Is GERD related to IBS symptoms?

IBS is pain and inflammation in the bowels (intestine), is that what you are experiencing?

When I was taking dexilant (PPI), some foods would cause me stomach pain. Did you eat something unusual? Also when I stopped taking the dexilant, I had stomach pain in my stomach for a week.

It seems that many people have more gas when they have reflux problem, and gas can be painful in the whole digestive system. One of the approaches to treat GERD is to avoid foods that create gas.

Hi Ines, I have diarrhoea and tender stomach as well as lower stomach pain. I cant think of anything I've eaten to cause it. I Googled if there was any connection and it said GERD can cause stomach and bowel issues. I might go back to the doctors next week if it hasn't cleared up by then.

I am not a doctor and I don't know much about this but maybe you have some bad bacteria. I read somewhere that with the lack of acid in the stomach bad bacteria can develop more easily. It is a good idea to get it checked if you don't get better.

Here is what I found:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is informing the public that the use of stomach acid drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may be associated with an increased risk of Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea (CDAD). A diagnosis of CDAD should be considered for patients taking PPIs who develop diarrhea that does not improve.

Patients should immediately contact their healthcare professional and seek care if they take PPIs and develop diarrhea that does not improve.

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium that can cause diarrhea that does not improve.1 Symptoms include watery stool, abdominal pain, and fever, and patients may go on to develop more serious intestinal conditions.

I took a proton pump inhibitor and it gave me stomach ache and then diarrhoea so I had to stop. They wrote on my records that I am allergic to it! I also took statins at the time so it could have been the combination as I read that they shouldn't be taken together?

As soon as I heard the news about having diarrhea ,etc. I stopped taking Omeprazole. No pain or other symptoms, but I was reluctant to even start taking Omerprazole. Doctors just prescribe meds, you have to do your own research. I usually do, but not this time. I suffered dearly for it. Since changing my diet, not any particular diet, just a healthier one. It took a while but I am back to normal.(my normal lol) The only reason I went to an ENT is because while in hospital a polyp on voice box was discovered. Scoping to check polyp the esophagus was checked and the saga began. ugh!

Tinkbell32, once you stop med the diarrhea will stop, too.

Thank you all for taking the time to respond. I think i will stop taking the Lanzoprasole from today and see what happens. I just hope my reflux doesn't return although if i stay away from what i know triggers it i should be ok i suppose.

Fingers crossed!! x

I too have stomach upsets from ppis ( pantoprazole in my case) not diarrhea but discomfort it does not feel

to me like the cramps I had with ibs. I also have ti redness and feeling spaced out feeling with ppis. But if

you stop taking it unless you are lucky I think the reflux comes back. I have been told that if I stop the ppis my oesophagus will be damaged as I have a weak oesophagus and stomach and the valve is not working

properly ( following endoscopy). Have you had an endoscopy ? I am sure your diarrhea will stop if you stop

ppi bu t not sure if the reflux will stay away I hope so in your case. Everyone reacts differently to these meds.

Stop self-diagnosing. Go to your GP and discuss this with them. Don't just listen and obey. Talk to them. Find out what their findings are so far. You (the patient) are the reason for their being, not the other way round. Find out why Lansoprazole has been prescribed at twice the normal starting dose and at a higher dose for longer than recommended. Read the patient leaflet before you go.

Hi Tinkerbell, I agree with Richard that it might be good to talk to your doctor. You can tell him you want to stop the medication.

One of the reason is that it is preferable to wean off the PPI slowly, taking it every other day for a week then every three days for a week for example, to tamper the possible rebound effect.

That is what my doctor said to me when I wanted to stop. I did not do it properly and I think I hurt my stomach in the process with the excess acid due to the rebound effect.

I was on 30mg to start with but it didn't help my symptoms at all so my doctor increased it to 60mg. I wasn't given a time frame of how long I should take it for so just carried as my doctor prescribed me 4 boxes. I feel like I've been to the doctors so much recently and I'm worried they'll think I'm a hypochondriac soon! I try and research on the net and get advice here rather than troubling them.

I don't want to make myself more ill in the process by just stopping the PPI's altogether so I'll ring my doctor today. Thanks all for your advice.