Acid Reflux or Something else?

For the past couple months almost every morning at around 5 with extreme acid reflux (or something that feels like that). I have to get up and walk around for a good five minutes for it to subside, and then if im lucky i can fall back asleep sitting straight up on the couch.

Other than early in the morning i dont usually get the reflux other than maybe 3/4 times a month during the daytime. Ive tried changing my diet (cutting out on junky foods and coffee which is hell for me) and it hasnt worked (in fact its worsened).

Does this sound like traditional acid reflux, or is it something different considering it dosn't seem to be affected by my diet and it only happens in the early morning?!

It certainly does sound like some sort of reflux. Reflux can be caused my environmental factors, physical factors, bacteria, diet, etc. The unfortunately thing is that reflux doesn't always respond to all medication, if at all.

Obviously, reduce foods that tend to aggrivate reflux...teas, coffee, sodas, spicy foods, acidic fruits such as pineapple, tomatoes, citrus and items that are high in iron such as broccoli and dark greens. Slow to digest foods, those heavy in fat, should be minimized as well. Evaluate any medication or supplements you may take to see if they may be the cause. You will also want to not eat after dinner time as to give your food time to digest before laying down.

Adjustments to the head of your bed can help. Having the upper body at an incline helps keep the acid down.

Smoking? STOP!

Aside from food factors such as hormonal imbalance, stress, h. pylori, and ulcers have been known to aggravate/cause reflux. Many people with GERD have hiatal hernias which is when part of the stomach cavity bulges into the chest via a hole in the diaphram

Do NOT take antacids for possible reflux as they are known to cause acid-rebound. It triggers a release of gastrin, which is a hormone that stimulates acid production. You will feel better for maybe 30 minutes and it comes back, usually worse.

If you go to a doctor, the first thing they will probably do is prescribe a PPI medication such as Nexium or Prevacid, but sometimes prescribe a H2 Antagonist such as Axid. If there is little or no improvement after a month the doctor may either up the doseage or add a different type of reflux medication. At this time they may also decide to complete barium series to check for hiatal hernias and/or an endoscope. Usually they wait a few months unless there is a strong reason to suspect h. pylori, hernia or heavy erosion from the esophagus.

At any rate, regular reflux is not normal. If changes to the diet are not adequate to control it then it is time to have a doctor look at it. If your family doctor cannot control it it is then time to move onto an ENT. Personally, I would go to an ENT first if your insurance will allow it. An ENT has special equipment to evaluate your throat for erosion at the first visit. This would help chart your progress better.

If left untreated it can cause all kinds of problems. With periodic episodes there probably won't be much trouble. However, if it is frequent, and left untreated, the esophagus can erode, it can scar, it can cause your esophagus lining to become like that of the stomach and intestine (Barrett 's Esophagus) and puts you in greater danger, over time, for esophageal cancer.

My husband had poorly treated GERD that developed into LPR (Laryngopharyngeal reflux). Now he has a clearing throat symptom that he can't seem to get rid of. Clearing his throat every ten - 60 seconds when he is sitting up. It is maddening!

If I were you I would start keeping a food diary. In it, write down any food, drink (even water), medication and supplements. Write down the times when you eat, drink and go to bed. Write about stressors, if you get sick, if you have a menstrual cycle, etc...anything that might help you and your doctor get to the bottom of it. It is best to be able to eliminate the problem if you can rather than take medication for it.

go to the doctor have a check up

Could be. As a matter of fact, it sure sounds like it. You do need to see a doctor because you need to be started on medication.
Acid reflux does not always respond to changes in diet.

You didn't mention what you sypmtoms were so it is hard to tell if it is acid reflux or not. If you think this is what you have you need to see the doc to find out what is causing it as well to get a proper diagnosis. Left untreated it can cause espophogeal erosion which is what happened to my dad. See your doc and find out what it is or at least post your symptoms. Without your symptoms it is hard to have a clue what is going on.

Next time, try eating one or two Tums.If it gets immediately better, you know it is irritation from stomach acid. So it is most likely acid reflux, gastritis or ulcer.
Stop alcohol also, if you have not all ready.
If it does not get better, go to a gastroenterologist.

I had some chronic acid reflux that went away after I quit drinking carbonated drinks.