Prolonged use of anti-acids could actually make your condition worse. Your body is trying to produce extra acid in order to compensate for the PH imbalance you are creating with the TUMS.

The best thing you can do for yourself is to stop using antacids. Actually, the opposite approach works much better.

If your body is producing too much acid, one way to stop it is to consume some. For example - a spoon of vinigar will send your stomach the signal that it has actually produced enough acid, and will calm down your acid reflux.

It sounds like a paradox, but it works.

Acid reflux is quite commonly associated with pregnancy, and unfortunately there may be no sure fire way of solving it for you.

The best ways of combating GERD tend to be with the elimination of things like caffeine, acidic juices, soda, and spicy or fatty foods from your diet. You may also want to try eating smaller meals throughout the course of the day.I would also suggest try drinking a glass of milk or a mixture of water and baking soda as apposed to just water and poping the antacids.

I can't say I agree with Danielv that the antacids are the root of the problem, but I do know in some people they have been know to cause other digestive problems. However I do agree with him that eating the tums like candy probably isn't the best route either. Eventually your body can build up a tolerance to them just as they can with other medications rendering them less effective. So instead you may want to try eating a few 2-3 before you eat your meals or directly after to combat the acid build up before it burns.

I myself by no means am a Dr. but I do suffer from acid reflux and these are some things that have worked for me. Hopefully they will for you too!

Best of luck to you!

Mark