Occasionally, I go on these weird, crazy tangents where I think I need to try a non-medical approach. I mean, it would definitely be more cost effective. Recently, someone suggested to me that papaya enzyme might help treat GERD without prescription medication. I decided to give it a try.

The little pills are more like thin wafers. They taste a lot like papaya Flintstones vitamins. The bottle says to take 2-3 after each meal. I have been taking 3 after meals and then an extra every now and then.

So far, I can tentatively say that it is not too bad. In the past, when I have stopped taking the prescription meds, I have experienced what can only be called INSTANT TORTURE. I can’t eat, I can’t NOT eat, I can’t lay down to sleep, I can sit up. It is just horrible. I would go into more detail but you just really don’t want to know.

As far as that goes, none of that has really taken place. I can sleep and eat. The taste of the wafers are refreshing. I don’t feel like my stomach is ruling my life. I will keep you posted.UPDATE: As of 2013 and 2 pregnancies in 2 years, I have taken papaya at first sign of pretty much any stomach upset and haven’t had to take prescription medication for my GERD since 2009. I can’t say 100% that the papaya healed my GERD. Most likely it was a change in my body caused by the hormonal shifts that stuck around after the pregnancies were over. However, the papaya did seem to get me over the adjustment period to wean off the medications.  I would highly recommend giving papaya a try for persistent heartburn or mild GERD. This is NOT medical advice, just experience from a friend.