Ibs and acid reflux

[Cats15]

Hi. Does anyone suffer from IBS symptoms of gas/burping which starts off acid reflux? I have bitter taste in my mouth constantly and burning tongue along with nausea. My throat also hurts around my tonsils (removed) and both ears now hurt. It’s so debilitating but after finding this site at least I’ve found I’m not alone :/

[Maureen1958]

Hi, yes I get the ear thing . I haven't heard anyone else mention this before. Thought I was going mad at first but it has been with me some while now so just accept it part of my IBS.

[Cimmy in reply to Maureen1958]

Hi maureen, your not alone with the ear thing, I’ve had bad ears for months, just finished a course of antibiotics for it but it is an ongoing problem, I didn’t think it was linked to IBS but it makes sense when I think about it. The list just grows and grows. Take care

Linda

[Maureen1958 in reply to Cimmy]

Hi Linda, I'm glad I'm not the only one but sorry to hear you have this too! I read somewhere on line that it is stomach acid getting into the ears!

[Cimmy in reply to Maureen1958]

Could make sense, you nose, ears and throat are all connect, so could be, nice to know I’m not going mad with all these symptoms😳and when you look into things properly they begin to make sense. Take care, hope you feel better soon

[Cats15 in reply to Maureen1958]

Eew, it sounds nasty doesnt it but I do believe it is linked as I’m having a bad flare up and the taste in my mouth is nasty and then it started hurting my ears too!

[Maureen1958 in reply to Cats15]

Yes, but I'm glad we have this site to discuss things like this because people without IBS just look at you like you are mad when you say what you have to put up with.

[Cats15 in reply to Cimmy]

That’s such a shame because anti bis prob unnecessary. I had severe throat and ear ache and got thru three rounds of anti bis! But none really made a difference because it was (I think) to do with acid reflux! Had to take very strong pro biotics.

[Cimmy]

Hi your certainly not alone, the people on this site are all in the boat one way or another, I too have bad reflux, burning tongue, nausea and bad ears. I suck halls lozenges which help with the bitter taste, are you on medication for reflux??, and your right it is so debilitating and can get you really down, but we are here if you need to vent or just chat. Take care

Linda

[Cats15 in reply to Cimmy]

Aww that’s lovely of you to say. ☺️ I tried one of the ppi’s but didn’t touch the nausea so am using Nexium as well as Mebeverine for the moment. Am worried about what the acid is doing to my oesophagus so I really want to see a specialist to see how best to proceed, maybe even a dietitian? Have you gone down this route?

[Hidden]

Google h pylori

[Cats15 in reply to Hidden]

Dr has sent my test off. Just waiting results but I’ve had two in the past and always came back as clear.

[Brooking]

Yes l have the same problem you are not alone. I feel very sick and have terrible nausea. Some days are better than others. I am waiting for a colonoscopy and endoscopy but due to the virus l don't know when they will be. I have good and bad days and have tried all different medications but nothing seems to work. My GP has indicated that l have IBS but wants to rule out anything else. Just have to take each day as it comes. Take care and look after yourself.

[Jaycey62]

Yep I have most of these symptoms ...I've had Ibs most of my life and it's unbelievable how it effects us - So many symptoms are connected to it that you wouldn't think could be ... I hate waking up in the morning to the bitter acid taste ..I sleep slightly propped up with extra pillow and if it's too bad suck peppermints ..I've had colonoscopy and 2 endoscopys along with various scans and tests - everything comes back to IBS ...It is great on this forum knowing we can share things and know we are not alone with this dreadful syndrome x

[Cats15 in reply to Jaycey62]

Thanks so much for your reply. I’m so sorry to hear how many people suffer so badly from this. I’ve just ordered one of those wedge pillows to raise my upper body when I sleep 🙄. It’s a full time job to work through all the possibilities that could alleviate but I can see that people have done so with good results. Good to read all the possibilities from everyone. Good luck!

[Hidden]

Hi, yes I get the burping and the reflux and the nausea. I agree it is debilitating as I am awake all night with it xxxx

[Kennydog]

Raise your bed at the head end by 6 to 8 inches. This stops the acid coming up to your throat when youre lying down. Its what i did and seems to help. I used some wood blocks. Dont look pretty, but works

[NOTHINGBUTPAIN76]

Awwwno yoursure not alone what a night mare this is Can’t stand the sicknes. So much pain it makes you vomit Omg.

[xjrs]

Have you been to your GP about this and are you getting any help with your symptoms? Untreated acid reflux can lead to an irreversible condition called barrett's esophagus which needs long term monitoring since it is a pre-cursor to esophageal cancer.

IBS and GERD/acid reflux/oesophagitis often go hand in hand. More often it is the IBS that causes the GERD/acid/oesophagitis reflux rather than the other way around. 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. 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 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 and excess gas. Probiotics like Alflorex can bring things back in balance. I have heard Symprove works for some people too. I would say before trying the FODMAP elimination & reintroduction diet it is worth trying a good probiotic such as Alflorex since it may make you more tolerant to foods and produce less gases. It all depends on if your IBS is in part caused by a gut bacterial imbalance, but it is worth trying to see if it helps.

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.

[Cats15 in reply to xjrs]

Completely agree with everything and thanks sooo much for such a great reply.

1. When first diagnosed about 3 or 4 years ago after colon and endoscopy, I was clear of Barretts. However acid reflux seems worse over the last year so this is my MAIN concern to have someone keep an eye on it (for all the reasons you state)

2. Have ordered a wedge pillow for bed

3. Started this year to take an amazing pro and prebitic called Floratrex (expensive!) that contains 75 billion CFUs - I believe the highest and deals with everything, also includes prebiotics to stustain the cultures . Took for two months and now maintain taking twice per week. I think it has helped with poo consistency (TMI!) but not sure about anything else. I just checked Alflorex but I am not sure it would be any better?

4. Currently studying FODMAPS diet. Gas certainly builds up and weakens the valve - def. in my case. There are lots of foods on there that make sense to avoid.

5. Going to go for a GP dietrician referral - hope I dont have to wait a year!

6. Hate the idea of taking PPIs and wonder whether you can just take when you have a flare up. I will ask my doc to prescribe Nexium as it works best in conunction with Colfac which keeps the gas at bay.

7. Also restarting meditation because as you say, stress is everything and has caused this in the first place.

Anything I have forgotten? I cant thank you enough for your reply.

[xjrs in reply to Cats15]

With regards to probiotics, I have read some studies that IBS sufferers fair better on lower doses of probiotics. Sometimes different strains can also compete with one another. Alflorex is a smaller amount of a very strong strain (normally passed from the mother at birth). It has been scientifically studied for IBS. I have tried different probiotics over the years and this worked the best for me.

Good luck with the dietitian referral. I have had Nexium on and off in the past when I feel that I have a permanently sore chest. Once the chest/throat has healed, I've then come off of them. Hopefully you will find other measures work so that you won't need the PPIs in future.

Meditation is a great idea.

Looks like you are being very proactive, so hopefully you will get some answers / relief soon. Good luck.

[Nanny23 in reply to xjrs]

I have Barrett’s esophagus. Have to be checked on a regular basis. I get ulcers and colon polyps too. Have had IBS for years. I wound up getting the bed you rise up. It helps a lot. I can’t tolerate PPI so I take Pepsid. I’ve had breast cancer and a hip replacement but it seems no dr. Can fix my stomach.

[Cats15 in reply to Nanny23]

Aw I am sorry to hear of this. It is the Barretts I am most concerned about but getting anything done right now is like pulling teeth!

[Cats15]

Really helpful. Its a long journey but worth it and especially as one feels they are being pro active. thanks for your help. Good luck!