuff is why I suggested the people I did for you to read. I know the mindset change can be difficult. But cholesterol consumed does not equate to cholesterol levels in the blood - your triglyceride levels are most probably much more important. And I do understand the early heart disease concern having a brother who died at 46 after his third heart attack and a husband who had one at 50 with "borderline" numbers. (cont. below) – JCB Aug 26 2011 at 14:31
(cont.) It also might help ease your mind to research the difference between the different type of LDL particles in lots of other threads here and the blogs I suggested. My TC is around 275, but my doc is OK w/that because my trigs are consistently around 50, my blood sugar is around 70, my HDL/LDL ratio is great and the LDL is all the "big, fluffy" type. If you are going to come to a site called "PaleoHacks" and ask us for help, then you need to be a little more open to learning and experimenting fully with this way of eating and living or you may not have the results you are hoping for. – JCB Aug 26 2011 at 14:38

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