Chiropractor for GERD??

[TrishG67]

Hi I have been struggling with various PPIs & meds for over 2 years trying to address chronic pain from GERD. It affects my sleep and quality of life due to massive dietary changes and being in constant pain and discomfort. I am desparate to find some relief and to address the root cause. I came across some clips on YOUTUBE for patients who found relief from treatment of a chiropractor? Most were I the USA whereas I am based in the UK. Has anybody I the UK ever had success with such treatment? I would have never thought of visiting a chiropractor before this, but I have gullible and vulnerable written all over me as I have spent thousands so far with testing and alternative options to conventional medicine. Just dont wish to go off in another wrong direction. Any advice from patients on this would be most welcomed. Thanks all.

[xjrs]

Can you tell me where you experience this GERD pain and at what times? Do you experience the pain between your shoulder blades in your back or in the middle of your chest (at the front) or both or some other position?

Can you also tell me what dietary changes you have made and what other treatments you have tried?

I ask this since I was told by my GP that that my mid to lower back pain at night was due to GERD. Initially I'd seen a chiropractor since I thought I had back problems, but after weeks and weeks this didn't help. I actually uncovered that I had something else (visceral hypersensitivity / functional abdominal pain), which has a completely different treatment and I am doing much better now.

I'd say it is highly unlikely that a chiropractor can fix GERD. I too have wasted loads of money on different things before I found out what was really wrong with me, which is why it would be helpful for me to know a bit more before giving further info.

[xjrs]

It would also be useful to know what your bowel habits are like - normal, constipation dominant, diarrhea dominant or mixed?

[TrishG67 in reply to xjrs]

Hi I suffer with constipation since diagnosed autoimmune thyroid disease 20 years ago. The pain is in upper rib cage area and it spreads around the sides and into my shoulder blades /upper back. I describe it as being u der my bra strap area all around my torso. It hurts whenever I lay flat to do yoga or go to bed. The whole of my front rib cage area. It worsens and like tightens whenever I eat, drink or have a BM. I am now gluten free, have tried dairy free, but no benefit. Cut back on caffeine, no alcohol , fizzy drinks or spicy foods. Paleo type diet as much as possible. I have tried P PIs which make me worse , taken all sorts of digestive enzymes, HCL incase low stomach acid, various pro biotics etc. Had 8 sessions of accupuncture, been on 10mg amitryptaline now for 6 weeks not one jot of relief. Currently trying physio for tissue manipulation. Really desparate as it massively impacts it's me constantly and nothing seems to help. 🙏

[xjrs in reply to TrishG67]

It does sound like GERD based on the position of the pain. Have you been assigned to a gastroenterlogist since your situation is not resolved? Have they run tests like a gastroscopy, checked the function of your lower esophageal sphincter valve or the acid levels in your throat? I have a relative who has unresolved GERD and she has been assigned a gastroenterlogist and they are carrying out further tests.

In terms of probiotics have you tried Alflorex? I have found this has made me more tolerant of foods (I've tried other probiotics that didn't have the same effect). If you have a gut bacterial imbalance, some FODMAP containing foods may feed bad bugs in your gut, causing excessive gas which can build up and put pressure in your system and weaken the valve that sits between your stomach and your throat allowing stomach contents and acid to flow back. It is worth trying Alflorex first and if that doesn't work ask to be referred to a dietitian to take you through the FODMAP elimination & reintroduction diet. If you download the Monash University FODMAP app (and/or the Kings College one) it will tell you which foods contain FODMAPs and in what quantities. You eliminate all FODMAPs for 2 weeks which may 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 and supported by a good probiotic such as Alflorex. However, if your throat is sore, this may take time to heal and you may not see an immediate effect with this diet, which is why it is important to be guided by a gastroenterlogist.

I have used DGL Licorice (DGL is important since it removes the component that increases blood pressure) for GERD - suck on a tablet 20 mins before meals and at bedtime since this lines the throat and helps to protect it.

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).

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. However, you have been trying amitryptaline which is supposed to help with this. Maybe worth asking the GP when you should expect relief to demonstrate whether it is working or not.

The constipation may be exacerbating things. If waste food sits in your colon for too long it can create the excess gas previously mentioned. Have you tried ground flaxseed to act as a bulking agent? You start at 1 teaspoon per day and work up another teaspoon a day until you get a response.

I have IBS-C (constipation dominant) and find the following helpful for BMs: oatbran, wheat bran (if tolerated), 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed, 8 prunes, 2 tablespoon chia seeds and shredded wheat (or GF version: Nutribrex) for breakfast, plus quinoa, wholewheat bread and whole grain pastas at other meals. These fruits are particularly high fibre and can help with BMs: hard pears, dried apricots, raspberries, oranges (contain a natural laxative) & 2 kiwi. I find that I need to have 1 orange a day and then another high fibre fruit later in the day to help with BMs. In some people the Linaclotide also helps a lot with BMs which is its primary purpose.

There is some good advice about constipation here:

theibsnetwork.org/constipat...

theibsnetwork.org/constipat...

I also take 30 drops of ginger extract before bedtime to aid motility. You may need to work up the dose to say 7 drop increments each night.

I have been giving Optifibre a go, which has been helping but I need to be careful with the amount since it gives me gas, so may not be right for you. Another option is cellulose powder which doesn't produce the gas.

Exercise can help with BMs. The government recommends 150 mins of moderate exercise (e.g. walking as if you are late for an appointment) or 75 of intense exercise (e.g. jogging) per week. I also have a bit of a walk around straight after breakfast to get things moving.

I run 3 times a week and have a walk around after breakfast to try to get things moving.

You need to ensure that you are drinking enough fluids (2 litres of fluid per day).

Good luck.

[TrishG67 in reply to xjrs]

Wow thanks so much for all the info and advice. I had a gastroscopy last August when I was diagnosed with GERD & Barretts. I have quite a lot of diverticular pouches too. I take half teaspoon of physillium husks each day to help with constipation. Because of diverticular disease though I can not take too much fibre. I will look into the Fodmap diet. Many thanks 👍☺️

[xjrs in reply to TrishG67]

Sorry to hear that you've all that to deal with. Yes, some of the advice will not be appropriate for you. However, might be worth getting a dietitian referral to see if the FODMAP diet might help your conditions.

[Confused01]

Hi Trish,

I have chronic GERD which is having awful symptoms ie severe acid reflux, Ulcerated Gastritis, sore throats, feeling of lump in throat, painful glands under my tongue/front lower teeth and more but the worst is chronic pain and tightness in my chest, around ribs, should etc. and in upper part of stomach. Some on/off breathlessness.

I have had my gallbladder removed and since the extreme GERD. So I have no bile filter into my tummy either and get severe, sudden diarrhoea.

Not sure if above is useful info to you but seriously a Chiro can’t cure GERD. And treating the GERD, not pain is essential. Left it can severely damage your oesophagus.

My GP is more than useless on this so I’ve consulted a Gastro Consultant.

You need referring to a Consultant.

X

[TrishG67 in reply to Confused01]

Cheers. I have a telephone appointment next week with Gastro consultant to discuss options 🤞

[Yellow-sun]

Hi trish,where mine has been playing up,the referral on the nhs because of covid was going to 18+weeks or even longer they couldn't give me an appointment so I've been able to go private with the lovely help of family,the funny thing is I'm seeing the consultant on private that I would of seen on the nhs in 2 days time

[TrishG67 in reply to Yellow-sun]

Best of luck. Hope you get sorted. Money definitely talks doesnt it!

[Yellow-sun in reply to TrishG67]

Thankyou trish,it certainly does

[Confused01]

Hi,

I too have gone private as my symptoms have take an awful turn for the worse with chronic sppainful stomach cramps, virtually constant diarrhoea to add to my GERD.

Consultant is going down the route of bile acid malabsorption, possible bile duct blockage and already diagnosed ulcerated gastritis (ulcers found before). I had my gallbladder removed a few years ago which likely takes this pathway.

So now scans, blood tests etc.

Just to say though that before the above really kicked of I had been complaining of chest tightness, ribs, central, going up should and shoulder blade. Consultant feels this is likely from severe GERD.

GP are seriously lacking in knowledge in this area, always trying to fob me of with anxiety..pretty disgraceful.

X