For years I've been on Nexium for GERD there is so much negative about it more & more I'd like to get off of it (plus I do not like taking meds anyway). I have tried in the past to get off but to no avail eventually I had to get back on it.  I've recently read something about orange extract that you take for 20 days one 1 tablet every other day and no pain, irritaion nothing. Has anyone tried this?

I haven't heard of orange extract but I take Aloe Juice for my heartburn. It sounds odd at first but it makes sense since it's an anti-inflammatory. 

I've also heard of taking some Apple Cider Vinegar but I don't have any personal experience. Maybe someone else can help more than I can.

Bitter herbs on the back of the tongue pre meal are the best way. Often GERD and heartburn is actually caused by a lack of stomach acid rather than too much.

I have an article coming on bitter herbs soon i will post it up later today once finished.

Amla Powder & Vegan Blog

Found a lil' more detail its called Heartburn Free put out by Enzymatic Therapy the same place that sells the probotic pearls. Now if I can find them locally see about giving them a try but if there is anyone who has tried them let me know how the did for you. Thanks

I can recommend a reputable pharmacy (Nexium) - http://www.drugs-medshop.com I received the order and it was on time and the pills work great.

Powerlifer, when you getting that article out? Anxious to read it. Emma, thanks for the pharm recommendation but already got that set up coming every 3 months .. I 'd like to totally get off the stuff ... I have tried so many times ... maybe once I truely get rid of all the nasty stuff we eat I'll be able to drop it forsure.

Nancy, how much and when do you take it? I've not heard of using it but I do recall when I was a kid my great-aunt & grandmother swore by aloe vera had the plants everywhere. I've heard not enough acid is a cause like Powerlifer said so... I tried the ACV... wow that was a mistake set me off worse than if I would have taken nothing and ate a bushel of fresh jalapenos lol

Sorry i forgot to update things have been busy.

Here is the article on bitter herbs.

Bitter Herbs Health Benefits

Thanks for sharing you have a wealth of info

GERD can be an unpleasant and occasionally a serious condition with potentially serious complications (eg bleeding, esophageal stricture). Sometimes acid reflux requires treatment with prescription drugs such as Nexium (esomeprazole). It is preferable to avoid medication unless absolutely necessary. Often lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, an acid reflux diet, elevationg the head of the bed etc. are enough. A GERD diet can be irksome and difficult to stick to, but can have a great benefit on heartburn and other symptoms. GERD Diets can also be healthy and have other benefits as well. It helps to avoid fatty and fried foods. Avoiding citrus fruits, tomatoes, raw onions etc can help. Also cutting down on caffeine, carbonated drinks, alcohol and fatty dairy products can help. For more advice please visit this website which has articles written by an experienced UK doctor and backed by medical research. GERD Diet

The website has a wealth of useful information and dietary advice. Best wishes Isabel.

I, too, had to take nexium for a couple of years due to GERD.  As Isabel noted, GERD can be potentially serious, triggering esophageal cancer from what I believe is called Barretts Syndrome.  At my initial endoscopy the doctors thought I was in pre Barretts syndrome, so my GERD was definitely due to too much acid in my stomach which was going up into my esophagous so I took nexium for a year; the next year my esophagous had not only not suffered any more deterioration, but the polyps I had had were repaired, and that is one of the "pluses" of nexium.  I tried going off nexium for a while but the GERD came back.  Fortunately for me, I found out that really my GERD was triggered by emotional trauma I had suffered, and once I got that all worked out, my GERD pretty much went away.  In the  meantime, I had read an article about "alternative" approaches to GERD and acid reflux, and one of the things they recommended was Slippery Elm, and I buy it at Whole Foods.  Now when my tummy is feeling upset, I take this and it really seems to do the trick.  The article stated that this herb can interfere with prescription meds so its best to take it two hours after taking any meds, which I do.   Good luck.

I've suffered from reflux my whole life and take omeprazole (an older version of nexium).  I have to say, I've tried everything:  slippery elm, licorice, aloe vera, probiotics, acupuncture, nutritional therapy... honestly, I don't think there is a single natural remedy out there that I haven't given a go.  Sometimes, medication is necessary.  It definitely helps to elevate the head of your bed and to avoic cafffeine as much as possible.  Coffee is a serious no no, as it promotes stomach acid and irritates the lining of the stomach.  Stress can trigger it or worsen it.  Raw vegetables-- especially  broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower and cabbage.  They produce a lot of gas and pressure in the stomach, causing food to back up into the esophagus.  Fatty foods, fried foods, citrus, spicey foods, eating too much at a time, eating or drinking before going to bed for the night...

The important thing is to know what causes your reflux.  It can be from something like a hiatel hernia, or your sphincter muscle (where your stomach meets your esophagus) may be slack.  It can also be caused by a motility disorder.  If it's one of these issues, there is either surgery or medication.  Otherwise, diet and stress reduction can make a huge difference!

Also, I know from experience that if you've been on the ppis (proton pump inhibitors) for awhile, you will get heartburn when weaning yourself off of them.  I've managed a few times, and eventually got down to a maintenance dose.  You have to get through that awful period first, before it settles down again.  Also, make sure you take supplements as reduced stomach acid affects your absorption of certain minerals-- especially iron!

Thanks for the info ya'll ... I've been on Nexium for years literally tried several times to wean off but like RJ said kept getting the heartburn during that process so I kept popping that lil' purple pill. I have been told I'm anemic & take a iron supplements daily prescribed by my dr, i had no idea this could be tied into my GERD. A few weeks ago I had a severe case of heartburn when I called my Dr about it they told me due to the location of the pain I should go to the ER. Turns out it was my gallbladder causing the more than normal pain I did not have stones but sludge my dr said that once its removed there is a chance that it would help relieve me of GERD. Last week they removed my gallbladder it has taken a few days to start feeling a difference but I do feel one. My nexium script is for 2 40mg pills a day I've been able to get by with one and a few days none at all. I did order some aloe vera juice - whole leaf, started it yesterday to see if it helps get it to where I dont need the pills anymore but I was wondering what the difference is with the whole leaf and some other one out there. I've read that the whole leaf is what you should use then other articles state the whole leaf includes some parts that actually irritate the stomach and cause more acid.