GERD

[Theodora2016]

Hi, has anyone been diagnosed with GERD who has severe endo? Just wondering whether its linked or not.

[lemon_mint]

Hey, I am not sure if it is related to endo but I am not a doctor. I have not seen any research / papers linking the two either. Over the years I have been diagnosed with IBS, then GERD. I resorted to natural remedies and my IBS eventually cleared. I still occasionally have issues with acid traveling up but I am no longer on antacids (I was only taking those for a few weeks and decided against). I had mild symptoms for possibly 3-4 years but then I started having constant abdominal pain and stomack swelling. Got finally diagnosed with endo in Feb 2020 through laparoscopy. Usually (so far as I know) GERD is an issue associated with valve from the stomach to esophagus not fully closing - I have this issue which was confirmed through endoscopy. One thing I believe personally is that a lot of issues with digestive system as well as gyne problems are directly correlated with, or at least exacerbated by, stress and anxiety we experience in our daily lives - if stress is chronic the body starts to struggle eliminating cortisol, etc. so perhaps all of the body systems are related / connected and when one thing goes wrong other bits can struggle also. Everyone is different of course and for some people traditional medication works well.

[Theodora2016 in reply to lemon_mint]

Hi, what natural remedies helped you with the IBS please?

[lemon_mint in reply to Theodora2016]

it was tibetan medicines - I was taking those for about 8 months until my symptoms cleared. I used to have horrendous lower abdomen pain that would sometimes last for about 8 hours in a row and no pain killers were helping apart from strong stuff (e.g. codeine) not period related - buscopan was not helping, paracetamol and ibuprofen were useless; low FODMAP diet helped a little. That was before the endo diagnosis though. I am now wondering if that could be endo-related (e.g. early stages of endo that did not manifest itself in a traditional "endo" way) because eventually I had a lap (that's about 3 years after later) and they found endo in the Pouch of Douglas / ligaments in the area - and because it is so close to bowel it may well be related and maybe causing spasms before any other endo symptoms appeared (different kind of abdominal pain; endo belly, etc.) So I can't quite say if what I had was truly IBS or not - was diagnosed with it by GP but you never know...

[LCI1]

I have endo and experience GERD but mine is caused by a hiatial hernia

[Moon_maiden]

Last year I had a referral to ENT, only took ten years. They suggested silent reflux, not convinced though. I did have sleep apnoea diagnosed last year. There’s an American ent/sleep apnoea consultant that’s suggested there are links with endo/hormones and sleep apnoea, it’s not something I’ve investigated.

[Muchado43]

Hi there. Hope you’re not suffering too much with the symptoms, it’s horrible having these sorts of problems. I have been having issues with GERD like symptoms for nearly a year now. My GP dismissed any link with my Endo and eventually referred me to a Gastroenterologist. I had all the tests within that area and was diagnosed with acid and silent reflux. However the consultant could see no stomach related problems which would explain the issue so I asked to be referred to a Gynaecologist. I did some research and found a guy who leads an Endo clinic at a local hospital. I had a consultation with him and after months of being told it couldn’t be Endo related he informed me that it could indeed be a complication of Endo on the bowel, (something to do with the presence of Endo inhibiting the bowel’s processes causing it to not work effectively which causes problems in other areas of your system). I had an MRI this week and have a follow up appointment on the 7th September and after my discussion with him we both felt another Laparoscopy would be the best option, (I’ve had two previously, the first one diagnosing stage 4 Endo on my bowel a few years ago). If you feel that something is amiss then do talk to your GP and voice your thoughts. I had tried all the guidance on GERD, tips, trigger foods and drinks, medication and nothing worked and from my past experience with Endo I know that we need to be the drivers and push for the right help and treatment as many of the ladies on here would tell you too. Good luck with everything and take care.

[Moon_maiden in reply to Muchado43]

That’s really interesting and gets me thinking about pursuing symptoms further with consultant. If you don’t mind me asking do you get a pressure that builds up in abdomen and goes up to diaphragm, sometimes causes a bit of chest pain?

[Theodora2016 in reply to Moon_maiden]

Yes x

[Muchado43 in reply to Moon_maiden]

I had loads of problems with upper abdominal pain/chest pain and breathlessness which I was again told could be nothing to do with Endo but I finally managed to see a gynaecologist and have a second laparoscopy during which he was able to remove lots of it from my diaphragm which sorted those symptoms out. Think that’s why I’ve pushed to have my GERD symptoms investigated further. It’s hard when no one believes you!

[Moon_maiden in reply to Muchado43]

Many thanks. I will mention it and see what’s said. If I have this op I want it to be the last.

[Lily1986]

Hello.

I have stage 4 endometriosis and also have severe acid reflux which I take omeprazole for each day.

An official connection has never been made for, but so many people I’ve read/ heard with endo have the same problem it’s either either related or down to the amount of pain relief we take.

Another “bonus” to this awful condition.

Best wishes to you xxx

[lemon_mint]

Lily1986 such a good point re. pain relief! I've just remembered the prescription they gave me on discharge from hospital post laparoscopy and it included paracetamol, ibuprofen, codeine and some antacid I can't remember the name of - the nurse said if you use ibuprofen do take it with the antacid otherwise the stomach lining can be irritated/damaged - because of that I just stuck to paracetamol at the time as I wanted to reduce the number of pills I would be taking. I do not take any ibuprofen-containing drugs any more and use paracetamol or in instances of very pad pain codeine.

[Theodora2016 in reply to lemon_mint]

Ooh let me know if you remember the antacid. I try not to take ibuprofen unless I'm in agony as it really doesn't agree with me.

[Moon_maiden in reply to Theodora2016]

Likely to be something like omeprazole, I had it with Naproxen and for possible reflux. Not taking Naproxen and stopped taking it (did tell GP)

[lemon_mint in reply to Theodora2016]

as Moon-maiden is pointing out there's a few - some branded, some generic. There were a couple of other threads here where ppl discuss post lap meds. The reason why I decided against taking those long-term is about potential side-effects and my trying very hard to stick to natural things where possible, controlling things with diet, etc. But it may not work for everyone.

[Noodle1984]

I’ve had GERD for over 10 years now and it’s still not controlled. It’s very severe to the point that I take chemo nausea pills. I have a constant feeling like someone has their finger down my throat. Every time I’ve seen a specialist they tell me I have GERD and to avoid these foods. Well I’ve avoided those foods for 10 years and it doesn’t make a difference. I have been on a double dose of nexium for that long and it causes me to b12 deficient and other issues. I swear it’s a never ending loop. I am seeing my functional health specialist at some point in September to discuss further because I can’t live like this anymore.