Q For Those Who Had/has Gerd As A Symptom Of Celiac

[beebs]

I had really bad GERD for ages, I was on medication for it but it didn't work. When I went gluten free it stopped, that day - no more GERD. It was awesome. Anyhow all of a sudden about 5 months ago the GERD came back really bad, I have it all the time now, even though I am on nexium. What has happened? Why did it just come back like that? Has anyone had anything similar?

[FruitEnthusiast]

I had GERD for years before I lost weight, then it went away. I think the most important thing you can do is to sleep on a wedge pillow. You may be doing that already, but if not, I can't stress it enough. Medications are like a band-aid to treat the damage caused by the acid. To prevent the acid from entering your esophagus further, you need to be sleeping on an angle from the waist up. It feels awkward at first but you get used to it and I really like it. I still sleep on mine. Don't try raising the head of your mattress 6 inches like some doctors recommend. You'll be sliding down your mattress all night! I like the 10 inch wedge pillow best. Make sure it's firm so it will last a long time. Medical supply stores have them. It's worth the investment. You'll end up saving money on all the medication you won't have to buy.

You probably already know the list of foods to avoid for GERD.

[Chad Sines]

A good many GIs feel that GERD is also caused by intradbdominal pressure from a flora imbalance that causes excess fermentation (gas). I have noticed when I feel bloated my GERD is much more noticeable. Lower carb or the SCD diet can help starve the bacteria. As much as I try to reject it, I keep having to come back to both because the difference is very noticeable.

[GottaSki]

I agree with Chad - bacteria is part of the equation.

My son's GERD nearly disappeared during his first months gluten free. It slowly returned. Seems to be doing better since we've added daily probiotic - took several weeks before we noticed improvement.

[ciamarie]

I would also suggest to 1st double-check to make sure you're not being cc'd with gluten somehow. And 2nd double-check any newer items you've added to your diet, or double-check ingredients to make sure they're still safe. Sometimes companies change ingredients and something that used to be o.k. isn't anymore.

[beebs]

There are a few different things that have been going on, I may or may not have a stomach ulcer (due to have an endo to see), I have put on some weight, and I have become very relaxed with regards to CC including eating gluten free pizzas from a normal pizza place.

But I'm going to see about the probiotic. And truthfully - if I am getting cc'd - then hopefully something will show up on the biopsy. I am undiagnosed due to a medical screw up, but the GI says that if the damage was bad enough he may still be able to see some damage even after 18 months. Hopefully he can.

I'll get onto the pillow and probiotics right away! Thanks!

[cap6]

You may wsnt tocheck out taking liquid aloe. I take 4 oz 2x's per day and altho I am still taking prilosec I have been albe to cut down from two a day to only 1/2. I just buy the gallon jug of pure liquid (not gel) aloe at Walmart.

[GFinDC]

Well, if it does turn out to be an ulcer, you can try some natural cures for it. DGL is really good for ulcers, mastic gum can also help. Take them both morning, noon and before bed. And don't stop until a month after the pain goes away.

[pricklypear1971]

There are a few different things that have been going on, I may or may not have a stomach ulcer (due to have an endo to see), I have put on some weight, and I have become very relaxed with regards to CC including eating gluten free pizzas from a normal pizza place.

But I'm going to see about the probiotic. And truthfully - if I am getting cc'd - then hopefully something will show up on the biopsy. I am undiagnosed due to a medical screw up, but the GI says that if the damage was bad enough he may still be able to see some damage even after 18 months. Hopefully he can.

I'll get onto the pillow and probiotics right away! Thanks!

I had refux/acid/GERD pretty bad in my late 20's. Pills didn't work. Then I managed it with meditation and it slowly went away after pregnancy.

Guess what started surfacing about 5 months ago (9 months gluten-free) 24 hours to the minute after cc/glutening????! Goes on for 2 weeks, apx. I manage it with careful meals, water. Now that I know what it is I'll use digestive enzymes and probiotics. Once in a blue moon I may use an acid reducer in the first day or so, so I don't burn my esophagus.

Ugh.

At least I know what was going on in my 20's (and earlier).

[beebs]

Damn, prolly getting myself glutened maybe..

[kittty]

Are you under any more stress than usual? I used to have GERD, and medication didn't help me either, but it gradually went away when I finished grad school. It was mostly stress related.

[beebs]

God yes Kitty, haha. But it is life stress, so nothing i can really change unfortunately!

[dilettantesteph]

With my son and me, our symptoms went away, including GERD and came back again a few months gluten free. We cleaned up our diets by checking everything we were eating and symptoms went away and came back again in a few more months. This process repeated itself with our believing that we had become more sensitive to trace gluten and eliminating more possible traces, things made in shared facilities, etc. At this point, 5 years after diagnosis we eat mainly unprocessed foods only and I can't remember the last time I had GERD. I hope you get it figured out.

[pricklypear1971]

Damn, prolly getting myself glutened maybe..

Well, for me it's crystal clear. The only two times it's happened is 24 hours after eating out. Never 24 hours after only eating at home. I know for others it may not be so clear.

It took twice for me to figure it out, since prior to that I would get a headache/flu symptoms and a "rock" in my stomach.