Barretts Esophagus And Acid Reflux Meds Causing Severe Mucle Pain

[karoyse]

Hi I just got DX with Celic's, Barrett's esophagus, Hiatal hernia and Gert on October 1. This was a surprise because I went to the Dr because I had a cough and a little stomach pain. ( long story made short) The Dx has helped me finally figure out why I have been feeling so bad. I thought most of it was just going though Menopause. Plus not having a thyroid has make my health problems crazy over the years.This DX has answered a lot of the puzzle pieces of my family's health problems

My Mother died exactly 3 years to the date of my Dx. She had colon cancer as did my Grandmother and Uncle.

This is all very over wheming on top of the fact the medicines the Doctor gave me cause severe muscle weakness and pain. When I talked to the Doctor and Pharmacist they both look at me like I'm crazy and say they should not do that but I have stopped them and the muscle pain goes away. I have tried several over the counter and prescriptions for acid reflux. They all cause muscle aches some faster then others. I know Celiac's can cause some muscle pain too which I think is part of the problem because for year's my legs will ache if I over do it or take certian meds.

Does anyone have this problem? Should I just stop taking the med's? They really make me feel awful and I have a very physical job and

somedays I wonder how I can keep going.

I have read a lot of the post in these forums and they have been a great help with a lot of my questions for Celiac's. I have had a lot of health problems over the years and wonder what in the world was wrong with me. I think I have had Celiac's all my life but in the last year it has really kicked in. I feel after reading these forums a least I'm not alone. ( I wouldn't wish this one anyone but I know now all my aches and pains weren't in my head like some people make you feel) Thanks Kim

[shadowicewolf]

I cannot take the acid reflux meds because they make my GERD worse and give me belly aches. I control my GERD through what i eat, so no spicey, greasy, or fatty foods.

I'm also thinking that part of this is related to stress. You got the dx on the aniversery of your mothers death. That alone would cause me a large amount of stress. Toping it off with a dx? Forget it (I don't mean any of this in a bad way).

Are you getting enough calcium? I've heard that a lack of it can cause muscle pain.

I don't suggest going cold turky on the meds. I did that when i was taking a combo of nexium and something else (can't remember the name). Slowly taper it off. I didn't do this and had really bad acid reflux and a belly ache.

[mommida]

I'm going to give you my "gut" feeling on the medication issue. I don't know the medications and in what combination you were given. I think the medication combo is making you MORE vitamin and mineral deficient. i.e. your body's iron/calcium bonding to the medication in your system. Like the warning on your thyroid medication about avoiding calcium for the time when you take the medication. If you are also having "D" and losing alot of your nutrients. You have porbably been blaming dry skin, hair loss, poor fingernail growth, sensitivity to cold, and your muscle aches on your thyroid issue and it is really more vitamin and mineral defiency.

If you can get your levels checked so you have an idea of how much supplements you should be taking. Get a hard copy of the reaults. The average American is lacking in vitamin B12 and Biotin. Northerners are more likely to be lacking vitamin D.

[ravenwoodglass]

Did you check with the maker of your meds to be sure they are gluten free? Also you may find the celiac is what is causing the GERD, that was my DD's only symptoms when she was diagnosed. I was also diagnosed with GERD but it resolved pretty quickly gluten free. The only time I have problems with GERD symptoms now is when I get soyed or glutened. May not be the case for you but for me Pepto Bismal takes care of the pain when that happens.

[ncdave]

Corn was causing severe muscle pain for me. It"s more than likely in every pill your taking. Once i removed it from my diet the muscle pain went away in less than a week.

[karoyse]

Thanks so much for the replys and thoughts. I have been taking vitamins but thought the same maybe i was deficient but I has a blood test last week and everything came back good except the Iron levels. I started more iron now.

I have really been trying to be gluten free but I am new at this so hopefully it will start to help.

I really didn't notice a lot of stomache problems before my DX. Just once in a while D & C. Only heartburn if I ate spicy or greasy foods. Now since I have been on 5 different Meds for acid reflux my stomache hurts and feels bloated.

The cough at first was the big problem because I wouldn't catch my breath.( that was from the Barretts Esophagus the Dr' said) The Meds helped with that but after a while the muscle pain was awful.

I haven't taken it for three days and the muscle pain is gone & no cough. I'll call the Dr. tomorrow and see what he has to say but I don't know what else I can take and it's getting expensive.

My thyroid problems have always been an issue. I had to have it removed at 13 years old and it has been a real pain with my weight and hormone levels. I have had a weight problem all my life because of this and major PMS problems and now Menopause H____.

I am on the strongest Bio Identical hormone replacement they make and a .175 synthyroid. ( My synthyroid has to be changed often)

I first I thought 2 years ago I felt so bad because of Menopause but even with the Bio I still was real foogy and emotional. After reading these forums I see celiacs can cause a lot of my symtons too.

I see this will be a long time learning what my body can and can't handle. I went to a health food store today and they gave me some ideas about what might be causing the muscle problems. Will see what the Dr says about it too.

Having these forums and the info on this site has helped a whole lot.

Can't blame Celiac's on my spelling though.HA

Thanks again and I will be checking back and learning more from you all who live with this. You are the only

one's who truly understand what this is like.

Kim

[SKATJ]

I don't have advice on the meds. Was surprised to see that you were diagnosed with many of same issues as I have been in past. 1st in early'90's, I had endoscopes every 2 yr. due to Barrett's Esophagus, partially caused by hiatal hernia thus on Prilosec or Prevacid for yrs.

When I went thru menopause, Doc tried many Rx hormones incl. patch, but all made me worse & bio-identical hormones not available locally. In 2000, a doctor diagnosed thyroid disease which helped immensely---levoxyl works better than synthroid for me. Eventually dosage split for me by an endocrinologist so my levels are more stable. Used to yo-yo between yearly physicals. Barrett's Esophagus DX removed from my ailments, but still had Gerd. Finally,in 2007 DX w. Celiac due to Anemia, which I had never had prior. I have adhered faithfully to gluten-free diet & have blood antigen tests yearly to show below "normal" cut-offs for gluten sensitivity. Never knew what a true reaction to gluten was before DX ---

Now I know the stomach pain, Gastro effects, & sudden sickness of accidental gluten.

Red Lobster /shrimp scampi was the latest culprit . Usually would only eat their fresh fish.

See a dietician & follow gluten free religiously & you should see results. I thought it had cured me of many ailments, but did have to go back on allergy shots recently for grass, so no longer expect miracles. Good Luck w/ Meds.

[karoyse]

I don't have advice on the meds. Was surprised to see that you were diagnosed with many of same issues as I have been in past. 1st in early'90's, I had endoscopes every 2 yr. due to Barrett's Esophagus, partially caused by hiatal hernia thus on Prilosec or Prevacid for yrs.

When I went thru menopause, Doc tried many Rx hormones incl. patch, but all made me worse & bio-identical hormones not available locally. In 2000, a doctor diagnosed thyroid disease which helped immensely---levoxyl works better than synthroid for me. Eventually dosage split for me by an endocrinologist so my levels are more stable. Used to yo-yo between yearly physicals. Barrett's Esophagus DX removed from my ailments, but still had Gerd. Finally,in 2007 DX w. Celiac due to Anemia, which I had never had prior. I have adhered faithfully to gluten-free diet & have blood antigen tests yearly to show below "normal" cut-offs for gluten sensitivity. Never knew what a true reaction to gluten was before DX ---

Now I know the stomach pain, Gastro effects, & sudden sickness of accidental gluten.

Red Lobster /shrimp scampi was the latest culprit . Usually would only eat their fresh fish.

See a dietician & follow gluten free religiously & you should see results. I thought it had cured me of many ailments, but did have to go back on allergy shots recently for grass, so no longer expect miracles. Good Luck w/ Meds.

SKATJ

Does sound familiar. I am 54 and had my thyroid removed when I was 13 years old. It is amazing how much your thyroid effects. I have had to have my thyroid dose changed so many times I can't keep up. My weight has went up and down like yo yo too. I get anemic easily. Thank God for the Bio-identical.I don't think I could have gotten this far with out them. I didn't realize they weren't available everywhere. My hormones were so low it even shocked the Dr.

Glad your Barrett's Esophagus is removed. I was wondering if it would get better or go away.

I pray gluten free does help. My stomache has really started to bother me with out the reflux meds. Hopefully will get something tomorrow. It helps hearing from you and seeing thing that helped you and other's.

I'm trying not to feel sorry for myself as I see what other 's here are dealing with but sometimes it just feel's like what else can come at me.

Thanks for the post best of luck and better health

Kim