Stomach Acid and IBS
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Hi there,I have IBS D with GERD, and I am still trying to find more effective ways of dealing with it.I am sick and tired of being sick and tired!I hope you get some good responses to this because I am interested in what they say.Take care . . . from Lexi
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OK, I believe it's stomach acid. I have a yucky tasting, burning sensation in my throat and mouth. Burning sensation in the upper stomach-between breast bone and navel. What else could this be? Prevacid stopped working; Nexium worked but aggravated my asthma and now hopiing Prilosec will start taking effect. I'm miserable!Tania
Tania and Lexi, I'm sure that Flux is correct about GERD and it probably caused by a weakening by the stomach valve if I remember correctly. My personal experience is that 2 1/2 years ago I purchased and relieved my IBS/D with Mike's Audioprogram 100 and doing CBT training from our CBT/Hypno forum. I worked years of chemical plant shiftwork and I think that sleeping too soon after eating my evening meal(had to awaken at 4:30am) caused me to experience constant heartburn/indigestion problems which I tried to control with Pepcid and Mylanta. This was one of the problems I never really discussed with my MD and my last series of "scope" tests was in 1997. Anyway when the "Prilosec OTC" became available in all the pharmacies three weeks ago I bought the box of 42 pills for appx. $20.00 at Wallyworld and within one hour of taking the first Prilosec my stomach concerns have "totally" ceased. No more burning or discomfort and I can now eat anything. The box says to take a course of 14 pills then stop for a few months before taking more but I have know friends that take these meds everyday and have done so for years. I will probably take all 42 pills then stop and see if my stomach problems return. If so I will gladly purchase more Prilosec and take one each day, it is welcome relief. I do understand that there are some other good meds that stop the acid pump in the stomach and if "acid" is causing your problem then taking the proper medicine should relieve your burning. Norb
IaniaF,GERD is the reflux of stomach acid and sometimes contents into the esophagus sometimes into the throat. What you are describing sounds like GERD. The yucky taste in the mouth is from the acid. GERD generally is not excess acid production, rather the reflux of acid. I was been diagnosed with GERD, gastritis (several years ago) and IBS-D ( after GB surgery). I am currently taking Zantac (by RX). I would give either Zantac OTC or Prilosec OTC a try to see if it helps. The first pill may not help you, so try taking them for a few days. The other thing I take is Maalox Max when it is really bad. But the downside to that is it activates my D. I would also see a GI specialist. Hope this helps!!Kim
KimmieAnne,I have seen a GI who put me on Prevacid 3 years ago. My GI Series didn't show GERD, but he thought I just had a gastric stomach and the pills worked really well. Even cut the dose down to a minimum. Now, for some reason the pills don't work anymore and I feel miserable. The dr put me on Nexium but this aggravated my asthma--felt slightly short of breath twice when I took them. So, I went to Prilosec, today is day 1, so we see how it goes. I take some other prescription meds that have a tendency to cause gastric problems, Actonel (for osteoporosis), Xanax and a calcium channel blocker. I guess I will have to be on stomach meds to counteract the other pills I have to take.Tania
Tania,Have you had an endoscopy? That is the best way to get a good GERD or gastritis diagnosis. Not all PPI's work for everyone. They do stop working after awhile. I usually get a year out of them and then switch to something else. Prilosec and Nexium are very similiar, but Prilosec does not work for me. And, Nexium was great until it stopped working. My GI doc also prescribed Xanax when I had a really bad flare up. FOr some reason it helped. Do you smoke or drink caffeined bevergares? Kim
KimmiAnn,No--to smoking and caffeine. Talked to dr today cause Prilosec gave me a horrific headache. Her suggestion is to go back on 30 mg Prevacid with 150 mg Zantac in the AM and then Zantac before bed. I did a GI series a few years ago which didn't reveal HH or GERD, but who knows about this year. One thing she mentioned is that some presciption drugs that people take for other reasons cause the LES valve to weaken. I take Verapamil (for years) for heart palpitations and this is a no-no for GERD--need to talk to my cardiologist. Xanax has helped me but this too is a GERD producing med--at least don't take it before lying down for bed.Have you tried Aloe Vera juice--read about it on the GERD board. Wonder if it has any side effects for IBS? My fluctuates C/D.Tania
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Yes, I am interested as well, in hearing more about Aloe Vera Juice. It sounds really dreadful, but if it helps.........
Tania,No, I have not tried Aloe vera juice, but I hear it does work. I got horrible head aches when I started the Nexium, but they passed after a week. I have found that once a PPI stops working, it doesn't work again until you are off it for a while. Have you tried supplementing with Maalox Max. It does aggrivate my D, but not too bad. Also, try the website at www.heartburn-help.com. They have an excellent message board for GERD. I just got the results of my Gi series back. I have a small sliding hiatal hernia and moderate GERD (already knew these from the scopes) and duodenitis (this is a new one), on top of the IBS-D. Now to figure out how to treat that on top of all of the others without making something else worse. Kim
i have been useing aloe juice now for almost a month and it does help a lot. I take a shot glass amount in the morning and at night and if i have a bout with reflux i take it when needed. Im not feeling right but it sure has helped alot. I dont have near as many acid attacks.
I do! Having a really ruff time
excess acid and reflux are different, but have similar treatmentsexcess acid usually requires PPI's but in the long run these cause issues as your stomach makes more acid to compensate for the natural acid levels being compramised. it can also leave you prone to stomache infections.try avoiding caffine, spicy or fatty food, eating late at night or in a rush. sit upright after eating not slouched. avoid fizzy drinks. try sleeping with a few extra pillows to prop yourself up so the acid is less likely to reflux up. make sure you chew your food properly and dont drink large amounts of fluid during and after meals
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In 1998 I started taking a grape based flavonoid supplement to treat my cholesterol buildups. Much to my surprise it stopped a case of GERD over the first 6 weeks, lowered my D from the main feature of every day over a 10 year period to little more than an inconvenience, and has continued with this level of effectiveness ever since. It has been a miracle in my life.Mark
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