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GERD (Acid Reflux) (Expert Forum)
GERD/hiatal hernia/ulcers/no heartburn/constipation
Answered by
Ratnakar Kini, MD - Gastroenterology, Pediatrics, acid reflux, gerd, colitis
Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist
India
This forum is for questions and support regarding Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) / Acid Reflux with topics including: Causes, Constipation, Diagnosis, Diarrhea, Drugs and OTC medications, Living with GERD, Loss of Appetite, Preventing Flare-ups, Research, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Support, Surgery, Tests, Treatments.
GERD/hiatal hernia/ulcers/no heartburn/constipation
by lilprincez, Oct 16, 2009 02:50PM
I am a 31 year old female; healthy weight; healthy exercise schedule. Went to GI for chronic constipation (despite eating fiber, fresh fruit and veggies daily, exercising, limiting caffeine, and drinking a ton of fluids). During the physical exam, GI decided to do an endoscopy and a colonoscopy. During the endoscopy, she identified a hiatal hernia (prob born with it) and multiple ulcers (at least 4). She diagnosed me with GERD - saying that the acid reflux caused the ulcers (I tested negative for H pylori and biopsies came back negative for cancer). She put me on omeprazole to take a 1/2 hour before dinner and put me on a diet to reduce acid reflux. I don't understand or trust her diagnosis because after reading more about acid reflux and GERD, I do not have ANY symptoms! I rarely, if ever, have heartburn. No dry cough, asthma symptoms, or trouble swallowing. So, how can I have GERD and no actual symptoms???
She also said the reason for my constipation was that I am "small" and the intestines are "tightly packed" and there just isn't a lot of room for the waste to move through my digestive system - makes no sense to me at all. I was convinced it may have been a thyroid problem b/c I have a lot of those symptoms - cold, tired, dry hair, skin and nails, constipation, decreased libido, lower blood pressure, lower body temp, etc. But, the GI said my blood work came back normal (I didn't specifically ask about thyroid tests, but I assume she ran them since she ran a million of them). She put me on 2 capfuls of miralax 2xs/day ... but never really diagnosed what the underlying issue is.
I am considering getting a second opinion, but don't want to have to go through another endoscopy or colonoscopy...
She also said the reason for my constipation was that I am "small" and the intestines are "tightly packed" and there just isn't a lot of room for the waste to move through my digestive system - makes no sense to me at all. I was convinced it may have been a thyroid problem b/c I have a lot of those symptoms - cold, tired, dry hair, skin and nails, constipation, decreased libido, lower blood pressure, lower body temp, etc. But, the GI said my blood work came back normal (I didn't specifically ask about thyroid tests, but I assume she ran them since she ran a million of them). She put me on 2 capfuls of miralax 2xs/day ... but never really diagnosed what the underlying issue is.
I am considering getting a second opinion, but don't want to have to go through another endoscopy or colonoscopy...
Doctor's Answer
by Ratnakar Kini, MD, Nov 01, 2009 02:23AM
, Nov 01, 2009 02:23AM
Hi,
Hiatal hernia predisposes to GERD.
If you do not have any symptoms of GERD, then you need not worry about the diagnosis made. 24 hours pH monitoring may be done to see if you really have GERD.
For constipation, in addition to fibers you need to take plenty of fluids. Make sure you take adequate fiber supplements.
If there is no improvement then you can consider taking osmotic laxatives.
Hiatal hernia predisposes to GERD.
If you do not have any symptoms of GERD, then you need not worry about the diagnosis made. 24 hours pH monitoring may be done to see if you really have GERD.
For constipation, in addition to fibers you need to take plenty of fluids. Make sure you take adequate fiber supplements.
If there is no improvement then you can consider taking osmotic laxatives.
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