I had my first symptoms in December 2011 with lump in throat, trouble swallowing, heartburn. After having all the tests: barium swallow, endoscopy, 24 h PH, manogramy and gastric emptying my GI referred me to a surgeon. The surgeon told me that based on my mild symptoms 5 months later, April 2012, that I was a 2 on a scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being the worst GERD symptoms and not to have surgery at this time. He told me to keep taking TUMS (Prilosec and other PPIS/H2 did not work) TUMS was the only thing I was taking.
I then went for a 2nd opinion to a GI doctor who determined that he believes my symptoms: mild heartburn an hour or so after eating, bloating, gas, lump in throat - are caused by IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) which in turn is causing my acid reflux. He explained to me that IBS doesn't always involve diarrhea. IBS can go up in the form of acid reflux which I have.
He prescribed hyoscyamine. He said to try it for 10 days and see what happens.
It has only been 48 hours and I have substantial relief already. The lump in my throat feeling that I would get daily is gone. My heartburn seems to have eased up and I only had a mild episode. The metalic taste in my mouth is also gone. I also had a Rum drink last night and no effects from that which sometimes leaves me with heartburn or the lump feeling. I also have not had 1 TUMS in the past 2 days. Prior I would take anywhere from 3- 6 per day.
I will follow up with him this week but I just wanted to post my story and see if anyone else has this connection between IBS and acid reflux or has taken this mediction. Dry mouth is one of the side effects but it's not too bad as long as I remember to drink enough water throughout the day.
I have been diagnozed for GERD last november and my doctor put me on controloc 40mg a day and then on nexuim 20mg day but since then i have been suffering from bloating, heavy feeling on stomach and feel like somethign in my throat and later i found a white and yellow coating on my tongue although my blood tests was normal including liver enzymes. I am also suffering from loose stool containing undigested food. i decided 2 days ago to stop medication (mexuim) and continue natural diet like manuka honey and eating small portions but right after stopping nexuim the heartburn increased and everytime I eat any small portions i feel like eating a large fatty meal and dont know what to do. it this normal or should i return back to PPI
Hi Tzakaria, I'm not really sure I can offer you advice since it seems like you need to talk to a doctor. YOu have some of the symptoms I have but I never had a coating on my tongue or loose stool. When I stopped my PPI I had no reaction to stopping it. Sorry I can't be more help but I really think you need a medical opinion. Hope it works out for you.
I wonder if I am suffering from this too. I will ask my doctor when I see him in a few weeks.Diagnosed GERD, no other medical conditions (this one is enough)
I have been experiencing GERD-like symptoms since spring of this year. All day my throat will burn, and after I eat, I have the sensation of acid splashing up my esophagus. Nothing over-the-counter would help; I tried tums, rolaids, zantac, pepcid, maalox, etc. - even tried natural remedies like Limonene and Aloe juice. My PCP put me on Prilosec, which helped minimally. Now, on Nexium, I can go though my day without discomfort unless I drink coffee, have caffeine, foods with tomatoes or drink any alchohol. I just had an endoscopy, and the specialist told me I don't have acid reflux; that perhaps I have IBS (He told me to follow up with my gastroenterologist to look into it further). I have yet to follow-up with my gastroenterologist, but it sounds strange that all my symtoms are from the stomach up, and he thinks it's IBS.
Incidentally, this spring I was treated for a series of UTIs, with different antibiotics. I suspect that my normal stomach flora (bacteria) is off balance. Unfortunately, I am still on an antibiotic so I think taking a probiotic would be money down the drain at this point. I'll see what my gastroenterologist days. Good luck All!
I have been diagnosed by a GI specialist with IBS that has the same symptoms you mention. He said my IBS is causing my acid reflux like symptoms -- burning throat, lump in throat, heartburn. My specialist told me that IBS goes both ways -- some people it goes down and out and others it goes up. He told me that my stomach has spasms which is caused by IBS. He gave me a prescription for an antispasmotic (I don't remember the name right now) which I took for a month. It seemed to relieve the lump in my throat feeling. However, once I learned which foods aggravated my IBS, I am now able to control my symptoms with diet and OTC Zantac twice a day. I take TUMS a few times a week if I'm "eating bad" like having a cup of coffee, or spaghetti sauce or any of the other foods that trigger my IBS. Hope that helps and good luck with your GI. For me, it took me 3 doctors, all specialists and respected here in PA before I found one who correctly diagnosed me.
It's good to know that your doctor says IBS can be upper GI. I really wish I could get this treated so that I can eventually get back to eating my 'problem foods'. -At least a small coffee in the morning. I'm of the belief that this can resolve, and I won't have to rely of medications. I'm also under a lot of stress from my job, and I think once I'm not under constant stress (when I find a different job), my body will stop rebelling. Just a year ago, I took no prescription drugs and now I'm on several. Since last September, I've gotten this different (stressful) job, gotten married, moved into a new home, and have become a mom to two stepkids. It can't be a coincidence that my health has declined.
That certainly is a lot of life changes! Hope things get better for you soon. I have slowly added in foods to see which I can tolerate. 2 years ago I didn't touch coffee for a year after having drank it since I was the age of 12. Then I started with decaf and have worked my way to regular coffee with extra amount of cream (almost like a Latte) and try not to have more than 2 a week. I drink a lot more tea now these days. Also, with the IBS I found that eating a piece of crystallized ginger helps my digestion. Good luck and let me know if your GI agrees with mine about IBS causing stomach spasms that causes acid reflux.
I am usually on the GERD forum but a few months ago my GI also came to the conclusion that I have IBS. I removed gluten, reduced lactose and eliminated raw veggies and fruits (for now). I am doing better. Pains in my back and ribs occur after eating, I think they could be gas related. I am currently on an OTC PPI, but I am continuing to ween off to Pepcid (my GI thinks the PPI could also be upsetting my digestive system). As far as the GERD, no heartburn, occassional tight throat which goes away with chewing non mint gum.GERD Moderator; Diagnosed GERD, no other medical conditions (this one is enough) ; Gluten free since 2012; low lactose since 2012
I have IBS and acid reflux. My acid came first when I was 11 years old. Then it seemed to disappear at the age of 15. However at 14/15 I started to have the symptoms of IBS which got debilitating at the age of 16. I started on Mebeverine for the cramps and at 18 I started on Lansoprazole after trying so many other medications to stop my acid. If I have less than 7 hours sleep a night my IBS starts up with excessive gas, terrible cramps and diarrhea, and being at university and living at halls of residence that is not always easy. I have intolerances to garlic and onion, spicy food and junk food. I find that herbal tea does work. Peppermint, camomile, and ginger and lemon. Peppermint for the cramps, camomile for the acid and ginger and lemon for nausea. If you are not allergic to any of these try them, they work. I'm only 20 but for 5/6 years Iv had IBS iv tried lots of ways to help. More importantly none of you are on your own, because we know how you feel. Keep strong :)
Hi there. I am still new her but I just want tot ell you first of all I am glad the medication helped you.
For me apparently the IBS and GERD happened at once so probably that is why the doctors took years to finally figure things out.
O and I also had gallstones so 3 things all at once. I felt much better after removing of my gallbladder but after a year the pain came back but now I could describe it much better. Behind my breast and to my back. Doctor after a few examination told me I had GERD. So I said so I do not have ISB? Yes you also have ISB.
Well he put me on Amitriptyline and to my amazement it helped a lot and even better no side effects.
Not sure though but I also stopped eating wheat so in combination with those meds I felt so much better.
The symptoms you describe I always considered my GERD symptoms. The pain high in stomach and acid reflux so I have learned something today thanks to you.
O and yes ISB can also be that you have trouble going to the toilet that your stools are hard.