Another recent discussion on this subject.

GERD is gastroesophageal reflux disease, a.k.a. acid reflux. Ways to avoid being on long-term medication for this problem include lifestyle changes (not eating late at night, elevating the head of the bed, losing weight, avoiding alcohol and cigarettes etc.).

There are people here who think apple cider vinegar is good for reflux and believe it lessened their symptoms. Others found that it made them feel worse, or are skeptical that drinking vinegar (an acid) for a problem caused by acid, is any different than hitting yourself on the head with a hammer to cure a headache.

As noted in this thread, enthusiasts claim that apple cider vinegar is wonderful for an enormous range of medical problems (including weight loss and weight gain). In my experience, folk remedies that are supposed to cure everything wind up not being good for much of anything.

I generally have a salad with dinner that includes a (non-apple cider) vinegar-based dressing. Maybe that's what's totally stopped my acid reflux. Or maybe it's the Prilosec OTC. :)

I would suspect Slimfast... that stuff scares me! what chemicals are in it? You may have a mild allergy to it or something. I have an allergy to sorbitol and it manifests as horrible colic.
I don't have to diet as I am a vegetarian... but there has to be a better way than down chemicals.

I only have Slimfast with breakfast along with fruit and then eat a normal lunch and dinner. I am walking daily and I have seen some weight loss. I had ACV before my Slimfast this morning and today was ok. I am having another cup as I felt a bit strange (maybe in my mind). Perhaps the Prevacid in my system is making me feel ok today. I do not eat late at night and try to consume a good amount of water especially before bed. Eric, you siad the your acid reflux is gone. Tell me how you accomplished this. I am really looking for answers! Thanks in advance.

If your symptoms started with the Slimfast, why not try not using Slimfast for a few weeks to see what happens. Slimfast is basically just milk, fiber, flavourings and some vitamins. Some of the minerals in it could be irritating your stomach or, if you normally don't eat much dairy, it could be the milk.

Substitute a low fat muffin or low fat plain yoghurt for the Slimfast at breakfast and see how you do.

Be careful of fruit and yogurt, as both are full of acid too.

I noticed when I don't drink the Slimfast I didn't have the symptoms of Acid Reflux. When I wen tshopping I found that SlimFast now makes a lactose free and gluten free version. Maybe I will try this. To lucy5: The only fruit I am eating right now are peaches. I really try to stay away from things that are too acidic. I am still drinking a cup of the ACV mixture befire breakfast and at night and I have stopped taking the Prevacid. Things seem to be ok. I guess that I am chalking one up FOR the ACV treatment of acid reflux Eric_oh.

I don't think you have any way to know for sure.

If you've stopped drinking Slimfast or eating some other trigger food that could be why your reflux is better. Or if you just stopped taking the Prevacid it could still have some residual effect on reducing stomach acid. Or your esophagus had enough chance to heal while you were on Prevacid so that pain from reflux isn't noticeable. The existence of all these potential variables is why individual testimonials for any kind of drug or supplement are unreliable.

Long-term you're best off exploring which lifestyle changes may be applicable to your situation (not eating meals late in the day, avoiding alcohol and trigger foods, losing weight etc.) so that possibly you won't have to take any drugs or supplements in an attempt to stop reflux symptoms.

Have your gall bladder checked. I took medicine for acid reflux for FIVE+ YEARS. When I finally developed the shoulder blade pain, my SIL, who is a nurse, said it was my gall bladder. I went back to the surgeon who was about to scope my stomach, when for a sonagram of my gall bladder and sure enough, I had gall stones -- and the condition of my gall bladder showed that I have had them for YEARS. Now the gall bladder is gone, guess what? I don't have stomach problems. Never did. It was always my gall bladder.

Not everyone has vomiting and drop dead pain with gallstones.

Oh, and do you know what caused the worst problems for me? Tea with milk and sugar. Go figure.