For Those Of You Who Have/had Reflux Problems

[AliceW]

Hi all,

I don't know if any of you remember my previous posts, but I'm in the process of exploring a possible link to gluten for my chronic, severe reflux and gas/bloating/constipation problems.

I was tested by enterolab and my results came back positive for gluten intolerance--Fecal Antigliadin IgA 27 (Normal Range <10 Units), Fecal Antitissue Transglutaminase IgA 33 Units (Normal Range <10 Units), but no malabsorption (Quantitative Microscopic Fecal Fat Score 132 Units [Normal Range <300 Units]).

I'm now pursuing conventional medical testing for celiac disease. I have an appointment with a good GI doc, and plan to request the correct full celiac panel and will ask that the bloodwork be done at an experienced lab. If those results come back positive I will get a biopsy.

However, I have also decided that based on my enterolab results, I want to do a prolonged gluten-free trial diet to see if it will help my symptoms regardless of the results of the conventional testing. So my question is: how did it take for you to see an improvement in your reflux symptoms? If I see improvement I will continue with the diet indefinitely, but if I don't I want to be sure I give it enough time before I decide that it's not helping.

Thanks for any insight you can provide!

Alice

[Guest nini]

I was very ill by the time I was dx'ed and it took at least 6 months for the reflux to subside enough that I didn't have to take prescriptions anymore for it.

[marciab]

Mine was related to saturated fats like butter and any cooked oil. I don't know why, but these come right back up on me. The buttered popcorn at the movies was the worst. I can have raw healthy fats though like EVOO, flax and grapeseed oil ... who knows ... hope this helps ... marcia

[Guest cassidy]

It took me about 3 months for my reflux to go away. Now when I'm glutened it lasts for about 3 weeks, my longest lasting symptom.

I stopped taking medicine because it didn't help. I had surgery for reflux as a child and it came back a few years ago, so I really had bad reflux but my aciphex twice a day wasn't working.

I tried apple cider vinegar. I was desperate and gave it a try. I swallowed a couple of tablespoons which was gross, but it went away in like 20 minutes. So, I got some apple cider vinegar tablets. I didn't try this in the beginning when I was just gluten-free because I didn't know about it. Now, when I get glutened I take some of those and they work for several hours at a time. I take more than the bottle says and the health food store said that was ok.

Orange peel tablets where you take one every other day for 10 days didn't do anything for me, I don't recommend those.

Digestive enzymes help some as well.

[super-sally888]

Hi,

I just started gluten free this week and my doctor put me on omeprazole (proton pump inhibitor) for the next month for reflux/hyperacidity. I currently have NO reflux symptoms. This is really good (and probably a result of diet) because previously I was on omeprazole and IT DIDN'T HELP.

I think it would take some time for the reflux to recover... but at least now it is manageable with medication... Will let you know in a month if it really is better.

Sally

[maribeth]

I've been gluten free for about a month and have reflux acid but have noticed an improvement in the past week. I don't take losec anymore as I find it didn't really help me anyway.

[par18]

For me it was pretty much right away (couple of days). Bloating, gas, D and reflux cleared up pretty much together. Maybe the fact that the gut, stomach and esophagus are all connected together has something to do with it.

Tom

[SchnauzerMom]

One of the things that led me to try a gluten free diet was severe acid stomach. I take medicine for it but I would still get sick if I ate a slice of bread or anything else with gluten in it. My stomach is happy now since I've been off gluten but I still have to take the meds. Hopefully in a few months I'll be able to stop them.

[Terch]

Hi,

It's been two months since I have been gluten free and have weaned myself off of Nexium, 40mg. I couldn't go two days without the nexium previous to this. It's been over three weeks since I took my last one and I am doing GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a negative biopsy for celiac, and no bloodworkdone but I am having an amazing dietary response to being gluten, soy and lactose free. I wish you luck, and hope that you find some relief with the diet.