Have spent some time trying various ways to resolve my acid problems. following the medications route i decided to go down the eating path. Its taken a while but generally seem to now be seeing results. Started with Jamie Kaufman Book, Dropping acid which is a good book to get you started but I found the american recipes a bit limited. So following a lot of research on low acid foods and recipes have managed to find simple foods that work for me. Lots of veggies lean meats and chicken and fish .Another thing i found out was how to test my foods and bottled water which was 7.2 ph, Tap water was 7 ph bought some ph sticks to test my saliva and water which helps me keep on track, I add a very small pinch of bi carb to glass of water and the ph went up to 8 ph which use from time to to find that if i eat someting that restarts the acid reflux in my throat I take one ranitidine at night and it settles me but not on a regular basis as when on it twice a day i had a skin reaction with a very itchy skin . I kept my Ranitidine as back up and now only take it if I have a flare up I did not milk before but now I drink goats milk and find it acceptable I can now have the occasional small glass of wine with my dinner which i have missed for some time.Even a little choc biscuit on occassions . I drink coconut water for a change instead, a little expensive but I have saved on the bottles of wine, And if i do a stir fry I use a little coconut oil season with herbs instead of garlic and onions which I used to use a lot. Its taken a while but it works for me , No food after 7 pm and a night cap of cammomile tea, hope this is helpful for anyone else trying to manage this frustrating disorder be positive and don't give up . The harders part is being strong about finding a new lifestyle diet. My friends now know I can only go out for lunch or an early supper so socalising is limited and its sometimes difficult finding a menu to eat that suits but I find here that a small starter and and light pud works. When i go out for supper I always take my own large bottle of water and do the driving and one ranitidine before bed.Overall I do feel better so there is light at the of the tunnel folks so hope Xmas is not to bleak for everyone .Good luck on your own journey.
Mo,
This is very much like what I have done to control this. As you and I have found out, we can't just take tablets and expect to be better. It requires a lifestyle change. I did one more thing and added 6 mg of melatonin at night around 9 PM. Studies have shown it helps the sphincter muscles.
Susan
what is the ph level on the water suppossed to be? I am trying to regulate with foods too but having difficulty - do you know what deer park water is?
Thank you for your tips. I already follow a low fodmap diet which means no lactose, wheat, stones fruit or onions and garlic or legumes. I don't eat citrus either so my diet is fish, meat and carrots, broccoli and beans, jacket potato, rice or gluten free pasta and the occasional mildThai curry. I have almond milk and lactose free butter. I do buy a few free from cakes occasionally as a treat. So I'm not eating takeaways or pizza or pies and processes food so not sure I ax give up much else x I do drink white wine socialising but not daily. I'm having decaf coffee. I don't know for sure my throat clearing and feeling of phylem in my throat is acid but I am assuming so as I do suffer from anxiety. I don't get the classic regurgitation but I do get burping Etc if not in the tablets x the dr is ringing later so will discuss if he things it's globus or silent acid reflux. My throat is mildly sore x. What symptoms do you have? Many thanks.
thanks Susan all info is helpful
The study that was done was with a pH of 8.8. This pH level denatures (destroys) the pepsin in the throat which is the cause of all the inflammation that leads to the mucus. I don't know what Deer Park water is. Most of the time if it is a high pH water, it will be listed on the bottle. I use Iceland (from Iceland), there are two others I know of: Evamor and Essentia which are both from the US. I live in New England and we have a shipping company from Iceland that delivers their water. It is very nice water. It feels better on the palate than Evamor. Look in health food stores under their speciality water.
When I took a long trip recently, I didn't have access to my Iceland water. I gargled every night with baking soda and water and I still do that. If I detect any reflux I swallow some of the baking soda and water and it seems t stop the reflux. As I've said before, this reflux doesn't completely go away but can be controlled.
ph on tap water is around 7 but no idea bout deer park water never heard of it !!I have evian water at 7,2 and add small amount of bicarb , i think 8 is a good ph for liquids from what i've read
Yup this is what I have been posting back to people. Unless you are experiencing something abnormal causing your AR. A strict diet and behavioral changes is the best way to heal your esophagues. In my opinion there should be a primer for those new to the forum to read. This would prevent many of the same posts. Also, those looking for a some kind of magic pill.
symptoms mainly phlemy throat and swallowing difficulties but following endoscopy , bloating and cramps , definately think this made me worse and pills made me feel really bad however things have gotten better over the last couple of months since dietary changes
I just looked up Deer Park water and the pH is all over the place as they use several springs. I didn't see any pH measurements as high as 8.8.
keep up the work on diet it does work but needs a lot of patience and time .good luck
The problem I have is that due to my food intollerances I am already on a very restricted wheat, dairy, Fructans free diet. What specific foods cause acid that I have already stated I am eating in previous post? I don't eat tomatoes or citrus fruits, only berries and bananas and grapes x yes the phelymy feeling really is the main issue and it's making me very anxious which is making things worse I suspect! The pills will block acid to avoid further damage but I do not intend being on them long term x
Do not know what deer park water is! ph is better if 8 ish
Your diet looks pretty alkaline already except for the white wine (red is better) and the grapes. Melons, bananas and raspberries are good. Try gargling at night with baking soda and water to destroy pepsin in your throat area. If you are overweight you need to lose weight and keep your portions small. Large portions and any sort of carbonated beverages are a big no no as they put pressure on the sphincters. In additon carbonated beverages, including sparkling water, are very acidic.
Agree with your comments re primer. I have found this forum very helpful in pointing me in the right direction but like you say many people are floating around here with the same info. the pages get confusing and move around so fast a page for user starting info remedies, suggestions and basic info would be very helpful, e.g. Books, food lists etc,.
Thanks Susan. I am 9 12 and 5ft 6. Could do with exercing more regularly as I always used to run but my knees gave In on me! How much bicarbonate to water? I am currently gargling twice a day with salt water x x
I don't think gargling with salt water will help as table salt doesn't not increase the pH of water. I have to admit, I've been too lazy too look up how much bicarb to use. A little goes a long way though. I just put a half teaspoon into a half cup of tap water. I think it is overkill but if you don't have issues with salt or high blood pressure it shouldn't hurt. If you can find alkaline water, that doesn't increase sodium intake like bicarb (sodium bicarbonate) does. I don't have any salt issues so I opt for overkill with bicarb. 
The NHS does have a very basic info sheet on reflux in general:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Gastroesophageal-reflux-disease/Pages/Treatment.aspx
Still, I've found the Dropping Acid book by Dr. Koufman the best.
No my blood pressure is normal. Ok wil try the bicarbonate and drink more water, our tap wAter is filtered but not sure of ph. I have actually been eating more grapes so can ditch them but I don't like red wine and avoid all fizzy as affects my intestinal issues (nausea, spasms, tummy ache before fodmap) so spirits with mixers no hood either and so miss baileys! I can't avoid wine at Chrismas though as no wine or nice food would be miserable! Talking is really helping, thank you xx
thanks, I can start drinking evian!!! I am excited to cure this myself...I feel empowered by doing this without meds...I still have the prilosec but havent started it yet