Hi all. If you have any opinion at all about Betaine HCL, please chime in here. I really am welcoming any advice.
Basically, as background: I have lots of symptoms that indicate that I am not absorbing nutrients in my gut in a HUGE way.....my hair is very wispy and falling out, nails weak, low in vitamins, etc. But this post is about my reflux, and how I can solve that....
I have had stuff from my stomach shooting up into my esophagus for awhile now, but I always thought it was my own fault from filling up my stomach with too much water (am thirsty a lot so drink a lot, no diabetes though). But now it's happening so often, the reflux, that I'm not sure the cause. I'm starting to think it could be low stomach acid, because of my nutrient malabsorption. And low stomach acid can cause reflux.
HOWEVER, a long time ago (like 8 years!) I had a test at an alternative clinic where I swallowed a little pill, and they told me that I was one of the few people that actually has too much stomach acid, as opposed to not enough. They said most people have not enough, but think they have too much. HOWEVER, who knows if that's still the case for me.
My symptoms do match this "hypochloridia" thing to a T. And now I'm getting a sore throat from all the reflux, and a cough that hurts, but isn't deep or infectious-like, so it has GOT to be from the acid. I am starting to think I really need to take action. Debating between seeing a GI doctor and just trying a natural route on my own.
My understanding is that a regular doctor, after checking me for serious issues, would probably want me to take a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). And I've heard that just masks the problem, and can cause the stomach to stop making acid all together! And that a naturopath would want me to take Betaine HCL, to actually INCREASE the acid in the stomach, which would then help that valve between stomach and esophagus close. (I have heard many ND's don't even test people for the too-much-acid problem, and they seem to use the Betaine HCL for everyone). Funny thing is, I'm temped to try the HCL!!!!! But I'm SO worried it'll make my throat pain even worse, and cause damage! What should I do?? What would you do?
Needing advice! I am worried about further damage to my throat, so in that regard, would like to see GI doc. BUT, want to fix the REAL problem, including my thinning hair, etc, so in that regard, would like to think this is all actually not enough acid. I really believe that at this point, this is all in the gut for me, and I'm not absorbing any nutrients. Advice? What do you know about people with CFS taking HCL? I really need some advice, because I'm too tired to do any more research! Making myself sicker over this! Thanks.
Basically, as background: I have lots of symptoms that indicate that I am not absorbing nutrients in my gut in a HUGE way.....my hair is very wispy and falling out, nails weak, low in vitamins, etc. But this post is about my reflux, and how I can solve that....
I have had stuff from my stomach shooting up into my esophagus for awhile now, but I always thought it was my own fault from filling up my stomach with too much water (am thirsty a lot so drink a lot, no diabetes though). But now it's happening so often, the reflux, that I'm not sure the cause. I'm starting to think it could be low stomach acid, because of my nutrient malabsorption. And low stomach acid can cause reflux.
HOWEVER, a long time ago (like 8 years!) I had a test at an alternative clinic where I swallowed a little pill, and they told me that I was one of the few people that actually has too much stomach acid, as opposed to not enough. They said most people have not enough, but think they have too much. HOWEVER, who knows if that's still the case for me.
My symptoms do match this "hypochloridia" thing to a T. And now I'm getting a sore throat from all the reflux, and a cough that hurts, but isn't deep or infectious-like, so it has GOT to be from the acid. I am starting to think I really need to take action. Debating between seeing a GI doctor and just trying a natural route on my own.
My understanding is that a regular doctor, after checking me for serious issues, would probably want me to take a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). And I've heard that just masks the problem, and can cause the stomach to stop making acid all together! And that a naturopath would want me to take Betaine HCL, to actually INCREASE the acid in the stomach, which would then help that valve between stomach and esophagus close. (I have heard many ND's don't even test people for the too-much-acid problem, and they seem to use the Betaine HCL for everyone). Funny thing is, I'm temped to try the HCL!!!!! But I'm SO worried it'll make my throat pain even worse, and cause damage! What should I do?? What would you do?
Needing advice! I am worried about further damage to my throat, so in that regard, would like to see GI doc. BUT, want to fix the REAL problem, including my thinning hair, etc, so in that regard, would like to think this is all actually not enough acid. I really believe that at this point, this is all in the gut for me, and I'm not absorbing any nutrients. Advice? What do you know about people with CFS taking HCL? I really need some advice, because I'm too tired to do any more research! Making myself sicker over this! Thanks.