Heartburn and sodium bicarbonate-based tablets

[no_touching]

I'm suffering from heartburn a bit again, but I recently realized that the sodium bicarbonate-based tablets I was taking (and which were successfully providing relief) were not recommended during pregnancy. So I went looking for magnesium or calcium based alternatives. The problem is, I live in Germany, and ALL of the magnesium or calcium based

Comments

[nickelshoe]

I agree that it looks like only issue is the sodium causing water retention. I'd check the label to see how the sodium content compares to things in your diet and ideally run it by your doctor or nurse. In your position, I'd take the tablets and try to cut some sodium out of my diet until I got the alternative antacid.

Oh, I've also heard that sometimes heartburn is caused by your body thinking you need more acid, and that drinking something acidic can actually help.

[skate97]

I think when it's NOT pregnancy related that's true about heartburn (the acid thing), but I just talked to my midwife about this yesterday and pregnancy heartburn, especially in the third trimester, isn't much diet related at all. It's that the pregnancy hormones, they relax the smooth muscles so there's literally no barrier between stomach and esophagus :(

[nickelshoe]

That's a good point. It might be worth a shot until the Tums arrive, but you're probably right.

[skate97]

I take zantac twice a day, that helps too! Sadly, nothing stops it all together except, well, giving birth.

[skate97]

Not sure about the sodium bicarb ones, but I will chime in that chewing gum helps a ton with heartburn relief. Obviously it's not a fix-all, since you can't chew gum all day, but it produces saliva which helps keep the heartburn down. It helps me lots.

[tales_of_klaus]

I think all the heartburn remedies I've been prescribed or recommended have been sodium bicarb based (gaviscon and renitidine) - I've been told they're fine as long as you don't use them more than recommended. Were they prescribed to you during pregnancy or just over the counter?

Definitely check with your midwife or doctor, but I haven't personally heard anything against them as long as you're not taking more than the recommended dosage.

Can you eat dairy? I find a glass of milk or some yogurt during the day can help my heartburn, but as soon as I'm lying down at night then I definitely need more help!

[no_touching]

Yeah, I've been drinking a bit more milk than usual, which helps, but not like my salts do! ;)

[hungry_worm]

Hm, I can't answer your question, but sometimes it helps to drink milk when it's just a slight heartburn.
You could also inquire if the pharmacy can order any stuff from switzerland or other european countries - they might have products without peppermint flavor.

[hungry_worm]

Also, ask your midwife or ob/gyn (usually the midwifes know more, and are available over the telephone).

[zockray]

Funny you mention this because my German/Austrian relatives beg for US Tums!