frustated

[Owlsbabe63]

Hi All sorry I have not been on for a while, but I have been ok with my IBS, but I still can't get my acid reflux under control. I take Gaviscon still but it's not enough and doctors have no idea what to give me because I've tried most of the medication which doesn't suit me

[FRreedman]

I have found Omeprazole to be really good, although you need to take it for a week before it gets right into your system.

[Owlsbabe63 in reply to FRreedman]

Hi FRreedman

Thank you for your reply, but Omeprazole is one of the medication that I cannot take, as it makes me go to the toilet more

[Kelsbells]

It sounds silly but the only thing that works for me is bicarbonate of soda. Put a teaspoon in half a glass of water give it a good stir and drink! It don't taste nice but it sure does work!

[xjrs]

IBS and GERD often go hand in hand. I've had both over the years. Have you taken a look at the FODMAP diet? FODMAPs are carbohydrates found in some fruits and vegetables - there may be specific ones that are causing you problems- they enter your colon undigested, bacteria feed off them and create gas as a by product. This gas can build up pressure in your system and weaken the valve that sits between your stomach and your throat allowing stomach contents and acid to flow back. This is normally under the guidance of a nutritionist via GP referral - this may not be possible at the moment so you can read about it online. If you download the Monash University FODMAP app it will tell you which foods contain FODMAPs and in what quantities.You eliminate all FODMAPs for 2 weeks which should help to alleviate symptoms and then introduce them in small amounts one by one for 3 days and then wait up to 4 days for symptoms. I go much slower than this - only introducing a small amount of the same food for 3 days and then increase if tolerable or no symptoms and cut back to the previous amount if symptoms for longer and then increase again. I've read your microbiome can adapt to handling a new food if introduced very slowly.

I have been on Alflorex probiotic (scientifically studied for IBS and available on a free 2 month trial on joining theibsnetwork.org) and my stomach is more settled and I am able to tolerate more foods - you could give this a go prior to doing an elimination diet. If you have a bit of overgrowth of bad bugs in your gut (we all have good and bad bacteria - the good should have the upper hand), these can feed off FODMAPs and give symptoms such as pain. Probiotics like Alflorex can bring things back in balance. I have heard Symprove works for some people too.

You can also raise the head of your bed by 20cm using sturdy plastic bed risers found on the internet or a bed wedge pillow to keep the contents of your stomach there overnight (though in time the pillow put pressure on my hips).

I have taken PPIs in short bursts (no more than 6 months at a time) to help heal my throat - this was before I found the FODMAP diet. Possibly you've had IBS all along - a bit of malabsorption of foods creating gases which has then resulted in GERD. However, it probably isn't a good idea to be on PPIs long term.

Nexium was the PPI that worked best for me - it's the most expensive which is why they don't prescribe it straight away.

There are some theories that GERD is due to low stomach acid. My gastroenterlogist refuted this. I have tried Betaine HCL and apple cider vinegar separately to compensate but these just made my pain worse. It can be done as a test to see how you get on but maybe not pin your hopes on it.

Stress is a factor. I've read scientific papers that say that stress doesn't increase the amount of acid in the stomach, but makes the nerve endings in your throat more sensitive to a normal level of acid and cause pain. This type of pain also exists with IBS - where the brain erroneously picks up normal activity of the bowel as pain. This is where nerve pain agents come in.

[Owlsbabe63 in reply to xjrs]

Hi xjrs

I have been on the fodmap diet since I got diagnoised in 2017 and it was fine at first, but it's just over this year that my stomach has really flared up. I can have a go at trying Alforex and see if that helps anything is worth a try

[Owlsbabe63 in reply to xjrs]

HI xjrs I have taken your advice and I have joined the IBS network< so I will see what happens when the Alforex arrives thank you for your help

[xjrs in reply to Owlsbabe63]

That's great Owlsbabe63. At least it will help you to feel that you are moving forward by trialing something new. theibsnetwork.org is a great source of information. You might find something on there that helps you too. Plus you can post questions to experts in this field for free now you have joined. Very best of luck with it.