Apple cider vinegar for acid reflux?

I'm over 2 years out and I had this horrible experience the other nite that really freaked me out.  I will say that I did eat pretty close to when I went to bed, which I know is part of the problem.  But...I woke up about 2 hours later with my throat burning and my chest on fire.  Never felt anything like this before.  i almost thought I was having a heart attack.  It got worse when I tried to cough.  Water seemed to make it worse. The pain was so bad I can only compare it to being equal to my one and only gall bladder attack years ago where I felt like I was on death's door.   I was short of breath and at 1:30 in the morning I was at CVS buying liquid Gaviscon.  It helped some, but I pretty much took a double dose.  The next day I was so out of it.  Like my whole body was wracked and I was so tired from not sleeping. 

Since my surgery I've taken Prilosec every morning for mild symptoms.  Upon doing some reading the last couple of days on acid reflux, I read about using natural apple cider vinegar to combat this.  I also read how taking the PPI for over a year can really take it's toll on your body and how it can block calcium absorbtion leading to brittle bones.  I also saw something about how the PPI's can actually make acid reflux even worse.  Does anyone know anything about this?  Has anyone taken cider vinegar and if so, how much?  Do you not take the PPI if you're taking the vinegar route?  I just don't want to ever have the experience I had the other nite.   

I'd really like to hear if anyone has any remedies they can share in place of taking PPI's, and about apple cider vinegar.

Thanks  :)
Karin

I take a mouth full for heart burn it works for me. I also take it when my throat is sore and for strep throat it kills the stuff which causes strep it burns going down but the next day it is gone and if I have a little hurting in my throat I take a mouth full again. They say it is a good germ killer my 4 boys take it when they get sick. I was tough  that apple cider vinegar works 5 years ago from a talk group on line.

I don't know if it works, maybe it does if you can keep it down, but my tummy did not like it. I threw up all over and couldn't hardly eat anything the rest of the day.

I have not had surgery yet. I have been taking apple cider vinegar for 5 years now on a regular stomach. But I will still try it when I do have my surgery.

Be careful stopping PPI's too quickly as they can cause an acid rebound which are really bad. It is better to wean off of them. My 4 year old son has had to be on them for his entire life due to severe acid reflux.

 I don't know if it's a southern thing, but i've heard of people drinking like a teaspoon or so of apple cider every day to help with everything. My partner's grandfather used to pour some in his sweet tea glass after dinner and drink it. I've heard great things about apple cider vinegar and overall health, but it's some strong stuff. 

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/health-benefits-apple-cider-vinegar.html

I haven't had heartburn or reflux since surgery, but apple cider vinegar worked very well for me before.  I never could stand to take it straight... ugh, no way... but I'd put about a tablespoon in half a cup of water, sometimes sweeten it a little, and it worked well and pretty fast.  

I got the idea from a gal at work who's suffered with a hiatal hernia for years, after she told me that beginning with the very first time she ever took a tablespoon in the morning, she never once had a problem with it again.

Wow. I'll have to check in to this. I know it is amazing stuff. I use it with my dogs to keep them flea free without chemicals. One little teaspoon in a gallon of water - they don't taste it, and they NEVER have fleas.
Boy, if it would work on ME for mosquitoes, I'd be a REAL fan of the stuff!!! LOL!

From a quick google:
"Vinegar and Acid Reflux - The Natural Home Treatment

 

A third approach (a popular natural home remedy) to help reduce or eliminate acid reflux is to take the following apple cider vinegar tonic:

Natural ACV Tonic 2 or 3 teaspoons (10-15 ml) in an 8 ounce glass of water, before meals or whenever heartburn is experienced.

One underlying theory here is that the acetic acid in vinegar lowers stomach acidity (increases its pH) since acetic acid is a weaker acid than hydrochloric acid. It is also believed that vinegar (acetic acid along with its acetate salt) may help buffer and maintain stomach acid at a pH level of about 3.0. In this milder acidic environment, the stomach can still efficiently digest food but it causes less problems with the esophagus and thus less heartburn.

 

Another theory contends that the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is apH sensitive valve.
When there is food in the stomach with insufficient acid present, the LES valve can periodically flop open, causing acid reflux.
Too little acid in the stomach may be caused by different factors, but one of the most common one is that, as we grow older, our body does not produce as much stomach acid.
As a result the LES valve, sensing less acid, periodically flops open causing acid reflux.
Drinking apple cider vinegar supplies the LES valve with the acidity it needs to function properly.

Ref: http://issuu.com/thebestoftimes/docs/december2008/34 ( Web Link )

Improved digestion and mineral absorption from regular intake of the apple cider vinegar tonic may also play a role in reducing acid reflux.
 

So if you are concerned about possible side effects with prescription drugs or even over-the-counter medications, try combining some of the dietary and lifestyle changes mentioned above along with a tonic of apple cider vinegar before meals as an all natural way to alleviate occasional heartburn symptoms or as a preventative practice. Vinegar and acid reflux could be a combination that works well for you.

If you are searching for a more comprehensive step by step holistic system to cure your acid reflux then have a look at Jeff Martin's e-book 
called " Heartburn No More". "

Thank you for that information!  :)  I'm going to give it a try for a few days and see what happens .

Karin