On Saturday, Dec 11, 2004, at 05:35 Asia/Tokyo, Michael Raiti wrote:

> I am wondering if there is anyone on this website who has taken
> medicine for acid in the past (or currently) such as Prevacid or
> Nexium and could share their experience with me.

Yes, I took some drug for a few months, last year. I had a sudden onset
of reflux and actually went to the hospital in an ambulance, thought it
was a heart attack. Terrible time for me, the next 6 months or so. The
meds really helped during the acute phase, but I didn't stay on them
past the first prescription.
>  I have a long
> standing problem with reflux and am taking Nexium.  As I look back
> the leaking of my LES has been going on for 15 years or so (I am
> 39.).  My hope is that my changes in eating will result in tightening
> up of the sphincter.  I don't know if this kind of change I should
> have hope in.
> I am aware of all of the havoc carbs, particularly wheat.

My reflux was not long standing, it came on slowly over the course of
about 6 months, then climaxed. I was able to figure out what had caused
it pretty easily because of that. I added frozen berries to my diet
about that time, eating them still half frozen, as well as drinking
lots of crushed ice drinks. I am sure I just frost-bit my esophageal
sphincter! So I cut out all cold foods, and too hot foods too, and
immediately began to heal. Now, a long year later I am mostly recovered
except for occasional minor bouts. I was lucky to be able to pinpoint
the trouble because it came on in a relatively short time.

Your trouble is longer standing, so you will have to eliminate the
obvious trouble makers like tomatoes and such, and hope you can find
the clue. Chocolate was bad for me when I was in the acute phase.