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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 8/28/2005 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

   I've had fibromyalgia for 10 years now, and I'm always trying to make sense of things.......trying to make some connections.   Sometimes I make them too quickly, and they probably aren't correct.  But I'm always trying to understand cause and effect.

   I developed IBS and GERD shortly after I had the flu and pneumonia back in l995.    I had been doing very well with my GERD, even off of my PPI, for several years now.  As I've suggested before, I think being on hormone replacement made it much worse.  I came off that several years ago, and then was able to get off my PPI.  I should mention that I'm 55, and am going through menopause, and feel that my hormones definitely worsen my GERD.

   This summer I developed Hairy Tongue, and also had a flare up of my GERD.   Since the mouth is part of the GI tract, I thought it was somehow connected.   Fearing it was a yeast flare-up from the antibiotic I had been on, I began eating yogurt and taking Threelac and acidopilus.   This didn't seem to help, and my tongue continued to look bad, and my reflux was bad for about 5-6 weeks.

   Last week I had a migraine with an intense aura.  This always happened to me after my periods, when my estrogen was going back up.  Since I don't have periods anymore, it's hard to know where I am in my cycle......but when I got that migraine, I knew I would probably start feeling better soon.  Sure enough........within a week, my hairy tongue started looking better, and my reflux and diarrhea went away.

   This supports my theory that, for women, hormones might play a big role in reflux/GERD.   Maybe it's prostaglandins, I don't know.   And I'm not sure there's anything we can do about it.........but for me, it gives me hope that when my hormones are finally done fluctuating, maybe life will be better for me.   Also.......perhaps they will develop a medication that will block the GI effects of hormones.   

   I'm curious if any of you women have noticed that your GERD gets alot worse around your periods?  For me that was a catch-22.  I know that NSAIDS can block some of the bothersome symptoms around periods, but those always worsened my GERD. 

Posted 8/28/2005 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
Cathy,
Interesting concept! I had a Uterine Hysterectomy 2 yrs ago, still have my ovaries. I would experience pronounced Reflux/Gerd flares around my cycle. I noticed after my Hysterectomy, Reflux/Gerd flares lessened tremendously. I also realized that trigger food binging probably brought on a lot of the flares, hence, chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, ate any and everything w/sugar prior too cycles. So, once I had the procedure done binging has lessened resulting in less flares.

I don't always keep up w/my cyclic cycles and most of the time go by really unnoticed. My symptoms vary from month to month. Two days ago, I slept almost the entire day, just didn't have any energy. I thought it was related to Fibromyalgia. I was DX July 2005. Yesterday, I experienced neck & head pain(headache), and again, I related it to Fibro. Well, today on awakening, I was experiencing a complete Fibro flare w/body aches, pains, stiffening, etc. The only difference was breast tenderness which made me aware it was cyclic related. I experienced these same symptoms prior to hysterectomy on occasion. I would experience aches & pains until hubby and I would stroll through the yellow pages for a Message Therapist, seems like it would always happen on the weekend when most places are closed like today. LOL Today, i'm also experiencing some reflux problems, but I have been sugar binging for 2 days.


Cathy, Looks like I found my Cyclic cycle, Reflux/Gerd connection. But, how does the Fibro Syndrone symptoms fit in??????Puzzling. Sugar, Hormones......Darn!!! I have been sleeping most of the day, starting to fill a little more reflux symp., had Ritz crackers w/Peanut butter about 1/2 hr prior to sleep, and breakfast 2 hrs prior, which will not help w/reflux. I am still exp Fibro symp aches & pains, so will probably sleep again before bedtime. I'm not staying awake long enough for my food to digest properly which is one of the biggest problems.


Hope this helps!



Vanessa
Posted 8/28/2005 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
HI Vanessa,
Too bad my brain isn't working these days, or I could probably figure alot more out! But you would be amazed at how many women seem to develop fibromyalgia during perimenopause. I think they will eventually find that some of us have some sort of defect, or some sort of short-circuitry with our hormones. It's weird, but the first time I went a year without a period, most of my fibromyalgia symptoms got very mild! As soon as I had a period, they all came back. I think this is why more women than men have it. I think it's all hormone related. But.......as I've been told before........we weren't really meant to live much past our reproductive years........so maybe our poor old bag of bones is just limping along without those hormones. hahaha
I hope you feel better soon. I bet you will, since this is probably your period time.
Posted 8/30/2005 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Cathy,
I feel much better today, minor aches & pains, but no reflux. Good!
I really think this Fibro has something to do w/Reflux/Gerd, GI problems. I asked my GI if he thought it was related, He indicated not theoretically, but possible. I have asked quite a few Dr's the same question & got the same answer.

Seems like a vast majority of us w/Fibro have some kind of GI problem. Puzzling! Our Digestion tract certainly plays a significant role in our being. Just a thought why my mind is a little clear. It may experience Fibro Fog any moment. LOL

Take Care,
Vanessa
Posted 8/30/2005 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
LOL Vanessa,
I know fibro fog all too well. Like the saying goes........"Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most!"
Posted 9/6/2005 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
This is interesting....after my hysterectomy last year....I was able to stop nexium and now it has flared up again. Gotta be a connection.
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