Heartburn

[Goffln]

Is GERD common symptom for MS?

[mikeysmom1995]

I too have gerd, and had my gallbladder out because the doctor thought that was the cause of my gerd issues. Guess what? Still have gerd and take protonix 40mg a day. I also get terrible esophageal spasms. Another issue, but thought that was from my gallbladder too. Wrong.
Regards, barb

[SarahL2491]

My neuro put me on prilosec because of it.  Took care of it!

[Candykane77]

Agreed GERD is extremely common in the general public and you stated it well there is a relationship with MS. It could be considered a symptom but certainly not a diagnosing one. I suppose that in the aspect of relationship almost any/everything could be considered as such if there is not other cause to place blame on....or it could just be that one thing triggers another in a domino effect. Either way GERD is not fun and can lead to more serious complications such as erosion of the esophagus so it is best to get it taken can of early and under control. No sense in going through more discomfort than what is already there.

I will be looking further into a script for the complications I am having if it does not settle down before my next appointment.

Good luck everyone.

[karryon55]

I've had GERD for at least 20 years. It has been controlled well on a PPI for about 8 years now. If I miss a single dose I will suffer.

I never thought of GERD having a relationship with MS......it's certainly an interesting concept. I guess it makes sense but as highlighted before GERD is very common in the general public as well.

Thanks for highlighting this.

Karry.

[rendean]

I agree with Candy's information.She's on the mark. The lower esophageal sphincter can be affected by MS causing it not to close properly allowing stomach acid and/or contents to go into the esophagus.

As Candy noted diet and proper medication can help with this symptom.

Thanks for your thorough explanation candy!

ren

[essdipity]

I've never thought of GERD as being related to MS, but I sure don't really know. I have major GERD, for which I take 40 mg of Omeprazole daily. As long as I do that I'm fine, but if I ever miss more than a day I'm in big trouble. Years ago I had a swallowing study for various reasons, and one thing that was found was a stricture right at the valve between esophagus and stomach. That provided the answer to the acid problem, though it has nothing to do with swallowing.

My gastroenterologist did a stretch on my esophagus, which sounds terrible, but it was done at the same time as a colonoscopy, so I was blissfully unaware of anything. She wanted to do a second stretch. Nope, wasn't going to happen, at least then. Soon though, I have to have another colonoscopy, which I've been putting off but really can't put off any longer, so she may do the endoscopy again.

In any event, the doctor said my esophagus stuff has nothing to do with MS. She was kind of patronizing about it, why I don't know. I don't know why this couldn't be related, considering that the digestive functions are regulated by the autonomic nervous system.

I didn't have GERD till well after I got the MS dx. That doesn't prove anything, of course, but it's interesting nevertheless. Then again, I'm getting very long in the tooth, and age brings a lot of crap. Also, as was mentioned above, GERD is extremely common in general.

I'm glad this thread was brought up again, since quite a few of our newer people may be interested.

ess

[Candykane77]

I have been recently diagnosed with MS. During my initial Neuro visit I was asked many questions about symptoms that I may have been having. This was never one of the questions. However when I brought up the subject on the side to see if she had any ideas of how to reduce this (other than diet and lifestyle change) she told me that this has been a symptom that many of her MS patients have experienced in the past.

Since I have been taking nursing classes I can relate to how this could be happening. Basically since we all know that MS is nerve impulses that malfunction due to the loss of myelin. The signals that should be traveling from the brain to the lower sphincter to close and open properly during digestion are compromised thus causing the stomach acid to travel into the esophagus. This of curse an be increased and reduced by the amount or the degree of acidity of the stomach acid from the types of food we ingest.

Unfortunately this ***** but if you find something that works I say go with it. I personally am not 100% sold on the "symptom" aspect but I can see how it could be considered as such. Hope that the GERD that you are experiencing has calmed down since this post.

Candy

[maxthecat43]

Very interesting...  I wonder why my gastro hasn't said anything.  I've had GERD for years.  At one point I was told that my GERD was responsible for my many cases of pneumonia.  

[Lulu54]

I have read recently that GERD is very common in MS - I'll see if I can find that reference and point you to it.  Yes, I have GERD, too.

[Irene5353]

My Gastroenterologist told me years ago that GERD is a little known symptoms associated with MS.  It flares up just as the MS does.  Diet is the best way to control this with Prilosec to use as needed.  I had to stop drinking orange juice which really affect GERD.  Tomatoes are also hurtful off and on - those I refuse to give them up altogether.  

I was told this in the early 1990's at a very reputable Boston Hospital Clinic.

[Maks322]

I have all the MS symptoms.  I have awful GERD as well as dysphagia.  I have had a swallow test, as well as an endoctomy.  After the endoctomy they tried five different PPI's.   None helped the dysphagia, however I found that if I stay of the prescription Prilosec, I no longer take tums at all. I used to take them an awful lot at night.
I strongly reccommend you try it.  It's best to take at least a half hour before you eat.
Maureen

[maxthecat43]

I don't think it's a symptom of MS, but it is a common problem in general.