Thailand and GERD

[HighlyMotivated]

I was going to post this in the Asia section but I suppose its not really punting-related even though I'll be doing lots of shagging while I'm there

My issue is, heading to Thailand for the first time later this year, how will I manage as a hiatal hernia-induced GERD sufferer? Medication helps, but I still can't handle garlic/onion/spice, which are obviously prominent ingredients out there.

I will be eating out/ordering in every day- am I screwed as a GERD sufferer on a Thai diet? Or are there enough options where spice, garlic efc will be easy enough to avoid?

[Zigura]

Garlic & Onion are probably difficult to avoid for Thai Dishes.
There are plenty of western food options - like Pizza, Burger King, Macdonalds, English Breakfast
The 7/11s are good for snacks
It is not the best place for a healthy diet.

[simon07]

You can ask the chemist as there are PPI drugs called Omeprazole and Lansoprazole that will help.
If you win the lottery (get a GP appointment) he/she can prescribe as cheap as chips on the NHS and a fortune privately.

[Doc Holliday]

You can ask the chemist as there are PPI drugs called Omeprazole and Lansoprazole that will help.

I would be very surprised if he isn't already prescribed a PPI? GP's give them out like smarties.

ED meds (if taken?) may add to the problem also.

[HighlyMotivated]

You can ask the chemist as there are PPI drugs called Omeprazole and Lansoprazole that will help.
If you win the lottery (get a GP appointment) he/she can prescribe as cheap as chips on the NHS and a fortune privately.

I'm already on 30mg lansoprazole daily, it helps, but not to the point that I can have a full Pad Thai or curry or anything like that. Was devastating af first, but you get used to it. I am a bit concerned about how much it will limit my Thailand experience though.

[HighlyMotivated]

Garlic & Onion are probably difficult to avoid for Thai Dishes.
There are plenty of western food options - like Pizza, Burger King, Macdonalds, English Breakfast
The 7/11s are good for snacks
It is not the best place for a healthy diet.

All those are no good either; fried food, tomato-based food etc all no bueno. Sounds like I am royally screwed, but I'll see how it goes

[Thephoenix]

I'm already on 30mg lansoprazole daily, it helps, but not to the point that I can have a full Pad Thai or curry or anything like that. Was devastating af first, but you get used to it. I am a bit concerned about how much it will limit my Thailand experience though.

Gaviscon Advance may help if you're not already taking it after meals and bedtime.

You'll probably find Costas &/or Starbucks and they have a selection of sandwiches and rolls, but avoid any coffee.

[mrwhite]

I was in Malaysia (not a million miles from Thailand) and found there were lots of places that sold fish (straight from the tank) and would cook it to your liking.  On a few occasions I just had plain grilled fish and rice.

If you explain to the waiter/chef at the places you eat your predicament I'm sure they would be able to make something to your taste.

[HighlyMotivated]

I was in Malaysia (not a million miles from Thailand) and found there were lots of places that sold fish (straight from the tank) and would cook it to your liking.  On a few occasions I just had plain grilled fish and rice.

If you explain to the waiter/chef at the places you eat your predicament I'm sure they would be able to make something to your taste.

That's good to know, thanks

[PepeMAGA]

I'm already on 30mg lansoprazole daily, it helps, but not to the point that I can have a full Pad Thai or curry or anything like that. Was devastating af first, but you get used to it. I am a bit concerned about how much it will limit my Thailand experience though.

Do you have anything to supplement this? Peptac for example

[HighlyMotivated]

Do you have anything to supplement this? Peptac for example

I'm a bit tentative about using too many anti acids, given I'm on the PPI every day

[timsussex]

I would be very surprised if he isn't already prescribed a PPI? GP's give them out like smarties.
....

Aint that the truth !

I've been on them for over 3 years - was very reluctant to take anything long term so I asked my GP about side effects - he said "If you dont eat any rotting antelope then probably none...."

Having said that  I do stop them if I get a dodgy tummy - probably too late by then

[PepeMAGA]

I'm a bit tentative about using too many anti acids, given I'm on the PPI every day

It's a liquid one,  have the PPIs as standard then take peptac or similar when it flares up

[billybob69]

Chilli and spice forms such a huge part of their diet that it might be difficult to avoid.
Your best bets would be to find Western restaurants or Thai restaurants where the staff have a good level of English and be clear to them that you want "NO Chilli" (maybe use the phrase "Chilli no like") but even then they will probably replace chilli with another spice.
Even saying to them "a little bit spicy" will mean that it will come quite spicy for Western palates.

[mrwhite]

That's good to know, thanks

I was in Malaysia for well over a month, I do sometime suffer reflux from spicy food and don't really like chilli anyway.

I ate at the night food markets most nights, and only encountered one dish that was completely unpalatable which was tom yam soup.  (I t looked delicious, but the spice heat level was somewhere close to volcanic lava)

[wakefieldlad13]

Apologies for posting so late, i know this is unlikely to help the OP but it may help other sufferers.

When eating out ask the restaurant let then know you have an iffy stomach, dont try to go into detail, just ask them to prepare your food with no chillies (dont bark at me please let me finish) tell them you need it making like for a baby, this they will then understand

As a long term GERD sufferer i often do this in Thai restaurants over here, which is what my Thai friends have told me to say, works everytime

[pilgrim]

If you are in a Thai restaurant use google translate on your phone. As for the cities there are European restraunts. Certainly in Pattaya there are sportsman type bars along with The Robin Hood and Das Berliner to name a few.

[Stevelondon]

Where in Thailand are you heading. Obviously in the countryside places it’s harder but if your in Bangkok for instance then there are loads of places you can eat. Steering clear of what’s going to upset etc.

I love that part of the world and luckily can eat anything.

Enjoy.