3 Acid Reflux Myths From Someone Who Lives It

This post is sponsored by Mirum, but opinions expressed are my own.

When I was first diagnosed with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) about ten years ago I was convinced the doctor was wrong. I started crying in his office when he gave me his final determination because I felt like he was disregarding me and everything I had told him. There was no way all that I was feeling could be acid reflux – I didn’t even have heartburn!

I had an idea in my head of what acid reflux was and it was not accurate. Here are some of the myths I thought were truth:

Drinking milk helps the heartburn.

People would tell me all the time to just try a glass of milk to calm the acid. I tried it out of desperation but it of course never worked. In fact, after drinking it, it occasionally intensified the acid reflux!

Spicy food makes it worse.

Surprisingly, spicy food does not make my GERD symptoms worse. It’s a good thing, too, because I adore spicy food. Since everyone is different, I’m sure there are people who would disagree and say that spicy foods do make a difference in their symptoms, but for me, it does not.

It’s no big deal.

This may be the biggest myth of them all. I really believed that this was something that would cause discomfort and be a downright nuisance. I had no idea how many complications could come from it if not taken care of properly. There are very real health concerns.

Once I started taking Equate Omeprazole Orally Disintegrating Tablet (also referred to as ODT) my long journey started to have a light at the end of the tunnel. In just a few days I was feeling so much better and felt such relief. Finally!

This tablet is my favorite because it disintegrates which means I don’t need a drink of water to wash it down. And it’s strawberry flavored so it tastes yummy. I’m able to keep this with me all the time in case I need it in the morning but get rushed out the door and forget.

Plus, I know when I take this I am set for 24 hours, I don’t need to take medicine around the clock. This is perfect for frequent heartburn sufferers like me that have it two or more days a week. Take one of these a day for 14 days to help relieve the heartburn, but do not take more than 14 days unless directed by your doctor.*

And of course since it’s at Walmart, I can just add it to my grocery pick up every few weeks to keep my medicine cabinet stocked. It’s so much more affordable this way and it treats the same heartburn symptoms as Prilosec OTC ®.

My acid reflux does not have to change my life like it used to. I feel so blessed to have a medication that helps me, is readily available and inexpensive. 

*Use as directed for 14 days to treat frequent heartburn (occurring 2 or more days a week). May take 1-4 days for full effect. Not intended for immediate relief.