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GERD & IBS - how many ppl have both!?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
Do you have GERD and IBS?
Yes - 86.2% - 25 votes
No - 13.8% - 4 votes
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Posted 5/26/2005 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hi again,  This is my second post today. Sorry. I'm new here and was just looking over the posts and I'm amazed to see how many people seem to have IBS and GERD (as I'm staring to think I do).  It's shocking, and yet I haven't seen any messages from ppl who were told that there is a connection (by docs etc)... but it seems there must be.  How many others have been told/or belive that they have both? 
Posted 5/26/2005 12:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome Kristin... I think that this is an excellent post and I'm sure you'll get some takers. :)
Posted 6/1/2005 3:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Kristin,

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.
Posted 6/6/2005 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kristin!

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
Posted 6/22/2005 4:09 PM (GMT 0)

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

Posted 9/8/2008 9:17 AM (GMT 0)
I have both IBS and Gerd. My IBS was brought on by taking Prilosec for so long. No doctor will tell you that there are long-term consequences for taking that. They just keep on prescribing it. It says right on the box to only take it for two weeks. My doc told me to take it and I have done just that for two years. It treated my heartburn/Gerd beautifully. All of a sudden I started developing IBS symptoms. After about four months of trying to find out what was causing it by modifying my eating habits, I went off the Prilosec to see if that would help the IBS. I was shocked. The IBS has almost gone away completely. I am convinced that taking the Prilosec is what caused it. I even tested my theory. I took Prilosec again for a couple of days, and all of the IBS came back. BINGO! I have all but cured my own IBS. It's this very sort of thing that makes me lose faith in the medical community. They are just as happy to have you continue to take things that keep you coming back to them. I read an article called, "Ten medicines that doctors will not take," and Prilosec was one of those meds. HELLO! Does that not tell you anything? I'm still trying to find relief for my GERD without going on something as drastic as Prilosec/Zantac (and the like). I've heard that vinegar in some form is helpful. I'll let you know.
Posted 9/8/2008 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
linnalou

Welcome to HealingWell and thank you for sharing your information. As each person is an individual what works for some may not work for others.

You have found an answer for you IBS and that is good. 


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.

The FDA has no restrictions on length of use. Physicians from around the world have been prescribing it for well over 15 years and no serious long-term side effects have been described. It looks like it is a very safe drug even though some minor changes in the stomach cells can be seen when biopsies are reviewed under the microscope.

Again if you have info that is different then you should follow your instincts, however, I would consult my physician first.

You are welcome to start a thread of your own.  Again a warm welcome to HealingWell.

Kitt

 

Posted 9/9/2008 6:40 AM (GMT 0)

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).

---------------------------------

yuckygut

Posted 12/3/2008 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
Linalou--yep. Nexxim for me for years, untreated (thanks doc) giardia about three years ago and surpriiise, surprise--just got IBS diagnosis. But not celiac, per multiple tests.

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!
Posted 5/8/2010 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
I found a total cure that works for me so far !
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)

Posted 5/8/2010 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
Oops, john!
You've posted this before. Please read the rules.

Welcome :)

Joy
Posted 7/12/2010 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
I have had IBS for years. A few months ago i had a side ache-pretty constant and went through a battery of tests for possible gall bladder-showing nothing. My gastro. told me to try a PPI-as i was also having some reflux-felt like something caught in my throat which woke me up. When the endoscopy showed nothing I decided to try to stop taking the PPI. I was having some IBS problems.
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
Posted 7/12/2010 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
mimi, please start your own thread to introduce yourself. Click new topic and tell us about yourself.

Joy
Posted 7/13/2010 7:14 AM (GMT 0)
I have both,me too...GERD and IBS [img]/community/emoticons/sad.gif[/img]
Posted 5/24/2011 5:48 PM (GMT 0)

HI,

I am new here, and I have gerd and I think, I say I think because I haven't been diagnosed as having IBS, but I know I do have it.  My mother had it too. 

I have been flared up for the last week and a half, due to my terrible diet.  I've been doing lots of research and found this forum. 

My doctor suggested a colonoscopy, (I had one 5 years ago, and it was found that I have a couple of polyps.)  And he said at that time I had a little IBS, or colitis or whatever you want to call it.  

My symptoms have become a lot worse, so I have decided to just treat myself and see if it makes a difference.  Basically, I am eating small portions of food, healthy food throught the day and cutting my alcohol consumption (I am a self-proclaimed wine-o)  and that really irritates me.

My symptoms become worse in the evening, making it impossible to take my evening walk with my two dogs.  The pain becomes so severe, it's almost unbearable.  So I've cut out my evening walks until I get cleared up.  Anybody else have these experiences?  going to the bathroom and lying down seems to help.  Even to urinate makes it feel better.  UGH!!!!

Posted 11/25/2011 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hey, your post actually made me join!
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?
Posted 11/27/2011 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Megababy,

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
Posted 11/27/2011 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
I've tried many exclusion diets over the year to find triggers for my migrains, as well as going to an allergy specialist who did the bare minimal. The more I talk to people, the more I realize that my doctor and his reccomended specialists look for what they think might be causing it, but when they find nothing, they stop looking. I can pretty much only eat potatoes, wild rice, and vegetables already, so there isn't much to exclude. I've actually been reading up on Sjogren's Syndrome which would explain a wide range of the combination of allergies/fibromyalgia/intestinal problems, So I'm going to be going back for another round of testing, this time, for what everything I feel, adds up, and I guess, see from there! I never even thought chronic dry eyes/lips/itchy ears was something..I always figured everyone felt that that had allergies! Mine are just chronic!
Posted 11/27/2011 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
My family always thought I had an immune system disorder due to my chronic allergies/lung infections and slow heal time, but the doctor thinks they're crazy. Everyone sees there is something severely wrong but the people who are supposed to be able to help me. Hopefully something new to test for will help because they've ran out of bloodwork to do on me!
Posted 11/28/2011 7:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I'm also new here.. I know for a fact I have gerds as I'm prsently taking pantaloc for it..was diagnosed years ago with IBS..that comes and goes strangely..I do get the heart flutters again off and on so not sure if I need magnesium..well I was prescribed magnesium but am taking calcite,which is 500 mg of calcium and 400 mg of vitamin D, so pharmacist thinks adding 500 mg of magnesium would be too much.. so perhaps I should continue with the calcite and perhaps add just 100 mg of magnesium? I've also been diagnosed with gall stones and have avoided surgery for 2 years..reason being, I've heard that despite the removal of the gall bladder you can still get lots of gas and it can grow back...anyone know about this? I don't get attacks,but excessive gas which I can bear.. well think I've written enough for now - Ill save some for next time..thanks to any1 who can add to my comments..
Posted 11/28/2011 8:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome,

Other signs of magnesium deficiency can include muscle cramps. If you take calcium and magnesium at the same time of day they may cancel each other out to some extent. The usual recommendation is to take magnesium in the morning and calcium at night. If you want to take a magnesium supplement you could try 100 mg of magnesium citrate.

I'm sure it's not possible for the gall bladder to grow back?!! I worked in a path lab for a long time and never heard of it! However, I would say that some people's IBS starts after gall bladder removal, so it is one to weigh up carefully. Have a search around the IBS forum regarding that perhaps?

Any heart flutters may be unrelated to your mineral status and you should keep that particular symptom under close review with your doctor. If you didn't have GERD I'd say enquire about taking aspirin to protect from heart problems (and clots) but not really good with delicate tummies! You could experiment with fish oil or linseed oil, which would also protect against heart disease - check with your doc if it's safe for you to take fish oil and have a read of the research relating to it


MMM
Posted 11/28/2011 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I've been on pantaloc for 3 years, as well as anti-nausea medication and a variety of other muscle synchronization & muscle relaxant meds (some really bad side effects), But living on handfuls of pills is not the way I want to live my life anymore. I've also gone through agonizing tests and proceedures but they believe there is "no need for surgery because it is "maintained" with medication"..My entire life has been maintained on meds for so long, I'm pretty sure they'll find out it wasn't such a good thing 10 years from now.
Posted 11/28/2011 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
Have you ever noticed any difference in your GERD or IBS symptoms if you've taken antihistamine?

MMM
Posted 11/28/2011 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
yeah, actually, I've recently started taking antihistamine regularily again and I don't need the PPI as much, although it doesn't decrease my nausea. It does, however, make my eyes/ears/skin less irritable..I was thinking they were a waste of money for a while, but now that i've cut back on other meds, I've realized how much I benefit overall from the antihistamine. It doesn't feel like I have a permanent cold anymore, and my SKIN is healing way better..that's what led me to research sjorgen's syndrome in the first place. I shall be making an appointment for more tests asap.
Posted 11/28/2011 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
but still, i'm worried if there are long term effects from taking antihistamines..
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