Loose stool, burpy, past week. IBS?

[phix95]

I have gerd that's been acting up for around 3 weeks-burpy, baggy feeling in throat-went to ENT and gastro and ENT said she thinks its gerd-she did a scope of my larynx and saw redness and post nasal drip (the latter of which ive had most of my life). The loose stools are more recent.

The gastro doctor does not think the gerd and gastro symptoms are related. She thinks its IBS which hasn't really flared for over 10 yrs. And once when I ran out of my prevacid for 2 days a few yrs ago, I had lots of acid from my ears to my intestines.

She said acid can't get below the stomach. They seem somewhat related to me. I read on another forum that it could be bile in the intestine.
I don't feel any burning in the esophagus-just gurgling in there and burping and gaggy feeling.
Having a video swallowing test in July.

I guess my question is could they be related? If no, why loose stools suddenly? I did start a new temp job this week (6/17) but wasn't really nervous. Was pissed about the long commute as the job can easily be done remotely. But didn't feel it affect my stomach. Going to doc today. The loose stools really bother me as if it keeps up I may need to quit the job. Thank u for any help.

[phix95]

Thank you for your response. I was recently diagnosed w/gastroenteritis (rotavirus, they think) as I had diarrhea some days, yellowish color, tho I still have it now (3rd week)--sometimes the diarrhea, sometimes not. Always yellowish. And more recently saw a white string like object in stool. Bout an inch long, not that skinny. From what I read, it doesn't sound like a worm. But I don't know what it could be. My primary doc said to go to the gastro doc again. My primary didn't sound concerned. I hope its just food or part of the malabsorbtion of the virus...

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

The GERD and the GI symptoms are unlikely to be related. Loose stools could be related to GI infections/ inflammations, IBS, GI motility issues, hormonal/ endocrine causes, dietary causes, medication side effect etc. I would suggest discussing the situation and the suggested management plan in detail with your treating gastroenterologist.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!