Low Stomach Acid? Need Advice!

[bakergirl90]

So I was diagnosed with Celiac back in July. Been gluten free ever since. Had several glutenings for a while and I am sure those set me back. But for several months now, I have completely stopped going out to eat. And I also cut out all dairy. It is just not worth the risk for me right now.

I had an endoscopy in the fall to confirm my celiac diagnosis. and ever since then I am having problems with Acid reflux! I have never had chronic problems with it before diagnosis. My main symptom of acid reflux is a really sore throat, earache and headache. I get heartburn also of course.. but the worst part is the throat ache. For a while i couldn't swallow. 

A couple weeks ago I took a look back in my throat with a flashlight, And I have bumps in the back of my throat! I went to the doctor who told me it was most likely from my acid reflux, So of course they are giving me acid suppressing meds. I tried Nexium (40 mg) for literally a day, and had the worst nausea that I couldn't even go about my day normally at all. So I went back to the doctor and they gave me Zantac (300 mg a day), I am not getting nausea, but it is making the throat pain slowly get worse!!! 

I have been taking it almost a week now. I stopped for now...because I don't want my problem to be worse. 

I have been reading all about Low Stomach Acid, and all the research that has been done on it, and I am starting to think that may be what is causing my acid reflux. I match most if not all of the symptoms. I also still suffer from stomach/abdomen pain after eating, my abdomen is always tender. I have back pain, headaches, I am depressed and anxious, I am ALWAYS tired (Very rarely do I have energy and I take a multivitamin every day!), I can't concentrate on things very well at all, my vision is almost blurry (having brain fog still on a consistent basis) I feel as if my bowel movements always have undigested food in them (sorry for the TMI), I can barely get out of bed in the morning because I am just so exhausted from all these ailments. 

I really want to try Betaine HCL supplements, because I really feel they may help me. I want to know if any of you have tried this with success? Or what you think my problem may be. I am going to of course go back to the doctor... I am just SO sick of being sick! And so sick of going into the doctor every damn week with problems. Does it ever end??

[cyclinglady]

Have they ruled out Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)? But the reality is that you are still healing. It has taken me almost two years to feel well and normal. I had to hit the first year mark before I really saw any improvement. I also lived with a gluten-free husband (gluten-free for 13 years) so I really knew the drill of avoiding gluten. There is a huge learning curve and I did not have to suffer through that! Glutened hubby early on though!

Has your doctor checked for deficiencies, a low thyroid, anemia?

You will improve. It just takes time.

[kellysensei]

My doctors think I have acid reflux, too, and have tried to put me on PPIs. I tried Omeprozole for 30 days last year, and it was one of the worst months of my life - acid reflux got worse, plus I got nausea, headaches, diarrhea, fatigue, sinus infections...ugh. Now every time I tell a doctor I think maybe I have *low* stomach acid, they scoff or get defensive and try to put me on different PPIs. No, thank you.

 

I haven't tried HCL yet, and my doctors thus far have either not heard of it or don't know much about it. I'm going to a cough specialist next week and will ask her about it (my main reflux symptom is a terrible, chronic cough). I have asthma, too, so the reflux and asthma are probably related.

 

A strict Paleo diet seems to help me (I do eat some white rice) ,but I'm still having symptoms, so next I'm going to try reading "Fast Track Digestion" by Norm Robillard. Check it out on Amazon; many reviewers say it changed their life and their acid reflux went away.

 

Whatever you do, get off the acid reflux meds, IMO.

[1desperateladysaved]

I used HCL under the guidance of a functional medicine nurse.  These helped me break down my food better and after some time I didn't need them any more. 

 

Dee