BRD Bile Reflux Disease Support Group

Hi everyone,

I just want to share something with you all, which seems to be helping me so much!

I have had bile reflux for nearly 5 years and have suffered greatly, in that time.,  I was prescribed nexium, which did seem to help for a while.  Over time I was becoming quite sick and just thought that it was from the bile reflux or some other sickness.

The final straw for me came when my iron levels dropped.....normal is between 30 and 300..... my levels were 11............i took iron tablets for 3 months and my levels went up to 23........still not good enough, so I had a course of 5 iron injections, which brought my iron back up to 70........i hope they havent dropped again, as the doc said that i would have to have an iron transfusion next time.

I started doing some investigations on the internet, about side effects of nexium............i got the shock of my life, when nearly half of my symptoms, were related to the nexium.

So I stopped taking them and would just have mylanta, when i felt heartburn....and just suffered as usual, with the other bile reflux symptoms.

I went to the health food shop to get some dgl licorice, as i hear it can be quite helpful.......the shop assistant suggested taking inner health plus first thing in the morning.........and to also take some barley grass tablets throughout the day............while i was in there, i also got some aloe vera juice.

To cut a long story short........i feel fantastic...............the best i have in years.........i still sometimes have the feeling of a brick in my stomach, but all in all, im a new woman.  its early days, as ive only been taking this for less than a week, but am amazed at the results already.

All my nexium side effects have gone........thick mucousy throat, congestion, sore throat, hard to swallow, pain around the lung area, bloating.......etc.  Im amazed at how good i can breathe now.....there was a stage where i couldnt talk too much or even sing a song without getting breathless.

I am hoping that i can only look forward to enjoying life again, and that this is not a temporary fix.

Prior to taking the above, another thing i found worked best for heartburn was almonds...believe it or not.  I was advised also to drink the aloe vera juice, if i did get heartburn and it would take it away and heal the insides......you have probably heard how good aloe vera juice is for burns......well, hearburn is a kind of burn, isnt it!.........

Barley grass and aloe vera juice have sooooo many health benefits.....that now my husband has started taking it, as well as my 12 year old daughter.

So far i am finding that i can eat a litte more too, without getting sick.

I was so excited about this discovery, that i wanted to share this news with you all, and hope that you can achieve the same benefits, as I have.

Good luck!  I am very curious to hear from anyone of you, who has tried this and have felt better in doing so.

Hi Harbrook,

I totolly agree with you.  My GI Doc told me that PPIs like Nexium would not help BRD.  The side effects were so bothersome.  I am also doing well taking nothing but supplements.  I avoid refined processed foods including white flour, sugar, artificial sweetners too. See my post under "Constipation" on April 22.  There I listed the HOPE AAA suggestions by Drs Smith and Watson.  Aloe Vera Juice has helped me so much.  Try mixing with white grape juice if the Aloe taste alone bothers you (70% Aloe to 30% Grape).  DGL has helped me too.  I take it when there is discomfort about 30 minutes before I eat.  When I started eating small meals every 2 to 3 hours I found I had less pain and I felt so much better.  I stay away from fried food and fatty foods.  I keep raw almonds with me when I am away from the house and eat them when hungry because I do not like it when my stomach is empty. I work hard to keep my diet alkaline so I try to keep my diet 80% veggies, fruits, seeds, nuts, sprouted grains and legumes.  I also include amino acids especially L-glutamine.  I also add rice bran oil to my food for the gamma oryzanol - an anti-inflamatory that has worked wonders in gastro disorders. Thanks for your post.   

Hi Woody!

You are sooooo right!  One thing i failed to mention in my post is that you have to still watch your diet like a hawk.  We can take so many natural supplements and remedies till the cows come home........but, if we dont watch what we eat as well, then were in trouble.

I have never heard of rice bran oil, but will have a look out for it and carrying some almonds with you, is such a good idea.........i find they help alot with the heartburn.

I guess in what i was saying about feeling so good, was more the coming off the nexium and the side effects of it disappearing.

Where i got annoyed most was with some of the doctors i have seen.  I ran like an idiot to all these doctors and they would just tell me that it was something other then the nexium, that could be causing it. grrrrrrr!!!!

I will absolutely check your post on constipation too.

Like you, i too try and avoid white bread, pastas, greasy and spicy food......I have recently learned too, to back off sugar.......omg! i used to eat so much chocolate before i knew this! Lol! no wonder I was feeling so sick!

Coping with this disease will always be a battle for us.....but we cant give up, if we want to have some kind of quality in our lives.

I only started taking the aloe vera juice a few days ago.....its meant to be great for alot of things...........how much do you take at a time?......my bottle says like 2 tablespoons!.....i also got my husband to get some aloe vera plants.  They are a bit on the small side, so i hope they grow quickly!

Thankyou for replying to my post!  It surely helps to get some advice from a fellow sufferer.

Greetings Harbrook, 

I can get the 70% / 30% miix of Aloe Vera juice with white grape juice where I live so I will sip on a whole liter over about an 8 hour period.  I will do this expecially when I feel some discomfort.  At other times I will drink a glass every day or two just as a preventive measure.  You may can find the rice bran oil at some health food stores or order it online.  Rice bran oil also has a high smoking point which works well for popcorn.  Juicing carrots and other veggies is also very beneficial. Thanks for sharing your ideas.  

Thanks for the info Woody!  Will definately get some, when i go to the health food shop next.

You seem to have suffered with this condition for a long time! And alot of the changes you have made, have made a big difference to your life......I really value your advice :).............Though, im guessing its not all smooth sailing for you either, at times......i guess we all just have to work hard to manage this as best we can!

Take care!

Yes, probiotics are awesome! Will also give the barley grass and aloe vera juice a go. Thanks for the suggestions.

They are worth a try!  Hope they make some difference for you!:)

Hi Harbrook.  Just been reading about Barleygrass with a glimmer of hope.  I looked it up and it said it increases bile production.  Won't thaty just make things worse.  I'm beginning to wonder if I've got pancreatitis (I've had it before years ago).  Tried Triphala - soooo ill.

Please be wary of miracle cures.

stargazey at June 6, 2012 at 1:54 PM

Hi Harbrook.  Just been reading about Barleygrass with a glimmer of hope.  I looked it up and it said it increases bile production.  Won't thaty just make things worse.  I'm beginning to wonder if I've got pancreatitis (I've had it before years ago).  Tried Triphala - soooo ill.

 

Hi Stargazey,

Oh, thats the last thing we want, is more bile!.....i guess the main problems i was having was with digestion and the gastric emptying being delayed, mainly from the nexium, that i used to take, but still have this problem with digestion, even though im not taking nexium anymore................... though dont get me wrong........ive had alot of acid and burning as well as the inability to digest my food.........this is why, as well with diet, that im feeling so much better, and cant praise barley grass enough, as im finding that my digestion is so much better, and toilet habits are improving, so things are moving along...pardon the pun!...

.i have also put up a post on food combining......this has helped my digestion alot, which in turn, gets rid of the bile quicker, as its not sitting in your stomach for hours and hours.

Triphala, didnt do it for me either.............i did feel better with it in some ways, mainly in the stomach, but my throat was on fire, so I stopped taking it.  Though, I have heard others who have had great success with taking triphala.

When I first heard of triphala, i was elated, and couldnt wait for my delivery.........and was heartbroken, that my hopes were crushed after only taking it for a couple of weeks.  

With us, everything is trial and error, and what can work for some, may not work for others.

In my case, barley grass as well as other supplements and diet, have made the world of difference to me, thats why i guess i am raving on about it, in the hope that it can make a difference to someone elses suffering.

Its not a quick fix, you still have to watch what you eat, how fast you eat, how much you eat, but i have found that this supplement has made a huge difference to my health and seems to be agreeing.  I still get burning and discomfort at times, but not as bad, or as often and it doesnt last as long, and i can usually get it under control with more barley grass, or aloe vera juice or chewing on some ginger.

Its great that you did some of your own homework on this and not taking my suggestions at face value.

I totally encourage anyone to look up any suggestions thoroughly and make up your own mind, if you think that you could benefit from it.

I did read though, that barley grass can be good for pancreatitis, as it works as an anti inflamatory and has a certain ingredient in it, that can help to repair cells.

I didnt see anywhere, that it can increase bile production, though, im not saying that it doesnt.  My guess would be, and i am only guessing......that even if it does increase bile, with having a faster digestion and elimination from the gut, the bile would move out of your stomach faster.

I wish you the very best of luck stargazey! and truly hope that you may find something that firstly agrees with you, and something that can make you feel better........I think we have all suffered enough!

Hi sleestak,

I do agree with what you say.

I can only comment on the difference it has made in my life.

I do encourage for people to do their homework and look into taking any kind of supplement, if they think that they can benefit from it. And I dont encourage anyone, going off their meds ......its always best to check with a health professional.

I dont in any way regard this as a miracle cure,  as far as i know, there is no cure! but I have found this extremely helpful, in managing my symptoms..... . I still have to watch my diet religiously, as diet is paramount and I do still get symptoms, but not as severe or as often, and they are easier to manage.

It might not be for everyone, i have also tried proven remedies, which have worked for others, and it didnt have the same effect for me.......but if it can help even a small handful of people, its worth bringing awareness.

Hi Harbrook

I also read it was good for pancreatitis and I might give it a try - it can always go the way of the Triphala - to the bin.  I haven't been diagnosed with pancreatitis again as yet but the pain is the same.  I know I've got bile reflux and gastritis because the endoscopy said so but things have changed recently and got worse and another pain has been added.  I'll look on Amazon and get some Barleygrass and keep you informed. 

Re making more bile - every remedy, supplement, digestive aid seems to increase bile as if that is a good thing.  Maybe it is as long as it goes in the right direction.

stargazey at June 7, 2012 at 5:50 AM

Hi Harbrook

I also read it was good for pancreatitis and I might give it a try - it can always go the way of the Triphala - to the bin.  I haven't been diagnosed with pancreatitis again as yet but the pain is the same.  I know I've got bile reflux and gastritis because the endoscopy said so but things have changed recently and got worse and another pain has been added.  I'll look on Amazon and get some Barleygrass and keep you informed. 

Re making more bile - every remedy, supplement, digestive aid seems to increase bile as if that is a good thing.  Maybe it is as long as it goes in the right direction.

 

 

 

Hi Stargazey,

Do you have a health food shop or naturalist, near to where you live.  It might be a good idea to talk to someone about them first, especially if you have trouble with medications.  I do know that the anti inflamatory in them has helped my stomach spasms and has helped my arthritis, so i know that anti inflamatory part works! lol.  I recently read that you have to take them gradually, and slowly build them up. I think i took too many today and have a bit of a tingly tongue, not sure if its from them, but will cut back a bit.

re: the extra bile from medications.........i know that the body does need bile to break down foods, but like you said, as long as it goes the opposite way.

One thing i have also thought about in the past is accupuncture, but never tried it.....have you ever given it a go?  It might be another consideration, especially if tablets dont agree with you.

Hi Harbrook,

I had acupuncture for a bad back about ten years ago - it didn't help me much but everyone reacts differently and I suppose it also depends on the therapist.  I was considering homeopathy but the cost is very high and no guarantees.  I don't know about you but I've spent loads of money on "alternative" treatments, none of which work.  At the moment I am contemplating a private referral to a pancreatic/biliary consultant in London (only 300 miles away).  I Just ate a bowl of carrot soup, I slice of wheat-free bread with a slice of chicken and feel terrible, sick and ill and more than a depressed.  The gale force wind and rain outside don't help because I always feel a bit better when I move about outisde.  Always worse when I'm sitting and better standing or even lying sometimes.   Have you spoken to an acupuncturist about the problem, if so what dd they say, I would be interested to know.

I go to H&B get some barley grassand take very small amounts to start.

stargazey at June 7, 2012 at 10:49 AM

Hi Harbrook,

I had acupuncture for a bad back about ten years ago - it didn't help me much but everyone reacts differently and I suppose it also depends on the therapist.  I was considering homeopathy but the cost is very high and no guarantees.  I don't know about you but I've spent loads of money on "alternative" treatments, none of which work.  At the moment I am contemplating a private referral to a pancreatic/biliary consultant in London (only 300 miles away).  I Just ate a bowl of carrot soup, I slice of wheat-free bread with a slice of chicken and feel terrible, sick and ill and more than a depressed.  The gale force wind and rain outside don't help because I always feel a bit better when I move about outisde.  Always worse when I'm sitting and better standing or even lying sometimes.   Have you spoken to an acupuncturist about the problem, if so what dd they say, I would be interested to know.

 

I go to H&B get some barley grassand take very small amounts to start.

Hi Stargazey,

No, i havent tried accupuncture, though, have heard it could be helpful...........that was on my list to try at some stage.....though for now, im managing nicely.

Do still go and see the consultant.....even if it is a long way..........treatments can change all time, and you might just strike it lucky with this guy.........you never know.  No harm to try any alternative, if you think it could help in the meantime.

When i read what you had eaten, and had made you sick, i thought to myself, you nearly had it! re: food combining.  The carrot soup and buttered bread is something i quite often have for lunch and find i have no problem..............so long as its made with a vegetable stock.  I wouldnt have the chicken with it though. as protein and carbs together equal trouble.  Maybe next time, try leaving out the chicken and just have the soup and bread and see if it makes some difference.

Today i have had 2 slices toast with butter and tomato, and no problem......i had a sandwich and mayo with tomato, lettuce and cucumber for lunch......again no problem.....diner will be hamburgers with vegetables, no potato, rice or pasta or carrot.........i might have some celery sticks and carrot sticks for an after noon snack today with some peanut butter....and hopefully, i will have no problem.

I would be happy to email you some info re: food combining, it really makes digestion so much easier.  Let me know if you are interested.  I dont want to force things on people! lol!

Yes, the weather doesnt help with anyones mood........it is winter here in Australia, though, our winters are nothing like your winters.  Winter can be such a depressing time for anyone.

Yes, staying upright after eating does help............i sometimes do laps around the house, just so i am moving.......I totally agree with you.

Hi Harbrook,

Yes, I've tried food combining, i.e. fish and veg, porridge and fruit, hicken & salad, just toast.  Makes no difference - I think I have got pancreas problems aswell.  It's not just after eating I feel better standing up - it's all the time.  I've always got this bile taste as well.   What getting to me now is that I can't make arrangements to go anywhere or do anything because I feel so ILL or if I don't in the morning I will in the afternoon.  I would be happy to try food combining more seriously because I've only dabbled so would be grateful if you could email me what you do.  Today I am hurting from rib cage to pelvis. 

Trouble with seeing this chap in London is that I've got to get my GP or consutlant referral, even for a private appointment.  They don't think there's anything much wrong with me.  Doctors must think we all suffer from Munchausen's and we enjoy tubes being poked into every orifice and sitting in waiting rooms for hours only to be patronised and made to feel a pest (sorry, should that last pargraph be in the Vent Room!) 

stargazey at June 8, 2012 at 4:17 AM

Hi Harbrook,

Yes, I've tried food combining, i.e. fish and veg, porridge and fruit, hicken & salad, just toast.  Makes no difference - I think I have got pancreas problems aswell.  It's not just after eating I feel better standing up - it's all the time.  I've always got this bile taste as well.   What getting to me now is that I can't make arrangements to go anywhere or do anything because I feel so ILL or if I don't in the morning I will in the afternoon.  I would be happy to try food combining more seriously because I've only dabbled so would be grateful if you could email me what you do.  Today I am hurting from rib cage to pelvis. 

 

Trouble with seeing this chap in London is that I've got to get my GP or consutlant referral, even for a private appointment.  They don't think there's anything much wrong with me.  Doctors must think we all suffer from Munchausen's and we enjoy tubes being poked into every orifice and sitting in waiting rooms for hours only to be patronised and made to feel a pest (sorry, should that last pargraph be in the Vent Room!) 

Hi Stargazey,

I think the problem with most doctors, is they dont know themselves!......im serious.........i too have left doctors offices in the past, feeling totally worthless and like i have wasted their time.  They also like to associate our symptoms to something else, other than our bile reflux problems.  its no wonder that we all go searching for other alternatives!

My heart goes out to you.........i was exactly like you, with not wanting to go anywhere, not because i didnt want to, but felt sooo sick, so I can truly relate.  I even had to quit my job, as I felt so terrible.  Worst thing was, it took nearly 5 months before i got a diagnosis.....appt times were long, and the doc was checking me for other things first, mainly heart related, as i was always getting pain in my chest.

I have had a good day with food combining today..........maybe if you can follow what I wrote in my last post for one day, and see how you go.....you can replace the hamburger for fish, chicken or any type of protein that you like.  You can have something too for morning tea.....its just i had a late breakfast, so i skipped morning tea.  If you decided to have fruit for morning tea, you have to wait 3 hours, before eating lunch.  Though, i have read different food combination books, and some say to wait an hour.....so with that, im not sure.  You can have another slice of toast, if you like with peanut butter, or just butter, or some nuts, or raw vegetables and a salsa dip, or even a glass of fruit juice.  But wait an hour after breakfast, before you have morning tea.

In the book there are recipes, and you can make cakes etc, so you could have a piece of that for a morning or afternoon snack.

One main rule to rememeber, is to not over eat, its hard not to do sometimes,........try not to eat too fast, and chew your food well.  I know you say you have dabbled with food combinations, but if you can, try and do it to the letter.  This way you will know for sure, if its working for you or not.

i would be happy to email you all the info of what i do, but its quite lengthy, to do on this site.  I will have to get your email address somehow to do that.

I hope your pains get better too!

Harbrook at June 8, 2012 at 6:16 AM

stargazey at June 8, 2012 at 4:17 AM

Hi Harbrook,

Yes, I've tried food combining, i.e. fish and veg, porridge and fruit, hicken & salad, just toast.  Makes no difference - I think I have got pancreas problems aswell.  It's not just after eating I feel better standing up - it's all the time.  I've always got this bile taste as well.   What getting to me now is that I can't make arrangements to go anywhere or do anything because I feel so ILL or if I don't in the morning I will in the afternoon.  I would be happy to try food combining more seriously because I've only dabbled so would be grateful if you could email me what you do.  Today I am hurting from rib cage to pelvis. 

 

Trouble with seeing this chap in London is that I've got to get my GP or consutlant referral, even for a private appointment.  They don't think there's anything much wrong with me.  Doctors must think we all suffer from Munchausen's and we enjoy tubes being poked into every orifice and sitting in waiting rooms for hours only to be patronised and made to feel a pest (sorry, should that last pargraph be in the Vent Room!) 

Hi Stargazey,

I think the problem with most doctors, is they dont know themselves!......im serious.........i too have left doctors offices in the past, feeling totally worthless and like i have wasted their time.  They also like to associate our symptoms to something else, other than our bile reflux problems.  its no wonder that we all go searching for other alternatives!

My heart goes out to you.........i was exactly like you, with not wanting to go anywhere, not because i didnt want to, but felt sooo sick, so I can truly relate.  I even had to quit my job, as I felt so terrible.  Worst thing was, it took nearly 5 months before i got a diagnosis.....appt times were long, and the doc was checking me for other things first, mainly heart related, as i was always getting pain in my chest.

I have had a good day with food combining today..........maybe if you can follow what I wrote in my last post for one day, and see how you go.....you can replace the hamburger for fish, chicken or any type of protein that you like.  You can have something too for morning tea.....its just i had a late breakfast, so i skipped morning tea.  If you decided to have fruit for morning tea, you have to wait 3 hours, before eating lunch.  Though, i have read different food combination books, and some say to wait an hour.....so with that, im not sure.  You can have another slice of toast, if you like with peanut butter, or just butter, or some nuts, or raw vegetables and a salsa dip, or even a glass of fruit juice.  But wait an hour after breakfast, before you have morning tea.

In the book there are recipes, and you can make cakes etc, so you could have a piece of that for a morning or afternoon snack.

One main rule to rememeber, is to not over eat, its hard not to do sometimes,........try not to eat too fast, and chew your food well.  I know you say you have dabbled with food combinations, but if you can, try and do it to the letter.  This way you will know for sure, if its working for you or not.

i would be happy to email you all the info of what i do, but its quite lengthy, to do on this site.  I will have to get your email address somehow to do that.

I hope your pains get better too!

Hi again Stargazey,

When my tum was really bad, i would put a heat pack on it, and it did always seem to help a little.  Maybe you could also give that a go.

HI Harbrook, thanks for that I get the picture I think - no protein and carbs seems to be the basis.  I haven't had any fat in anything for about two weeks now but what occurs to me is that if this is just the bile and not pancreas-related as well, then the bile must have a bit of fat to work on.  I mean it's there anyway because I've got no gall bladder.  Wouldn't things be easier if you could discuss these things with your doctor - I expect we know as much as them about the digestive process and after all, they are ordinary people who have just absorbed a lot of information - information that is out there so I don't understand why they hate you to know anything but most do.

When you go and have your car repaired if you can display any knowledge about the problem you get treated better,  likewise builders, plumbers, etc. even dentists.  But doctors are a closed shop.  Rant over again.

Best wishes

stargazey at June 8, 2012 at 6:45 AM

HI Harbrook, thanks for that I get the picture I think - no protein and carbs seems to be the basis.  I haven't had any fat in anything for about two weeks now but what occurs to me is that if this is just the bile and not pancreas-related as well, then the bile must have a bit of fat to work on.  I mean it's there anyway because I've got no gall bladder.  Wouldn't things be easier if you could discuss these things with your doctor - I expect we know as much as them about the digestive process and after all, they are ordinary people who have just absorbed a lot of information - information that is out there so I don't understand why they hate you to know anything but most do.

When you go and have your car repaired if you can display any knowledge about the problem you get treated better,  likewise builders, plumbers, etc. even dentists.  But doctors are a closed shop.  Rant over again.

Best wishes

Hi Stargazey,

I guess with the bile needing some fat to work on, there are fats in the cheese, butter and meats that we eat, so i guess its getting some from somewhere! lol! not to mention the sometimes sneaky things that we may eat.  I did have some potato chips nervously yesterday, the first time ive had anything remotely bad since ive been off nexium...........and i was fine, so lots of fat in that! lol.

Yes, so hard to find a good doc who listens and understands.....we all have a quest.

Good luck with the food combining........i hope it helps you!