BAD DIGESTIVE ISSUES PLEASE HELP!

[bobbyjoe211]

I have been suffering with GI problems for two years. Symptoms: Severe nausea,indigestion, GERD, bloating/gas, sometimes mild epigastric discomfort. I have been on priolsec then protonix a year in a half now. (does not help GERD) Anyways I have had and upper GI, Ultrasounds, CT scan, xrays all coming back negative. I had a HIDA scan about 5 weeks ago which my gallbaldder didnt show so aI had it removed. The surgery relvleaved chronic gallbladder disease/extensive gallbaldder adhesions which were removed. A week before the surgery I had a EGD. Negative for H-Pylori, hernia, ulcers, or bleeding. Biospy shows mild gastritis and excessive stromal fibrosis. I didnt feel better after gallbladder removal. I had some blood testing about  two weeks ago showing high WBC and low RBC along with two elvated liver enzymes AST and ALT. Never had that problem before. My question is what do those elevated ezymes mean? Why isnt the acid reducers working? What are the possible causes of my gastrtis?

[Red_Star]

Yes well i didn't proof read my answer lol but anyway i meant "my stomach acid is now too low for acid blockers to mask symptoms". :)

The baking soda (sodium bicarbonate, not baking powder) test...

The following steps help to determine your stomach's acidity:

1. Perform this test first thing in the morning on an empty stomach (before
eating or drinking)

2. Dissolve ¼ teaspoon of baking soda into an 8 oz glass of cold water

3. Drink the solution and start timing

4. Record the time until you first burp up gas

5. Perform this test for 5 consecutive days (or longer) at the same time each day to give a better estimation of your stomach’s acidity

Time until first burp:

If you burp immediately and excessively your stomach acid level is probably too high

Under 2 min: indicates normal acidity

2 - 5 min: low normal acidity

Over 5 min: possible hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid)

No burping indicates possible achlorhydria (no stomach acid).

[Red_Star]

"The popular belief is that acid reflux is due to an excessive amount of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. New science has revealed that this is not the case. GERD is most often caused by too little hydrochloric acid being secreted by the stomach.

During digestion the stomach secretes acid to lower its pH to around 1.5-2.5 range. More protein in the meal results in a greater need for stomach acid. Individuals with non-obstructive acid reflux are often not able to get their pH low enough. The LES is known to be a pH sensitive valve that initiates closure when pH drops under 3.0. When the stomach does not have enough acid, the LES remains open and acid can spill into the esophageal region and damage the tissue." -  Excerpt from the article "Beat acid reflux naturally by Dr David Jockers.

***

My mother no longer suffers severe GERD (5 years), severe LPR (5 years) and is 95% improved with gastritis (25 years/severe pain for the last 5). She stopped ALL acid blockers after i found an online baking soda test to try out.  She didn't burp for an hour!  Seriously low stomach acid!

So nexium and gaviscon out, digestive enzyme supplements and betaine HCI with pepsin supplements in!  Oh and her acid blockers were not working either.  I call this "my stomach acid is now too low to mask symptoms" sign lol.  Within weeks of this new change, GERD and LPR were gone.

Over a year later gastritis was 95% better. This is because proteases (enzymes that digest proteins) repair and heal damaged tissue. I assume that last 5% will never disappear entirely as she has bile gastritis due to gallbladder removal. The bile comes up into the stomach and keeps irritating the stomach lining. She continues to take these supplements although only takes the betaine with protein meals. She needs magnesium and probiotics when stressed to prevent some reflux occurring.

Hypothyroidism is one of the many causes of insufficiency stomach acid. In this instance, the lower metabolism slows down the parietal cells from pumping out enough stomach acid. Gallbladder disease is one of the possible conditions of hypothyroidism. Elevated liver enzymes, low RBC are labs that can occur with hypothyroidism. Besides infection, is adrenal insufficiency is another cause of elevated WBC. Interesting as this is common with hypothyroidism. Hmmm :)

The question is do you have any symptoms of hypothyroidism other than GERD, gallbladder issues and a few abnormal labs?  Symptoms include fatigue, unexplained weight gain, elevated cholesterol, hair loss to name a few. This is just one possible suggestion. But aging alone is a cause of lower stomach acid. Nice to know eh? :)