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Interesting article about GERD really being autoimmune

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 5/18/2016 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
Since Crohn's and GERD seem to go hand-in-hand at times, this article is pretty interesting.

www.utsouthwestern.edu/newsroom/news-releases/year-2016/may/acid-reflux-damage.html
Posted 5/18/2016 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
"The researchers thought that GERD might redevelop if PPIs were stopped, providing an opportunity to observe the early changes of GERD. In 11 of 12 patients with reflux esophagitis, an injury to the lining of the esophagus, changes to the esophagus reoccurred after the PPIs were stopped. Importantly, the changes that re-occurred were not consistent with chemical burns. Rather, the findings supported the new idea that refluxed stomach acid stimulates the esophagus to make small proteins called cytokines, which then sets up the process of inflammation."
Posted 5/18/2016 11:16 PM (GMT 0)
Very interesting, indeed. I've had GERD for 18 years now and started PPIs more than 16 years go. I always failed of coming off of the PPIs and the GERD symptoms would immediately recur. I always felt that I had a problem w stopping these meds and other people were successful. Good to know that my failure of coming off of them made me stay in grade B LA classification though I got afraid lately that my GERD might have progressed. Brought it to my GI's attention that the last endoscopy was 2 years ago but he said not now.
Posted 5/18/2016 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
GERD is often experienced with asthma too.
Posted 5/19/2016 11:51 AM (GMT 0)
Really interesting article. I have been unable to go without PPIs for more than 1 day for many years now. With my newer auto immune diagnoses, I am suspicious that I fall into the category of those where the esophagus is the issue and not the acid....but thought that would mean that the PPI would be less necessary....wow I am confusing myself!

Take Care
Posted 5/19/2016 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
But the PPI is necessary because your body is reacting to what is produced by the acid. That's why they work - the lower the acid, the fewer problems produced, so your body doesn't have anything to respond to. Plus they are talking about the damage that's caused over time to the lining, not the pain of heartburn.
Posted 5/19/2016 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Sci...that's what I get for reading the article fast before I start my work day! My husband and I laugh about my FIL reading only bits of an article then making definitive statements----I guess I need to heed my own thoughts.

My hope is that the PPI also helps with any esophageal issues that my other dx may be creating...wouldn't that be nice---a med that fixes multiple issues! After a 4th auto immune disease in my records, I am really starting to think there is an inter-relative causation effect. I firmly believe that is why no one of us is the same in symptoms or solutions.....I am thinking one large, all system issue that is impacting each of us differently. It would explain why three of 7 children in my family have IBD issues and oddly different issues while the other 4 have no issues.
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