Chronic Heartburn

[Francesanne]

I'm 56 years old and underwent operation in March for removal of benign nodule on my thyroid.
My thyroid then became underactive and I was prescribed 100mcg of Thyroxine daily. I am suffering with chronic heartburn plus a very tight feeling around my neck. I also take medication for high blood pressure. My GP has done various blood tests all of which were fine. I'm due back at my GP next week. Medicine prescribed to reduce excess acid has not helped. Cound the Thyroxine be the cause of these digestive problems? Thanks for any advice you can give.

[carisa78]

Right before I was diagnosed with hashimoto's thyroiditis I started getting bad stomach problems as well as heartburn, it has been over a year now and I still am having problems. It's a hard thing to fix. I'm not sure if the two are related, but it sure sounds like it after reading all of these posts.

Carisa

[cocorel]

Its the thyroid causing Heartburn...it seems to be one of the common symptoms.
Thyroid disease causes digestive problems.

Be careful what you take, some antacid meds can make thyroid disease worse.
Once your thyroid levels are correct the symptoms should ease off.
Coco

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Found this on another post & copied & pasted for everyone to see.
Its a petitionthat may get us all better treatment - which I want

Original poster must take credit for below
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Reading this forum & going by my own treatment in the UK, is seems most of us have a problem with out treatment of our various forms of Thyroid Disease/problems

I found this Petition that may help us

If we all sign the  petition it could make a difference to our treament in the future.

It is for people all around the world.

There is also the same petition on another page for Doctors/Physicians

http://intlhormonesociety.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=53&tomHack_idp=10

[Hynes]

OH MY GOSH! I am so glad I came to this site.  I have been getting heartburn like CRAZY lately.  Like, it gets so bad that I feel like my throat is going to close up and then I start to cough.  I am taking levothyroxine (112 mcg) daily and sometimes my heartburn gets so bad that I can hardly swallow without wanting to cry, b/c it feels like someone is putting my esophogus and chest on fire (hence.....burn, I guess) but its really irritating, and Im only 21 so I shouldnt even be feeling like **** anyhow.  When I burp, its worse, and nothing seems to cure the pain. ANy suggestions besides going to the doctor (which I think I will make an appt)

=)

[Applecore]

Thanks Newbee2000 for the encouragement.  After watching the endoscopy I didn't want to have it, only because of the numbing of the throat.  If you don't remember that, maybe they don't do it anymore.  I do get severe pain after taking the levothyroxine but that is the only symptom.  I have asked my doctor about taking synthroid (I took it years ago and had no side effect).  His answer to me was his wife takes it and its ok.  I will address the pain with him but I sure don't want to go through any more changes with taking a different medicine.  I feel overwhelmed at the different things that still have to be addressed.  Do any of you ever feel that way.  The worse is over but there are still lots of things to address.  Thanks for your help.  Linda

[Newbee2000]

I suggest you see a gastroenterologist! I also found eating many small meals plus many very small servings of rice pudding and/or ice cream throughout the day helped me. An empty stomach seemed to make heartburn worse for me, so does asprin, advil, motrin, or any nonsteroid anti inflammatory, so try to avoid them as well as fatty foods. You may need to switch the type of ppi you're taking I took protonix and nexium and neither gave me complete relief. I was taking 30 mg of prevacid TWICE a day at first and for a long, long time! Don't be nervous about seeing gastro MD! It's simple and can help you. You might also try switching to a different brand of thyroid med. As I said the levothyroxine (geneic) DEFINITELY induced heartburn in me!!!  Best wishes!

[Francesanne]

Thank you all for your comments and have found them all really interesting and helpful. Really starting to despair this burning and pain will never disappear. I'm starting to think people think I'm a drama queen because I look fit & well but they don't know how awful the pain is. It's certainly got worse since I started Thyroxine. It did disappear for a couple of weeks and I thought I'd solved the problem by taking the tablet with a large glass of water but it came back after a couple of weeks and now it's even worse.I've been prescribed Lansoprazole(gastro-resistant)capsule but they do absolutely nothing. I'm also taking Valsartan (Diovan), Atenol,Cyclopenthiazie for my high blood pressure and do wonder if this combination is the cause of the heartburn. I've had ECG's plus ultrasound to rule out anurisym and they were both fine. I know I'm a very anxious person and anxiety makes everything worse but when something goes on for ages you can't help getting worried. It's certainly a vivcious circle. I'm trying to lose weight but due to the thyroid situation it's a long slow battle. Don't eat fatty foods,don't smoke, don't drink and still falling apart. Wish you all well and thanks again for responding.