Ulcerative colitis, gastritis, GERD, reflux

Posted by barens2 @barens2, May 11, 2017

Hi all, first post here.

I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2009, and I had been able to keep it under control with Liadla and Canada. Fast forward 4 years to 2013, I started to get some horrible esophagus spasms/GERD/indigestion...you name it. I tried just about everything over the counter, natural remedies, and even a few prescription drugs, until my doctor finally prescribed me 80mg's of Nexium, which eventually worked. I was able to reduce that amount to 40 mg's a day, even tried a few times going down to 20 mg's a day(over the counter) of nexium.

After a setback with UC, I am now on Humira, Uceris, still on Lialda and Canasa, along with trying different probiotics and glutamine.

Within the past few months, I've been getting a very sour or metallic taste in my mouth. After an endoscopy, 2 months ago, my doctor said there was some mild gastritis going on.

Now, within the past week or two, the bad taste seems to be getting worse and much more consistent, with some minor burning in my throat, along with discomfort in my upper stomach. I can feel things going downhill, and I'm sure my doctor is going to double my nexium intake. Ever since I started the Nexium, my weight has been dropping considerable, and I've had a difficult time putting it back on.

Not sure what to expect in response, I guess, for a long time, I've been worried about the affects of Nexium long term, but at this point, not sure I have a choice.

Was wondering if surgery were an alternative, what's out there, and does surgery eventually eliminate the need for these PPI drugs?

Thanks

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Support Group.

Profile picture for mikejjb123 @mikejjb123

This is odd. For years had chronic morning nausea from my issues of GERD and UC. All of a sudden I wake up to aches and pain in my chest. Went to doctor and it is not my heart. If I take tylenol I feel better. Any ideas what may be going on? Thanks

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reminds me of an ulcer. with all that time of having Gerd and Uc. the Gerd causing acid backup in your esophagus. have you had an upper GI?

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Profile picture for mikejjb123 @mikejjb123

This is odd. For years had chronic morning nausea from my issues of GERD and UC. All of a sudden I wake up to aches and pain in my chest. Went to doctor and it is not my heart. If I take tylenol I feel better. Any ideas what may be going on? Thanks

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I certainly relate to your situation. I was diagnosed with Gerd over a year ago. I have had several medications none have worked for the pain. I have now started drinking alcohol to alleviate the pain. It works for a little while

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Profile picture for mikejjb123 @mikejjb123

This is odd. For years had chronic morning nausea from my issues of GERD and UC. All of a sudden I wake up to aches and pain in my chest. Went to doctor and it is not my heart. If I take tylenol I feel better. Any ideas what may be going on? Thanks

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Treating the symptoms of GERD with PPi’s or Xifaximin, over the counter drugs etc. does not rid you of GERD. It comes back once you’re off. That was my experience and after 3 endoscopies and being told to stop the PPI and never take it again. I’ve said this on other threads -symptoms and cause or causes are not the same. You need to be tested for the causes to get lasting relief. It can be a bacterial infection, fungal infection, yeast infection, parasites, mold toxicity, stress, other medications for other reasons. One or some of these break down the lining of the gut and it needs repair. You need to address the cause or causes to stop the acid from backing up into the esophagus. Contrary to doctors’ opinion, acid is necessary for digestion and the goal is not to decrease or eliminate acid, it is to repair the gut lining to be able to digest food correctly. Additionally, I found it critical to address my stress. Stress does not help the gut. There’s a connection between the brain and the gut. Google it and you’ll learn a lot,
Also, Many doctors do not know how to test for the causes. Ask your doctor and see what he or she says. If they dismiss you or don’t agree with you, search for another doctor if this makes sense to you.

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Profile picture for mikejjb123 @mikejjb123

This is odd. For years had chronic morning nausea from my issues of GERD and UC. All of a sudden I wake up to aches and pain in my chest. Went to doctor and it is not my heart. If I take tylenol I feel better. Any ideas what may be going on? Thanks

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Does it get worse when lying down? Does it feel like your food is getting stuck?

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Profile picture for gigi4 @gigi4

Treating the symptoms of GERD with PPi’s or Xifaximin, over the counter drugs etc. does not rid you of GERD. It comes back once you’re off. That was my experience and after 3 endoscopies and being told to stop the PPI and never take it again. I’ve said this on other threads -symptoms and cause or causes are not the same. You need to be tested for the causes to get lasting relief. It can be a bacterial infection, fungal infection, yeast infection, parasites, mold toxicity, stress, other medications for other reasons. One or some of these break down the lining of the gut and it needs repair. You need to address the cause or causes to stop the acid from backing up into the esophagus. Contrary to doctors’ opinion, acid is necessary for digestion and the goal is not to decrease or eliminate acid, it is to repair the gut lining to be able to digest food correctly. Additionally, I found it critical to address my stress. Stress does not help the gut. There’s a connection between the brain and the gut. Google it and you’ll learn a lot,
Also, Many doctors do not know how to test for the causes. Ask your doctor and see what he or she says. If they dismiss you or don’t agree with you, search for another doctor if this makes sense to you.

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Thank you so much for the advice. Much appreciated!

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Profile picture for mikejjb123 @mikejjb123

Thank you so much for the advice. Much appreciated!

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thanks!

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Profile picture for shooei @shooei

Over the last 6 years I have been diagnosed with mild gastritis, sm haital hernia & possibly SIBO. Also GERD & IBS diagnosed 20 yr ago. (I was also diagnosed with lung issues of Bronchiectasis and nontuberculosis mycobacterium infection after coughing up blood - during the same time period 6 yrs ago). But my worst symptoms disrupting my life are from my gut. Meds: have been on & off PPIs for more than 20 years (try to stay off completely, but hasn't seemed possible), famotidine when not on PPI, and tried most every functional med & holistic remedy.

I have a very limited, mostly FODMP diet, fresh veggies, some fruit, nothing processed, no dairy but hard cheese, no gluten, limited grains (translate: boring 😆). I exercise regularly & am quite thin. ALL tests (blood work, endoscopy, colonoscopy, heart, etc. are "normal" other than what I listed and some benign stomach polyps).

But frequently I get horrible upper gut pains (in center right below sternum) and to left under lower ribs. Bloated (I guess that's what it is-extreme pressure in upper stomach making me short of breath even), horrible nausea, unable to eat, pooping 5-6 times a day, chest pressure/pain, exhausted, sweating, horrible gut noises top to bottom. It can wake me in the night with gut pains & leg tremors. It can go on for 1 or 2 days (the best), or has been up to 2 weeks or more at times. I describe it as feeling like I ate something that has poisoned me! It is usually a day or so later, so I'm never sure if it is something in particular I ate. When I feel like this it gives me anxiety (which I don't have at any other time), which I know compounds the issue. I never know when it is going to hit or why, so that is stressful too. When this is not happening however, I can feel almost like I am a normal person.

MY QUESTION: Can foods that might trigger my IBS/GERD/hernia really make me feel this awful? They make IBS sound so benign, but this is absolutely miserable and completely makes me non-functional when it is happening and I know it sounds dramatic, but I feel like I am dying. I keep thinking it MUST be something else to make me feel sooooo bad. And why can I feel almost normal at times? Could you please share your experiences with IBS/GERD/Hiatal Hernia/Gastritis/SIBO so I can get some perspective on this?

Thank you so much!!

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Hi all , yes i have gerd hiatal hernia IBS and diverticulosis. I'm the same where my horrible symptoms seem to come a day after i eat anything suspect . Bloating gas upper chest pain , the anxiety comes along as well . I was on 60mg dexilant for a couple of years but my doc cut me down to 30 mg because it can cause malabsorption i guess over time . Was off it for quite awhile but now back on it with a vengeance. Waiting for my doc appt on March 12th , probably send me fpr another series of scopes. Been 8 years since i had them . Everyday is a crap shoot as to how I'll feel . No vitality at all . I envy people i see out and about having lunch , enjoying their life . Just want to live a life !

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Profile picture for shooei @shooei

Over the last 6 years I have been diagnosed with mild gastritis, sm haital hernia & possibly SIBO. Also GERD & IBS diagnosed 20 yr ago. (I was also diagnosed with lung issues of Bronchiectasis and nontuberculosis mycobacterium infection after coughing up blood - during the same time period 6 yrs ago). But my worst symptoms disrupting my life are from my gut. Meds: have been on & off PPIs for more than 20 years (try to stay off completely, but hasn't seemed possible), famotidine when not on PPI, and tried most every functional med & holistic remedy.

I have a very limited, mostly FODMP diet, fresh veggies, some fruit, nothing processed, no dairy but hard cheese, no gluten, limited grains (translate: boring 😆). I exercise regularly & am quite thin. ALL tests (blood work, endoscopy, colonoscopy, heart, etc. are "normal" other than what I listed and some benign stomach polyps).

But frequently I get horrible upper gut pains (in center right below sternum) and to left under lower ribs. Bloated (I guess that's what it is-extreme pressure in upper stomach making me short of breath even), horrible nausea, unable to eat, pooping 5-6 times a day, chest pressure/pain, exhausted, sweating, horrible gut noises top to bottom. It can wake me in the night with gut pains & leg tremors. It can go on for 1 or 2 days (the best), or has been up to 2 weeks or more at times. I describe it as feeling like I ate something that has poisoned me! It is usually a day or so later, so I'm never sure if it is something in particular I ate. When I feel like this it gives me anxiety (which I don't have at any other time), which I know compounds the issue. I never know when it is going to hit or why, so that is stressful too. When this is not happening however, I can feel almost like I am a normal person.

MY QUESTION: Can foods that might trigger my IBS/GERD/hernia really make me feel this awful? They make IBS sound so benign, but this is absolutely miserable and completely makes me non-functional when it is happening and I know it sounds dramatic, but I feel like I am dying. I keep thinking it MUST be something else to make me feel sooooo bad. And why can I feel almost normal at times? Could you please share your experiences with IBS/GERD/Hiatal Hernia/Gastritis/SIBO so I can get some perspective on this?

Thank you so much!!

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I am unable to answer your question, but as somebody who suffers from some of these issues, I want to assure you, you are not alone. I sincerely hope that you find relief as soon as humanly possible.

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Profile picture for hobbity @hobbity

Hi all , yes i have gerd hiatal hernia IBS and diverticulosis. I'm the same where my horrible symptoms seem to come a day after i eat anything suspect . Bloating gas upper chest pain , the anxiety comes along as well . I was on 60mg dexilant for a couple of years but my doc cut me down to 30 mg because it can cause malabsorption i guess over time . Was off it for quite awhile but now back on it with a vengeance. Waiting for my doc appt on March 12th , probably send me fpr another series of scopes. Been 8 years since i had them . Everyday is a crap shoot as to how I'll feel . No vitality at all . I envy people i see out and about having lunch , enjoying their life . Just want to live a life !

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I think we must be twins .
I have all the same issues , 10 long years plus other diagnosis as well .
Everyday is a major struggle to get through .
I don’t remember life before this ?
I’m having my 4 th endoscopy and colonoscopy next Fri . The liquid diet and horrible prep next Thurs .
I have literally tried everything. Still no relief. 🥲

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Profile picture for rozy288 @rozy288

I think we must be twins .
I have all the same issues , 10 long years plus other diagnosis as well .
Everyday is a major struggle to get through .
I don’t remember life before this ?
I’m having my 4 th endoscopy and colonoscopy next Fri . The liquid diet and horrible prep next Thurs .
I have literally tried everything. Still no relief. 🥲

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Hello Rozy288:

I have found that applying as much scientific knowledge to my own health care as possible is extremely important when dealing with internal imbalances. I recently wrote a book that you may find helpful, in addition to the medical tx you are receiving. It's called, My Tea Taste Better: Improve your life by understanding what makes you tick, by (me) Rena Johnson. It's about how our body's functioning is impacted by our emotions and the hormones those emotions cause to generate. Please pick up a copy of my book at Amazon.

Best wishes!

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