I have both IBS and GERD. I guess I never really thought about it, that maybe there's a connection! I started getting IBS symptoms when I was about 19. (I'm 39 now) I'm not really sure when the GERD started, probably in my 20s. Sometime in my 20s my dr. prescribed Zantac. I took that off and on over the years. It wasn't until just recently (this month) that I had an upper endoscopy and had a GI dr. say that I have GERD. My GI dr. prescribed Omeprazole. I didn't think it was working, but when I saw him last Friday he said to double it, so now I take 1 in the morning and 1 at night. I think that is finally helping. I also have a 5 year old son that was dxd with GERD a little over a year ago. He had severe sinus problems, and it was through being treated for the sinus problems that we found out (after many tests) that he has GERD, and that was the CAUSE of his sinusitis. Now I wonder about the genetic link, poor little guy. I hope my son doesn't end up with IBS as well.
Sue
I have GERD, and have also had stomach problems coinciding with my heartburn since I was 15. I get nauseous right before I get heartburn, then I usually endure severe stomach cramping & diarrhea. I almost never get one set of symptoms without the other (ie: heartburn w/o the stomach issues). I've thought for years that the two were connected, maybe even that the excess acid is causing my stomach ailments, but every doctor would shrug me off.
I hope you feel better soon. We're here to talk if you need us!
Toni
Hi guys, I'm pretty new to this sort of thing but I think I can help with your questions. I have suffered with reflux since I was 12 and just thought I was lactose intolerant . about 4 years ago I was finally diagnosed with IBS and GERD. I suffered from severe cases of both ailments. I went in for routine testing for both problems. That's when I was finaly told what I had and why. The 2 problems are connected. I found that when I was under even minor stress I couldn't find a bathroom fast enough. I am a smoker and I love my coffee. If any of you drink more than a cup a day and or smoke those are triggers for both problems. Stress can also trigger both. My doctor's have stated that more women seem to have both IBS and reflux. For those who are wondering if it can be hereditary. YES! My doctor's told me. It was a big relief to finally hear someone admit it and who knew what they were talking about. The doctors have told me it's normal for it to run in families. A lot of older persons and old doctors just call it heartburn take a few tums or rolaids and think their fine. That's why a lot of people don't know it can run in families. There's a big difference between general heartburn that happens occassionally and GERD. My parents weren't even diagnosed with GERD until after I was. They finally went to a younger doctor who explained their symptoms over the years. And now my 16 yr old has both as well. Along with all the same female problems I had growing up.
For the woman out there: This is going to sound strange but I hope this helps explain a few things. All my life my cycles were messed up. I had a lot of female problems from cysts to fibroids, and very painful PMS and finally tests came back that my cysts were the cancer causing kind. The GI doctor I was seeing at the time had me on alot of meds trying to control both problems. about 3 months after I was dignosed with IBS/GERD I was told by my GYN treatment to remove the cancer casuing cysts wasn't working. I had to have a complete hysterectomy. It was strange but as soon as I had the surgery the symptoms of the IBS and GERD stopped. that is, until recently when I found that I am now in my 30's and have menopause. Both my doctors were stunned at the results of the hysterectomy, when all IBS/GERD symptoms disappeared, they had to do some research into the matter. They have found that for some woman who have had hormonal problems a large percentage has IBS and or both IBS and GERD. I hope this helps someone out there. I'm not advocating hysterectomies. Far from it. But my doctors believe now that a simple control in my hormones could have prevented all probems wth IBS/GERD. I know for me with all the female problems I've had I still would have opted for my surgery. my symptoms are just coming back but they aren't as severe as before. I can control both with a high fiber diet and an occassional rolaid. My GI doctors have reccomended calcium suppliments. really not sure why. But that has also helped. I take the Viactiv chews. Taste good better than those chalky suppliments. try increasing the fiber in your diets cut out alot of coffee or tea and if you can or are will smoking. take the suppliments, it all really works for controling symptoms. Take care ALL
Prilosec has been taken by many individuals for 10 to 15 years at this point. Although there are theoretical concerns about prolonged use, none of these concerns have been realized in the patients who have taken it long term. At this point, long term usage is considered safe according to Dr. Marks.
Kitt, Moderator: Anxiety/Panic & Depression
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For years I have suffered from IBD and GERD, not sure if there is any link, but they both involve the GI tract so I think it would make sense there is some connection. Have done prednisone/protonix but they never healed me(at least that is how I felt), only cover my symptoms. I did find an anti inflammatory drink called Haldi which has done wonders for both my colitis and GERD.
Sticklers, I find it interesting that your hysterectomy relieved your symptoms, hormones may indeed play a part in all of this. (unfortunately there are a lot of men with these exact same issues).
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yuckygut
So now what? Acid shoots into my throat if I don't take the Nexxium--and I'm doing all the good stuff, no: mint, ginger, tumeric, unfermented soy (try it--tempeh and miso are fine, I've found) caffeine, chocolate, fats >2pm, no eating two hours before I go to bed, flax for inflammatory control, weight management....and still acid shooting up--which triggers asthma. Gah!
Insights and tips from stuff that works always welcome!
I'm posting here in the hopes that what worked for me works for one other person at least. Everything else I saw about this just seemed like and add or spam.
I purchased all the books etc nothing helped.
I have been diagnosed with an upper GI with both GERD and IBS
I don't know which causes which but they sure came at the same time.
I have been suffering with it for over 1 year and am 53 male.
I don't eat fatty food (usually) and also have Lactose intolerance and some diverticulosis, I have had 1 polyp in 25 years and get regular Colonoscopys (last being a year ago (have been clean for 25 years). No bad stress nit a drinbker dont need coffee, am under pressure but this whole thing started pretty quickly and during one of the best financial and love life times of my life. Doctor also did blood tests and checked for parasites.
He put me on Prevacid, did nothing for me, then prilosac and told me to eat fiber. This fixed me for 2 months maybe and it came back. So after research I added Zantac, that helped me again for 1 month and it came back. At no time even with the meds did I feel normal but they did help the GERD and throat. I was getting very depressed and figured the quality of life was quickly changing. I didnt know if the IBS was giving me GERD or the other way around. I had to worry every time I ate I would need a bathroom in 30 minutes to expel a ton of air, mucus an BM that never looked normal. Even with the meds I had to be very careful of what I ate.
I was fed up. I researched internet every day. I'm the type who trusts the doctors and figured medicine is best. I eat right am not over weight but was not a holistic believer per say at least when it came to something wrong with you.
I think I have seen the light. I started drinking 1 or 2 tablespoons of Raw unfilltered apple cider vinegar before and after meals against my belief that more acid would cause more suffering. I was willing to try anything. Boy was I wrong, in 2 days I could tell I was getting much better. My 6 times a day BM turned into 1 and it allowed me to reintroduce fiber since too much before just made things worse, I stopped taking all meds and have been feeling great for a week. When I go to work I bring a water battle half filled with 2 tablespoons in the bottle with some honey. I will take a few big sips before and after meals. IF I feel any GERD or acid I take a tablespoons chased with some honey and a glass of water. If I feel any throat problems I take some honey and make sure I keep the throat lubricated. I also take B vitamin. I wont mention the brand since I'm not advertising but it is easy to find. I hope this info can help at least a few other fellow sufferers ! FYI I have done all the other normal stuff except raising the bed. The Vinegar cured me at least so far (1 week) might be premature but I haven't felt this right in 1 year and am not taking drugs.
Hopefully this helps someone, I know we are all different but it is worth a try .
Post Edited (John Suhr) : 5/8/2010 12:05:06 PM (GMT-6)
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Welcome :)
Joy
To my dismay, my reflux problems were much, much worse when I tried to stop the PPI. I talked to a pharmicist friend who suggested that I try Pepcid AC-I tried complete-that was not good for the swallowing-has to be chewed-went to Pepcid AC Maximum Strength. That is helping and with fewer IBS problems. But my goal is to also stop this. I am finding that DGL is not good for people with IBS. Has anyone else experienced any of these problems-rebound from PPI, both IBS and reflux, know about what is safe for IBS and good for reflux-natural products? Thanks for any responses.
mimi 22 boys
Joy
I've long wondered if I were alone on this one. I've been on PPI's for 3 years now, and still had to cut out ALL acid, fat, spice, red meat, etc. It's been years since I've drank juice or eaten spaghetti -drool- ...I often find I'm alone in this world.
Not only do I have GERD that is not manageable with meds, the 5 specialists I've seen won't do any follow ups, or anything, and I've got so many other issues going on- tecnically I've been diagnosed with migrains, "fibromyalgia" (although I think it may be something more serious-FM is not degenerative), and allergies.
None of the specialists I've been to help. I've been to an allergist and dermatologist and neither of them realized I had eczema...I'm wondering if GERD and IBS have a relation to fibromyalgia or chronic pain/ allergies?
I'm 20 and have been walking with a cane for the last 6 months...the doctor will do nothing but give me pain pills and tell me to go to physio. NOT that easy when you can't pay the rent and the gov't won't help.
I've been out of work for 8 months now and yet my doc thinks I'm "still perfectly physically able" although I cannot stand for more than 5 seconds and cannot sit, walk, or lie down for an extended period of time.
any advice anyone?
Have you tried an exclusion diet at any time in your life? I had eczema so bad it shocked my mature GP and a dermatologist and I was very poorly with it (it's really not just a bit of a rash is it??). Anyway, that was 20 years ago and a forward thinking dermatologist put me on an exclusion diet ("low allergen diet" also known as a "few foods diet"). Within one week I had clear skin and over the coming months I pinned down my main food triggers As you have both eczema (which can be allergic in nature as well as a contact issue) as well as gut symptoms and fibromyalgia, I think it would be very worth while doing an exclusion diet. You need someone to help you with this - a doctor with a special interest in food allergy & intolerance, or a nutritionist/dietician type person. Some naturapathic practitioners are able to do this too, but you need to make sure you see one who is suitably qualified, registered and has experience of exclusion diets. Migraine too can be triggered by food allergy (though has other food related causes as I'm sure you know).
With such a lot of things going on together I wouldn't be surprised if you have some hidden allergies. Blood tests (specific IgE) can help pinpoint trigger foods, but they are not 100% reliable. Also it's possible to have responses to food which are not IgE mediated and are not possible to detect by blood test. Please do waste money on high street allergy testing (like Vega machines) and don't send hair or blood samples off to any independent laboratories - they're not reliable either. The only true proof is a "withdrawal and challenge" dietary approach. It's hard going in the first couple of weeks but well worth it if it uncovers some trigger foods.
Have you also been tested for coeliac disease?
My ppi for my acid reflux caused havoc with my eczema - and I found out by accident that a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil per day helped bring it under control, so that's also worth a go!
MMM
New stuff: GERD. Interstitial Cystitis
Lifelong stuff: Food allergies, eczema, asthma
20 years young and I've been searching for a diangosis since birth. I think it's all connected..A "new" sickening back pain, Migrains, Fibromyalgia, GERD, Acid reflux, IBS, Allergies, Eczema...it all has to connect.
20 years young and I've been searching for a diangosis since birth. I think it's all connected..A "new" sickening back pain, Migrains, Fibromyalgia, GERD, Acid reflux, IBS, Allergies, Eczema...it all has to connect.