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Menopause and gerd

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 10/7/2013 1:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone
There is a thread on this forum regarding menopause and gerd, but it is old and I suspect the people on it have moved on since then, so I'd like to start it up again. Has anyone noticed a connection between menopause and their gerd symptoms?

I am 52 and have not had a period for 10 months. Hot flashes weren't too bad, but out of nowhere acid reflux hit me. Constant sore throat and acid reflux which progressively gets worse as the day wears on. I am thin and have an excellent diet (well not anymore, since there is barely anything I can eat). I do not smoke or drink alcohol or coffee.

I had an endoscopy which only showed some irritation to the throat. The gi doc recommended 40 mg of Prilosec which at first helped (1 week), but I still had breakthrough acid at night, so I stopped taking it. I'm going to try more natural methods first. Have ordered dgl licorice, probiotics, digestive enzymes, slippery elm, manuka honey. We'll see how these work.

The more I talk to other women, the more I become convinced that gerd symptoms seem to be related to the onset of menopause or peri-menopause. Anyone else agree?
Posted 10/8/2013 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
seems to be a link for me and for some other women I know. My periods just stopped and I've been having trouble with gerd for about 6 months, but much worse over past 2 months(since periods stopped)Sis-in-law had similar experience.

Have tried many things and not having much luck getting it under control, can't tolerate the meds due to side effects. I'm actually drinking baking soda water to deal with it, but probably isn't good for me, just have to stop it somehow. I also have a hiatal hernia, wonder if menopause increases the chance of that too?

Have you lifted the head of your bed, or tried a wedge pillow? What foods are you able to tolerate?, i'm doing mostly rice cereal, bananas, some bread, avocados, and some cooked veggies chopped really small or pureed.

Keep us posted on how the supplements are working for you.

Post Edited (diaba) : 10/8/2013 4:54:14 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/10/2013 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi diaba
You eat almost the same foods as me, except I also eat oatmeal, toast and jam and eggs. But even with this limited diet I still have a burning throat. And I'm so hungry and losing weight, which I hate because I am already thin. I don't want to take omprazole due to the bone loss issues associated with it esp in women over 50.

I have bought the wedge pillow. It helps if I am sleeping on my back, but once I try to roll over it is very uncomfortable, but it is good for back sleepers. I did not raise my bed though.

What I have been doing lately which I think gives me a little relief is ginger. I had a ginger jam spread which I put on toast and after that I felt ok. So I've been trying other ginger products like tea and candy. It does seem to help a little. I just started probiotics, digestive enzymes, dgl licorice, slippery elm, B12, and manuka honey. It all cost a small fortune, but if any of them work I will be thrilled. And I will let you know.

Thank you for responding to my post. Please keep me posted regarding your progress as well.
Posted 10/12/2013 11:34 AM (GMT 0)
Wow Alf my acid reflux acted up 10 months after my last period too. And I was already on 40 mg of nexium. It took me 3 months before my doctor and I realized I was getting severe side effects from nexium and nexium was no longer working for my acid reflux. i have tried protonix, prevavid and prilosec but none of them work. So I decided to stop the ppis and got acid rebound. im trying to work thru that now which is aweful! I plan to ask my doctor if there is any other ppi I could try but there is not much left. zantac and pepcid does not work great and they do not last. I did find out I get severe stomach pains and throw up with milk. i have lost alot of weight as well. I am eating fruits, vegetables and chicken and drink chamomile tea or water. I try taking Dgl, digestive enzymes and probiotics but forget sometimes. i am also getting asthma flare ups. Truthfully I did not coorelate the onset of my issue with menapause until I read your thread. i feel this is not going to be over any time some. Ive been dealing with this for 6 months now. I will have to say my anxiety has greatly improved since I got off of ppis.

I do hope you feel better soon. Thanks for your suggestions.
Posted 10/13/2013 11:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hmm thinking back to me everything appeared to eb happening at once.

I remember getting the call from the doctor that: I was in pre meno pause (I was 42), B: my thyroid was too slow and C: cholesterol too high). That was also the same year the pain in stomach started so yes there could be a link.
Posted 10/13/2013 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
Good Afternoon Ladies,

This is Kitt. 

Many women in menopause develop acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease, known as GERD. This condition occurs when the lower part of the esophageal sphincter does not close properly, allowing stomach contents to reflux or leak back into the esophagus. One of the main symptoms of GERD is persistent heartburn caused by acid regurgitation; however, some women who have gastroesophageal reflux disease do not suffer from heartburn. Women may experience a burning or choking sensation in the throat, chest pain, trouble swallowing and morning hoarseness.

Mary Infantino, RN, Ph.D., Director of the Graduate Nursing Program at Long Island University in New York conducted a study in 2008 on gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in perimenopausal and menopausal women. The research found that perimenopausal and menopausal women had higher percentages of GERD diagnoses than premenopausal women and that menopausal patients had significantly more upper gastrointestinal discomfort. Dr. Infantino's research found that menopausal women were nearly three times more likely to have GERD symptoms, suggesting a hormonal link between menopause and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Link to Dr. Mary T. Infantino  publications and references:

http://www.liu.edu/CWPost/Academics/Faculty/Faculty/I/Infantino-Mary

 

I thought you might find this info helpful and validate your suspicions that menopause and GERD can be connected.

Be well,

Kitt


Posted 10/20/2013 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
ALF, having any luck with the supplements?

stkitt-thanks for the info, wonder what it is about the change in hormones that causes this to happen. Wonder if replacing the estrogen/progesterone would help or it it's too late for that
Posted 10/21/2013 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
I definitely think there is a link! I am not menopausal yet but am getting to that age, 47. I have noticed a definite link between my menstrual cycles and the severity of my symptoms. about a week before my period I start having aggravation of symptoms and wondering what am I doing wrong. Then the day my period arrives, those extraneous symptoms disappear and everything is back to a "normal" level of symptoms.
Posted 11/11/2013 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone, this is my first ever response on a chat board. I am 53 in excellent health and 11+ months since my last period. For the past couple of years, I have had 4-6 hot flashes a day with night sweats thrown in just for fun! At the end of August, my issue started with an urge to urinate. Immediately went to gyn. No problem there. Within 24 hours, I had awful abdominal bloating, fullness, belching from morning til evening (eating or not eating) and deep burning between my rib cage. Had complete ultrasounds of abdomen and pelvic and all normal. Lost 14 pounds, more than 10% of my body weight as I am only 5'1". Went to gastro guy and had endoscopy which revealed only minor stomach inflammation so he couldn't diagnose the complete loss of appetite. Put me on 40mg of Prilosec which I've been on for about 1 month. I have a Chinese Doctor and have always gone to her for assistance, herbs and acupuncture (very expensive)for a few health issues over the past 25 years. She is of the belief that this may have started with a virus or it is and was menopausal related because (and this can't be coincidence), my hot flashes and night sweats stopped completely around the time the stomach problems started. I suffered for 2 months but then discomfort eased up but not completely. It's now 3 months later and I can finally eat. Looking to taper off and then go off Prilosec as quickly as possible since I don't think it is helpful in my case since there is no rhyme or reason with what I eat or drink and severity of my symptoms. Hope this helps ANYONE. Good luck to all and I will keep posting as I get off Prilosec.
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