Stomach discomfort.

[Lydia1960]

Have had acid reflux for well over 20 years now, and recently vomited up some blood. Had an emergency endoscopy, where it was discovered I have Grade 2 Oesophagitis.

My GP has advised me to try and keep the chronic stress I am under to a minimum. Really difficult where I live, a large built up estate. So, under distress, I find that the discomfort in my stamach is worsening.

Not sure if this would be related to my acid reflux etc, or the severe IBS symptoms I have, also related to stress. Would there be any way of a test to evaluate this pain, that never goes away, is constantly present, or will I need another endoscope to discover this..?

[Hidden]

It depends on the extent of acid in your system and whether this causes the pain directly. It makes good sense to try and reduce your stress levels which might create more acid in itself. You can try taking Gaviscon, in addition to any medication like Omeprazole that you may have been prescribed, and the reduction of acid for a few weeks may well help your oesophagus to recover somewhat. You could also try relaxation techniques of some sort.

checking by endoscopy for potential Barrett's oesophagus caused by long term exposure to stomach acid is a very prudent thing.

[Lydia1960 in reply to Hidden]

I do use Gaviscon, at times, to control the acid reflux. And Omprazole, too. I think those two factors you mentioned, controlling stress and relaxation techniques, are the ones to concentrate upon, and to put into effect, if I am to gain mastery over this condition.. Those are the important influences in my case...

[Spikey]

Dear Lydia,

If you have recently had an endoscopy and it revealed no signs of cancer, then it is unlikely that another endoscopy is going to reveal anything new. It seems likely that the oesophagitis is caused by the long term acid reflux. A combination of acute acid reflux and IBS can be caused by a variety of things, including severe stress, but also food allergies or bacterial infection. There are diagnostic tests for all of these things. I suggest that you keep going back to your GP until they discover the root cause. In the meantime, you could try a gluten free diet, as that often seems to help people with IBS. Are you on any medication for the acid reflux, e.g. ranitidine or omeprazole?

[Lydia1960 in reply to Spikey]

Yes. Stress seems to be the factor that keeps being mentioned, so evidently an important influencer here. IBS symptoms combining too, makes this doubly a problem of discomfort in my abdominal area.

Food allergies and/or bacterial infection could be factors too, and worth looking into as you suggested. I have various books on diet, including one for acid reflux, but yes, one based on a gluten free diet, would be worth investing in. And I am taking two tablets of Omprazole daily to combat the acid reflux symptoms, which is working. Just the discomfort in my stomach, which is probably a combination of acid reflux and IBS symptoms.. Stress being very much a major factor in all this..