Does anyone have IBS and indigestion/acid/reflux etc?
How do you deal with both of these conditions?
What meds do you take to help?
I’ve had IBS for 23 years and upper issues for the last 5 or so years.
My gp just keeps prescribing me different PPI’s for the upper issues which give me headaches and I don’t particularly want to take long term. She has given up offering anything for the IBS because alongside low fodmap, nothing seems to help me.
The gastroenterologist told me it’s ‘just’ IBS so he can’t help me and I’m to go to my gp! Argh! I am stuck in a vicious cycle with a very unhappy digestive system every day 😩
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rustydog
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I have been taking Omeprazole for over 20 years now, and haven't (so far) developed any side effects or unwanted extras. The problem with Acid Reflux is that you need to line the gullet or build up the medicine over time for it to have any real effect.
As far as IBS is concerned, there is no one item fits all drug to provide a cure or even any relief. Everything from unsuitable foods and drinks to working medicines has to be identified individually.
I'm sorry I couldn't offer you any more positive advice, but I hope you find something to assist you in the near future. In the meantime keep safe.
Hi rustydog, I am more or less in the same position as you. I have had IBS for 35 years and it seems to get worse with time. When it started in my late 20's it was IBS(D) but now it seems normal consistency but does not act normally. I still go and just feel like I want to carry on, much the same as I always have. When I was younger if I went three times, in a day, spreading it over the day and not eating until I was going to go to the loo, I just about got by. I often got it wrong and was in a lot of pain and worried I would have an accident (but didn't fortunuately). If I was lucky and got everything out, everything would sit correctly inside me and I would feel normal to the next morning, whatever it eat. Now, with age I think, things have slowed up but I still feel I just want to keep going but getting to the end of it now, is almost impossible. So somedays I hold it somewhere along the line. Sometimes it worse going back to the loo now than not going back to the loo. But in the process of doing that I can get a bit constipated which I don't really know how to deal with but I find with that comes the problems up the top, ie indigestion, reflux, stomach acid etc.
I don't take any indigestion stuff as I am too scared what it will do to my bottom half. I have taken stuff on the odd occasion but it has made the IBS worse, so I avoid it like the plague now.
So all in all not a lot of help but at least you know you are not the only one.
Hi rustydog, I never had any issues with my stomach / bowel . Then I hit 44 & all of a sudden started with terrible intolerances to all sorts of food ibs symtoms . I tried it all food diary low fodmap cutting things out . In the end I got diagnosed with ibs . I then started with upper stomach issues. I knew this just wasn’t right so I really looked into it myself . Guess what !!
Digestion is a symptom of peri & can be awful for some women mine was /is!!!
No one tells you this no doctor ever linked the dots ever I did it for them!!
Anyway 6 years on I’ve just started hrt 2 months ago & touch wood I haven’t had any issues with both bowel or stomach . I’m not saying I won’t again but it was nearly daily gurgling, pain etc till 8 wks ago . Hormones massively effect our bodies I’m afraid . Go into menopause matters forums etc or the balance app loads of lovely ladies will have stories etc on their and chat . Hopefully you get some relief in the near future
NSB is a practice not only for health, but to understand what life is about, and how we can change suffering. It is to become a Buddha and that means we have a Buddha nature (wisdom). Look it up in the internet when you are ready under Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism lots of information. The Lotus Sutra is the doctrine. I am reading Burton Watson's English version. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. I know that I feel physically and mentally better.
I had a quick look. Not for me. I don't do religion of any kind. I think at 63 I know what life is about, and do what I can for people (and animals) suffering. Physically, I feel there is not an answer for me but mentally I'm fine thanks.
I m suffering from acid re flux problem. Many time, I feel stomach burning problem. I skip to drinking coffee and tea. This will supports to keep my stomach little normal. I also avoid to eat more spicy food.
I know this seems strange but I suffer from digestive issues including severe constipation which has resulted in reflux, horrible thing. What has helped me is to make this drink and drink it twice a day. I had to stick with it but my reflux has gone and I can eat foods I couldn’t touch before. It’s two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with the mother, teaspoon of lemon juice, 1/4teas ginger and a pinch of Himalayan salt in a tall glass of water. Drink it through a straw to protect your teeth and rinse your mouth out afterwards and like with all citrus don’t brush your teeth for an hour to protect the enamel on your teeth. I make up a jug. Over time you need to drink it less, your stomach seems to take over. It’s been amazing for me. I got off the ppi drugs, stopped them first because the two would interact and started the drink. Worked through a rough day early on but so pleased to be off the drugs which have their own side affects. I know others this has helped as well. Now just have it before eating something spicy or maybe once a week.
Hi there,Diagnosed IBS, Acid Reflux and Bile Salt Malabsorption and Gallbladder removal ..all in all bit of a nightmare.
I go from urgent diarrhoea to bad constipation, get ulcers, pain, exhaustion from etc.
No Dr should say ‘just IBS’ as it can be very hard to live with.
I was on Omeprazole for a couple of years, didn’t do much. Then a Consultant said to come if them as they are not meant for use for a very long time. Annoying how Dr’s contradict each other fgs!!
Two months ago I decided to try and lose a little weight. I changed my diet completely….very healthy and a minuscule amount of sugar and fat. A balanced diet of course. Since then my gastro issues seem to have improved, not totally but reasonably. I do think what we eat can help or hinder.
May be worth asking your go for a referral to a dietitian..worth a go.
Good morning,I’ve been given meds to use as and when as I fluctuate from urgent diarrhoea to bad constipation 🙄. So meds for both..has quite an effect on freedom or rather lack of lol.
No, I had the test about 3 years ago after suffering IBS(D) for over 30 years. My cousin has it so I thought that may be what I have but I didn't meet the criteria. Do you take the questran for it?
Thank you. I too hate how doctors contradict each other, I have had that so much. Sadly, I have seen 3 dieticians and haven’t got too far with them, they tell me to follow the low fodmap diet and as it hasn’t helped I get told I must be one of the 25% the diet doesn’t help and then they discharge me!!
Mmmm…they are too often good at discharging patients without solving the problem! They should refer on not discharge to find a solution. All about their targets but actually it’s a waste of resources.I joined a slimming club just to lose a half stone..never hungry on it but it teaches a balanced diet and unexpectedly I’m losing my weight but noticed a difference in some (not all ) gastro issues.
I’m not preaching as everyone is different but frustrating when we need help and do not get it.
That's exactly where I stand with IBS and GERD they just keep writing out prescriptions for laxitives which I cannot take, also I'm on ppi the past 8 years which is not healthy I need to take lyrica for an old back injury and my appetite is very poor since they performed one of their endescopies some years ago I'm convinced the removed more than just a biopsy and since then my appetite is poor. I tried to tell them this but they don't listen!!
Rustydog, Full sympathy. I've tried all the pain killers including Oramorph and Fentanyl which just blew up my legs. Only drug my GP gives me is diazepam. I have been seeing private nutritionist for 2 years. Tried hundreds of pounds worth of supplements,no relief. Now she's doing Bioresonance and considering Elemental diet,extensive but worth a try. Will be hard as no solid food at all. Good luck with a solution .
I totally get this. The amount of money I have thrown at this over the 23 years I could have had lovely holidays away or a wardrobe of designer clothes!
When you look at it this way(Which I hadn't before) It makes my blood boil when I realise just what I also have missed out on.I bet my doctor hasn't missed out on his holidays
I have the very same issues. Seems like if I have an episode of acid reflux, it starts a cascade of inflammation that includes my lower digestive system. If I take things to stop diarrhea like symptoms, it leads to constipation and if I'm not very careful, hemorrhoids. More inflammation. I've been on PPI's for 20 plus years and find I cannot get along without them. To even start on a new healing plan is very difficult, but today I'm going to try and start over and see if I can get better. The doctors really don't know what to do. Even Gastros. We have to experiment on ourselves, unfortunately.
Hi,you sound to be in exactly the same condition as me!I have suffered with ibs for over 20 years and the past few years I have had stomach issues too 🙈. I was on omeprazole for the past 3 years or so which helped my stomach but not so sure my bowel.Anyway I had my 3rd endoscopy back in February due to the severe burning pain I get in my stomach/under left rib.The test came back clear so I decided to come off omeprazole.For a good few weeks I had massive over acid production as my body had become used to the pills.However this eventually settled and my stomach seemed to settle for a while.Having read about the effects of taking ppi’s long term I decided it was wise to get off them.My bowel is mostly constipated and I can have times of really bad pain n flare ups.Bloating/cramping ect.However dealing with all this upper pain as well is really tough.My consultant says my stomach pain is related to my constipation buts it’s a vicious circle!If I take ppi to help upper pain then it can cause constipation which is apparently causing the pain .Honestly I am so baffled as to the solution.Anyway having been off the omeprazole since Feb I have succumbed to taking esomeprazope tonight!The burning pain in my stomach has been so severe since yest I thought stuff it!I haven’t actually took these before but obviously they were prescribed along my journey of issues!Going back to my gp tomorrow to see if he can shed any light on my situation.So you definitely have my sympathy. I understand exactly how you feel.I am 51 and starting to wonder if hormones are anything to do with it all 🤔x
Thank you, it’s just awful isn’t it? It’s bad enough dealing with one off area of the digestive system but when it feels like it’s all the way through it is draining. I am honestly coming to the conclusion that my hormones are making things so much worse. The next step will be trying to get my GP or the gastroenterologist, who I’m seeing in two weeks, to agree!
Just a thought. I’m well past menopause and not on hormones. Never was, really. My issues are still very much what they always were. Maybe worse. Don’t mean to be negative because everyone is different. But in my case I don’t think hormones affected my digestive issues much.
Hi, this is me now. I notice the upper digestive stuff more at night when everything is quiet. It feels a bit indigestion like but also very gurgly when I lay flat. GP has said to try cutting things out of my diet then introduce one by one to learn my food triggers. Also has said to take omeprazole and gaviscon. Do either of these help you? I'm so fed up of it now
Hi there. I find gaviscon helps a little but ppi’s give me headaches so I steer clear of them. I get the gurgling as soon as I lie down too, it drives me insane.
Thanks for your reply. I'm currently doing all the wrong things and freaking out 🙈I'm a little glad that others get the gurgling at night. This is when I feel most bloated too. The gurgling seems to ease when I pass wind lol sorry I know it's gross 🤢
It's very difficult to get off PPI's. If you do try you must do it VERY slowly to give your stomach time to adjust and not have massive acid rebound. Most GP's will tell you just to cut your dose in half for a month then stop but even that is too quick I think. I was on 80mg omeprazole, I am now down to 20mg. I took 40mg in the morning then the evening dose I took 20mg and opened the other 20mg pill and took out 1/4 of the beads. I did this for 1 week if I had no rebound I then took out half the beads and so on. The key is going really slowly and listening to your body
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