Hiatus hernia and GORD - how do you live with it?

I developed a very nasty hiatus hernia in my forties. My GP told me to stop wearing trousers and belt, go for very comfy knickers or cami-knickerss and to sleep with my upper body raised to help with acid reflux before considering drugs or surgery. I never really wore dresses much before. It worked. I don't think it's a miracle cure for everyone but probably worth a try and will most likely help. I sleep flat again now too.

I have acid reflux. I've never been to see the doctor about it, and am treating the symptoms myself by not eating foods I know will cause it.
My triggers are onions, garlic, tomatoes and fried food. No more fish & chips for me ?.
I keep Rennies and gaviscon in my bathroom in case I need them during the night.
I think you just have to stop eating the trigger food.

Oh yes, food as well, I'd completely forgotten about that aspect of my GPs advice. I'm a fiery curry fan and I gave that up for a while, was also advised not to eat after 7pm (ie nothing for four hours before bedtime). I eat vindaloo pickled chillies etc, with no problem now but not after 7pm.

I seem to be ok on 20 mg omeprazole daily, although the worst thing is when you get into bed, snuggle down all cosy, and after about ten minutes just when you are nodding off, up comes the acid and the coughing begins. I find two sugar free Rennies popped in quickly can make it go away long enough to get to sleep. My triggers are tomato, onions, garlic and (howl) chocolate.

Dieting with it is hard because I find I'm better when my stomach acid has got something to work on, but I need to lose some weight for various health reasons.

It's not easy, this getting old.

I had some Philadelphia Light on toast for my lunch, but I over browned the bread, and that was enough to make me start coughing.

I take 2 x 15mg Lansoprazole on a morning, one ranitidine at night, Gaviscon if and when required, however since being prescribed this new combination of lansoprazole and ranitidine I have not needed Gaviscon and have not had any incidents of reflux, this seems to work well for me, but am just hoping it stays like that. long enough for my ulcers to heal

7pm is too late to eat unless you go to bed at 1am. I stop eating by 4.30 and avoid all the triggers, any dark choc is eaten by 12 and coffee by 11. I always have gaviscon close by, fingers crossed have not needed it for some time. Ulcers and sore spots can be helped a great deal by making a slippery elm drink, it is very soothing, like a healing bandage. Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits as well as the spicy foods and alliums are well documented triggers as are all fizzy drinks

Thanks for the replies
Can anyone advise on a weight loss diet with GORD?

Yes. Low carb diet and cutting out the carbs often helps anyway. I have GORD and was pre-diabetic- so first hand experience.

Just echoing what craftyone has said. Have had hiatus hernia for some time now, lost four stone thanks to SW, and feel much better for it, I am very focussed on my diet, on what I can and cannot eat.

Type 2 diabetic here with a complex gastroenterological condition/s (which causes all manner of problems ref foods which I can mange to eat - this can change from one day to the next) as well as hiatus hernia and reflux - I have managed to drop 3 dress sizes since christmas last year by lowering carbs. As it is, 95% of my meals do not to include carbs such as bread/pasta/rice/potatoes and I will swap out the pasta sheets from things like lasagne and use cabbage in their place - it really does taste much nicer than it sounds . I find not eating for at least 4 hours before lying down helps the reflux, as does having a number of small meals rather than 3 larger meals per day. Also, if you are looking for something sweet, sugar free jelly and with a spoonful of natural greek yoghurt works well for me. Good luck, I hope you find something that helps you achieve your goal