Hi. I was wondering if anyone here has issues with indigestion? I have Graves also so I don't know which symptoms go with which autoimmune illness. I've had an endoscopy and was told I have a hernia. I was wondering if that was the cause of the indigestion or whether it's a sjogren's thing?
Thanks!
Hi Tomsmom :)
Snap! I have a hernia too. A hiatal hernia - and reflux that has caused esophagitis. A lot of sjoggies get GERD and reflux and gastritos and esophagitis but I don't think SjS causes the hernia. SjS can mean that our stomach acid is less diluted because we're not swallowing saliva so the reflux can be more 'abrasive'.
My rheumy says my esophagitis will be due to the hernia and not to SjS. A lot of sjoggies do have 'indigestion' though. The treatment seems to be the same whatever. Omeprazole or something similar dilutes the stomach acid and does help.
Take care - Scottie :)
Yes, I never had a problem until Sjogrens. It is one of my primary complaints though recently has been better with the addition of a new med called Kapidex.
Hopefully, you will soon get it under control.
Anna
I had really bad gerd that my GI couldn't get under control- this was before I was diagnosed w/ SS. Since I have fibromyalgia as well he thought to try elavil as that is often used as an adjunct to pain meds for fibro. Low and behold it cleared my gerd symptoms about 80%. I'm convinced I have had SS since my 20's so it very well could be a reason I have the gerd as well... May be elavil will work for you- you never know.... Good luck- poorly control gerd is horrible. ???
Hi Tomsmom!
I'm another one with a hiatel hernia, GERD, and esophagitis. I have been on meds to reduce the acid in my stomach for years which I don't know if that is good for me either. I have had 2 EGD's and 1 colonoscopy over the last many years and am do to have both done again next week (Oh joy...not)!
I think as Scottie said its due to the lack of saliva that most of us have as a concern. If you don't have the saliva to dilute the stomach acid..its very hard on your system and can erode the lining of the esophagus.
I don't know if its caused by the sjogrens or what...but I do know it can be miserable and it needs to be controlled. Good luck to you!
Count me in. GERD, esophagitis and moderate hiatal hernia. More recently, malabsorption. The fun never ends!
I also have GERD! I had it for years, but once the Sjogren's hit, I have it worse. Nexium controls it, but I still get stomach contents up into my mouth at night or on bending over. (GROSS).
Crabcakes...
Gross but unfortunately true! I understand! ;)
My stomach issues started over a year ago, I constantly complained that my stomach seemed to be slowing down,, but could not get anyone to take me serious,, then when I was DX;ed with Periphal Neuropathy the neuro said that if I had it in my legs then I prob have it in my arms,, DUH,, been telling that for months,, then they told me I prob have gastroparesis in my stomach,, ( I tried to tell them),, tak9ing nothing for that,, just hoping that i am able to just void daily, Tomorrow I have a CINE MRI then meet with the neuro surgeons about some of these spine issues, and I;m waiting on the results of the sural nerve biopsy done last week,,if nothing shows on this stuff,, theni guess its just a matter of living with this nonsense and just trying to work with it till I drop
I'm a newbie to digestive issues, but not to SjS. About 9 weeks ago I started getting severe stomach pain, high in the abdomen, anywhere from minutes to hours after eating. Then it would pass, and I'd have dreadful intestinal pain and a rumbling tummy. Each day was a little different but very soon I could barely eat anything without nausea and severe pain. I've lost a lot of weight and have become very anaemic.
Advice from doctors: a glass of sherry before each meal (rheumy) or don't tell your GP or she'll want to do something about it (neuro).
The neurologist thinks it's gastroparesis caused by my cns symptoms, and that the cyclophosphamide I'm due to start this month should sort it out. The rheumy agrees, but adds that SjS dryness means that my whole digestive tract is super dry and therefore not functioning properly. Again he thinks the chemo will cure it.
I did mention it to my GP who wants me to have another endoscopy. Nobody seems too bothered about the weight loss except me. The strange thing is that friends have been commenting on it in a positive way, asking me if I feel more like 'me', and if my mobility issues are helped by having less bulk to carry around! Not helpful.
Take care - Chickpea
I am in the boat with the rest of you...however, I also have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Just wanted to add something to the mix. I think all these things are connected to Sjogrens..how, I am not sure but they sure are a pain --no pun intented. Hugs all. Redetha