IBS and other gastro problems

[weegmack]

Hi, I’m new here!

I have had IBS all my life (I’m 46 just now). Also have reflux. But last September my IBS has randomly got worse and I’ve developed more upper GI problems and Burning Mouth Syndrome. I had (yet another) endoscopy in April and the only thing that’s there is very mild, chronic oesophagitis and a very mild case of gastritis, along with bile acid reflux. I’ve been on PPIs and Gaviscon for years, but nothing seems to be working anymore. And nothing seems to work on the pain in my mouth either. I was given an upper abdominal scan which showed gallstones (which I knew about from a scan some years ago), but unfortunately they also found a kidney tumour. But thankfully, after biopsies, it’s benign.

So I’m still trying to work out why I feel so terrible. I could have my gallbladder removed, but the GI consultant feels a lot of how I feel isn’t related to my gallbladder.

Since about the middle of 2019, I’ve had hot flushes in the afternoons, developed rosacea, my skin breaks out a lot, my anxiety is worse than ever, but I’ve developed such a low mood that I’ve lost interest in anything at all. I understand the pandemic isn’t helping, but this was all present before. I also have very erratic periods, occasionally have very painful breasts and I’m flat out exhausted all the time. And all my GI problems are just getting worse.

So, after all that, my question is - has anyone had success with HRT improving their GI symptoms and their mood? I have asked for HRT twice and my usual GP has point blank refused, saying I’m too young and just wants to put me on antidepressants (but they make me violently sick). However, I’ve just found out that a new GP has joined our practice who is very up-to-date with menopause and proactive about HRT. I’m thinking I’d like to try it first, before I decided to have my gallbladder removed, because mood-wise, I’m in no fit state for surgery and I know there’s a risk that gallbladder removal could make my IBS worse.