Could this be IBS or GERD?

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the forum and I am curios to hear some other thoughts on what I am experiencing. A little background information first...I am a 34 year old woman who's had 3 children, the most recent being a year ago. Since my pregnancy with my first child over 8 years ago I have suffered from horrible acid reflux. After my 2nd child (4 1/2 years ago) I lost alot of weight (80 lbs) and the acid started to subside a bit - when I did get it (usually at the time of the month for a few days) any OTC meds worked. Fast forward to 6 months ago - 6 months after the birth of my 3rd child, I started experiencing horrible acid once again for about 2 weeks out of the month (normally mid cycle until my period came). The acid was also accompanied by horrible gas, to the point of getting chest pains. At first I thought I was having a heart attack but took some gas meds and sure enough it was gone. This went on for 3-4 months, every month I would get acid and bad gas. Then for 2 months it stopped, not sure why but I completely forgot about it. Now, just this past week it has started up again in full force. about a week ago I started with the horrible acid reflux, I could easily consume a bottle of tums in one-two days. A few days later the gas started up again, I found myself with chest pains (mild) and constantly burping to relieve the pain. I also noticed that sometimes I will get a strange feeling in my abdomen (right between my ribs) that is not painful but almost feels like a gas bubble moving down. The odd part is that I have gotten these symptoms both after eating and also on an empty stomach (well with only my morning coffee in there). I will also go from constipated to diahrea rather quickly and I noticed that when I am constipated the gas is worse. At a loss, I decided to do some research and came up with IBS, Indigestion or GERD.

I am curious as to what you all think this may be and how you are controlling it? I know I have not been eating great lately but I plan to start dieting again soon to lose the last of my weight so I am hoping that may help a bit. I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts.

Thank you for taking the time to read this!

Lisa

IBS

http://www.aboutibs.org/


gerd

http://www.aboutgerd.org/

My IBS and GERD have also always appeared together. The way it shows up for me is first I am stressed, then I become constipated ( ie. the motility of the whole GI tract is reduced--colon loses motility, stomach, too) then I experience GERD ( the lower esophageal sphincter does not close adequately). I asked my doctor if there is anything that will help to close the lower esophageal sphincter and he said the sphincter itself is fine but responding to slower emptying of stomach and lower motility of colon by being pressured open.

Your symptoms seem like they could be accounted for by a few different things--I would definitely see a doctor to check yourself out. Good luck!