cherrygal:I have reflux too but never had gastric pains. My ENT doc confirmed it via endoscopy. A while ago, I smelt cigarette smoke when no one was around and thought I was paranoid. I did a google search and learnt that was due to reflux. I took a course of omeprezole and the smoke smell went away.IMO, omeprezole is more effective than antacid as it restricts the acid (preventive) rather than try to curb it after it causes pain (reactive).Thanks for sharing, cherrygal. I was on 'omeprezole' the very first time but it worked only for a while. Then it doesnt seem to work much. It's always like one day I feel better, then the next day the pain came back. Then the pain will go off for another two days, and cycle repeats. So I'm not sure if the sores in my stomach actually heal and new ones form or are those the same ones. I have made another appointment to see the specialist and will see what he says.