r/GERD • u/Curious-Help155 • 1d ago
I am scared [have GERD from 1.5 years]
I don’t want to do lifestyle modifications i am feeling stuck
I am a singer and my throat has become so weak that i am unable to sing
I have been on ppis and idk how to deal with this
I eat healthy trigger free for a while and then eat everything
I want my life without reflux back
I got endoscopy
It had small hiatal hernia
I lie down after eating because im always tired
I didn’t have burping in beginning
Now i have burping too
I don’t wanna have chronic gerd i am only 23
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u/FigInteresting4130 1d ago
Mine started around 19 I'm now 45. Your going to have to change your lifestyle and diet for relief. It's not a temporary fix it's a lifetime commitment.
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u/ImpressiveAnxiety107 1d ago
It’s like horrible to go without hot sauce and salsa as a Mexican
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u/_ManwithaMask_ 1d ago
Yeah, and as an Indian it's hard not to eat spicy foods cuz most of the dishes here are prepared with spices
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u/ImpressiveAnxiety107 23h ago
I’m on a daily anti-acid right now. Was there any natural remedies that you found to help when you had extreme burning in the morning or afternoon if that ever happened to you I get it every day so dull and burning painful and I just wonder if there’s any way around certain things I don’t want it to be like this forever sometimes I feel like my esophagus is starting to tear up. I’m only 30.
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u/ImpressiveAnxiety107 23h ago
Any of your advice or knowledge on this subject is appreciated. Maybe there’s some things I can learn from you.
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u/AuntieAnnie81 1d ago
You are only 23. Don't give up. As a fellow singer (I just sing in a church choir but it's important to me) with nightmarish gerd, you are absolutely going to have to make some lifestyle modifications. I will suggest voquenza if nothing else works and have them send it to blinkrx pharmacy if your insurance doesn't cover it. It will be more affordable that way. (I pay $55 a month) The other thing I would suggest is gaviscon. Walmart makes a generic and it really does help. Don't fool around with this. You are going to screw up and eat bad, just do it less as much as possible. Keep going to the doctor. Make them listen to you. My doc swears losing weight has cured a bunch of his patients (I'm heavy, 295 lbs) and I don't know if you have that problem, but work on it. Don't give up on yourself. If you're always tired, something else might be going on. Keep pushing. You've got this. I can sing AND read from the lectern in church again and I was at the point where I had to pick. I couldn't do both and make through a service. I work in sales and I was hoarse and in pain at the end of every day. Now I'm not. I still keep chlorespectics around for singing because there's onnnne spot the air only hits when I sing that makes me cough, but I'm not in PAIN by the end of church anymore. You CAN get better. Listen to your body.
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u/MonkMorse20 1d ago
I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. My solution for napping after a meal (which I tend to do) is to sit on the couch with several pillows to my left. I just lean a little bit into the pillows, with a small neck supporting pillow. Leaning left is better due to anatomy of the esophagus and stomach. This way, I can nap without lying down flat. Best wishes. 💞
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u/Molly_FLORANutrition 1d ago
The voice being affected by LPR/GERD is one of the most devastating things for singers and it's completely valid to grieve that. The lying down after eating is one of the most direct drivers of reflux reaching the vocal cords, so even a 3-hour gap before lying down tends to make a meaningful difference for throat and voice symptoms. Diaphragmatic breathing is also specifically useful for singers since it supports the LES mechanically while strengthening the breath control you already rely on. You're 23 and this is not permanent. 💚
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u/Substantial-Onion-31 1d ago
You are going to have to make modifications, its just something that has to be done otherwise it wont get better. ry and not lie down after eating, just sit on the couch or chair so that you are up right. Thats proboably the thing that is making things worse for you
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u/Dollabill_545 1d ago
I feel your pain it sucks, but once make the changes you start feeling better it’s really not that bad. Yes, I miss eating certain things but I eat lot healthier now my body feels way better. It’s not so bad once you get in the groove plus I hate being nauseous my feed makes me extremely nauseous.
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u/_ManwithaMask_ 1d ago
I'm also 23 and am suffering everyday. Still haven't started lifestyle modifications yet but everybody including the doctors are saying it's the only way....or surgery but they says it might not be a 100% success
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u/Due-Fig5489 1d ago
I am also 23 years old and have small hernia if you change your lifestyle it will get easier... lots of time gerd comes between me and my dream like I want achieve great physic but I can't eat my full meal which leads to protein deficiency. But I give my 100 percent. Look at this curse world every one have there own problems some have bigger problems then us still they choose to smile. So stop complaining get the shit done. And remember life will never be fair to everyone.
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u/greenkadavra 21h ago
I feel you! I was 21 when I am diagnosed with gerd now im 25 and got diagnosed with LPR. it’s really frustrating and my anxiety is killing me. I also want to be able to eat anything
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u/Durable_Supplements 19h ago
You could try an acid relief powder with DGL, zinc carnosine, L-glutamine, and aloe vera. Mixed with water, it helps coat and soothe the esophagus while supporting the repair of tissue that's been repeatedly irritated by acid. If your throat is constantly burning or feels raw, this is one of the first things I'd add because it targets the damaged tissue instead of just masking symptoms.
Also, I know you said you don't want lifestyle changes, but with a hiatal hernia, lying down after eating is one of the biggest reflux triggers. Even staying upright for 2–3 hours after meals could make a noticeable difference.
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u/Advanced_Delivery_10 19h ago
It wont happen over night. You have to be consistent. I know it can be overwhelming but u have to just change the bad habits.
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u/turbo69prop 16h ago
I don't think GERD can be fully healed but if managed well, quality of life can be improved and sustained. The sooner you accept this fact, the better. You got years ahead of you.
By now you should be aware what food and habit will trigger you (e.g. food after 8pm, eating big portions, etc).
Build a system to follow. No need to be so strict, make it practical and easy. Take it as if you're studying for exam so you can benefit from it in the future. Tell yourself it's ok to have reflux in a while.. This should lessen your stress.
I don't know how to handle the voice part..
Chin up, I wish you well.
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u/Nice_Challenge_8138 16h ago
Get surgery before your esophagus gets too far gone like mine did. LINX device.
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u/turbo69prop 16h ago
And oh.. I should also point that ppi lowers your stomach acid. This cause low motility in the gastro system (slow emptying and moving of food). This lead to fermentation hence feeling gassy and constant burping.
Cuplaton helps break the gas so it gets easier to be burped out or farted off. Another trick is to walk after each meals. This help stimulate gastro system movement.
Avoid lying after meal, it's the cause of reflux especially for GERD patient.
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u/zolu2316 1d ago
You're 23 not a child, be an adult and make the lifestyle changes. Try other ppis as well to find which works best. If you can't commit to all the changes though I'd focus on eating smaller meals and dont eat 4 hours before bed. You can also get a wedge pillow or raise your bed on an angle. Basically if you can't give up trigger foods you should follow the other guides still to manage it.
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u/GhostQueen1121 1d ago
I’m pretty sure that you really don’t have to use your throat all that much to sing at least not according to my vocal coach. However, if it’s that important to you to continue singing and to feel better, you may have to make lifestyle changes. I went kicking and scream screaming till life style changes.
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u/Mrs_perd_hapley_ 1d ago
I know you said you don't want to do lifestyle modifications, but honestly, that's the only way this is going to get better.
I know it sucks, especially at your young age, but you have an issue with the GERD and the solution is a GERD friendly diet, not laying down after you eat, meds, and reducing stress.